Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-03-26
Eetfer from Mr.. Hawxhurst.
RICHMOND, March "a, 1868.


RICHMOND, March "a, 1868.
AS various statements have been made con-
corning Judge Underwood, the Executive
Committee, and myself, it seems to be neces3a-
~ for me to state the facts. This especially
becomes proper for me after the card OF I'd
ward Underwood, and the comments OF Varl-
Gus newspapers thereon. Some ten days ago
I made statement, which was submitted to
Judge Underwood, who was unwilling that IL
should be published, and said the matter
should be dropped to which l agreed. Since
that time his son has written card IN reply TO
the many inquiries made by the different news
papers; which card do not accept as correct;
Sometime in March, 1867, the State Central
Committee held meeting, and called What IS
known as the Apri, Convention, and at the
same time appointed 4 sub committee to go
North to solicit funds with which to organize
the party of the State. [ was one OF that
committee, and shortly after called on Judge
Underwood for letters of introduction to be
used in aid Of the work.
These he refused to give me, and sad the
money must be raised III the State; that ne
knew of two men that would give q thouE and
dollars each if they could be nominated Tor Con
gress and there would be many other good OF.
fees to be filled that were wanted by men that
were able to pay and we must raise the money
with which to organize the party from this
source. | dissentcd from the plan, as the men
that we're able to pay might not be the men
that the people wanted peither did | think the
Republican party had entrusted me with its
affairs-to dispose Of the offices or promise
them to any one. But on consultation at
Washington, [ did not 20 North at that time.
Shortly atterward, while in Judge Under
woods office, he or his son drew up q subscrlp-
ton paper for the benefit of the committee the
Judge subscribing two hundred, and his son
one hundred dollars, saying that he had an OF,
fee, and his son was young man, ana Woulo
want one, and wished me to take the paper
and see how much [ could get subscribed; L
received the paper, but never attempted to
collect a cent or get another subscriber. Some
time after this [ received an invitation to meet
Judge Underwood in his office at I o'clock IN
the evening; went accordingly; found three
OF ways and means for The Republican party
were discussed when Judge Underwood SAID
eve can have money enough if we arc in favor
OF a certain man for President" A silence for
few moments was broken by some one asking
who.hat man was Judge Underwood replied
Chase. That he had no money but Sprague
had, and would give one hundred thousand
dollars for the use of the party in the State
[ do not think any one expressed assent or dis,
sent. After short, embarrassed silence, anu
a still more embarrassed attempt at conyersa-
tion, the company broke up.
| was afterwards tod that it was understood
that if Chase should become President, Judge
Underwood was to tax, his place as Chief
Justice. In reference to Edward Underwood,
the author Of the late card, he may have been
present at the first interview he certainly was
at the second, but was not at the last, 1t being
after office hours. J. do not remember that
Chase's name was ever mentioned In connec-
ton with our money matters; certainly not
prominently, until the last interview. NO olter
was ever made to the committee OF which L
was chairman, that | am aware OF. These
facts we're not regarded as secret by me. There
was no mention made Of secrecy. | felt cha
erined and indignant at Underwood's pcrsls-
tent efforts to cmbarrass the committee, unless
used in accordance with his wishes. l named
the facts to different members of the committee
and other friends Of the cause, but L never
sanctioned it's publication, nor should | now do
so had not f. Underwood given publicity to
them in shape which renders it necessary
that I should correct them. With all justice
to Chief Justice Chase and Senator Sprague, |
will here state that I was never satisfied that
they knew anything of this offer, believing
rather that it came from the inordnate ambl-
ton of Judge Underwood, who thought to
recommend himself to the good graces OF Chase,
and in this way might possibly get the nomina.
ton to the Senate for Chief Justice, Or at least
continue his almost unlimited control Of FEEDER.
al appointments in Virginia.
JOHN HAWXHURsr.