Clarksville chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 186?-1872, 1871-10-07

Lees army, that II l lived to get
back, would do my best to have
their children $50 soon to he orphans)
gathered together, supported and pro-
:ected, and not left as waits upon
public compassion. 1t Is for the re-
demption Of these pledges, thus SOL
emily made, have Iabored and still
desire to labor II permitted.
You may we'll think, Messrs. Edi-
tors, how bitterly l was disappointed
and grfeved when l came to learn
that 1t WINS proposed to close up the
Asylum, sell off the personal prop
erty, and scatter the orphans.
The CONSERVATION and excitement
In the public mind, to which / have
referred, seems to have had its origin
In q proposition which made to the
authorities, to take the Asylum as II
Is, with its present Orphan inmates,
and carry 1t on, as at first intended,
and with such aid as could get when
necessary, and this, In regard to my
self and all Others who would labor
with me, to be without compensation
or reward Of any kind, pletging my
self that all funds received In aid Of
the Asylum should be scrupulously
applied to the welfare of the Orphans
l am in good sound health, strong,
and think with sufficient managing
capacity and energy to undertake and
sustain what IprOpOse. And not only
this, believe that with proper econ
omy, can in reasonable time make
the Asylum self-sustaining, so that 1t
would not be any more q trouble to
the public. This is all have asked
for--simply chance to do my first
work-nothing more, nothing less.
1t Is, In fact, only asking delay In the
final disposition of the Asylum en-
terprise. IT after reasonable time
my administration should he unsuc-
cessful-if through unskillful man.
agement the Orphans should he
brought to grief-if the property
should appear to be falling to decay
the fields of the farm growing up in
brush and the garden choked up in
weeds--these indeed would be lamen-
table evidences of failure, which, If I
were ever so much disposed, could
not deny, and would give it up and
retire, leaving the trustees ut liberty
VI
property rs they ihigt think best.
But II, on the contrary, l should be
successful, keep it in good order, and
In all things healthful, happy and
bright, would it not he a good work
and should 1t not under such circum-
stances be keptup, made permanent
State institution, ready with open
arms to receive from all parts of the
State, and give refuge to those who,
unfortunately, are left without pa
rents or friends, are cast OH the cold
charities of the world. / think that
you will unite with me in believing
|, that 1t would.
Permit me to refer to another sub
ject. 1t has been, as / understand,
asserted that have, In making this
application, been influenced by un
|, worthy, sinister, Interior motives
that ! intend to get possession Of the
property and finally, by scme means
mot very clear, appropriate 1t my
self as my own personal estate!! II
Is only necessary to say, to those who
read the charter and constitution, that
this Is simply impossible, however
much / might desire to do so. In my
taking the working management Of
the Asylum, / shall not surely dispos.
sess the Trustees of their authority t.
own the property, neither do ] desire
to dispense with the services Of the
Advisory Committee who have SO
ably performed the duties proper t
them ever since the establishment o
the Asylum. On the contrary,
, most devoutly hope that these gen
tlemen will continue to officiate as nj
! first, and give me the benefit of thei
, wise and disinterested counsel, prom
Using IN advance to lend to their sug.
, gestions my most profound respec
and attention. / hope this declara
,, ton will be sufficient to dispose o
? these unfOunded allegations. Agaii
In reference to compensation" al
low me to explain that, although
had always, as stated above, decline,
/, to take salary or pay OF any kind
, When / returned from California,
receip. Of (what appeared to mel larg,
+ salaries, to be paid out of the treasury
, OF n purely benevolent institutions
/ Seeing this 1t occurred to me that
would be justified in asking for com
I mission of 10 per cent, which hat
been rendered me before setting on
T on the journey, but which I then de
, clined, This asked for, and after /,
good deal Of talk to and fro las you
, know, Messrs. Editors, always IL ap
, to occur in company Of ladies' whc
J have matter to settle), was finally
r arranged by the payment to me of /,
thousand dollars, which was, how
ever, less than the 10 per cent. origi
nally rendered. Now, of this thous
and dollars / have yet six hundred
left, cash ON hand, with which / pro
: pose, IL permitted, to commence my
: housekeeping at the asylum, and
lhaveseveral wealthy friends who will
also como TO my assistance. What
have myself Is, to be sure, small
sum, but l am willing to begin will
III, having faith that more will com,
Il when needed. or the other four hun
ltired expended, assure you, Messrs
, Editors, not one dollar has been uset
/ for my personal requirements. IL hn
all been used In relieving the INDECENT
II may, perhaps, he sufficient 10 sim
lply make this statement, but IL an,
, doubt, refer them to gentleman
! owningn Mill In Stewart county, WHIT
has furnished meal, flour, &c., TO |
| needy family In that neighborhoo'
|, under my care, at cost or II you fee
, ltlisposed to seek further evidence
some gentlemanly merchants quit
near You have supplied me with good
! at cost for these same families, ant
! the bills In both these cases have beer
, paid out of the aforesaid four hun
/ dred. The father OF one OF these fam
| lilies Is a helpless invalid, returne'
|, nom the war with one leg and tn,
Z loss OF his jaw-bone OF one side OF hi
: face. could name several equal!
: distressing eases. don't mention
5 these things for :ay display, but ] re
9 ally feel that ] hive been put up.l