Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-16
(rKoM THE ERor1nEn.)

RIcHMoHp, Jan. IL, 1872
The following resolution and observations
were prepared by Mr Giles, with an intention
to have, presented them IL his place in the Sc
aatc2o't the United stasss, bsts wisist detsiuea
in'attending 10 Mrs. Giles, who had severe i'll
ness, other resolutions were adopted BY the Se-
nate. These papers were transmitted by Mr.
Giles 20 friend, to evince to that friend that
on this truly melancholy occasion, although af
ficted himself by the danger of orc connected
With him, by the tenderest ties, he felt most
poigEantiy and deeply, tic cslamities Which
had beSa,len the Metropolis of his native state
The observations Of Mr. Giles are not only
highly interesting, from The impressive and elo-
quelt manner IN which he gives expression to
his feelings, on this most disastrous event; but
also, because they present the portrait of the
moral ard intellectual Qualities of one Of
the best AMI most valuable citizens ibis state
could boast.--Ihe delinestion of the character
OF Mr Venablc, is rendered doubiy Vald able by
beng drawn By the hand ofone who had known
him longest, and known him best-Mr. Giles
had been intimate with Mr. Nensble, from his
childhood he had known his aIniabie and es-
tImab!e qualities IN the unconstraincd inter-
course of social life he had seen him amidst
the scverest political conflicts, pursuing his
uniform and undertaking course, with firfnncss
inspired by the consciousness of his own integ-
rity, and the goodness of the principles he adj
yocated-In the opinion Of the writer of this
communication, 1t was due to friendship, it was
due 30 the cause of virtue, which teaches by ex-
amPles, that Mr.. Giles should have INDUCED
himself, in the last melancholy satisfaction, of
Soaring his public testimony, fthe existence of
those excellent qualities, in his departed friend
the loss 1t which, tc' the public and to himself,
he so feelihgly deplores. Nor can IL fail to be
source at consolation to US, who lament the
untiTnely fate of relatives and friends, that the
most distinguished of our citizens, men to whom
scnates have listened with applause ARE amongst
the most anxious to mingle their sympathics
with ours, ON this awful occasion.
Mr.. PRESIDENT,
After having been absent from my seat for
many days, performing the painful duties Of the
sick chamber Of a beloved wife an now come.
TO give TO the Senate melancholy tidings Yes.
sir, am now conc, with heart almost too full
Tor uttcrmcc, TO INFORM you, sir, and this homo
raole Senate ; that great and signal calamity
has beiallcn the state ofYirginia and the city OF
Richmond in the destruction Of the Theatre of
that city BY hre on the night of tile 10Th instant;
that IN the dreadful conhagration the lives of
many persons have been lost and amongt them.
OF Some of the most valuable and distinguished
Off our felow-citiZeps.
Virginia, sir, has thereby been bereavcd of
George w Smith, her Chief Magistrate whose
merits will best be told, By those who were best
acquainted with his virtv,S and his talents
anu whose voice had raised him only few DAYS
past, 20 his late high and digniEcd station
from which he has now SO suddenly fallen A!
Virginia has also been bcrcsved of Abraham
b. Nenablc, tho President CT her Bank loss
almost irrcparable FOR more than twenty
years, this gentleman enjoyed tide peculiar con-
hdcncc OF his cOCntry.-Duripg that period he
was several times most IoE0rably elected 10 the
other branch Of Congress, 10 the Virginia l..
gislaturc and finally TO ;his honorable body I
How faithfully, ably and aniiably l,c dsehsfg.
ca all these hgh trusts the continued conf
dence Of his country can st;est.--IIe was taken
from this body, and made President of the Bank
OF Virginia where his uscfulness has been still
more c0Hsp ieuOus.--1he prosperity and stabiIi. |
y OF that institution, have been materially pro-
noted by Eis sound and penetrating Judgment
and his well known, inAexiblc, and unbiemish-
cd integrity 10 these conspicuous and val
u"hic qualities we're added, both IN pubic and
P'''"Ic lit' q retired merit, an UnassuBing mo