Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1871-12-29
dns0rpI i. =. Watkins.

died on the 5th instant, at the residence OF his
daughter, Mrs. DIR. Wiser, near galveston.
Texas, in the seventy ighth year OF his age.
The present generation knows little or moth
ing OF Colonel Watkins: yet the mention of his
name revivcs in those of more advanced aye
some Of the most interesting 4, we'll as most
exciting events in the political world that have
happened in the present century. He was Il
member of one of the Oldest and most highly
respected families Of Virginia. He Was born
in Goochland, and was educated for the prac-
ticc of the law, but when very young man
was sent the Legislature and he gave his atten-
ton to politics from that time until he left his
native State
Colonel Watkins was remarkable for the
frauknesS and independence OF his character.
He was an active and spirited PARTISAN. and
sk!tul manager eff party campaigns. very
good debater, he was both courageous and
adroit The late Mr.. Richie looked upon him
as ono of the most efficient Of the Democratic
leaders, and consulted him probably as much
as he did any other man during the exciting
political cam pagns from ISIS to '4G.
Colonel Watkins was in his day an advanced
Democrat who was pronounced radical
i. his views He would be in this day IL Con-
sentative He was devoted jackson man,
and the boldness with which he proclaimed his
views against his money power, the national
banks. and rag baronS, along with his 'peO-
Die s-righis" phrases made him the object Of
! much denuncatIon as well as aversion, for
time amongst the ''SiIvcrGray. Wings: But
this avcrsion he lived down. His genial and
frank disposition. along with good hunor con-
ouered personal dislike, 50 that he became il
nriyileged member of the House Of Delegates.
| bis stage whispers were tolerated by members
and speakers, and his habit Of whispering in
that STYLE was invcterate All old members
remember his audible and hearty agreed!
which united sometimes 4 divided House, and
passed measures whose fate was doubtful. He
was active. Industrious watchEul. knew every
thing that WAS going on. and saw that nothing
went through without explanations lie de-
bated measures boldly and was devoted III the
public interests. He was one OF the pioneers
in the cause Of tcrnalmprOvemcnt. and stood
next to the late Joseph Z. CabcII Is the ell
cicnt and influential advocate ri the james
River and kanawha Canal,
In the exciting times Of qualification scene
occurred at the capitol in which Colonel Joe,
rs he was called, figured, and which Is interest
Ing as showing the feeling Of those times 1t
was the 22d Fcbruary-probaby 80: G9yernor
| Tazewell had Just been Inauguracd lie was
| Il
! State flag with the motto Of sic Scmper tyran
his" in lieu Of the national Hag, which had been
formerly planted there on all national annlrcr
sarcS. This caused great sensation. The
anti-uulliicrS were indignant. They argued
that it was departure from custom which was
an insult to public sentiment. y large multi
tulc assembled upon the Capitol Square. Col.
| Watkins was greatly excited and swurc he
would plant the national flag where it had al
Ways been displayed on Washington : birth
! day" Aided by Il servant, he ran>ackcd the
sdusly apartments Of the attic. and finally dis
covered the staff and 4 piece OF the natlona! flag
nearly all whipped out by the winds: With
this he assembled to the top Of the capitol. aud
removing the State flag, he planted the nation,
al banner in its place: and was loudly chrer"d
by the people.
As long zone by as are the days when the
event We notice occurred. and as long past aS
are the times when Colonel Watkins figured in
this State, he will be remembered by many
who knew him We'll aud entertained for him
the kinde>t feelings He was very prominent
ruan in his day As with all men, he had his
faults; but he WAS a true patriot. true FRIEND
and loyal gentleman in all his relations. -
Rch. Ui<p1fch.
MONEY SENT BY LErTER-On "Wednesday
last an appeal was heard before Mayor Rose and
Justices Armat and Stone, which possesses
more than ordinary interest. 1t involved IN
amount only go. but the principle is I'M
| pnrtalt.
Thos. Nicholson. of this place, rented i
| house of W alter Jackson Of Washington city.
Nicholson, when owing four months rcnt-in
all S2O-rcceivcd Il letter from jackson, whilst
he (N.) was working in Richmond. telling him
to send the rent in letter. Nicholson ties
titled that he put $40 note in a letter and
put it in one OF the street boxes in Richmond,
! directed to JacksonS address in Washington.
jackson never received the money. and brought
warrant to recover Mayor Rose gave judg-
mcnt for JackSon and Nicholson appealed.
| Nicholson relied on Jackson 5 letter auth0rlz-
| ing the sending of the money in letter, and
testified that he had followed Instructions and
claimed that the money was at jackson : risk.
This Jackson denied, and held that the loss
should fall on Nicholson for three reasons:
|. That sending by a better meant either
! registered letter or IA money office order: or by
a letter in some safe private hand or by cx-
press. and in either case at the cost Of jackson
if any cost was incurred in sending,
>. That where person is authorized to do
an act and there arc two ways Of his doing it,
one a safe way and the other an unsafe way,
that the loss falls upon the man who chooses
the unsafe mode. In this case to put the
naked money in a letter was an unsafe mode
Of sending. whilst the sending by registered
letter or money order would have been safe
mode.
). That delivery into lctcr-box at the
street corner is not delivery into the United
States mail that tile street boxes are Tor the
convenience and assistance Of these who send
letters and any loss occurring between there
| and the postuficc is at the risk Of the sender,
and that a delivery into the boxes is not prima
face evidence of delivery into the mails
The magistrates. unanimously sustained the
views Of Jackson, and affirmed the judgment
Of Mayor Rose, with costs. -f'"f'''ch:S'"'Y
| Lnlyv.
Plymouth Rock &C.--It * what chiefly
rcconces Il man to being All American that
there was but one ''lanling of the Pilgrims!
that there is but one Plymouth Rock. and that
the celebration connected with it takes place