Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1811-11-28


to be called Il republican was in the estima-
ton OF the dominant party to pronulgate out
lawty against you in the code of humanity,
and TO Cut you off from almost all the chaii-
ties OF lifc--at this period, sir, it was my for
tune to represent the only federal district in
the state of Virginia (aud to be the only re-
publican Representative that this district Ell
Their before or after elected to Congress-
1t was my fortune to receive during this adj
verse and tcmpestuous period almost inntl-
merable addresses from my constituents,
which l was made the organ to present to
the President of the u. States, stigmatizing
with the scverest animadversions my politi-
cal conduct and that of the party with which
thought and acted. Let the Journals of
the House of Representatives during this a.
farming & cvcntful crisis be examined, and let
the recorded votes of that body be resorted to
in order TO ascertain whether ! was inferior
| in pIDmptitude, fidelity s artlour for the re-
publican cause to any member of that re-
publican party. During the whole of this pc
rod was suffering under the most painful
state ot Ill health; yet such was my anxiety
TO shew my disapprobation of the ruinous
measures pursued by the then dominant and
infatuated party, that occupied my seat in
Congress in very many instances when. if
mad attended To my own ease and health, /
should have confined myself to the bed and
challenge the most minute and accurate in
yestigator to point out one instance where a.
ny measures were taken in Congress calcu-
lated to interest party feeling, VIXEN / was
absent from my post or failed to attest by my
vote the sincerity of my devotion to the re-
publican cause. Under these circumstances
had flattered myself that had some hum
bic pretcnsions to the public confidence when
l protested my early and continued devotion
to the principles of republicamsm, but dis
cover that / am mistaken and that new or
der OF fortunate politicians have come into ex-
istence in the present propitous hours of re-
pubhcanism, and have so exclusively engross-
ed the whole of this precious commodity, that
they Will not permit the elder order of poll
teal men, to whose exertions it is indebted
torit very existence, to have one particle of
It. II this new created order of patriots will
Danish me and all who think with me on this
occasion from the republican ranks, they can
not deprive us of this consolation, that, in the
state of exile and denunciation, they place us
in company at least as respectable as that
from which we are driven. If to be associ-
ated III the same political class with the late
President, with the majorites of Congress
during ms administration, and with the Sc
cretary OF the Treasury, i'll contradstinction
TO TINS new order Of executive republicans, is
the result of these denunciations, / am willing
to encounter their consequences.
MIR. President, if / and those of the repub-,
Gcan party who act with ne on the present
occasion have apostatised from our former
political IHinciples, ] can say with truth, so
Tar as the charge respects myself, that the
motive by which am actuated must not on
ly be disinterested but very different from
that which generally operates on the human
mi In orr, lr,... 6 l.
adversely, during the sevcrsst denunciations
and prosecutions which il experienced, at an
hourwhen iticalhemisphcre was preg-
nant with tempest which threatened de-
structon to all its votaries when repre-
sented the only federal district in the state
OF Virginia, and my constituents were con-
stantly sending on loyal addresses in the most
pointed manner animadverting on the party
with whom l was associated; under all these
sadverse circumstances ] was not inferior to
any one in fidelity and zeal for the republi-
Can cause. But at this period of republican
triumph, when to be associated with that par
ty is the best passport to all the honors and
ofhces OF our country, when am elected to a
seat in, this very elevated and honorable bo-
dy by tue vote of republican legislature of
one of the most uniformly and unanimously
republican states in the Union; in such cri-
doned the republican party IL the charge be
just, can only repeat, that must be actu-
ated by motives very different from those
which generally operate OH the human bosom.
No consideration Of pecuniary aggrandisc-
! ment could have had any operation on me in
relation to the subject under consideration !;
any other than wish to advance the gene
raj happiness of society, for / never had a
bank share in any bank whatever, nor have
ever had any negotiation with or requested
or obtained loan for one penny from the
| Bank of the u. States or any of its branches.
| must here remark, if this abandonment and
regeneration of political principles Is Justly
| attributable to me, j am not conscious OF the
| motivelwhich produced il. Whether shall
be considered faithful to republican princi-
| pies, my country must determine and to
this tribunal cheerfuily appcal--but whe-
| Their, III the vote / atm about to give, ! shall
evince uniformity of political principles, is not
a question that will submit as a matter Of
doubt for the decision of any one. 1t is mat
ter of fact, susceptible of immediate and con-
elusive demonstrations. The first time was
a candidate for seat in the House of Rep~e.
sentatYes, gentleman who was compcti-
tor Yath INC for that station Published ieng-
| thy edercss to the frceholders Of the district.
whIeh I've dech wished TO represent, which
wasV I'M measure profession Of political
taith'F nd 4eemed 90 call on rnc to make pub
l lie sNYtiiar o., noa;t;-r 4, + ,,,, ,,,l;t.-.t -.