Page 3

3

no kind of notice direct ^or indirect^ of my writing this writing this letter. There have been no communications between him and myself upon this subject. I have known him thirty years, no enemy has ever been able to tarnish in the least his fair fame. I know him to be a most profound lawyer and one of the very few in this District that will Compare favorably in that regard with the Hon J. A. Orr and I am anxious the standard should not be lowered now that we have the control. Our Senator (I live in Winston) promised me to speak to you with reference to Mr Jarnagin. I hope he has done so. Allow me to add just one thing more, it has been thought by some that reference would be had to ante-bellum politics, and that Secession Democrats would stand the best chance. A secession democrat myself I have scouted the idea, but while I know that would not weigh with you, there are those ready to catch at any thing After the that would like like it, so as to weaken us by division.

I am very respectfully
your most obedient servant

R. S. Rives