The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-09-27
HON. n. If. r.. HTS TER.
A Mistake I'm AscribfnR to Him the Author-
ship of the Warehouse System
For the Times.l

II is highly commendable in Judge Sener
and every one else to bestow marked honor
and affection upon the memory and the re-
mains Of the Hon. Robert NJ; 1. Hunter;
Being myself a native OF Essex, l am PROUD OF
having been the iellow-countryman OF such d
distinguished and faithful son of Virginia.
and rejoice in every demonstration OF re-
spect that can be made in his favor. But IN
enumerating the valuable services which ne,
in lis exalted positions. had rendered 10 his
State and country. one Of the Richmond
dailies made q mistake in ascri0ing TO hiIn the
authorship OF the warehouse system.
Now. he has too many Just and valid tities
to distinction for there being any need that
his friends should set up for him doubtful on
mistaken claims. The present object IL TO
correct tho above mistake. not in disphrsg-
ment Of Mr.. Hunter, but in fairnesst to others
and to tho truth of history
The real author Of tho bonded warehouse
system in the United States was Mr.. Mathew
Msury. an intelligent merchant Of the. city
of New York. He was a son. | think. OF the
gentleman who served the United States
faithfully as Consul 40 Liverpool for over
forty years. BY observation and experience
both in this country and IN Europe, no mad
acquired an exteneive knowledge OF the opera
tons of commerce. foreign and domestic.
With thi. knowledge he prepared an able
bonded warehouse system, which he showed
TO and discussed with his grand and noble
kinsman of the same name This kinsman
had already acquired q great deal OF that
fame which became worldwide. lilo was
then only a lieutenant in the United States
na,y. but wa. superintendent Of tho National
observatory at Washington and had been edi-
tor and able contributor OF the Southern Lit
ersry Messenger. lie lent me the document
above referred to and we r~syolyed the suo-
ioct together. Then / preached it in The Mes
seneer and called upon him to put in his
toned force and ~fullness, giving duo credit to
his modest cousin who had set us OF. .
At his instance and suggestion, | introduced
the subject before tho Memphis Convention
over which Mr., Calhoun presided. and IT was
referred to q special committee, who were
divided and mado Two reports. Even the
small minority report did not really oppose
the measure, but mainly asked for more time
and further consideration Owing to this
division in the committee and the want OF
time, no vote Of the convention was taken,
but il WAS very we'll ascertained that an over
whslming majority Of the members were
favorable TO tho proposed system. The
articles published in the Southern
Literary Messenger were laid before
the members of both houses OF
Congress and there wa. an agitation OF the
subject in a goodly number OF the newspapers.
At length the matter was brought up IN Con-
gress and there it could not have had any bet
ter friend and advocate than Senator Hunter.
Well. the measure WINS adopted. Its author
was Mr.. Mathew Maury. of New York, but
its adoption was mainly due to the mastery
and convincing presentation of 1t by the pen
and tongue of the Incompatible Mathew
Fontaine Maury, in whom dear old treder-
icksburg also takes great delight.
b. b. Minor.
Richmond. Sentemher 26. 1891.