will. No witnesses have been called here,
and when I asked you for your protection I am taunted with the
fact that I have offered no defence. If I had been accused in a
trial justice's court I would have had the proofs, and would have
the right to meet my accuser face to face. But here, when my
reputation and the reputation of my innocent children are at
stake, I am proved beyond doubt, and by respectable witnesses, to
be a wilful falsifier and perverter of the truth. Take notice of
this telegram from an honorable house, Messrs. Armstrong,
Scribner & Co.: "We have heard threats that the books chosen
shall not succeed, and that you shall be ruined." This is not the
first time that Ivison, Blakeman & Co., have made a similar fight
to this in the North. They have done so hundreds of times. I ask
the patience of the House, which has my future weal or woe in
their hands, to hear me yet further. Strike if you will but for
Heaven's sake hear me. Another curious phase of this matter is
that the house of Ivison, Blakeman & Co., when it suits their
convenience, do not hesitate to publish confidential
communications. And I would say here that a member of this House
has done the same thing, viz, has divulged to the press what took
place in the committee room, for his own ends.

Mr. Orr here rose and said that if Robertson referred to him he
told a malicious falsehood, and that he would get his pay for it.

Robertson said he had no doubt he would get paid for it; that he
had not mentioned Orr's name, but if he saw fit to appropriate
the remark he could not help it.

The speaker here interrupted, and put an end to the controversy.

Robertson continued: That he had married into one of the best
families of the State, and that his blood was mingled with
theirs, &c.

Holland, a coal-black representative, for what purpose or
actuated by what impulse must ever remain a mystery, here
interrupted, and asked if Robertson referred to him. Mr.
Robertson said no, he did not refer to him. This produced a roar
of laughter all over the House which the speaker had great
difficulty in suppressing.

Robertson continued: I have written some foolish things, it is
true, but I am done with Cathcart and Ivison, Blakeman & Co.
Remember the words of the Holy Writ: