Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1804-05-03
From tie O5eervasofy.
WASHINGTON, Feb. IS, 1904.

| have iuSt read IN your paper OF the 4th
inst. the following curious paragraph clo-
sing an : extract ola letter rom gentle
man at Windsor to a friend at Wesmin-
ster.''
Great exertions have been made by the
the opposers of the. amendment TO prevent
its passing theleg islature Of Vermont he
mails have beer. crouded for the last month
with Tracy's Speech and letters from Mr..
James Elliot, and the leading lederalists at
Washington, to influence members III their
decision but think God, arr, intr;gas, a3ld
bank interest have proved unsuccessful, and
the friends of liberty have achieved an
honorable victory"
Against mere malice and envy | shall
never descend to a vindication of my char
actar but falsehood should not pass unno-
ticed. Itisnot true that 6 sweiled the
mail'' or wrote s. letters TO influence the
members in their decisions | wrote, |
believe, fee letters TO far members, all
of whom considered as far a50ue my IN
Rusnce those letters contained no elabo-
rate arguments in support OF my opinions,
but were rather in tie nature of apologies
fora vote which | supposed those gentle
men would consider as extraordinary. |
inclosed but one copy of Mr. Tracy's
friend in the council, who could not consi-
derit as an attempt TO ifiuence his iudg-
ment. WHAT is meant by coupling my
name with the leading federalists in Con-
gress, know not can never change
my principles, but believe those to be the
wisest republicans who wish to preserve
the constitution. | have learned from
members of The convention which formed
that Instrument, that it was work Of great
officially to adjust the rights of large and
small states. And / believe that if we
should realize all the alterations of the con-
stitution that are contemplated by men
who are both abI- and honset not one of the
original constitutional rights of the small
sta5es would remain IN existence.
/ wish the republicans IN your quarter
had been so candid as to diAuse the infor-
nalion that Messrs. Varnum, Eustis, BIZ
shop, and Seaver, Of Massachusetts,, Mr..
Hodge of Pennsylvania, and Mr. Clay of
Virginia, voted against the amendment as
well as myself. Those gentlemen, and o.
Their republican members of both houses,
so far tron thinking hat the amendment,
IN its present firm, will "disappoint the
ambitious h9bsS and blast the reasonable
mqchiaQtj1zl5 OF the base and unbrincibled
Gataljaes Of our country appear to re-
main mistaken in the opinion that it will
be attended with very different conse-
quences.
The words art and intrigue" were
undoubtedly Intended 10 have some appli-
cation to myself; with what justice the a.
bove statement OF facts will shew. Ifit be
art ana intrigue to act independently and
honestly; 70 prefer the dictates of consci-
ence and the results of rejection, to the
rage of parry and the views OF individuals;
| shall still be guilty during the short pc
ROO / shall remain in Congress. Although
I made great sacrifices in yielding 10 the
wishes OF the people, sacrafces which ne
yer can retrieve, sacrahces for which a
buse is no very equitable remuneration, |
should be happy to make still greater, were
it in my power in order that the district
might be better represented IN the next
Congress. There are many older and ADLER
men IN the district, TO whom public life
would be muoh more pleasant than it is to
me. When I shall return to the sh1des of
retirement, am certain that | shall never
again sigh for political distinction, or envy
the glory OF the great.
J. ELLIOT.