Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1879-05-27


Nor told the secret of his heart,
But, when the shadows heightened lay,
Rose, all reluctant, to DEPART
And stammered forth, with blushing ckeek,
An eager, timorous request
That she, for old acquaintance sake.
Would grant the rosebud from her breast.
She gave it him. with downcast eyes,
And watched him leave her, with sigh.
$50 good" she said, $50 true, SO wise;
All me, If he were not SO shy!'
The Stuart Papers-No. 4.
| LETTERS ADDRESSED TO THE LATE
JUDGE ARCHIBALD STUART, OF
STAUNTON.
The following was written by Gen.
Henry Lee, "Light Horse Harry Lee"
of the Revolution, and father of Gen.
Robert E. Lee. Gen. Lee was, at the
date of the letter, Governor of Virginia,
and Judge Stuart was Commonwealth
Attorney for Augusta county,
| RICHMOND, March 30th, 1892.
Sir From the first moment the en-
bezzlement of the Public money by some
of the collectors in the county of Au.
gusta was known to me, my endeavours
have been unreMitting to give you the
aid requisite to secure full and fair dis
cussion of this business.
OF the many professional gentlemen
to whom have successively applied,
have not heard that even one would join
you in this important matter, nor can I
procure one from this city; hope from
Mr.. Breckinridge's silence that the
Commonwealth will experience his ad-
vocatism, and entertain some expecta-
ton that Mr.. Robt. White of Winches-
ter will meet you at Staunton. The
business is extremely important in its
consequences, and my solicitudeto pro-
tect the public interest has induced me
to express to you my sentiments with
respect to the conduct of the suit
Should you find any obstacles to success
arising from local nature, I conceive it
best to obtain q special verdict and an
adjournment of the case to the General
Court I think from the novelty of the
matter your motion to this end would
certainly obtain,-and the beneficent Of
fects derivable to the community from
the punishmento of the collectors, If found
guilty, would be increased in proper
tion to the publicity of the trial.
However, sir, while Iventure to make
this suggestion to you with respect to
the mode, be pleased to consider it by
no means intended to prohibit the full
use of your own judgment, but only the
result of my anxiety to take care Of the
Commonwealth.
In your talents and zeal I repese en-
tire confidence, and shall be always
happy in giving to you every manifesto
ton thereof.
On the present occasion I consider
you, notwithstanding your official situ-
alton, entitled to the pecuniary attention
of the Executive.
have the honor to be, sir, with great
regard, your most ob't serv't,
HENRY LEE.
Mr.. Stuart.
John Breckinridge, the writer Of the
following letter, afterwards removed to
Kentucky, and became distinguished
in National politics. He was the father
Of the well-known divines, John and
Robert Breckenridge, of Kentucky, and
grandfather of the late Gen. John c.
Breckinridge:-
AT HOME, 14th of Feb'y, 1892.
Dear Sir "A few days ago, received
letter from Gov'r Lee, requ esting my
union with you in certain prosecutions
which are to be commenced in Augusta.
The letter is an official one; after speak
ing about the offence, he adds :-"Under
these Impressions, I have to request
your union with Mr.. Stuart, the States
Atty, in behalf of the Commonwealth
ia the suit or suits which he may COM
mence against certain collectors of the
taxes in the county of Augusta. am
persuaded, sir, your patriotism will in
duce you to engage in this business with
all the diligence and zeal its impOrtance5
merits, and that your conduct will fully
evince the prOpriety of the choice made
you as one of their advocates. I have
trasmittted to Mr.. Stuart the act of the
Executive on this subject, which you
will please to refer to; and will pay to
your order the requisite compensation
for your services, when demanded"
Pray what is the state of this business,
and who are the defendants? I will be
obliged to you to let me hear fully from
YOU on the subject, as soon as convent
ent. Perhaps it will suit me to attend
especially if it is before the District
Court, and will not be tried until Sept.
suspect the Gov'r and Council appre-
hended that practised in Augusta, tho
that could not be the case, if Mr.. Steel
was in Council. What compensation
can be expected from it?
still continue to draw my affairs to
point, in order that may decamp, at
the time long since fixed upon, (Spring
1881 have made considerable pro-
gress that way, this winter; having not
long since obtained from my wife more
willing concurrence in the design.
had conversation with your broth
er respecting the business I shall leave
unfinished. The Courts he proposes to
practise in, are, and shall be reserved
for him. Would it not be of some ad-
vantage to him, to attend circuit or
two with me? The collection Of my old
accounts, &C., &C., will oblige me to at
tend the Courts until my departure,
during which time I might, probably,
have it in my power to be of service to
him. The Clerk of Amherst is lately
dead, and Crawford stands for the clerk
ship. Should he be elected, your BROTH
or ought certainly to attend that Court
in March next.
! run the gauntlet in this District as
q candidate for Congress. You may
judge of my anxiety in the business, by
referring to the date of this letter. Thls
is the day of election, and l snug by
good fire at home. The truth is, new
or had faith in the act of Assembly
The people appearing willing to elect, l
could have no objections to serve them
one Winter in Congress especially as
should spend that Winter idly at home.
But as have seen nor heard from scarce
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