Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1872-03-09
letter Of Hon. II. G. Davis.
Tbs following letter from Hon H. G. Davis
is IN response TO one addressed to him by citi-
zens Of jefferson county:

Tbs following letter from Hon H. g. Davis
is IN response to one addressed to him by citi-
zens Of jefferson county:
UNITED STATES SENATE CHAMBER,
WASHINGTON, March %, 1872.
GENTLEMEN: Your favor Of the 18th Of
February came duly 70 hand and should have
been replied 90 earlier had not absence upon
important public engagements prevented
There has been great difference Of opinion
expressed Co ,us by communications from citi-
zenS IN aud about Harpcr's Ferry in relation to
extending 90 the Secretary Of War the right to
extend tie tine for the payments 20 be made
upon property purchased at the Government
sale IN November 1869 Some declare that au
extension would be injurious to the interests
Of that people. Others write that some have
houses upon which they are drawing rent in
various amounts and that TO extend the time
OF their payment therefor would be unjust to-
ward those who purchased vacant lots, aud
nearly all seem % think five years too long an
extension. Another objection that has been
urged is t-at an extension would release the
securities. and this have been Informed is q
fact, but however good or bad tie arguments
set forth by each writer there has been such a
conflict of opic.oa upon the subject that / asked
he's pos,poneusnt, when IL came Up ia the Sc
nate, Tor the purpose of ascertaiuiDg what the
real desires aud interests Of the people at and
abou, Harpers Ferry were Il is NY earnest
dcsirs 90 DO a.l In my power " further the in
-erlsts Of OIL my constituency, and / labor for
that end only, but | cannot feel authorized in
giving my coultelauce and encouragement TO
measure that so materially interests a large
portion Of ouy people when their declarations
as % It's eNpetieucy are as numerous as the
communicates themselves. / shall be exceed
ingly glad 90 have from the people of Harpers-
Ferry aud vicinity such popular assurances
I ,hs, they are IN favor Of this bin and that it
wi. rebound 20 their interests rs viii enable
I u.e to- give {, my hearty support. If such as
/ surlnces are forthcoming 10 will, Of course, be
my duty and pleasure to take prompt action
/ % sccurs ,te.r desires.
/ am thauktul 90 YOU, gentlemen, for your
kind note iu relation TO this subject which gives
I us an opportunity Of explaining au action that
/ seems In some quarters 20 have been regarded
/ as iuiuical 90 the interests of So valued por-
/ ton Of my constituency as are directly inter
i ested 10 tie future welfare Of Uarper's Ferry.
Very Respectfully Your Obt Ssryt,
Henry c. DAVIS
To G. VI. Chase. aud others.
i seems to US that the interests Of tbs COM
muuity ataul around Harper's Ferry would be
advanced y compelling the payments due for
the Water Power, &C., sold by the Govern
men, ia 1859, or It's exposition for resale
thereby bringing into use the great natural adj
vau,ages therein contained. But, should 10 be
the wisdom Of Congress to grant an extension
Of time % tie Hsrper's Ferry Water Power
and Manufacturing Company for the payments
due by it. chen. We think it but reasonable that
,le citizens, who purchased dwelling houses
and unimprcvoj lots at high figures, based
I upon ile presumption Of speedy revival of
business BY the erection Of manufacturing os-
Adjustments there, should have q like lcnieucy
granted them.
These axe our individual views upon the
subject, bat ws would advise someezpressiou,
by public meeting or otherwise, by the CHI
gems oi Harper's Fs-ry-such a course being al
So desired Jy Senator Davis.