Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-03-17
"Ffat Jusfitia."
WASHINGTON, ID. c., !
March II. 1856. |
March Ii, 1856.

1ialNh iOoOs J
To the Editor ofhe Dispatch
/ have seem in the Dispatch Of the
9th instant letter of your regular cor
respondent, dated the 5th, which by
implication does very great injustice to
Colonel John A. Parker in the estima-
ton of his many friends here and in
Virginia. 1t is presumed your corre-
spondent has unntentionally done him
this injustice.
As one of his friends ! ask for a short
space in your paper (Which | cannot
doubt you will with pleasure grant to
say that for twenty years | have been
personally fully acquainted with his
management of the cases conGded to
him by the Legislature of Virginia, and
do not hesitate to say that by his ex-
traordinary exertions, his energy, his
great tact, and the universal respect and
confidence he has commanded from all
who know him, he has kept alire the
just claims Virginia has against the
United States, and this has been done
uuder the most discouraging circum-
stances ] have ever known encountered
by any one man.
1t was he who originally discovered
that these large and sacred debts were
Justly due to Virginia. At the time he
made this discovery Virginia had two
senator's and thirteen members of Con-
gress. not one Of whom, have reason
to believe, knew of any such claims.
lie reported the fact to the Legisla-
ture, which Immediately appointed him
and the late Mr.. Thomas Green agents.
Mr.. Green died some years ago, but
years before his death, owing to his
feeble health, he had ceased to act, and
consequently Colonel Parker was the
sole agent. With any other claims,
whether just or unjust, am sure he
has been in no way connected. For
many years he laboTed in vain to get
the Virginia Senators and Representa-
tivcs to realize the importance of the
subject, and one senator Of Virginia
went so far as to say he did not think
Virginia had any claim, and if she had
her people did not want it, and if re-
ceiyed the Legislature would steal it,"
And yet this man had frequently been
instructed by the Legislature to sup
port the bill
1t is a well.tDown fact that not sin
gle report land there have been many
has ever been made, including the pre-
sent no. 500, which has not been
based on facts furnished by Colonel
Parker. lie has written some Of them
which have been unanimously adopted
by the committees.
Now that Virginia is about to secure
the benefit Of the services rendered by
her able and faithful agent, who has
spent many long years and many thou
sands of dollars of his own money, it
is cruel and gross injustice on the part
Of others to attempt to rob him of the
credit so Justly due him. lie has at
his advanced age, and at the urgent re-
quest Of others, come to Washington
to give his personal attention to the
matter, and it is well he has. And
here let it be borne in mind that the
State has never contributed dollar to-
wards the expenses incurred by Colonel
Parker in the prosecution Of these
claims.
In addition to what have said-all
Of which can be verified by the Viz
ginia delegation in Congress, to whom
he is well known send An extract of
letter from Hon. j. 7. Harris, which
was placed in my hands some two years
ago by Colonel Parker
WAsnINGToS. d. C.. March 7, 1888
&" Colcnd John 4. Parker:
MY Dear Sir.-When came to Congress
in 1871 found you the active and pressing
and intelligent agent OF the State OF \ir-
ginia Oh account OF the war OF 1872 You
so continued, TO my personal knowledge.
until TWO years ago, when l retired from
Congress.
"lna.lmy public experience never knew
one WhO was more faithful 10 trust than
you in this case. That we did not succeed
was surely no fault OF yours. Many other
claims equally as Just have been neglect
by Congress for a greater number OF years
than you had charge OF this bill-notably
the French spOllatIon bill BY your active
aid we had The House so organized and in
structed that IL certainly would have passed
the House in the Thirty Congress II II
could have been reached on the calendar
"No man could have done more, for none
stood higher intellectually and socially than
yourself. and none could have commanded
more sympathy and respect than yourself
IL was fate not fault, that failed you.
Truly yours.
"JoHS +. HARRIS"