The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-01-14
FOR THE ENQUIRER.

were prepared by Mr.. GILES, with an in
tention to have presented them in his place
in the Senate of the United States, but whilst
detained in attending on Mrs. Giles, who had
a severe illness, other resolutions were adop-
ted by the Senate. These papers were
transmitted by Mr.. Giles to friend, to e.
vince to that friend, that on this truly me-
lancholy occasion, although afflicted himself
by the danger of one connected with him,
by the tenderest ties, he felt most poig-
nantly and deeply, the calamities which
had befallen the Metropolis of his native
state. The observations of Mr.. Giles are
not only highly interesting, from the impress
slve and eloquent manner in which he gives
expression to his feelings, on this most dis
astrous event but also, because they pre-
sent the portrait of the MOI al and intellec
tual qualities of the one ofthe best and most
valuable citizens this state could boast
The dehneation Of the character of Mr.. We
nable, is rendered doubly valuable, by being
drawn by the hand of one who had known
him longest, and known him best.-NIr.
Giles had been intimate with Mr.. Venable,
from his childhood; he had known his ami
able and estimable qualities in the uncon-
strained intercourse of social life he had
seen him amidst the severest political con-
fiicts, pursuing his uniform and undertaking
course, with frmness inspired by the COL
seriousness of his own integrity, and the
goodness OF the principles he Advocated
In the opinion of the writer of this commu-
nication, it was due to friendship, it was due
to the cause Of virtue, which teaches by ex-
amples, that Mr.. Giles should have indul-
ged himself, in the last melancholy satisfac-
ton, of bearing his public testimony, of the
existence of those excellent qualities, in his
departed friend, the loss of which, to the
public and to himself, he so feeing,y de-
plores. Nor can it fail to be source of con-
collation. to us, who lament the untimey fate
OF relatives aid friends, that the most
distinguished of our citizens, men to whom
Senates have listened with applause, are
amongst the most anxious to mingle their
sympathies with ours, eli this awful occa-
sion.
Mr.. PRESIDENT,
Alter having been absent from my seat for
many days, performing thepainful duties of
the sick chamber of beloved wife; / am
now come to give to the Senate melancholy
tidings Yes, Sir, am now come. with a
heart almost too full for. utterance,, to in
form you, Sir, and this honorable Senate ;
that great and signal calamity has befal-
len the State of Virginia end the City 81
Richmond i'll the destruction Of the Theatre
OF that city by fire oil the night of the Goth
instant that in the dreadful conhagration
the lives Of many persons have been lost ;
and amongst them, of some Of the most va
liable and distinguished Of our fellow-citi-
zens.
Virginia, sir, has thereby been bereaved
OF George w. Smith, her Chief Magistrate
whose merits will best be told, by those who
were best acquainted win his virtues and
his talents and whose voice had raised him
only a few days past, to his late high and
dignifed station from which he has now SO
suddenly fallen 81!
Virginia has also been bereaved Of Abra-
ham b. Venable, the President of her Bank
IA loss almost irreparable For More than
twenty years, this gentleman enjoyed the
peculiar confidence OF his country.--During
that period he was several times most hon
ourably elected to the other branch of Con-
gress, to the Virginia Legislature and f.
naliy to this honorable body How faith
fully, ably and amiably he discharged all
these high trusts the continued confidence OF
his country can attest.--He was taken from
this body, and made President of the Bank
Of Virginia where his usefulness has been
still more conspicuous.-The prosperity and
stability Of that institution, have been mate
rally promoted by his sound and penetrat-
ing judgment; and his well known, inHexible
undermined integrity.--To these conspicu.
Gus and valuable qualities were added, both
In public and private life, retired merit
an unassuming modesty--an unbounded phi.
lanthropy, which disarmed every foe and
made friend of every generous bosom
Yet all these have been lost to US in the un.
timely, iamentabIe death Of single citi
zen Indulge me, sir, whilst on thissubiec
| IN dropping only one word upon my own pc
4 - H.. n.