Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-11-25
NASHVILLE, Nov. 18th. 1868.

his EpocleHcy Wni. @. Brou0nLoi0, Governor, &c
DEAR SIR:-I see al article in The Press and
Times Of This morning under the head Of "fhat
Blackburn Brien disclosure, with your card dated
Knoxville, November 18th, 1868. In this Cover.
nor you seem 70 censure me and impute improper
motives TO me. Now sii, again desire 10 set you
right Il Is true did apply TO you to be appointed
Supreme Judge. done 50 because l desired the
position, and / knew quite large nunaber Of both
our persoaal and political friends desired IT, In
my letter 70 you / suppose technically violated
the rules Of modosty bat owing 10 personal and
political relations presume 10 violate the polite
rule and appeal 70 you personally and st the time
Of the Bradley trial, / did not know but what
would be appointed, believe was entitled TO it
and / believe so yet. You state that you "saw
proper not 10 make the appointment" That IL YOU
haS commissioned Mr.. Brien, have no doubt these
questions would never have been asked Blackburn,
In this you me wrongfully, had no i'm pro-
per motives under the sun, you have been nisn-
formed doubt, the article referred 10 was unau-
thorzed, was strike at both you and myself, and
in my opinion done TO keep you from making the
appointment as the question had been previously
noticed in the newspapers. But 70 the point I am
not 70 blame IN the slightest. I viii again state
how this occurred and your censure should be as TO
others and not me. rr
I wss employed 10 prosecute Bradley, the adopted
Of Col Blackburn, for the murder Of Parrish.
Col. Blackburn had himself introduced as q witness
for the defendant. He stated on bis direct examina-
ton, without question or intimation from me or
any one on the side Of the prosecution, 'that he
arrested Parrish on a suspicion Of horse stealing
placed him in charge Of Bradley and others, direc-
ted them 20 keep him safe until morning, when
they should accompany him 20 Nashville, where be
would got reward of $500, which he Blackburn,
would divide with him, Brsdly and the other guards
had never heard Of any reward for Parrish, and
sDy 9 6 r:Iara 5aasg oSa os s Ss s ssF pfs hsS e
answered not publicly, / then asked him what be
meant by that, and state here, had no idea what
his answer would be, when he answered as before
written 20 you. / did not believe II and 10 order
70 catch him, not 70 nohect on you, had him TO re-
peat IT, and had Il written down. In my argument
I denounced il as untrue, that Col. Blackburn was
mistaken too, and appealed 10 him that he was mis-
taken, when he In his plea said he was not mis-
taken. Now Sir / defended you against this vile
charge and for this in the discharge OF my duty my
friends blow me instead OF Col. Blackburn.
Blackburn did not say nor did any one intimate
that the reward or any part Of it was to 50 TO you
but be- Blackburn was 10 divide It with his guards.
Now Sir, state again, that / have ever been your
personal and political friend and really thought
q confidential political friend. ] have ever defen-
ded you and no mortal man ever heard mo say
word against you or your administration. am a
Radical upon principal you remark. That you
neither want the advocacy or friendship Of any man
or set OF men who believe you capable Of any such
conduct as attributed TO you by this Blackburn
Bricn insinuaton, although aimed l suppCse &C me,
does not hit me, for you know never believed one
word Of IT, never charged IT,
l think your quarrel should be in another drec-
ton am not begging your friendship, / only
want you 30 know the facts and then II you thought
! was censurabse, then blame me. think il any
body has a right 20 complain il is me, had writ
ten you private letter requesting the appointment
70 bring that before the public suppose for some
cause 60 iniure me with my party for fear as some
Of them 60, that i am In somebody's way, but this
Is only suppose a matter Of taste, for satsfac
torily reasons 10 yourself II seems you hsd deter
mined not 20 commission me before Che Bradiy trial
Of which however, have no intimstion, but if i
must be candid believed YOU would. / disclsim
sny notion whatever 10 even reflect upon YOU in
my course Of examination. TIE testimony by
blackburn was not elected by me upon cross ex-
animation, il was voluntarily on his part only
had him TO explain himself as was my duty 10 do
In prosecuting the most cold blooded murder ] ever
saw.
In Shis communication am asking no favors,
only 20 be sci Alright You had the appointing
power, and when you declined TO commission me-
you mistook the man, if you think ] reflect upon
you and that would cause me 20 iEiure you. Ne SIR
Willis know i is the policy of certain ring or
lcS spittle TO injure FOR fear sm in some ones
way thank 9od am independent Of them all
do what think 60 be right and risk she conse-
quences. state facts 10 you sir, and YOU have no
right TO doubt them and yeu can print this or any
part oft. have never done you any harm OF in
jury in my life and if you are desiroas 70 crafty
lew political trioksters and the rebels by casting
blame or oensure upon me- do so.
Respectfully, Yours &c,
nj. NJ BRIFN SR