St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-03-15
William Gilmore Simms to Gov. Magrath
WOODLANDS, Jan. 3, 1865.

l.,
WOODLANDS, Jan. 3, 1865.
The Hon. A. G. Magrath.
Ny DEAR GOVERNOR: inclose you my
resignation as a member Of the board of vsi-
tors of the Military academy. 1t was with
great reluctance and only at the earnest APP
piication of our friend Jones that consented
to accept it. He and l believe all the board
will resign. The duties are onerous, the re-
sponsibility great, there is no compensation,
and in the legislature the voice of censure in
offensive terms has recently been loud.
These things alone would suffice to justify
our resignation. In my case, however, pri-
vate circumstances compel an act which my
own sensibilities would otherwise demand.
am about to become refugee. | have re-
moved ny poor little children to Columbia,
and am selling off what | can for two OBJ
iects-to save them from the wreck, and to
provide means of paving taxes and of
supporting the family. Our precinct is one
which is necessarily endangered by the obvi-
Gus condition of things and probable action
Of the enemy. In the immediate neighbOr-
hood of Branchville, and exposed as Barn
well particularly is. have no doubt that
much Of the war will be transferred to this
quarter. And if we have no affairs of grand
armies, though this is particularly to be an
tfcipated, we may expect any amount Of
preying by predatory parties. Having put
my family in security, | shall remain here as
long as possible, though l should feel very
uncomfortable if forced into lodgings in Fort
Lafayette or any other Northern Bastile. l
am too feeble, however, for fight. and must
face events, however angry their aspects.
At 90 years of age, subject to chronic affec-
tons which greatly interfere with my loco
motion, and holding no official position, l
can see no motive which the enemy could
have for making me a prisoner. At all
events, I must encounter this risk in the
hope of saving the property from flame spoil
alton. Still, while l thus think at present, l
shall be pleased to have your own opinion on
the subject. e. if the arduous duties of
your office will afford you sufficient leisure
TO mediate my case and accord me letter.
! confess TO some surprise at your accept
ance of this office, especially as, when some
time ago we were hunting In couples in
search of governor Out with so sufficient
lantern such as Diogenes carried), you gave
me to understand that you yourself could not
be persuaded to sacrifice your judgeship for
the high constabulary. Of course | assume
that you have good reasons for your change OF
mood, and | am willing to believe that you
possess individual resources to enable you
TO rise nobly to the encounter with all the ext
geucies of the times. 1t is certainly mag
unanimous courage which, under the present
aspect Of our affairs, on a lee shore, with
breakers all around us, bravely seizes on the
helm and assumes all the fearful responsible
tiles ofcommand.I can only say, my dear gov
ernor, that in woke the Lord of hosts in your
aud the country's behalf. May He endow you
withthe requisite wisdom and courage, and SO
prosper yotrf thoughts with His inspiration as
TO lift you to triumphs such as yourself per-
haps never conceived before to lie within
your reach and province.
l know you to be man Of thought and
energy. May God crown these native quail
tiles with His favor, and make your guidance
Of the bark of state a triumph for your name
in all futts time, while it assures our peo-
pie their Security and establishes their cause
in victory.
Pardon me for trespassing so long upon
your attention. There are some detailed
views which | could wish TO deliver to you,
but they are rot proper or possible in the
limited range OF a letter. 1t is probable that
| shall see you in Columbia ere many days.
l called last Saturday at the executive cham
Der and left my name for you. Once morel
Courage. patience, moderation, and the clear
exercise of your mind and the adequate
employment of all your energies
Yours very truly, W. GILMORE SMMs.