Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-11-12

A CURIOUS REVELATION OF THE WAR.

A CURIOUS REVELATION OF THE WAR.
4 The following letter, written by. R. B. Lee,
grandfather of the present commander in-
CHIEF of the rebel army, was found in the
dwelling house of General Stuart. in Virginia.
and has been placed in our possession for pub
lication. 1t is one of the most curious epis-
tolary productions brought to light by the war,
and furnishes clear insight into the origin of
the rebellion: rSo al919ts
5 New York. April 5, 1890.
MY DEAR SIR I am just favored with your
very acceptable letter Of the Goth ult ~
As to Mr.. Madison's plan, you do not seem
fully to have understood 1T. 1t would not
have diminished the amount of the debt and
therefore would not have rendered the burth-
ems less. The public would not have gained
farthing by the operation, but he intended
that justice should be done to every class of
citizens. to the full extent of the abilities of
the country. He conceived the original hold
ers, as web as the present possessors of the
debt OF the United States, entitled to some
considerations; and as it was evidently impos-
sible to discharge the obligations which the
pnblic were under to both, the dictates OF jus
tice required that there shonld be a compost
tiOn OF their claims, and every possible Justice
done. l conceive the equity of his doctrine
'ncontrovertible; and l saw no objection to his
but plan the difficulty of the exertIon--andst the
danger of the precedent. Such a precedent
might be used as pretext to Justify meas
ure dissimilar in all its leading points at fu-
tnre day. felt myself, as you have done,
Very much irritated at the indelicate treat
ment which he received. Some seemed to
express, by their conduct, joy, that they had
II in their power TO depress his Importance (as
they thonght,) which rendered it still more
necessary for the friends of virtue,3 and OF the
Southern Interests, to maintain and support
him. The debates on this question will better
explain to you his conduct.
AS to the memorials from the Ouakers and
Others relative to the slave trade, their intro
duction, from the manner in which the sub
Jcct was treated, became importunate. The
gentlemen from South Carolina and Geogia
by anticipating what was never hi blended, have
been instrumental in sounding dsagreeable
alarms. Ii they had said nothing, the House
OF Represe entatives, without doubt, would
have declared with one voice that Congress
had no power to int erfere in any manner so as
to affect or alter the internal regulations of the
States relative to them.
The authors OF the petition were Influenced
by an honest, though indlscreet zeal, on the
occasion. They expressly declared that their
object was not to njure the property of the
Southern States, but to discontinue the slave
trade, which they deemed cruel and dishonor-
able. at,t Fas 7, r-,e seu-fst -
By the Wnfounded apprehensions of the gentle
m en- from Carolina and Georgia, all The alarms
,Dhich hare been spread Were caused. consider
the declaration wh ich we made in a. commit
tee OF the whole, however, as soon as we We're
permitted to come to a decision, will not only
quiet our fears, but put our Slave property on
surer foundation than it before stood and
inter probation of the powers of Congress
gwen at this time, when the meaning of the
parties to the Constitution must. be fully un-
derstood, may prevent at a future day any i'm
proper coercice authorifg on Mis subject. | can
III
cIusion OF this subject will be generally salts
factory 10 The State of Virginia, and that the
petitions you mention to be in coDtem mplation
10 our next Assembly will be found wholly un-
necessary ON this subject h iitti 80
:, As to the assumption of the State debt. this
question is still in suspense, and the final de-
termination very uncertain. The Eastern
States would carry their point at all hazards
rather than fail they would be contented with
majority of one vote. Three membe ffom
the State OF North Carolina are now on the
floor, which renders the success OF their plans
still more uncertain. From the present APP
pearance, cannot help thinking that the as
sumption will not proceed; il it should, it |
must wear different conntenance than it has
at present, and the most effectual provision
be made for speedy and fair settlement of all
accounts. have no doubt negotiations have /
been commenced, and are yet existing, be- |
tween the Eastern States and Pennsy lyania |
1eIatlve TO the permanent seat OF government; |
the Pennsy lvanians endeavoring to make the |
establishment OF the seat of government the |
price of the assumption. But in this business |
New \ ork is as necessary to carry the point as
Pennsylvania and it is not probable that she |
will be induced to yield up the advantage |
which she now has over her commercial rival. |
1 have, therefore. no fears that this negotia- |
tion will be productive of an establishment in |
Pennsylvania. As to the Potomack, / con-
slider our prospects as very remote. If the /
Gorernmenf last so long, it may erect its capi- |
tai its banks, at the expiration of twenty |
years. ~
1 confess that / feel myself often chagrined |
By the faunts against the ancient Domi' ion but |
Disunion AT THIS TINE acouLd be the corst of ca /
Ianlities. The Southern States are too weak |
at present to stand by themselves, and Gen |
eral Government will certainly be advanta-
geous to us, as it produces other effect
than protection from hostilities and uniform
regulations And when We shall /
attain our natural degree of population fat
ter myself that ,ce shall hare the polper to do
oarselres justice, with dissoiring the bond uhich
binds ns together. 1t is better to put up with
these little iIconveniences than to run the
hazard OF greater calamities. .,ssg y b...g
Adieu, r. B. LEE.
SINGULAR DisoovERY.-A farmer near Barr,
the other day killed sheep, in the stomach of
which was found twenty balls, varying from % /
10 inches in circumference, and as hard as
wood. The iarges. was about the size of a
cricket ball. On examination it was tund that