Year: 1868




The Radicals in Virginia seem to be
getting themselves into an inextricaDie
muddle. John Hawxhurst, Radical as
pirant for Governor, is ont in a letter
against Judge Underwood-who, with
his usual modesty, is Radical aspirant
for the seat of Chief Justice Chase on
the United States Supreme bench-ln
which he makes the following interest
ing family disclosures:


Some time in March, 1867, the State
Central Committee held a meeting ana
called what is known as the April Con-
vention, and at the same time appointed
a subcommittee to 60 North to solicit
funds with which to organize the par
ty of the State. l was one of that
committee, and shortly after called on
Judge Underwood for letters of intro
duction to be used in aid of the work.
These be refused to give me, and
said the money must be raised in the
State: that be knew Of two men that
would give one thousand dollars each
if they could be nominated for
Congress, and there would be many
other good offices to be filled that were
wanted by men that were able TO pay,
and we must raise the money with
which to organize the party from this
source. l -dissented from the plan as
the men that were able to pay might
not be the men that the people wanted;
neither did think the Republican par
ty had intrusted Inc with its affairs, to
dispose of the offices or promise them
to any one. But on consultation, did
not go North at that time. Shortly
afterward, while in Judge Underw ood's
office, he or his son drew up subScrip-
tion paper for the benefit of the COM
mittee, the judge subscribing $500 and
his son 500, saying that he had an Of
fee, and his sou was a young man and
would want one, and wished ME to take
the paper and see how much could get
subscribed. i received the paper, but
never attempted to collect cent or get
another subscriber. Some time after
this / received an invitation to
meet Judge Underwood in his
Office at seven o'clock in the
evening. Went accordingly; found
three persons with him. For some
tire the subject of ways aud means for
the Republican party was discussed,
when Judge Underwood said: eve can
have money enough IL we are in favor of
a certain man for President" A silence
for few moments was broken by some
one asking who that man was. Judge
Underwood replied, Chase. That he
had no money, but Sprague had, and
would give 100000 for the use
of the party in the State. | do not
think any one expressed assent or dis
sent. After q short, embarrassed ST.
lence, and still more embarrassed at
tempt at conversation, the company
broke ND. l was afterward told that it
was understood that if Chase should be-
come President Judge Underwood was
to take his place as Chief Justice. In
reference to Edward Underwood, the
author of the late card, he may have
been present at the frat Iinterview; he
certainly was at the second, but was
not at the last, it being after office
hours. i do not remember that Chase's
name was ever mentioned in con-
nectiOn with our money matters; GER
tainly not prominently; until the
last interview. No effer was
ever made to the committee of which |
was chairman, that | am aware of.
These facts were not regarded as secret
by me. There was no mention made OF
secrecy. l felt chagrined and indig-
nant at Underwood's persistent efforts
to embarrass the committee, unless
used in accordance with his wishes. |
named the facts to different members
of the committee and other friends o.
the cause, but l never sanctioned its
publication, nor should | now do so had
not f. Underwood given publicity to
them in shape which renders it ne
cessary that l should correct them.
With all justice to Chief Justice Chase
and Senator Sprague, will here state
that | was never satisfied that they
knew anything of this offer, believing
rather that it came from the inordinate
ambition of Judge Underwood, who
thought to recommend himself to the
good graces of Chase, and in this way
might possibly get the nomination to
the Senate for Chief Justice, or at least
continue his almost unlimited control
of Federal appointments in Virginia.


JOHN HAwXIIURST.