The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-21
JOHN COCHRANE,S RICHMOND VISIT.
To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-

To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
communication to the Times Of the 18th inst.
requires. think, that 1 should ask OF you space
enough to refute it. 1t is the work OF "A Grant
Man." who processes the pleasure he felt In listen
ing to the statement OF Southern republican, an
officer formerly in the Confederate army and gen.
tleman, &c, &C., that in the early part of 1861
appeared before the State Convention then Sit
ting in the city or Richmond, Va. and '.announced
to its members that the democracy OF the State of
New York were heartily in favor Of the Southern
States seeding If they wished TO, and he declared
with all the eloquence he was capable Of that New
York would ma 'ch 100 900 armed men 90 the assist
Of the rebellious States in the event of waru
false.
The facts are these Upon the Adjournment Of
the 1Lirty-sixth Congress, Of which was menu
Der, and the Inauguration Of President Lncon in
the spring OF 1,61, before returning to my home in
New York visited Richmond with the view OF see
ing and possibly OF aiding the friends OF the Union
in the Virginia state Convention then sitting there
within an hour after my arrival was confronted
by Henry A.. Wise In casual public controversy In
the hotel, where, in the presence of a crowd, the
absorbing topic OF the day was debated between u.s.
maintaining the Union side and the listeners SYM
pathizing with the disunon sentiments OF Governor
Wise. IL go happened that Colonel Lay, Virginian
having, with reference to the anticipated secession
OF Virginia resigned his commission in the United
States Army, was, on the afternoon OF the dav TO
be serenaded by his friends. | was told by the
leading Union members OF the convention that it was
claimed by the secessonists that, the popular voice
was largely Tor secession and that as the serenade
to Colonel Lay would furnish opportunity TO dis
Expressing my uRwillinguess to intrude IDEAS diff
fering from those Of Colonel Lay at a serenade in
his honor at length so far Yielded to their impor-
t,lnities as to consent should general call be
made, after Colonel Lay had retired Under such cir
cntnstances spoke from the balcony of tho hotel
TO the masses In the street. When retired I was
accosted BY several Of the Union members OF the
Convention with congratulations the service
had done them and with assurances that the recep.
ton OF my remarks had demonstrated that
the people OF Richmond were for the Union. At
consnltat on that evening of the Union members Of
ynrnf Atttra NJ
Willie, Mr.. Baldwin. Mr.. Lewis and Others It was
judged to be highly important that should return
forthwith To Washington with their rcpresen tations
to the President Mr.. Seward and General Scott,
that, II the government would refrain from rein
forcing the garrison at Fortress Monroe, their
ton and Virginia would be held In the Union. The
suggestion, however, was also deliberated whether
had not better remain 10 reply to MIR. Roger A.
Prior, who, II was supposed, would within a few
days answer me In public speech. But the
majority being. Of opinion that my immediate re-
turn to Washington with their message TO the
President was OF greater Importance. ! left
on tue ensuing morning o bearing letter
Governor Seward. discharged my obligations by
communicating to President Lincoln, Governor
was commissioned, and by delivering to Governor
Seward the letter Of Judge Summers. Thus as
eminent In Washington placed Ia CONFIDENTIAL com.
mun,caton with the Union members Of the vir-
ginia Convention.
have never seen, and believe there was no OK.
tended report OF my speech In the papers; but
afterwards, when the Union army lying before
Fredericksburg, private Of my brigade, attracted
by my name on the fragment of newspaper,
brought II to me. when I read from it
this paragraph :-"Hon. John Cocnrane II
In Richmond on a mission, II is
said, Of some sort In connection with
the proceedings Of the Virginia Convention. On
"Wednesday evening he was serenaded and made q
Union speech.r l did not appear before the Con-
vention nor speak to IL. visited IL while In SEES
sion as private spectator, and holding converse
ON ts business with none, retired when the session
closed.
have thought, sir that this old calumny had
been sufficiently exposed, but Its renewal now by
~ Grant Man" is hut another instance OF the pro-
verbal truth that drowning men catch at straws.r
Respectfully. yours JOHN COCHRANE.
NEW YORK. June 49, 1872.