New-York daily tribune., 1863-10-26
,.,,er From Cen. Ccrhrauc.
EXPLANATION OF HIS VISIT TO RICHMOND IN
r.n.rs..,r Of TIN Y. Tri5une.

1851.
r,,l. Editor Of The ~ y. Tribune.
SIR. A few DAYS since there came to my no.
oa an editorial article in 7he World newspaper i'm
,utinn TO me. some time during the year ls6l. the
c,inions expressed in the following resolution vz'
Reso,red That the rapid developments of the last
6ve months have rendered the existence ei the Southern
Confederaoy historical fact that, excepting by the
free spontaneous act Of the separate members composing
it, its independent nationality can only be interiercd
forn of menace restrain, coercion under whatsoever
prSext of enforcing law collecting revenue or retak
ing property which may lead to conflict with the
seeded States
This resolution is one of series offered at meeting
Of the Mozart Hall organization by John Hackett ESQ.,
on the evening Of April 4, 1851, and which were
unanimously adopted at that time. I presided on the
occasion. and though did not write, voted for the
resolutions Those Of the series Immediately succeed
ing the one above quoted are as follows, viz:
..R,s,f+ed In order TO stay
the progress of disaster that the requirements OF those
Slave States that have not yet seceueu. shoue pe
promptly fulfilled; and anticipate the result OF the
Rorder state Convention 10 be hed at Frankfort with
confident reliance upon the justice OF their proceedings
and that their claims will meet with ready response
Resolred That the time has for patriotic cti
,ens in Northern States forget dead issues ana past
political differences and 70 rally IN support OF such
Union movement shall secure the preservation Of
peace and if possible pave the way through the adop
fon of suitable amendments of the Constitution Tor the
reconstruction of the Repubhei and tina, TINS 9rgan
zaton will cooperate with al those WHO am at eiieehS
these results.
twill be noted that these opinions we're expressed
April L. 1861. when many thought that the seeded
States might be won baoL by kindness while violence
and aggressive arms it thought would make re
union impossible. Such looked forward with hope
TO the Border State Convention then projected for
Frankfort for efecting the result l. in common with
very many Democrats entertained these opinions until
the bombardmeut OF ToI; Sumter rudely dispclod my
previous illusions Of peace and disclosed new view oi
Federal relations In the light Of exploding cannon at
Charleston. War having been waged against the
United States by Rebels under their Confederate flag
was then. and am now. for defending the Union b!
prosecuting the effectively to victorious close
While engaged will briefly allude to charge thar
have heard made. that. on visit to Richmond. III
March 1861. I msde dsunion speech. The virsinia
State Convention at the time holding It's sessions
at Richmond and went private capacity TO leorn
what hoped. the success Of tie Union men. IN pre-
venting the Secession Of tie State. On my arrival
was importuned by TIE Union men 10 make a speech
TO the citizens Of Richmond. 1 at length complied
and was assured by the Hon NJ. Willie (since L. 5
Senaior) and the Hon. George soiners and others OF
the benefit had conferred ON their cause have
not heard that the speech vos reported. nor have
seen report Of H. l believe that the charge said
that il was a dsuni0n speech. was founded on tele
gram 10 that effect TO 1HK n. Y. TRIBUNE upon the
aIbitreIy assumption Of some one of its correspond
.ents a; Richmond Willie lying in the lines before
Fredericksburg last December an officer in my brigade
presented ne with scrap Of newspaper printed II
that vicinity. end saying that when looking over Old
papers in neighboring house attracted by my name
be had read the context, and tore II from tie BODY OF
the newspaper The paragraph is os follows, viz:
Hon. John Cochrane OF Now-York, Is in Richmond
on mission il is said Of SOFT In connection with
the proceedings OF the Virginia Convention. o.
"Wednesday evening be was serenaded, and made d
Union speech" &c.
have only TO add that, Immediately after speaking
Twas invited to be present at consultation OF tb,
Union men Of tie CoAy on;ion and al their urgent
lcitation Immediately returned TO Washington with
request from them President 10 Secretary Sew
ard. Nd to Gen. Scott They attached great conse-
quence to compliance with theiT request for scouting
their ascendancy IN the State Convention. / have
reason to suppose tia, the request ives granted.
These facts are for tsc paDhc.
Yours very respectfully. JOHN CocEhANf
Nsr York. Oct "a 1868.