Record Data
Archives and Special Collections, Dickinson College, Carlisle, PA.
Transcription
Fairfax Va. July 1st 1847
Rev. R. Emory
Dr. Sir
My high regard for D. College, and the character of its Faculty, must be my apology for this intrusion.
The report of the unfortunate slave case which came off at Carlisle some time since, reached us in quick time That feature of it implicating the character of Prof. McClintock injuriously & posting contradicted, on my own responsibility, knowing, as I did, that he was incapable of compromising his acknowledged dignity by “encouraging” the riot, as was alleged. My first opinion has been sustained to my entire satisfaction personally, by counter reports, which, however, have been verbal, except that in the C.A + Journal and that is not sufficient for two reasons
1.That few Advocates come here, and
2. There is a strong prejudice in this section against that paper.
Some time since, a Mr. Ball inquired if it was “true that Bro. Emory was
connected with the riot in Carlisle”! He was answered emphatically “No”.
Yesterday Mr. Brooke of London Co. va. (Father of b.b. + B.J. Brooke) enquired of me concerning the matter, stating that a letter had been received from a student at C. by a friend in Uppville Va. confirming the original repot (the date of the letter I did not learn)
The evil that such misrepresentations are doing and will do, if not successfully contradicted, is well known to you, + must be deprecated by every lover of truth and righteousness who stands related to our beloved Dickinson.
Now, with all deference, I propose, that if you will transmit to me a plain statement of the facts in reference to Prof McClintock interference, I will spare no pains to rectify the matter, so far as my diminutive influence extends_ I should greatly prefer a letter from your own hand to any newspaper version you might send, 1 because, by character at least, you are favourably known down here, and your statement would have great weight, and 2.
Because I would then have the satisfaction of having provoked the respectful attention of one, who in my affection as a Christian brother, and my respect as a literary + dignified gentleman, I must be permitted to say, stands second to no man.
With fervent prayers for the health+ happiness of yourself and family, and the continued prosperity of D. College, I am, by many considerations, as ever
Yours J.W. Kelley
P.S. My address in_ “Fairfax C.H. Va.”