Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1862-01-16
TuE CAsE OF nROwNLOw.
We find the following communication in Il
Richmond Hammer, Of January 1lth:
KsoNrnLF -. January Z. -.

KSoXvHLE, Tenn January :, l862
The letter Of your correspondent Of the 27th ultimo,
and published in your ISSUE Of the lst instant, in relation
to the passport grant d 10 ". G.. BrowBlowi to quit the
Confederate States, by Gen. CrittenGen, is one of such a
character as 10 demand a reply from me. And TO enable
your readers TO appreciate the case in its true light, ] beg
10 90 behind the facts stated by your correspondent:
On the 26th Of October last, Brownlow suspended the
publication of the Knoxville Hkig, and stated in a lead
ing editorial that he did SO TO avoid a threatened arrest
and prosecution for treason, on account Of bis opposition
to the Confederate government as manifested through
his editorial department The friends Of Mr.. Ramsey the
attorney for the government Ia this district met ana
promptly denied that he entertained any such purpose.
The Knoxville Register, believed to be in the confidence,
and 10 speak the sentiments, Of the district alto ney,
affirmed this deniAl The Nashville BaaRT said the
d" ParsoA was laboriug under an hailucination' while
other southern journals INDUCED IN similar strains Of
contumptuous ridicule, until Brownlowi overwhelmed
with southern indignation, and in fear OF personal VIC
lence, about the Sd OF November left home and sought
shelter with his friends and synpathizers IN the remote
and mountainous portions Of btount and sewer counties.
lie had b. en- thus concealed about three weeks, SO far
as 1 know, no order had been given by the military for
his arrest, nor had any process been issued against nm
by the civil authorities, and no crime was imputed 10
him by any official of the government In fact, upon the
authority Of this semi-oficial declaration Of the Register,
it was generally believed that he would not be molested
by the government for anything previously appearing IN
the Hhig, and I have not heard that any subsequent act
OF his has been complained Of
In this condition of his case, Mrs. Brownlow, a kind
aud estimable lady, informed me that her husband was
so embarrassed that he desired to quit the Confederate
States. and remove his family with him, aud requested
me TO procure INN q passport. 1 promised 10 40 So ana
having other business at Richmond / went hither a few
days thereafter. President Dsyis kindly accorded me an
iutervie y in the presence Of Secretary Benjamin and
AttOruey-General Bragg In relation 10 the general polt-
ical troubles Of East Tennessee, and, after about forty
minutes conversation upon this subject / rem rNed sub
stautiaUv as follows: THAT Brownl9w, from fear Of
personal violence, had left home, AID was supposed 10 be
concealed somewhere in the mountains of Biouut or Sc
weir; that had not seen him did not know where ne
was, and had no authority 70 act for him but his wife
had requested me 20 procure him a passport 70 leave the
Confederate States To this statement addedtle express
sion Of nv opinion that it would be good policy to let him
60 Mr. Benjamin assented % the proposition but Pres
ident Davis i~nterposed the objectio that It seemed 70 be
comforting on B ownlow a privilege withheld form 9TH
eTs 70 which Mr.. Benjamin rejoued that he was willing
to make a proclamation offering free exit to every disaf-
fected man ia East Ten essee, except brdge-burners ard
such as had actually taken up arms AGAINST the govern
meut. with "A distinct understanding that all who remain-
ed would be required. by a rigid policy, to support he
Confederate government. A few additional remarks
upon this subject end d the conversation, and ! with
drew. The next day called at the War apartment
and was furnished with a letter TO Con Critcndeu, Of
which the following is a copy