Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-12
OLD.TIM Els LETTERS
PickiDgs from Revolutionary Docu'
ments-An Old Love Episode.

Mr.. John P. Young, OF the registers office,
has in his possession a number of old letters
which belonged to his grandfather, Mr.. J ohH
Smith, and which show that the people OF
those DAYS thrilled with the same feelings
and passions of the people OF to-day. One OF
these letters, written by Will p. Smith, and
dated Philadelphia, Jauary 10, 1897, says;
"Com modore Barney has been here and has
gone to New York. The day he arrived
here, Just as he got out of the stage at the
Indian Queen, he overheard w. B. Ewell
abusing Inc French. He waited till be saw
Ewell walk out, and followed him into
back ward. He told him that he was
French officer and that he certainly knew 1t
from his dress. Immediately drawing out
of his pockets
"a BRACE OF PISTOLS
ahe offered him one of them, and told him II
he did not Immediately accept it he would
mt him 10 death. The other obsiiuately re-
fused the offer, upon which Cts said( Cap,
tain Barney, with his open hand, slapped
him in the mouth. Ewell challenged him,
but The thing, as You msy readily suppose, dld
not 90 on Colonel Orr interiered and had
it Accommodated. So much Mr.. Eweil has got
for playing turn-coats. The business has
made a good deal of noise in the city. Men
who are as great friends of the French as
| Captain Barney, disspprove of his conduct,
but no person pities EwelI." The letter goes
| on to say that there are 800 vessels IN the
port, and the business done is astonishing.
SOMETHING ABOUT PATRICK HENRY.
Another letter to Mr.. Smith is dated jan
uary 5, 1897, and was written by ]. Brock
| inridge, the father of the famous John T..
Breckenridge. He writes: 81 have not been
long from Richmond, where 1spent month.
| There is nothing new among them. L.
Henry was chosen governor and refused to
| lfaA W
opposed by Thomas Madison; but Wood
distanced him. There never was ranker
set of aristocrats ever living than Richmond
| affords The fact is not yet sscertained
whether Jefferson or Adams will be presl-
dent. fear it will be the last. There will
not be three votes difference"
AN AGED LOVER.
There is also the following quaint letter
from Isaac Shelby:
DEAR SIR-Colonel Dallam came to my
house last evening under the expectation Of
an interview with Miss Polly Hart, and, be-
lieying that she may be with you, l have
taken the liberty 10 give the colonel thl;
introduction to your family. He has my
wlfe's most cordial assent to address hel
sister, and perhaps, under existing clrcum,
stances, Miss Polly would do well TO attend
to his suit. 1t is true there is great disparity
In their ages, DuI eucn lnlngS are NOT uhCon
mon, and the colonel is a genteel old man,
suppose in easy circumstances, and know
Of my own knowledge his family connections
in various parts of the United States are a,
reputable as any people. You have thus my
ideas on this delicate subject, which, even i
carried into full effect, no great harm would
be done, and some good might happen il
contributing to keep each other warm. VI
contemplate much pleasure from your trip
etc. -.
{ Among these papers is an old deed bear
ing date of Angus, 1, 1772, and signed b.
Lord Dunmore.