Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-06-10
Leaf OF Unwritien History.
A MOST RENAFEABLE INCIDENT AND NJ
TTsvHw.

Hughes Court. last week, of the suit
brought by the United States against ex-
Gov. Smith. Gov. Thomas, in the course
Of his testimony. after answering some
questions bearing upon the exact date Of
some minor facts in the series OF trans
actions. said. with some degree Of hest
tation. that he was not quite certain Of
it, legality as evidence, but If desired he
could relate 4 most remarkable incident
and interview which had an important
bearing upon the question just before
Us; viz for how long 4 time after the
evacuation might Gov. Smith be proper
ly considered as exercising the powers
nj Governor Of the d facio Government
Of Virginia. Amer some little CONVEX
satiOn between the opposing counsel and
the Court. the witness was requested TO
proceed, which he did substantially as
follows:
"On the occasion Of the famous visit
Of President Lincoln to Richmond. which
took place after the evacuation. some
tune in April, ls65, the citizens held
public meeting and passed resolutions
expressing their acceptance in good
faith. Of the results Of the war. and
their purpose 10 return 10 their allegi-
ance and the discharge Of ciyi! duties
The committee appointed TO presen,
these resolutions 10 the President, con-
sisted, IS | now remember. Of Judge
Campbell, Gen Joseph Il. Anderson.
Mr.. Gustavus \. Myers, Mr.. David
Burr, myself, and perhap, o;he's.
I'VE called upon the President who
received It's very pleasantly. and in the
course OF the general conversation
which followed our formal presentation.
! | remarked to Mr.. Lincoln that We stood
greatly IN need Of organized civil gov
eminent, and hoped he wouli send
Gov. Pierpoint down to u as soon a.
possible. ! shall never forget the ex-
preston and action Of the President.
who at once and with emphasis, replied.
4 shall DO 10 such thing. si7, Governor
PicrpOin, {, not the Governor you or !
want. The Government that took Viz
Eiuia ou,, sir. i the Government, iha,
should bring her back. GOV. Smith 3.
the heal Of tia; Government, aud
want tha; old game cock back here.
Sir, with all hi Government about him.
shall constitute you. gentlemen. Of the
committee an embassy for the purpose
OF inviting your Governor and Govern
menl back TO the city, and shall or,ier
.Wrizel, think {; was, to give
you passes through the lines with safe
conduct for the Governor. members Of
the Legislature and all the officials to
return here for the work Of restoring
Virginia 20 the Union
Tile President did AZ once prepare
aud issue this orler. and We actually 20,
our permits through the line. bu, he-
fore We could really start upon our mis-
sion, news came from Washington,
whittier the Presidential party had re-
turned, that this action Of Mr. Lincoln
had been reversed by the Cabinet. 1hi,
incident shows clearly vha, the head Of
the Federal Government thought Of
Governor Smiths official character al a
date certainly later than the surrender"
Governor Thomas did net use the eX-
preston. "ihdi Old game eo,t," while on
the stand. but laid he remembered the
eTac, expression by which the Presi-
dent characterized Gov. smith. and af-
forwards, when pressed by his counsel
privately. gave the expression as above.
NEN.
RICHMOND. Va. Nav 26lh. 1870.