The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-17
TRIoAl..".".............".MAY II, 1867.
Wr. Rotts Gives Ftis Reasons for BE.
coming "a Surety for HTr. Davis.
GRANn LrKY NnnM. Mn

My Dear Sir,-Your letter Of this morn.
ing las quite surprised me. Will never
see the day that can exercise an indie
pendent Judgment, or a sound discretion,
without being called to account and asked
for explanations by my friends ,--in other
words, will they never have sufficient con-
tdcucc in me 70 suppose il possible that
have gpoa reasons for doing what may not
appear to them u hc right, without forcing
me before the public.
You saw my friends are expressing great
Indignation at my having become one OF
the Suretje> for the appearance of Mr..
Davis az the next Circuit Court to be held
in this STATE, aDd that they fear it will in
Iurc me. / regret at all times TO differ
from my friends, but such conside-
yalionS cannot hr permitted to conflict
with the Performance Of the positive con
stariou o. duty. Hnu say you do not
GaUb, hut that my motives were good, but
would he glad 10 hear my reasons; and
yuu shall have them:
First, then, offered myself as one OF
Mr.. DaviS's securities because thought it
would have a harmoniziug influence in re-
storing better feeling among the dis
tUrbcd and diSCordant elements OF the
State, which il has already done to a very
marked extent.
Second, because | thought the Govern
men; had had quite time enough TO make
u;t a case, and prepare for the trial of Mr..
Davis and that as the Constitution throws
Il. protecting shield over every citizen OF
the United States by the guarantee of a
specify trial for any offence with which he
may stand charged, and as the power OF
l.e Government had been recently ex-
L.1ucd in stretching forth its powerful
arm across oceans and continents 10 seize
ug1u an obscure individual, and drag him
q. ,hc bar OF Justice, thought there was
800 excuse for ,uc delay, that might not be
rr>orttdto, for the perpetual imprisonment
u. Nr. Davis or Of some other obnoxious
c.,zmu, at a future day, and thereby
,..lu.tSh 4 precedent not to be tolerated
l~ any Tciiccting person Jealous of the
r..l.s and liberties Of the citizen; and
therefore | thought Mr.. Davis was entitled
10 his liberation upon bail and that
could not, in any other manner, so forcibly
express my opinion upon this subject as by
volunteering 10 become one Of the securi-
ties pr his appearance in the future.
Third. As Mr.. Davis had thrown me into
iail, o~ permitted it 20 be done under bis
administration, without justification, an
Opportunity at the moment seemed to pre-
sent itself for the exercise OF maguanimity,
wh5.L / did not choose to throw away, 10y
ast>tiu. his friends IN his release from
imprisonment: but,
Lastly and chiefly, because | thought it
furnished suitable occasion of showing
.. d. .y1l ..vs1,- "a. h.hnlf
1pr on behalf OF that patriotic party which
,p some extent l represent, that in our
demands for The v,ldicatiou of the law in
guc past. and in oar determination hereat-
-r I'D iusi>t upon some security for the fu-
,rr.. we were governed lay high sense OF
e. auty, and were in no degree actu-
uE.G 1v motives OF personal resentment,
VII .t.ygucsS, or mau-ulty.
II had failed 10 seize upon the oppor-
tuary tau, suddenly presented for accom-
-...aHg al one stroke SO many advan-
i.-.- and so much good as | saw in the
distance, should have censured myself
IRA bluudcr and for a lamentable def
cheney OF those qualities upon which ]
would most desire 10 pride myself.
] am happy 10 inform you, and all my
friends ia Washington and elsewhere, that
i. ! have a friend here, or hcreahouts, who
DOES not honor me FOR and rejoice that i
took A step 50 much in the right direction,
] Cuaot huow Him or hear Of him.
It is not true that ! congratulated Mr..
Davis. ur that | approached him for that
Is. ans other purpose. During the progress
.. l.e case ! authorized a friend Of Mr..
Davis 70 say IL Mr.. O'Conor that if the
..ae.l one known everywhere and TO all
..I a- one Of the most prominent and de-
t.uuyl opponents of the rebellion, the
>..tuarr JouledcraCy, and of Mr.. DaviS'S
whole course Of policy, was desirable as
one of his securities, that mine was at his
service. Tie protier was promptly ac-
oau,ed-nut because it was needed, but no
doubt from the same generous impulses
I. ..' ual led me 10 make the offer.
o.G no. approach Mr.. Davis, nor did i
intend Ju DO 50: because il was from pub
lie. aud not pcu Onal considerations, that
I.4 ute % occupy this position. but when
] arwmched the clerks desk TO atliX my
signature to the bond, Mr.. Davis, as was
1HI natural and becoming, approached me
o. 0rxurr>s his acknowledgements for the
generosity | had exhibited. | told him
tia. among the considerations that had
controlled me was the sacred regard in
winch ] held the liberty of all citizens;
that believed he was entitled TO trial
that the Government had had the most
abundant time to prepare for one, and II,
after Two years imprisonment, they were
sllu uuprcparcd, thought he was entitled
10 his liberation on bail, and | was happy
10 give this public expression Of my opin-
Jon on that subject. lie replied, "It was
a noble sentiment, worthy of Virginia
gentleman, as hc had always known me
10 be. and was thankful for it," We Sc
parated, and did not come in contact again.
am not only satisfied with, but am
proud of what have done, and would do
it over ugQia and AGAIN and AGAIN
under the same circumstances, whilst l
entertain every opinion Of Mr.. Davis's Of
fence against the Constitution aud laws of
his country that have expressed from the
beginning Of the rebellion to its close.
hope may live long enough to let all
my friends understand that 1t is my habit
10 DO whatever my conscience ana Judg-
mcut nav approve in my individual capa-
city. without turning 10 the right hand or
TO the left to inquire what may be the
opinions Of others, satisfied that Time Will
indicate all things that in themselves are
right, Yours truly,
JoHN NJ. Boris.
p. S.-As far as my knowledge and be-
lief extends, IL is not true, as you have
heard. that on the call of my name IT was
received with Kisses. | certainly heard
nothing Of ii, nor nave met with any one
who did; yet in so mixed crowd 1t IS not