Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1869-01-29

actiou took place, WAS there any word said be-
tween you and Mir. Robbins about keeping the
matter secret?
Ans,cer-There was not.
When this report was made in the Sen
ate, Senator Robbins said
Mr., President, feel solemn. man on whose
name the bre Ath of reproach susp cion was
never before bresthed, now held Up 10 the face
of all the people OF North Carolina with an i'm
putation of a serious nature resting upon me-
Under these circumstances, desire to repeat the
statement which voluntarily made TO the In
vestig eating committee six days ago, and before
any steps had been taken to examine tins case.
has arisen took place about as follows: On Satur-
day morning, Aug. 22d. being the last active Gay
of the Summer session, as was passing through
the lobby with my mind much engaged and pre-
occupied with various matters, and especially
with the preparation OF all address which sena"
tors had appointed no to deliver that niorninS;
Mr. J. ". Stephens approached me and asked
what thought of his hight to bis PER d.ena. L
told hin. Iyc0S IN fdU Ct 1t and should rote TOR It.
Hc then said something TO this effect, that As L
was in ia or of it. he would like to get ms to at
tend to the case for hun as h!s Idoye''; and be
would pay me fee Of twenty dollars for my labor
and trouble. My recollection is that 1 repled
that just you please, Dir. Stephens, put VIII
do az YOU have requested This was the sub
stance Of our conversation, which altogether did
not last five minutes did not myself cder any
resolution on the matter OF his per otene; at any
time, but when the question came up that morn
Ing on some other Senator's motion, remember
making some remarks in it's favor, ami l!lustrat.
ing the matter with examples and instances OF
the same kind. | had EXPIRE Ssed my VIEWS IN
favor Of his claim to Senators Lindsay AMI Cook,
on the day before all this occurred, as Mr.. Lind
= ay testifes.
By inadvertence and pre-occupation of mind, l
failed to recognize ct the time the fact that my
public character as Senator rendered it improper
for me to tale this fee IdWyer In the lat
ter point OF view only did it then present itself to
me- did not think deliberately about it. II the
/ Mt al az
called my attention at once 10 the nature OF the
thing, and il would never have occurred.
Singular as it may seem, aver that had TO-
tally forgotten this matter, until after We passed
tie resolutions ordering this investigation In
all the dis -ussion upon those resolutions, In which
made myself coneplcuons, this incident never
after this COMMITTEE had been constituted, es
was walking along the street, thinking also how
sweet it was to feel chat was innocent AID IN no
danger, suddendlg, ss my mind glanced back over
the past, the fact of money having been paid me
came to my memory like flash, and began to
ponder over it, and saw in a moment how 1t was
capable Of being misconstrued.
When this matter first began to be stirred was
in great strait. l felt conscious OF no lnten-
tionsl wrong. But l knew how bad men would
perVert my act, and this cause me first to heal
tate "a TO what course 10 rlrsu2. confess as
not then collected enough to know what to d.
But sober meditation coon decide me to preserve
the substance Of truth and honor, rather than the
sen,b5ancc only and resolved ten the ;t ia rs
good people of North Carolina, and with God who
! searches all hearts.
! 1 frankly own on inadvertent mistake. l deny
| all thought of wrong. If any charges ne
with bribery. uenaluy, corruption or dishonesty
! Utterly and Indignantly deny the chdrge'
/ In all this matter recognize the hand OF an
overruling Providence. Perhaps he saw that the
| fond hopes of distinction opening before me we're
growing too dear, and has appointed this singular
/ and mysterious train of incidents to snatch this
world from me. With reverent awe DO" to Him,
and commit my destiny to His hands.
| Serene in the consciousness of my own rect-
! tude, Senators, I await your decision my
peers.