ALEXANDRIA, [VA.], July 24th, 1857.
MY DEAR SIR: From
all that I can learn the opposition in this State to your reelection next
Winter are actively though secretly at work in getting up an organization
against you in various parts of Virginia. I am told that Hughes of the Richmond
Examiner is exceedingly busy writing letters in all directions to members elect
of the Legislature. Floyd from his point of attack at Washington leaves nothing
undone when an opportunity is presented, and Wise is using the power of his
position to accomplish the same object. My brother James, who is well posted in
these matters, has within a few days past expressed to me the opinion that he
was satisfied there was a formidable opposition getting up
against you in this way.
I have concluded
from my own responsibility to drop you a hurried line upon the subject, to warn
you of the danger in the distance, and to suggest that you give your friends
throughout the State timely notice of these operations, and urge them to
establish and perfect their own organization without delay.
So far as the
Legislature stood in the beginning our Party certainly was largely in the
ascendancy, but there is no telling what action an unscrupulous and unresisted
organization may effect. If we should be beaten next winter, the Southern
Rights Party in Virg[ini]a will be hopelessly prostrate, never to rise again in
our time. I shall continue to endeavor to keep a sharp look out upon the
movements before referred to, and hope in my humble way to plant a thorn
occasionally in their path, but would advise you, who have so much at stake, to
telegraph your friends in different sections of the State and put them on their
guard against the operations of the other side.
SOURCE: Charles
Henry Ambler, Editor, Annual Report of the American Historical
Association for the Year 1916, in Two Volumes, Vol. II, Correspondence of
Robert M. T. Hunter (1826-1876), pp. 212-3
