Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1862-10-08

Thus matters rested until some time, think,
10 April or May following, when, on the way
| to my place of business, met Mr.. James
Gowan, of Harrisburg, an old friend and ac-
quaintance. The war having been actually
commenced, our conversation naturally turn
| ed upon that subject Some pretty severe
structures were made by myself on what 1 con.
sidered the mistakes of Mr.. Buchanan's admin
lstration, and as being in my opinion the di-
rect cause of all our troubles. NY friend, on
the other hand, defended Mr.. Buchanan's pol
ICY While thus engaged, we were joined by
Gen. j. James, of Warren, mutual friend
and acquaintance of both OF us. Mr.. James
sustained my views on the question, and the
''taik became somewhat animated, in the
course of which mentioned the effort at
tempted to be made by Mr.. Hughes in the
late Democratic State Convention to .sswitch''
Pennsylvania out of the Union, when was
interrupted by Mr.. James, who said sWhy,
wasn't in that Convention, and on the CON-
mittee to draft resolutions? And didn't Mr..
Hughes come TO me in the committee room
and ask me to support his d-d REASONABLE
resolutioni" He continued "After 1 had
read it got so id mad that / shook my
list and swore that il he attempted to offer
that resolution, either in committee or Con-
venticn, that would pitch him and his reso-
luton headforemost out of the window. "I
don't know continued the General, .swheth
er IT was my threat or what, but neither
heard nor saw anything more of that resou-
tion." The material points of Mr.. James,
statement were subsequently, admitted by him
TO Mr.. L. F. Whitney, of this borough, in my
presence.
This is substantially all l have to say in re-
lation to your queries, and is given in nearly, |
if not precisely, the same language used at
the time 1t has been hastily drawn up, but |
you are at liberty to make whatever use of it
you may think proper. Very respectfully, &C.,
JEROME K. BOYER.
If necessary, will verify the above on
oath or affirmation. J.K.B
At the time of the Democratic Convention
at Harrisburg, in February, 1861, Francis W.
Hughes was delegate from Schuylkill coun-
ty to that Convention. In conversation be-
tween the Hon. Charles W. Hegins and Ben
jamin Pott, Higgins said "Hughes is making a
III.
(Hegins,) resolutions he (Hughes) had drawn
up to offer at that Convention in favor of
Pennsylvania joining the Southern Confeder-
acy, Higgins said he gave him hell of a scoId-
ing.
Mr.. Pott read the above this morning, ana
says 1t Is correct. G.. LoEsER.
Pottsville, 9th September, 1852.
In the latter part of summer or fall of 1861,
Francis W. Hughes, of Pottsville, came into
the Office of William B. Wells, an attorney at
law Of the same place, and who had been,
from the year 1850 to the year 1854, the law
partner of Hughes.
Lioyds's Railroad map, showing the State
was hanging against the wall, in the office,
open. Hughes pointed to the map with his
cane aud explained to Wells what he (Hughes)
thought would be the result of this rebellion
that the Western States would eventually Join
the South, as their interest lay with them
that the New England States, together with
New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and he
may have included Ohio. Ohio would be all
that would remain of these United States, and
that they would have to bear all the expe nses
or burden Of this war and that would be, as
he thought, the result of this rebellion, and
the disgrace of reputation would finally be
the result; that he (Hughes) did not want to
live in such a country. He said if he could fix
MS matters to suit him-or language to that
efect-he would go to some other country or
place Wells does not remember which. Wells
hen asked Hughes where he would 60. He ,
-enlied Ssfo Sandy Roffom aS Nattv Mills nsad
10 say" Wells said, "Hughes, you come to
hese conclusion upon the basis that this re-
,ellion cannot be put down." Hughes replied,
syes." Wells then asked him what conclusion
,e would come to, upon the supposition that
his rebellion could and would be put down.
he said, ssOf course, then, should come to
Iuite different conclusion but said, at the :
lown. Wells reiterated that he lirmly belize
red that it could and would be put down.
hughes to this replied that he wished he could
zee or believe as Wells did hut he could not
,r would not.
The foregoing was read by Wells, and he
ays it is correct. He says Hughes gave rea.
ons for his belief, the chief Of which was the
,ad feeling between the North and South, re- !
ating to the negro. Hughes justifes holding '!
he negro in slavery. G, LoEsER.
Pottsyille, Sept. 8, 1859.
In July last, about two weeks after the fune- q
al of the Hon. Charles W. Higgins, which was d
N the 4th of July, John P. Hobart, late Sheriff Q
# Schuylkill county, and his wife, were at !
and while there called upon Mrs. I