Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1863-12-08
,AUNToN sPEcTAToRAND GgNERAL ADVERTIsER.
JOHN MINOR Bolts, LETTER.

JOHN MINOR BOTTS' LETTER.
New YoRK, Nov. %. : John Min or Bolts let
or to the Richmond ssEzalniner,'' under date
CT the Associated Press with the
Army of the Potomac. Mr.. Bolts denies the
charge that he, in an interview with an Indiana
dajor. proclaimed himself Union man without
my IFS or butts He had no such interview and
ased no such language. He denied having said
that he wished the Federal Generals knew half
hat he kneweof the rebels and their resources
Ind intentions. He is not n the confidence OF
the Government or the Com manders of its for
cess and therefore of its int n;ionS he is as pro-
foundly Ignorant as of their resources.
In reply to the charge oftae ssExaniner" that
be abhorred the Government but loved its mon
ey, he says: Whatever msy think OF the Gov
yet never !eit yself entirely at lib
erty, in this land OF freedom to say half as much
ag Ainst its Administration as have read in Your
own editorial columns; but II baye never made
profession OF devotion to the Government, have
not ceased to feel warm userest ia the welfare
of the people of Virginia, with whose prosperi-
tv and freedom my own are entirely identified
and Will take occasion to say here, what said
to General Meade, and have said to all, that my
earnest prayer is that this revolution may result
In whatever may contribute most to the perma-
nent peace and happiness, prosperity and freedom
of the people of Virginia These are the bless
ings Of good Government; this is what sup
pose is desired and AIMED at by all, unless the
selfish politician and the corrupt spectators in
and oct Of the army may Constitute an excep-
ion. They care not what sort of Government
they live under, provided they bill the high places
and have their pockets well lined.
1--WE may differ possibly, and perhaps hon.
esiy, Is to the best means OF attainiog these de-
srable ends. If it is by the success OF the rev.,
lutlon may it succeed /; but il =. .,v tha ras..;o,
q The ~., s.len hope the Union may be res
tered. What | want is a Government that has
the will and power 10 protect my person and nj Y
property against I'll abuses; and that I would
prefer living as did before the war to living
as have done since the war, is beyond all cues
tion aud | would be Mad man or fool if l
were to pretend otherwise
Mr. Bolts denies having done anything of which
the Confederate Government can complain, I'M
less it be that he has not come Democratized,
and made no concession to Democracy. On the
other hand he complains, First, ssthat the pow
err or the legislative branch Of the Govern naant
has been especially direesea against him. Sec
| ond, that the power OF the eSecnti-a n., 20
the Government has been executed against him
when under this detstaDe, unwTitten and mn
known code called martial law
Upon no chargs preferred which they dared
| him arrested in his bed and barred to filthy
negro jail, where be was kept III solitary confine.
mer TO: eight weeks, when will. all the vigilance
and use and the search of tiy ir nume,ous d4tec-
| tive they could fad nothing Hpon which TO hinge
a charge, and now comes a second arrest with
out charge, whilst the atiiy itself mas been
turned luose upon him, 10 destroy his property
| by design anu ny the orders ut officers in nIgn
| command, and but tor a squad from the head
quarters of General Lee, none can tell to wnal
condition he would have sbaen reduced Mr.
Bolts says, sshaye /, tllan Mr.. Editor had rnuch
/ reason for attachment or deVotiVn 20 a Govern
tnent by which l have been thus treated
| ssYou complain of the treatment Mr. Vsilaud-
ignain has received al he hands OF his Govern.
nent- He made many violent speeches, in which
he took active and strong grounds agaiust his
| Government; for this he sont amongst his
| friends, as they supposed. But have done
/ u0thing, taken no part, but maintained firmly
! and consistently, as shall continue TO do, NV
own private opinions, ana the conviction of my
best Judgment, which has not been controlled b !,
any considerations OF selishaess, ambition or
/ fear.
/ ST want no better vindieation for having with
/ held my approval OF this war than is to be
| found in the fact that there not one Of those
/ who aided Ia bringing il on that would do it if,
with their present experiences, it had to be gone
over again, or If they scoirsi have ioreseen what
has followed, all Ut Which d4e1 foresee and fore
TELL. Mt. bottS denies lnat Gen. Meade took
Inner at bis table, yet makes known that he in
slted him to do so, and regretted that his con-
slant engagements prevented his acceptance, and
should he return to the vicinity, the offence
would be repeated. Tue truth is, he mas enter
tianed freely ad hospitshsy the officers and gen
tlemen of both arfnies whose acquaintance he
has eljoyed, and shall continue to do SO so long
AS he is master of MS IN lands.
ssHltherto | have beeu silent" says Mr.. Botts
ssas to the wrongs, injuries and indIgnities that
have been heaped upon me, but am not a span
iei, to lie down and crouch at the bidding OF anv
4 master, nor lick the hand thas smites me aud
If attn thus to be selected an particular object
OF persecution, aud can lind protection from
| the law, then wil protect m, self This can
| not do against the Government or against an ar
| my, bat / and will do it when the law, mill
| cary and civil, both fail NE, against any one man
| tnat this Contederacy can boast.
II cannot be induced to swerve one hairs
| breadth lIom the line Of conduct which nv own
Judgment and conscience may dictate, which
is to take DO lot, part 0. share in the RESPONSE.
biiity That rests upon those who have brought
| Gn.s whirlpool of desoaton ans! ruin upon nv
| unfortunate country, but If 10 adhere firmly and
| consistently to the opinions aud principles that
have maintained for thirty years, ami If tc pre-
| fer living as did before the war, to living as
have done since the war makes NE traitor then
"a traitors lite let me hive, or traitors death
let me die"