Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1863-01-10

Letter from John c. Underwood to
senator Watson on the ReOrE nnIza-
ton OF Eastern Virginia.
~ =H TREASURY DEPARTMENT, 4
AU0iTeR's OFFICE, Jan. 5, 1853.
Hon. g. F. Watson:
DIAN SIE:-Iu compliance with your re-
quest at parting on Saturday, snatch
moment 10 put on paper the views express
cd 10 conversation "s to the proper policy
for US IL Eastern Virginia, since the separ-
auon from the West is an accomp ishcd
fact. We have before us the great work of
rerlenishing wasted and depopulated
country. It is well known that very many
OF The rebel planters of This region have
einigrated to the far South, taking with
them the most valuable OF their slaves
This emigration and the escape of many
more of the coloEed people, and the escape
and loss. ia the numerous Conflicts of "A
large portion of the whites who did not
emigrate southwark has left the country
almost desert without the labor necessary
10 any sort of cultivation
Nor Is there any probe bility of II return
of the emigrauts. How then SHALL these
deserted FERNS and plantations be restored
to cultivaIionI Two great measures are
in my judgment absolutely necessary to
effect these desirable results.
LIST. The General Government must
promptly sell the lands of the emigrant
traitors under the excellent act of June
last, for the collection of taxes in iusurrec-
tionary districts, aud establish the title in
the hands of loyal meu.
Next, and tits a measure of equal ne
cessity, we of the old State, must eucour-
age tho emigration and settlement in this
region both OF patriotic laborers, of mea
and means.
TO do this effectuAlly, we must have a
State Convention TO amend our constita
ton. In short, we must do US the Western
States have always SO successfully done to
insure their rapid growth and wonderful
development. We must pnt away that old
aristocratic pride and exciusiveness which
I has 80 long cursed our State, and been 50
instrumental in fostering this wicked re-
| bellion. We must show our appreciation
/ of the brave and useful men whose labor
is the wealth and strength of every State,
! by giving them the power and influence in
[ the Government to which they are fairly
eutitlsd. We must make loyalty, rather
than long residence the qualification for
voting and holding office. 1t would be
/ worse than i'd e TO expect men of means to
bring their much needed capital here, and
invest 1t in necessary seed grain, ngricul-
tural implements domestic animals and
provisions, TO say nothing of manufactures,
II tor two whole years they are not to be
allowed to vote, to protect their invest
menss
We should also by prompt acceptance
of the generous offer of the President in
his Emancipation Proclamation, secure the
favor of the administration aud the large
amount of money to which Eastern Vir
ginia will be entitled, ny adopting the pol
icy recommended by the President In
one word, We should without delay, iui-
tate the Wisdom Of Missouri, the young gil
ant of the West. There were, by the cen :
sus OF 1860, in Eastern Virginia about
$4,000 slaves. An allowance of $500 for
each, the sum given the District of Colum.
bia, would amount to (Sl42, 100000 one
hundred and forty-twO millions five hun.
bred thousand dollars. This amount would
not only amply compensate all loyal own
ers and pay all loyal men their immense
losses from the destruction, coutiscation and
loss of all their property, but would nav
The State de9t and leave an ample fund for
general education aud internal Improve
meat. All these blessings can now be Sc
cured by wise, prompt aud vigorous action.
Let tue Legislature, now in session at
Wheeling, provide by law for an early con
stitutionai convention, tu meet at Alexan-
lNAANl 0uN PASoVuA tue uSeueu amendments
to the loyal residents of old Virginia.
Writs of election to be issued by Governor
PeirPoint us coon as, in his Judgment
twenty or more counties of Eastern Virgi.
mia shall be fully restored from rebel oc
cupntiOn and Intimidation. The time of
meeting of the delegates, equal in number
TO tho delegates to the House of Delegates
from the respective conties, should also be
left to the Governor, aud the Capital of the
State should, for the present, be Alexan-
drin.
1t seems to me, also, of the first import
auce, that the agents appointed to nego-
tiate with the General Government, or re.
present us in Congress, should be persons
who, from sympathy and concurrence of
principles and action, will have the respect
Of the Administration, and therefore be the
more able to secure the greatest advant.
ages to the State and people it will be
their duty TO represent.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
JOHS G. UNDERwooD.