The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-12-07

Extracts from Letters by Prominent Men
of Thoee Days-Chatrman Hoisoa's Views
on the Political siru~sson-Coss Of Track
Farming Furniture Factories In This
State
Raleigh, n. c., Dec. T.
Especial Correspendence.)
Some reference was lately made in
this correspondence to the old letters
unearthed in the Office OF the state
auditor. The state ought to have a
letter from ZACH Of its eminent men.
particularly those Of the colonial and
revolutionary periods. in the library.
covered with glass and well displayed.
Oneof the letters is from Thomas
Polk, dated Camp on Yadkin. to the
Board OF War at Hillsborough." 1t
is in reply to a letter the board wrote
him, signed by John Penn. its presi-
dent. referring to charges that he was
negligent in furnishing supplies for the
state troops. He shows he had done
his full duty. He says he had even sup
pilcu tI1 1duIlly VI tuS AIdA WIN Aou
informed on him. Polk says: Il was
suddenly drove from home and left
over 800 hundred bushels Of wheat"
A Letter to Governor Nash is from
General William Davidson, dated. Sep
TENDER 4, 1850, from camp eight miles
west of Charlotte. Davidson says:
my number Of troops is now 400. More
come in tomorrow. Lord CORVALLIS
is at Wazboro. My troopes consider
themselves badly treated by the con-
tinental troops retreating to such a dis
lance and appearing so tardy in re-
turning to their assistance.
General H. w. Harrington w..-es
from Cross Creek (near Fayetteville.
September IA, 1880, to the board OF war.
acknowledging the receipt Of its order
sending him there ito take charge Of a
pretty large party and keep the river
open"
General William r. Davie, under
date Of October l. 1880, at Flying Camp,
Phifers,' Surry, writes General Sum-
ner: The British are cajoling and
f1attering the people to TAX paroles.
I find it best to annoy the enemy from
morasse and thickets."
Under date Camp Yadkin, October
s, 1880, General Sumner writes the
board of war: Information received
by Colonel Taylor from intelligence
from a woman - that the enemy is to
march from Charlotte this day in force,
with fourteen cannon and two pieces
(grasshoppers) to encamp near Fro
books Mill.
Joshua Johnson writes from Nantes,
France, June IS, 1880, to Governor
Richard Caswell, sends the speech OF
King George III. of England at the
closing of parliament and says: Their
(the British) public prints are filled
with alarms and fears of invasion from
France" This letter is marked
weight, 6 pennyweights," and is ad-
dressed ITO the Honorable Governor
Richard Caswell, NeWbowin." John
son meant Newbern. The letter was
forwarded from Camden, N. j., by
Joseph Jones of North Carolina.
Somebody made inquiry the other
day as to the number of pardons a gov
ernor issues. During the first ter
months Of Governor RusselPs admin
| istration he granted forty-five pardons
| two reprieves and nine combinations
During the last ten months of Governor
Cars term he granted fifty-tWo par
dons, one reprieve and nine commute
tions.
y +.
Not a few people would like to know
J the straight republican view of NORTH
Carolina politics. State Chairman Hol.
ton was interviewed by your CORE
spondent and said Il don't apprehenG
any material change in politics or in
the condition Of affairs. / look fol
cooperation with the populists as 9
natural sequence. 1 don't think it pos.
sible between the democrats and popu'
lists 7 thipl tho 1oftor q p q about hold.
ing their own as to strength. The cry
OF white men will not affect the pop.
ulists a bit. It will rot affect the re.
publicans either. The latter stood i
when it looked like there was some.
thing in it. The democrats abandoned
it a time or two and now go back to it
They can't fool any body. l don't thinl
democrats who voted for Mckinley
have much standing in their party
Even if they were disposed to go bacl
the others would make it unpleasant
for them. 1 don't think white su
premecy can be mad an issue SO Ions
as the democrats attempt to raise tina
issue, and then say to the negro, 'yol
are not being fairly treated by the re
p~ublicans.' Next year there will be n,
factions in the republican organization
The populists will pull all together
that is, the great mass. l don't know
where Senator Butler will be, as / d.
not desire to be at all personal. TIL
issue next ear will be the continuation
of honest election laws. People will
look at this more than at free silve
and the Niger or anything else. Thi
remark applies to the great mass o
the people. This will be paramount +
the interest of any individual. Corpora
ton Of our people n the republican
will be more complete mex year thai
ever before. AS for myself woul.
rather conduct the campaign Of 1S9
han the asst one, as I think it can b
more effectually operated"
A very prominent democrat who wa
told about this interview said, "Ho
tons theories as to 1898 are like a siev
full of holes. He told you last yea