Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1879-04-22
A SCRAP OF HISTORY
Told 10 Relation to Mr.. Prentice by Gov.
David Meriwether.

opposed to him. In the latter part q
1860, or early part of 1861, abou
Christmas, Governor Meriwether wa
passing down Jefferson street, whel
James Guthrie passed in a carriag
and beckoned to him. "Eie told me,
said Governor Meriwether to tn.
Courier Journalist yesterday, she wa
going to call on an old friend at tn
louisville Hotel, and requested me Il
get in the carriage and go with him
In riding down the street he informed
me that he was going to see ex-Presi
dent Pierce, and that General Pierre
was at the Louisville Hotel, registered
under a fictitious name. On retirinl
to the room Mr.. Guthrie remarked
that he had brought me with him
that if his communication was of 81
strictly a confidential nature as not t
permit a third party to be there ]
would retire. General Pierce replied
he vas glad he had brought me witt
him, for | had been a confidential off
Ger under his administration, and he
knew | would be discreet about
matters. He then informed Mr.
Guthrie that he had visited seve.
raj members of his late cabinet to see
if they could not put a stop tC
this, the late war. He then produced
the written outlines of this peace con-
yention. He asked us how we liked
it, and both of US assented to the pro-
position. 1t was suggested that /
should call on Mr.. Prentice, then
editor of the Louisville Journal, and
John H. Harvey, then editor of the
Louisville Democrat, and show them
the proposition and see whether they
would agree to support it and also the
ground Of neutrality. Both of those
editors promptly agreed to do so, and
it was agreed that printed petitions
should be sent out and signed by
ladies aud gentlemen throughout the
State of Kentucky, praying that Ken
lucky might take the ground of neu-
trality between the North and the
South. | returned and informed them
of the result. It was arranged that |
should write to certain persons in In
diana and Mr.. Guthrie should do the
same, in order to get Indiana to take
the same ground. That evening |
visited Judge Read, of Jacksonville,
Ind. He adopted the policy at once.
and agreed to write to the prominent
men and politicians of his acquain-
lance in Indiana. On my return to
the Louisville hotel it was agreed that
Mr.. Guthrie should writs to Hon.
jesse ID. Bright, senator during
Pierce administration. twas agreed
by the three at the Louisville hotel
that the proposition should be made
By me, though it emanated from Gen.
Pierce.
1t was also agreed that Judge
Read in his letter should request his
friends to answer to me. Several of
the prominent men Of Indiana did so.
asserting to the proposition.
About the middle Of January.
1861, Governor MagOfin assembled
the Legislature Of Kentucky in extra
session, and /, being speaker Of the
house Of representatives, could not
very well submit the proposition to
the legislature, but | did suggest it to
Hodge, member Of the legislature
from NsEPort to Mr.. Jacob. of Old
Judge Underwood, from Bowl
ing Green. Judge Simpson. Of the
kentucky Senate, and others. Judge
simpson introduced a resolution to
appoint delegates for the convention
was TO meet in Washington.
Governor Charles A. Wyeklife. Jas.
b. Clay, General William 0. Butler.
Of Carroll, Hon James Guthrie and
Charles Moorehead were
appointed among others. They pro
to Washington, but accom-
nothing.
During the summer Of 1861. I
vent South, and whilst in Richmond
il was suggested that | should in.
iuee Mr.. Prentice, for a moneyed
consideration, 70 throw his paper and
for the South. / don't feel
II liberty TO mention their namss. /
them that l would not do IL
aud moreover that il was useless 10 try
influence Mr.. Prentice by such a
consideration, as he cared nothing for
money. On my return home / found
that Mr.. Prentice had taken ultra
ground in favor Of the North. and |
had taken more decided ground in
of the South; hence we had but
intercourse during the war.
After the close Of the war. Mr.
Prentice was taken sick on a visit 70
his son Clarence, who lived on the
about ten miles below Louis
where he died, about two miles
below my residence. | frequently
him during his sickness. In
every one Of these interviews these
subjects were canYassed By us. In the
last interview, shortly before his
he spoke TO me about the
charge made against him that the
North, not the South, had bribed him
to take ultra ground in favor Of the
war. He appeared to be sensitive on
the subject Of the bride alleged 10
have been received from the North.
He informed me that, on the breaking
out of the war, the paper had lost its
subscription in the South entirely and
to a limited extent in many of the.
Western States, and that the firm was
upon the point of bankruptcy that he
had visited the North for the purpose
OF raising funds to sustain his paper;
that large contributions we're made 10
him. not to bride him to take the
course which he did, but to cover the
losses which he sustained during he
course which the paper had taken. and
to sustain the paper for the North,
and he askedme if his memory should
be assailed if | would not yindieate n
| promised him ] would do 50. Here
| apprehend, is where Calvor, sor IN