From the Richmond Dispatch, 5/22/1861

A Correction. - Mr. A. B. Vanuerson was arraigned before the Mayor a few days since for making use of some expression relative to the Tredegar Iron Works, by which the impression was produced that he was not unwilling to see that valuable improvement destroyed or “blown up.” Being at the time employed as a watchman to defend the property, the expression attributed to him was thought sufficient cause for him to be cited before the Mayor, by whom he was discharged after an admonition. The meaning of Mr. Vanuerson’s remark has been misunderstood. As a Virginian, he regards the works as of the utmost consequence to the whole South. The remark he made was simply the expression of his indignation that Messrs. Anderson & Co., who were contractors for furnishing machinery for the State Armory, should have gotten any portion of it from the North. He has since, however, found out that they were compelled to do so. As the public know, some portion of the machinery contracted for by them has been withheld since the present difficulties commenced. Since we have become acquainted with how the affair originated, we are convinced that no one has a higher sense of the importance of the Tredegar Works to the State, at this time, and their value to the whole South at all times as a Southern enterprise, than Mr. Vanuerson, who is not only a native of this city, but also a mechanic. It is to be regretted that his expression of indignation (honest, but mistaken,) at what he thought an undue preference for Northerners, should work to his injury as a citizen. Not desiring to do an injustice in the premises, we hasten to remove that impression, so far as we are concerned. The gentleman who felt called upon to report Mr. V.’s conversation, acquit him of any intention to be incendiary in his remark, and we do so, after fully understanding the matter.

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