Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1861-02-20

The following letter from SAxuEL Fl. JoNEs, the
absconding deputy sheriff Of Msury county, ap-
pears in the last Columbia Press. The point from
which it was written is not given:
EWS. L. ARSELL, Eso.-You win do me the kind
ness to publish the following statement, in your pa
per- to the citizens Of Maury county. Some ten years
since was elected constable IN your county. Short
ly afterwards l became Involved BY paying msney
as security for various persons. This practice
have kept up until now, when the amount of money
paid by me for other persons may be counted by
thousands. When first became involved various
persons gave me money with which to buy notes
and judgments. / frequently bought notes and
judgments with the money given me for that pur-
pose; and often used the money so deposited to
pay some security debt on which was bound, al
ways, however paying to such depositors 10 per
cent with the additional per cent accruing on the
paper; making II per cent for nine monts
or at the rate of % or 80 per annum-a rate
SO ruinous that was soon involved TO such an ex-
tent that could with difficulty pay the discount and
interest on the amount The question will natural
| ly arise, why would a sensible man pursue course
so suicidal ] can only answer, that hoped and
continued to hope that fortune would aid me in my
arduoHs endeavors to extricate myself from the
cumulating burden. If must make the confession,
expended at least five hundred dollars in the pur-
chase of lottery tickets hoping that lucky draw
/ would relieve me of my embarrassments; but was
doomed to disappointment on all Sides and the great
crISlS WEIGH Is HOW upon the country mas
| left me bankrupt Notwithstanding my insolvency
if could give my business my personal attention
could realize for the benefit of my creditors four or
| five thousand dollars which other man can do,
| from the tact that there is that amount due me
which IS not IN shape that any person will under.
stand it except myself There are various sums due
me for which have note nor even scratch of a
pen. Ihave also paid money for which have not
taken receipts and may not get credit by the said
amounts.
| I have xz,orked hard fo. tba fost ~ ,-..,-
through heat and cold, by day and night as a thou.
| sand in Maury county know and her citizens
have received all that | have ever made over and
| above a support for my family. However, am
not attempting to justify my conduct in using money
as above indicated, for am well aware that il was
very reprehensble, and no man who has lost money
/ by me regrets it much as myself. If | owned
| the State of Tennessee to-day l would cheerfully
give it if it would pay them their money and give
| me my former standing in the community in which
lived. This statement is called forth by extracts
| l see copied from Tennessee papers, which do me
injustice For instance, see it stated that bor-
rowed large sums of money from various persons
just prior to my departure from the State which if
| true, would be evidence Of purpose to defraud.
| But this is most unrighteous charge | did
/ borrow from n. +. Wilkes thirty dollars, which
! | Immediately paid TO James g. McGaw a Con-
! stable of Maury county, upon debt for which
| was bound as security for Thomas A. Dodsou, for
| the payment of which, to Mr.. Wilkes, have made
| the necessary arrangements. also got one hun
dred dollars from George w. Stockard, of Williams
/ port, for which / gave him note on James 7. S.
Greenfield for one hundred and sixty dollars out
| of which to pay himself and place the balance to
my credit on his mercantile books So far from my
| having borrowed largely had only one hundred
and fttyseven dollars at the time of my unexpect-
| ed departure. l say unexpected because the pur-
pose to leave not formed until the day on which
left and wonld not have gone had not been in
formed that one of my creditors intended to prose-
/ cute for q misauDicatiOn of his uOnev And
| now | have given you a brief but truthful state
ment of the unfortunate circumstances of my case.
1 know that have never for moment entertained
] thought to injure any mani was influenced by
| no sinister motive-no evil intention.
| protest before heaven that dishonest purpose
has never, never, found Judgement in my breast.
| And although at this moment overwhelmed by NOR
| LITIGATION and regret, for past indiscretons yet
! scOrn the imputation of dishonesty. / was moved
/ by day and by night with anxiety that knew no
abatement, and efforts that never tagged, to meet
the gathering storm TO my creditors and mann
| tain my official reputation, but bafled and borne
| down by opposing forces, sank beneath the load
and was wildly driven, scarce knew how, into an
unhappy exile from home and friends and loved ones
| And here while brood over my misfortunes-
while think of my former standing in your midst
when remember all the friends so linked togeth-
er. yes when my yearnIng heart reYsits the scenes
| and inmates of my own humble, but now desolate
| home how the spirit dies within me. About that
consecrated hearthstone there are hearts, warm
| with sympathy for the absent one but who do not
| enjoy the small consolation of knowing lchere he
shelters his aching head, if sheltered all This is
hard to bear my friends! Perhaps | could endure
the separation but when think of the partner of
my joys and sorrows, and little ones who look,
and look again, with anxious gaze, and eyes that
will not sleep, my heart bleeds for Them But hush
my throbbing breast! Suppress thy choking grief
God shield them and thee. SAMUEL II. JONES.
February 3. 1861.