Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-03-15
TO the People of Craven County.

With the close of the late session of the
General Assembly, my connection with the
people of the county as their representa-
tive in the State Senate has ceased.
Having accepted the position of United
States Senator for six years from the 4th
of March Just past, to which / was elected
at the first session of the Assembly, it be-
came proper [ should make myself eligible
to this post by vacating my seat as a State
Senator. This [ did on the End of March,
and writ to fill the place will probably be
issued in due time.
The close of my representative connec-
ton with the people of Craven, excites q
feeling of regret on my part. The kind
ness manifested towards me on several &C.
casions in the last two years has touched a
chord that will never cease to vibrate. And
] now desire i'll closing my political career,
most probably forever, to thank you from
the bottom of my heart.
The recent action of the Congress of the
United States renders it highly improbable
that I will be allowed to take my seat in
the Senate of the United States. Never
theless it has been deemed proper that [
should put and keep myself in q condition
to claim the seat as 4 matter of right; and
not to do or omit to do, anything by which
the State might be considered as abdicating
sition as sovereign State of the Union
Hence [ have surrendered the trust COM
mitted to me as your representative in the
State Senate, into your hands again; thus
divestinG myself of a position inconsistent
with a seat in the Senate of the Nation, and
making myself in all respects, rs suppose,
eligible to that post.
As your Representative in the late State
Convention and in the two General Assem-
bies, since held, it is in the nature of things
that / have committed errors. For these [
desire to make apology, and to say that
wherever occurring they have resulted from
defect of judgment.
In all things, aver that I have consulted
according to my best Judgment for your in
terests, and for your character as a truthful,
sincere, consistent and honorable people ;
taking hold of facts resulting from the late
civil wal, acquiescing in and endeavoring
to make the best of them.
In all the measures brought forward for
our alienation in the present embarrassed
condition of the monetary and business
affairs of the State, I have taken an earn
est interest. Whether what has been done
will stand or prove satisfactory remains to
be seen. Some measures seemed to have
been demanded by the public cry every
were, and the Legislative power has respon-
ued TO tulS uenlaNd III Tie DeSI way IL
could.
A measure of great interest to the county
at large was persistently pressed in the late
Assembly, viz The looping of an impor-
tant part of our county and OF that part and
a portion of Beaufort, erecting new coun
ty. This [ thought it my duty to oppose.
l now think the carrying out such meas
ure would be great misfortune to the
whole county, and to no part of it greater
than to that intended to be cut off The
sole Inconvenience to be obviated by this
project is the crossing of the Neuse river,
by the population of the Bay River coun-
try, to get to the Court House. Trifing as
| consider this inconvenience, / suggest
that all ground for further complaint on this
score be removed by the construction FORTH
with of a bridge or the establishment of a
steam ferry at some suitable point on the
river. 1t is to be hoped such work would
satisfy all reasonable demands and unite
firmly the parts of county which has
dwelt together SO long i'll harmony and
peace, and which has made, in times past,
an lllustrlous history for itself. Common
burthens and common misfortues should
at this time, especially, cement US most
closely together.
There are many things of which | might
write, but as o notice of them would extend
ILLS communication to an unWOnted length
[ forbear, and leave them for conferences,
face to face, which I hope to have frequent
opportunities of holding.
In the present troubled condition OF our
country, it becomes us, in the meanwhile.
to be prudent, orderly, observant of obli-
cations and duties, and faithful to cur prin-
ciples--in short, to conduct ourselves in all
things, so that no one can Justly call lis in
question.
It will always afford me pleasure to con-
verse with you on public affairs, and to
bear with you common lot. ] am,
Very respectfully and truly,
Your friend and oht serv't
II