Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1876-10-19
HENRY A WISE.
AN AUTOBIOGRAPHY HERETOFORE UN
PUBLISHED.

PUBLISHED.
A few years ago a small volume
containing biographical sketches q
prominent Americans in public life
was published in this city. Cover
nor Wise, of Virginia, was included
in the category. The editor, in order
to insure its correctness, transmitted
to him proof,slips in advance of pub
LEGATION, and the response was the
following letter, which is so qharac-e
teristic of the man that we are sure
it's publication will be read with in~
terest, now that his restless and ex-
cited life has been brought TO a close:
Richmond, Va, November IL,
lS70.-Gentlemen In reply to yours
of the 10th instant, enclosing me a
proof-sheet of my biography which
you are about to publish, permit me tc
say that a much larger compass than
Que page could not we'll have contain
ed more errors either as to number or
grade.
First. I was not sent to college
:.'by the kindness of relatives" if by
that is meant that they elected for
me or furnished me the means of go
ing to college. I elected for myself,
and had a patrimony fully sufficient
to pay the expenses OF my education
ane to start me respectfully IN the
world.
Second. During the POLITICAL ex-
citement of 1929, I opposed null
ifcation, advocated the Union, but
adhered to the doctrines Of States
rights as expounded by Mr.. Madison;
as a Democrat supported the election
and administration of General jack
son, but opposed bis proclamation OF
force, and the force bill enacted by
Congress against the State Of South
Carolina.
Third. served in the House Of
Representatives of Congress antll
February, 1914. Then I resigned my
seat in Congress for the mission to
Brazil.
Fourth. l never wrote one word in
my life in favor of Stephen A. Doug-
lass nomination to no nomination OF
any man was l ever more opposed.
The treaties on territorial government
and on the admission Of new States
into the Union, on the contrary, was
prepared to deInolish his eelrme.y er-
roneous doctrine of non intervention
by Congress in territorial troubles
| affecting the equality and rights OF
States TO settle in Territories Mr..
Douglass doctrines and debates IN
| Congress did more to bring on the
civil war which followed than any
other one immediate cause.
Fifth. l was a member of the Sc
| cession Convention Of Virginia in
1s6O-'61, but never did advise, Sim
mediate secession" On the contrary,
I advocated warmly adherence to the
Union, and by debate and a minority
report labored to prevail on the Com
vention to resolve to remain and
fight in the Union" There can he
DO doubt or dispute about that fact
here.
Sixth. I haye no recollection of
advising the southern people to stake
a lesson from John Brown" though
he taught them lesson which they
could not but heed bnt 7 did advise
the people Of the North to take a
lesson from him ."to risk the dangers
themselves of var, and not to send
honest but deluded braye fanatics like
John Brown to break the national
peace, and to endure the pains and
penalties of their own felony and
treason"
Seventh. l was never driven from
the Valley Of the Kanawha by Gen
eral J. D. Cox, losing the Gauley
brid ge and large quantity Of arms
and stores. General Cox's forces ne
yer met my forces in the Kanawh'
Valley but once, and that was a
Scary Creek, when $50 men unde
Colonel Patton repulsed, 1850 mer
of Cox's command and drove then
from the field, capturing Woodruff
Nef, Norton, and De Villles, tn
field officers OF the enemy. | wa
ordered by General Cooper, of th
Confederate War Department, twice
and by General Lee q third time, t
retire from the Kanawha Valley be
fore did retire, and retired burn
ing Gauley bridge Of my own vii