New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-02-01

JOHN RutledGe.
NEW ORLEANS, January 81, 1876.

JOHN RusiedGe.
NEW ORLEANS, January 81, 1876.
EDITOR REPUBLICANS:
Permit me to avail myself OF the col
nmns Of your journal to publish the fol.
lowing correspondence, in consequence of
which 1t is desirable that should obtain
some biographical information on the life
and character of John Rutledge, one Of the
signers of the constitution Of the United
States. For obvious reasons hope for the
reproduction of this communication by the
South Carolina press:
To Frank n. Ktting ESQ Philadelphia:
SIR have the honor to acknowledge
the receipt Of your letter as chairman OF the
committee on the restoration OF lndepen-
dence Hall. inviting my presence to that
place on the second OF July next, as one OF
the American historians, bi0graphers and
literati whose attendance is desired, and
who are requested to bring q biographical
sketch of every individual whose memory is
associated with that building during the
early days of. the republic, which sketches
are to be deposited in the National Museum
for preservation. I am further informed
that am invited to bring q sketch of the
life of Willim Blount, eigner Of the consti-
representatives Of North Carolina, but, at
the same time, leaving me to chose any
other character. and, in that case, desiring
me to report the fact.
In compliance with the communication
with which you have favored me, it affords
me pleasure to reply that will endeav0r to
be at Independence Hall. Philadelphia, on
the second Of July next, but respectfully
beg leave to decline the task Of writing
biographical sketch Of William Blount,
because it would i'll become me, native OF
Louisiana, to touch such character with
the most elongated pole. Permit me, par
ticularly on this day, the eighth Of January,
and the anniversary OF the defeat OF
the British invaders Of this State in
1915, to remind you that William Blount
was expelled from the Senate OF the United
States for having engaged in conspiracy
to deliver New Orleans into the hands OF
Great Britain, although that circumstance
increased his popularity in the West, ana
particularly in Tennessee, his adopted
State, where new honors were heaped upon
him. Therefore, availing myself OF the
permission granted to me by the committee,
| to choose the subject Of the biographical
sketch desired Of me, have the honor to
report to you, as chairman. my preference
for John Rutledge, of South Carolina, IN
| connection with whose stainless memory l
believe that may put on record some IN
| tere sting information. hitherto unpublished,
about the adoption of the constitution
which he signed.
CHARLES GAYARRE.
REPLY.
MY DEAR SRI have received reasons
| for not taking the lives assigned, OF various
| Kinds. but YOURS is the first and only one
that il we'll founded. Mr.. - objected to
his grandfather because he had said biz
say: SO Mr.. - as to - while third Oh
| As nv object was to attain an absolute
standard of authority for the comnemors
tive occasion of &c. You will appreciate
how little impoltance ! attached t(
/ assure you that 70 part of the labo,
has been SO great as studying out these as
signments-many Of which proved mos
happy. Two hundred are invited, lnclud
ing Mr.. Bancroft, Messrs. Longfellow
Holmes, Bryant. etc.
lreally had forgotten the circumstance
to which YOU a'lade in the lite OF Blount
only recalling him as signor OF the constr
tuition in the very chamber wherein w
shall assemble.
am delighted with your substitution
of John Rutledge, who, like the other grea
lawyers Of that day. vindicated the freedom
of the British constitution, fully believing
true liberty was perfectly attainable there
|
stood in his life-why it was that, after thu
declaration of independence. he still ex
pected and appeared to hope for reunion
with the mother country.
| Very truly yours,
FRANK Nj. ETT1NG.
I. Among the points which l wish to eiucl
date. Mr.. Editor, is the one to which aliude
the chairman Of the committee on en-
| restoration of Independence Hail. Dl
| declaration
independence, still expect and appear t
hone for reunion with the mother coun
try. If SO. for what motives and on wha
grounds!
Franklin is there, as once alleged by on
WHO married the granddaughter OF tina
illustriOus man, curious memorandum
concerning the details OF the opposite
made by John Rutledge in the Constitu
t;onal Convention at Philadelphia to tn
adoption of the constitution which he a
forwards signed, but which opposition.
the time. was 60 effective that it actuall
imperiled the formation of the Union III
yind;cation Of historical truth would n
! Guire the production Of that memorandum
, | If in existence.
3 VIVA. were the reasons for which tina
great jurist, John Rutledge, was rejected b
, | the Senate when appointed Nnie- y ds-1ce
| the United States!
As the object of the chairman Of the con
mittee on the restoration Of independent
Hall ia to attain, in the sketches he desire
can absolute standard authority for Il
commemorative occasion of 1876" you Wi
readily perceive the Importance ctsmy o
| tanning the most accurate and reliable
formation on the lite and character of job
Rutledee, to whose memory it becomes n
t dutv to render that impartial justice whit
history ought to award.