Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1870-09-10
A Card from General Titus.
WARRENToN, Sept. S, 1870.
!e Editor of the JKorrenton Mder:

10 We E0ltOf OF the WdTTeHtoH IHoeI'
SIR. Accepting at once the invitation to
make On explanation, contained in your last
week issue, to which my attention has been
called, give yon brief statement CT the
whole case, that the action of both MIR. Garden
and myself may be understood.
Having paid ten per cent. Isl ,538)of the pur
chase money for the farm in question, | came
here on on the lst day Of February ult., the
day fixed 10 the contract, to complete the one
third cash payment and receive possession OF
the property. The other parties, however,
were not ready to make the title and give
nossession. The contract signed for me by
Smoot & Co., my agents TO purchase, bound
both parties in forfeit of ten per cant. of the
purchase money, should either on that day
(Fcb. y fail to fulfil his part of the agreement
| called the attention Of Mr.. Garden, who rep
resented Mr.. Gordon on this occasion, to the
extraordinary character of this contract, whose
paternity he claimed, aud particularly TO the
forfeit trap with its ten per cent. bait, in which
he was himself caught. did not then dc
mand the forfeit, but waving no right, gave
the time asked, for perlccting the title.
Alter long delay | at length received notice
from Mr. Garden that everything was in
readiness, and in reply appointed the day when
| would be here with the money; aud of what
you call my repeated premises to pay" this
was tho first and only one.
AS was obliged first to 20 to Cup eper, l
thought it safer to send the money hero by ex
press, and was preparing package tor that
purpose in Washington, when Gen. Davis, my
attorney, came in my room by chance ano
cautioned me against It. Hc said the arrlVa
of such package would in two hours time be
al n n
here, Rowlcy's counsel or some other disposed
to give me trouble, would be almost sure to at
tacl it, did not credit this but finally said
In try it, and if anybody wants to attach thl:
package and it is ever opened they may trea
the crowd at my expense. | therefore prepared
it in tho manner so infinitely described anc
sent it on its trial trip; with what result yor
have already published to the world. But thai
the very man to whom the money was original
~ designed to be sent should attempt TO at
lach it, neither OF us ever dreamed. THIS wa
master stroke of genius always giraffe, Whlet
no mortal could have anticipated.
The unexpected detention of both my coun
sci and myself in Culpeper, 10 suit We wen
there TO attend, and consequent failure to keel
my appointment here, to which you advert, i
matter too notorious in both counties to neec
explanation.
Unable to come myself, gave my attorney
Gen. Davis, the money, and sent him here Il
pay it. Garden sought him on the sabbath ii
the country. where he had gone to pass tb,
night, and learned from him that he had conn
Tor that purpose; but before he could reach
town next morning Garden had sued out al
attachment, and levied on this wonderful pack
age in the express Office Ny attorney wen
TO Garden, taking with him Mr.. Chas. l.. Pol
lock, rendered the money, and asked what TIT
contract stipulated Tor release OF the lncum
ORANGES and possession OF the properly. Mr.
Garden Gained that was already in posses
sion OF the property, but now, when, or by
what means, | was ever even cOnstrucivcly il
possession Tor single moment, does not appear
The apparent attempt by the publication o
| the article referred to, to forestall public opD
! ion in matter so soon 10 come before tn
Courts, is 10 me- an anomaly, and have onl.
to say that should it finally appear that in thi
Mr.. Garden WIS not only acting entirely with
out authority, but that his action IS utterly re-
pu1iated by the client for whom he assumed tt
| act, still he may be pardoned it he acted &C
cording to his best discretion but if founder
ing in his own ten per cent trap, SO wary Sc
for me, he thought that by levying this at
achment he could tie up my money. and 81
put me in default by preventing me from pay
ing, or even rendering il, aud thus be able tc
dictate his own terms, then was it indeed g
"scurvy trick" by you properly exposed.
II. B TITUS.