Concern that Maj. David Barnett may oppose the formation of a new county and urges the representatives to fight for the new county.

Newbern
23 March 1838

Paid 18 ¾

Messrs. Augustus Chapman & Jas. T. Gleaves Esqr.
Richmond,
Va

Newbern Va Mar 22nd 1838

Gentlemen
I had the pleasure of seeing a letter today written by Majr. Barnett our representative addressed to a Citizen of our place, and on reading its contents was a little surprised to see the course Majr. Barnett intends pursuing previous to our last Election when he was canvassing, he in a conversation before several Citizens of this place said that he was individually opposed to a division of the county, but at the same time he observed (Gentleman) if your petition has the largest number of signers, I shall consider myself bound to Vote for it and shall do so, but should a remonatre sent on have the largest number of Signers I shall consider myself bound to oppose it, he also states in his letter that notwithstanding his opposition to a a division, that if our petition had been properly obtained he would have voted for it, his reason for saying that the petition was not properly got up, was that the petition was not in full before those who signed setting forth the lines Bounds & limits of the County asked for, the reason it was not set forth was to save trouble in carrying so much paper, and their was a small caption taken by those who presented it to the people to get subscribers, which you know is very common, and Sir this asked for County has been in agitation for several years, and I would venture to say there is very few if any within the bounds of the new county but knows the lines as designated in the original Petition, he states also that he seen Mr. John Barnett of this place, last spring in the east end of the County getting signers to the petition for the new county, and that in a conversation with him (Jno Barnett) that Jno. Barnett

told them that New river was the line all the way and that he also told him that his understanding was that N River was the line all the way –

Now Gentleman Mr. John Barnett has read this letter of David Barnetts which is now before us, and he is now present when I am writing, and authorizing me to say that David Barnett is under a mistake in relation to the lines of the proposed new county, that he told David Barnett that the line went with N. River to the Mouth of Little R and he says what is satisfactory evidence to any Person that D. Barnett knew the line crossed New R. he observed to me (J. Barmett) that we complained of N R as a great Greevance and that if we got a new County the people in a neighborhood call’d High Wassee on the south side of N. River would have to Cross the river, J. Barnett told him they would but it would be so much nearer them than the present C House that they were all anxious for a New County and had all signd the petition  J. Barnett says the above statement is correct and has hereto signed his name and he says he led no person estray who signed the Petition as it regards the lines of the proposed county asked for

John R. Barnett

Majr. Barnett states in his letter that when the report of the Committee comes up he intends offering an amendment to the report, so as he can vote as he intends to do  I cant see why he wished to offer an amendment or on what Grounds, unless it is because the people at this precinct did not support him in his Election – we did not consider it our Interest so to do as he was opposed to a division, now Gentleman if you will be kind enough to attend particularly when the bill comes before the house and advocate the same and the report of the committee you will confer a great favor on many and should it ever be in

our Power to reciprocate your friendship we shall be always ready so to do I am with due respect your obdt Sevt

James Tiffany

P.S. If Mr. Barnett should offer any objection before the house on account of the Boundary not being set forth make use of J. Barnetts Statement in this letter to Rebut any thing he may offer on the Point, I expect these is very few persons in Montgomery or the East end of Wythe County but what knows the proposed boundary of the new County or has never been the object of any person concerned in getting signers to the petition to Deceive any person, you may see from the statistical report of the Commissioners of the revenue which we paid extra for that it is before the house I presume as it was sent on with the Petitions, we rely on you Gentlemen who are disinterested in the matter to give a full and fair statement of our greevances and the disadvantage we labor under before the house for the want of a new county I remain your obdt servt

James Tiffany