Correspondence of the Richmond Dispatch.
letter from Charleston--Black Republican Misrepresentations, &c.
Charleston, Jan. 17, 1861.
You have seen, no doubt, going the rounds of the newspapers at the North, many slanderous reports concerning our people, in this their struggle against Black Republican rule.
We expect nothing else from them; but some of your readers may, perchance, suppose that such things may exist.
It is for their benefit, the sons and daughters of my dear old mother, Virginia that I write.
One Lander is, that our citizens have to submit to forced Loans, to support the army.
This I first saw in the N. Y. Tribune, and again in that other Republican sheet, the Boston Daily Advertiser.
I give it the flat and palpable lie. No such thing has occurred in this State.
There is no need of any such expedient.
Another untruth: A company of volunteers on their way to this city, called at a widow lady's house and demanded dinner and contributions and left without paying.
This is utterly unfounded.
Yet another: That the Irish and German volunteers were disaffected.
No greater slander was ever heaped upon any people.
I happen to know, quite intimately, the five captains commanding the five German companies, and many of their officers and men, and I assure you they were the first to offer their services to the State; and they are not only in the foremost ranks of our volunteers, but nothing but the most glowing patriotism animates them.
This I know.
The Irish Volunteers are commanded by Capt. E. Magrath, (the survivor of that terrible duel which occurred here in 1856,) and I have never seen greater enthusiasm displayed among any body of men. They were the first to discover the "Star of the West." So you may put this slander upon our adopted soldiers down as a Black Republican lie.
And yet another: It has been said by our enemies that our city is governed by mob law.
A very intelligent gentleman from Pittsylvania county is now in this city, and he said this morning, to his surprise, he had never seen so orderly and quiet a city in all his travels. --I assure you that I have not seen three drunken men in this city in as many months, and there is the greatest decorum observed in the camp and in the city.
No people are more celebrated for the strictest order and decorum than are the Charlestonians, and persons from abroad cannot misbehave here.
Then, set this down as the grossest slander.
The news from Washington to-day is not at all satisfactory.
I will give you on to-morrow some interesting facts in connection with the noted "Star of the West," Fort Sumpter, and our army, and will keep you advised from day to-day as to things transpiring in our midst, which you may rely on.
Virginias. 