Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1864-02-06
SL(OII| edition.
I O'CLOCK P. n.
THE JOHN NJ. Borrs LETTER,

As there have been many misrepresentation
in regard TO a letter written by John M. Bolts
to Hon. George s. Smith, Treasurer of the vlr-
ginia STATE Government, declining flor rea-
sons stated therein) the position of L. 5. Sena-
tor from Virginia, Mr.. Smith furnishes us
with the original letter for publication, in order
that Mr.. Bots may De setrisht before the coun.
ty 1t is as follows:
AUBURN, Culpeper Co Va, Jan 7, 1851
Dear Sir: have received the letter OF Mr. :.
in which he urges in very earnest terms. that
i should accept seat in the Senate of the
United States, at the hands of the LEGISLATURE
row in session in Alexandria: an election which
he seems to think L have no right to decline as
the fri nds of the Union everywhere desire it.
Permit ME 10 say. my good sir, that / duly
appreciate the honor designed, which is far be-
yond any thiDg, that have reason to expect,
now or hereafter, from any other source; but
high and dignified as lis the position of United
States Senator, which in ordinary times is one
that might reasonably satisfy the ambition of
any moderate man, yetin the present condition
of the country, and of the state of which / am
snatirs here and TO the manner born,' / could not
with propriety, ana with my convictions OF
duty, accept any appointment at the hands OF
either OF the numerous governments. now exar-
cislng legislative powers over any of the dis
membsTed fragments, of what once constituted
the proud and revered old commonwealth OF
Virginia
ence to the rebellion, ] have been actuated by
no sordd considerations, and by no selfish de-
sire to advance my political. or personal for
tunes but 1t las been forced upon me by the
clear, unctoadetl, conscientious and overwhelming
convictions of my best judgment; free from all
passion, prejudice or ambition.
From the present aspect of affairs, as they
appear from the stand point occupy, 1t looks
as if the day was not very far distant, when (if
ever may be Of seine service in healing those
dissensiors and distractions growing out of
the grossest Misrepresentation aud fraudsl
that now divide the nation, the State, and al
most every locality, to a greater or less extent:
and which, though smotheTed for the time,
have never yet been extinguished but this can
only be done, If at all. by adhering firmly and
consistently 10 the opinions and principles OF a
long life, which have ssgrown with my growth
and strengthened with my strength" until they
have become part OF my second nature in
other words, must permit no shadow OF sus-
pieion from any quarter, to attach to my unset
fish patriotism, or the disin;erested inee rity of
my purpose, which the acceptance of office
might subject me to.
The extent of my aspirations for the present,
is to return 'good for era,' 10 this once yensr-
able and yeneIated, bat now poor doyn- trOd-
dem shattered. kcartIeSSly sacrificed, and diEapi-
dated old stMotber of Statss,' that has been
reduced TO her present miserable condition, by
her leading snd trus'ed statesmen, who, with
34fscalcaIat on upon nlisc1lcu!1tion and 5FuR-
der upon blnndcT, with every prophecy and
promise nnfHlfiled, have been cropping their
Way in Siberian darkness, ard with the most
iDexcusahie ignorance. after phantom. engen-
Geled ty q corr0ded and diseased imagination,
Which was excifed by nearIiess seiisGness,
ana IN are am bIti0n To perp9tudte t0er 0 Wl
power, that has been without a parallel in the
history OF the world.
/ am aware that my councils for the last
three years have been spurned and derded, and
my person even threatened with violence, by
many who once looked with a more charitable
and friendly eye upon my suggestions and ad-
vice. have reason to think. this hallUcination
is passing off, and is being rapidly dissipated
by the terrible ordeal to which the fortunes of
the South have been subjected, and it may be.
at least am not without hope, that at future
IN arr M = q in II hottl
the North and the South, by Which the chain
that once bound them together, may again con-
meet them, and TO this complexion it must come al
last; for neither passion, nor prejudice, nor
suffering, nor want, nor hunger, nor pride. nor
strife can endure forever, and the time must
come when men will look at things as they are,
and no longer close their eyes at bright mid.
day, and swear the sun does not shine, because
they desire TO shut out the light
Fer these and many other reasons not neces-
sary to en- umerate here, must beg to be eX-
cused for respectfully declining the high posi-
ton TO which it is proposed to elevate me-
Very respectfully, your ob't sesv't,
JOHN Nj. BoTTS.