Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1815-09-06

\
this dreadful principle bring upon as, ifit shall
receive the sanction of the people IL is to their
good sense, and liberal sentiments, that we are
| to look for protection against its r,iinous conse-
| quences. When such men as Mr.. Crawford. Mr..
| Giles, Governor Tompkins On. Yi) Gov. Plumer
| IN. ii J and hundred others of the same stir
ing principles ofrepublicans,n, Shall be denoun-
| ced by the Virginia Assembly, merely because
| they shall presume to differ with the Le;cisa.
ture upon their doctrine of instructions TO sena-
| tors then indeed, have We arrived at a period
of fatal danger to the republic. mention the
| names OF these gentlemen, because have seen
their opinions upon this doctrine, deemed so i'm
portant by the Virginia Assembly, and cared SO
little for by every body else and might also
mention the names of the most learned republi-
| cans in Va but L do not think II necessary 10
bring them into public view.
viii now beg pardon OF Mr. Crawford, for the
liberty which Ihave taken wit, his name but his
case seemed to be well calculated 20 aid me in
my object, that could not forbea- the use oft
can assure him that he has my entire conf
dencc, and wish him much happiness and pros
perity, as well IN the war department, as every
where else.
In bringing this question of instructions TO SEN.
atoTs, again before the public, have had no wish
10 discuss it's merits, my opinion always has been,
that it was very fair subject for an honest dli-
terence OF opinion between the best most learn
ed, and patriotic men in country, and I
would soon deno,nce a man, as a politician,
for sounding G. hard, where would sound it
soft, rs would think of denouncirg him FOR diff
tcring with me III opinion upon the obligatory
character of instructions given by State Lcyisia-
lures to Senators in the Congress ef the United
States.
Having touched at all upon this subject.
could not say less than have done; much more
| might have been gathered from the ample field
which lies before me; before / bid ad.eu to it,
however, beg leave to shew how little atten-
ton has been given 60 it BY our sister states al
though they have been requested by tie Virginia
Assembly to consider the subject.
In one of the resolutions at the end of the book
adopted by the general assembly upon this sub
iect, it will be SEEM that the governor is requi-
ed to furnish copy ofthe proceedings to each OF
the executives OF the different states. &c. Now it
must be very clear TO every mind, that the only OBJ
iect which the assembly could have had in view in
training this resolution, was their doctrine
upon instructions TO senator's to be laid before the
legislature of every other state fer consideration
and concurrence, and when agreed 10 BY hem, to
advise the general assembly of Virginia thereof
To effect this it is known that the regular chan
mel Of communication is through the governor of
the state, who was furnished & copy under the
expectation that III his next communication TO his
legislature, after having received the book, he
would make it = document accompanying his
communication, and thereby place the subject
before the legislature of MS state. That our gov
ernor did transmit copy of these proceedings
to each OF the governors ofthe different states,
have not the smallest reason to doubt, but whe.
ther these governors thought it unnecessary to
communicate them to their legislatures, OF whe-
Their the legislatures, after they had been furnish.
ed with the book thought it of too little conse-
quence To notice, are left entirely TO coniec-
'urc; certain it is, however, that instead of re-
celving answers from sister states at the next
ensuing general assembly of Virginia az 7sas &C.
becfea, there was no communication received
from single state, has there been to this fav
as tar I am informed and although this stern
silence towards the general assembly ofVirg.nia,
by our sister states, may not be exactly as deco
rous rs could be wished for, sincerely hone they
may not be denounced by the Virginia Assanbly
for their departure fran Republican p,anc.SIes
think, however, that the Legislature itselfis
pretty much fatigued with tllcir doctrine upon
the principle of instructions, and an occurrence
in one of my neghborng courts, 4 few years ago,
furnishes an anecdote, so exactly in point that
beg leave to relate.it.
Some three or four years ago, q criminal was
| arraigned at the bar of the county court of -
and it so happened that his case must be disposed
OF on that day, either by trial. or a discharge
the court, before whom he appeared, consisted
of four magistrates only, and FIVE being necessa
~, the business was suspended until the sheriff
could procure fifth, which seemed to be a diff.
cult matter. The four sitting magistrates being
little exhausted in patience, and knowing there
were other magistrates tie ground became
| somewhat excited, and seemed to be at loss
how to proceed. At this stage other dilemma
n very worthy member of the court proposed
that the sheriff should be directed TO summon
| the Posse CoHi;atUs, and by force, bring in
some fifth magistrate. This very novel propo.
1 siticn was adopted by the court without
any reflection upon the character Of the act and
accordingly the sheriff was ordered to take with
him, the borver Of The county, and bring in Filth
member of the court IN obed ence to tue order
which he received from tie bench, the good ma.
tured sheriff went upon tie court green, attend.
ed by the Posse, and after arTestiDg several gen
| tlemen who were magistrates, he succeeded in
carrying in a fifth magistrate, and the CRIMINAL
case was soon disposed of. In this stlgs If tie
business, before any body mad reflected on the
matter, there seemed to be a general appreciation
OF The prompt measures which liaG been taken
! by the court, and the members themselves seemed
wilhHg TO be complimentary for their Wig lance
upon the occasion. It unfortunately, so happen
Ell, however, that in very short time afterwards
this fifth member the court, together with those
who had been arrested by the sheriff, with the
Pose at bis side, united in an action against the
four members who had ordered the proceeding,
for false Imprisonment and as soon as the writ
was served, the question became general, the
lprmc pie was examined into by the people, and
after little reflection, the universal sentiment
was, that the proceeding most unauthorized
exercise of power The defendants took the