Brownlow's Knoxville Whig. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-08
ErFcurIrE OFr1nr.
Ia EJL nv y VI IDLi
Knoxville, Tenn, March 18th, 1868

I
Knoxville, Tenn, March 18th, 1868.
Hon. ALvias HalokiHs
DEAR SIR:--Your letter was handed me on yes
terdsy by Col Patterson, and hasten TO reply by
the first mail going west. I have had no cores
pondence with Gen. Innis whatever since i left
Nashville in December, except to send him verbal
message by of the Directors of the road not to
use the bonds he had received until further orders
from me. Ny reasons for not having turned the
road over TO the company are follows:
First, The pledge of the company at their late
meeting 20 Inees the interest due the State is so
worded as really to amount to nothing.
Secondly, have become satisfied that the war
upon INNS has been prompted in part because he is
Northern man, and am determined to give no
countenanee b a crusade against any man because
be born this or that side Of Mason's & Dixon's
line.
In the third place, serious charges have appeared
in the papers against Innis which, if true renders
him unworthy Of the position he occupies. l, there
fore, determined to give him time and opportunity
to make his defense, and 10 await the report of
Legislative Committee who have had the subject
under consideration. have seen no evidence Of
his guilt but much strong and authentic testimony
going to exonerste him completely.
In the fourth place have been warned by sew
eral letters that the company hold nee individu
ally responsible for the 100000 in bonds that
caused 70 be issued 10 Inns Receiver, and that
am at the mercy Of The company. don't so I'M
derstand the law, and if 1 did would be sold out
I" lock, stock and barrel before would be intim-
dated by such threats
You may not be aware of the fact, but | am, that
there are those in The State calling themselves Re-
pnblcans who are making war upon me upon the
slightest manageable pretexts and some Of that
class exceedingly oficious in regard 10 the af
fairs Of the Nashville and North western Railroad
Hitherto have submitted in silence 10 their mali
cious assaults but from this time forward l intend
to fight back.
will, however trouble you no further with mat
tiers wholly personal to myself and with which you
have had no connection.
In regsrd TO Mr.. Burns, viii say have no un-
kind fesling toward him whatever. BE has always
treated me kindly. His election President of the
company has had no influence whatever upon my
action. As proof Of this, 1 informed him months
ago through Attorney General Caldwell that Il he
would secure the payment of the interest due the
State in some three or four years, in semi-snnual
installments, / would turn the road over to him.
This am still prepared 10 do. II may be proper
70 remark that Mr. Burns is the first man whoever
suggested Innis TO me as a suitable man 70 be made
Receiver on that road.
So far from taking any ofense ST the board for
re-eecting Burns 10 the Presidency, l really teel
kind toward Burns Snd would as soon call on him
for s personal favor as an man in Nashville. True,
Iseonsieer that the Nashville and Chattanooga road
OF which be Is President, and the duties OF which
dsyolve upoa him, leave him but little time 70 a.
tend TO the Interests Of the Nashville and North
western road, line Of road 30 miles in length
This, however is a mere matter Of opinion, and the
opinion has not influenced my action.
The law Of the State, reqairing the Governor 10
appoint Receivers on railroads in certain contin-
gences, is SIS plain As anything be, and leaves
me bat the one course 70 pursue.
have the honor 20 be- sc,
w. e. BRowNL0w,
Governor OF Tennessee.