Augusta County: George W. Imboden to John H. McCue,
January 18, 1859
Summary:
George Imboden confidentially writes John H. McCue, asking McCue to garner
support for John Baldwin as the nominee to the Court of Appeals. Imboden also
discusses the upcoming Congressional elections and the possibility of a
convention.
January 18/59
Staunton
Dear John
I drop you a few lines in a business point of view" there is a great stir in this
part of the world in regards to the election of [added: a] Judge of the Court of Appeals. We have been at work during the past few
days in getting up a call for [deleted: of]
John Baldwin, you will see this, in the paper I send you. We had but a few days
to get signers to the call. Baldwin has consented to run -- and I want you to get up a demonstration in his favor in advance of Robinson. Robinson has announced himself a
candidate, I had a talk with Baldwin this morning and told him I was going to
write you, and he requested me to say to you, to see Whitehead in regard to the
matter of course you must not tell W. this, if you can get up a paper and get as
many signers as possible, and send it to me I will have it
[page 2]
published.
I think that if the friends of Baldwin do their duty he
will be Elected beyond all doubt, there will be Robinson from Albemarle Parker
from Frederick [unclear: Jim] Barbour, and perhaps
Thomas J. Michie" So you see there will be a lively
time" John I want Baldwin elected on various grounds in the first place he is
the best qualified man in the district, 2
nd
it would suit him, and third it would be a great thing for us small fry to get him out of the way, though you may think this a sinister motive, but let that
be as it may it is human nature and can't be helped"
We have a [unclear: sick] time in the Tenth Session for Congress Jim
Skinner to Harman J S [unclear: Harris] and a man by the name of Newman
from Rockingham are all out for Congress, and we will have a fine fight, if the
democracy do not call
[page 3]
a convention in self defense I think the opposition do not intend to hold a convention,
but the democracy are becoming alarmed in this county" they have good reason for
it, if Harman and Skinner both run they will divide the vote and by that means
will electe John S. Harris, and they both Swear they will run. I don't care a [unclear: straw] who is elected though, I will vote for Harman"
The only danger of the oppositions holding a convention is
this, if we hold a convention it will force the democracy into, a convention and
of course they will elect their man, and as it is, we have the choice of the
democracy and can elect the man we wish, otherwise a man from Rockingham would
get the nomination, and thereby we would lose the
representative from this county. Well John I was sorry
in looking over
[page 4]
the proceedings of the Nelson meeting to appoint
delegates to the Richmond Convention, not to see the name of my friend John H
McCue" and I want you to explain this matter. I would like to give you some of
my [illeg.] in regard to the nominating an opposition ticket but have
not the time now, but will do so soon. I want to write you a long letter and
give you all the news from this county.
I am going to Elizza's wedding on thursday" give my best love to Cousin Liz" and the little Boys and Kiss the little girls for me. I will come to see you before spring
from your friend
GW.Imboden
P. S. You must not fail to attend to this matter" burn
this letter after reading
GW.I
