Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-07-19
THE JUNlUS LETTERS MYSTERY.
testimony that Majsr-General Charles
Lee Was the Author.
RICHMOND, Va. July 1G, 1891.

klCHMONp, VA. JuIy 10, io'i'
t. Pc Idf0r Of he Dispatch:
rrive the title-page of work which fell
into my hands some years ago and add
thereto the confession of General Lee as
reported 10y Judge Rodney; also, letter of
Oruoral Lee 10 Drayton in order 10 show
tie talents of the former as writer;
Facts Tending 10 Prove that General
lee was Never Absent from This Couatry
i-r ANY Length Of Time During the Years
l'.'. l770. l77l, l772, and that lie was the
Author Of Junius. By Thomas Girdle-
Stone, NJ ID. London: 1873"
JUDGE EoDNEY's DECLARATION.
The following passage relative to Junius
Is taken from the 81. James Chronicle OF
Alr lG, 1903:
The impenotrable mystery that hangs
over the author of the celebrated letters OF
Jgulus is so favorable TO the propagation
a. reports that we NAV expect to hear that
t.ey have been ascribed in succession TO
every distinguished character who flourish
q! during the period of their publication.
The following article, however. which APP
cared m a late number of the Wilmington
Dell Union is founded upon a stronger as
'tstlon than has ever before been made
upon the subject, for it proceeds upon
Imposed acknowledgment of Junius him.
self. OF Mr.. Rodney or Of the degree Of
credit that may reasonably be attached to
Us declaration. we know nothing, but the
SUBJECT Is 80 curious that We think our
2 adler, will not bo averse from having
tier attention once more drawn TO 1t:
No political writings ever made more
hose IA the world or were more celebrated
'han the letters signed Junius' and pub
lisned IA London more than twenty years
tgu. And as the author conveyed these
T. ff.r 80, A m "A QAQrnf
te' as 10 conceal himself entirely from the
knowledge of the public and every other
pef.on. the public curiosity has been ex-
cited from time 10 time 10 this to know
who be was.
Frequent and various have been the
corjecturcs respecting HIM, but all have
accorded IN attributing those letters TO
one person or other Of the most eminent
abilities. This without doubt does the
author great honor. / have observed in
some Of our late papers that they were at
rlhuted 10 the celebrated Cunning by one
writer and TO the Earl of Chatham by an-
'iter. But TO satisfy the curiosity OF the
world and TO preclude all future and un-
certain cOnJectures | can assure the public
hat our celebrated Major-General Charles
Lee. OF the American army, WAS the real
author Of these letters. And although he
had declared that the secret rested solely
with himself, aud that lao meant TO carry
u to the grave with him, yeti affirm and
answer 70 the public that he revealed il TO
me aud perhaps 10 no other person In the
world.
In the fall of 1878, not long after Gene
RAJ Lee lad arrived in America had the
pleasure OF spending an afternoon IN his
Sonpany when there WAS no other person
present. Our conversation chiefly turned
W pOhucs and was mutually free and
open Among other things the letters Of
Suhius were mentioned, and General Lee
asssd ne VINO was conjectured TO be the
.ulhof Of these letters. replied our con-
sctufes here generally followed those
started IN England. but for myself. con-
.iuaed from the spirit, style. patriotism,
ana political information which they dis
.asyec that Lord Chatham Was the author.
s~a ss there we're some sentiments