Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-04-18
lFoR THE ENoUIRER.l

F2ncunnn and Nelson.
FELLow-CITIzENs.
You may, perhaps, be incli-
ned 30 think, that at this late period, an
Address upon the present subject must
De useiess-but the Old adage that il is
nevcr too late 10 do good is not>inapp1-
cable here. If this letter willnot aid in
the election Of Mr. Nelson, which is its
special object, by refiiiing some misrepre-
sentations which, have been circulated to
his injury, twill at least, hope, have the
tendency to mitigate the preludices against
him. The election in this county was en-
ded YESTERDAY, and Mr. Nelson only OBJ
tanned somewhere about sixty votes more
thau Mr.. Thomas w. Maury, lis eppo-
nent When the former Gentleman cal
| cuaied upon no opposition, Just at the
| time, too. when the Poll was opened, and
he bad taken his seat upon the benct,
| (Iayins arrived too late 10 address the
| People, Mr.. Maury was thrust ia by his
friends, and induced TO declare that he
would serve, provided the People would
| elect him
| The Pollbeing closed, Mr. Nelson de-
| livcred an Representatives, fair. and truly
! pathetic illustration of his conduct--he
| acknowledged that he was only mortal
! that he possessed foibles and who were
| free from them 2 If he had committed
| faults, (Which be doubted not, J he had
! done so in The honest and conscientious
| discharge oihis duty x fromthis source
! he would draw consolation TO himself
whenever he should leave the service of
his country, and retire 10 that enjoyment
! which he could reap from the bosom of
| his family, from domestic retirement
| After having stated the course pursued
| bv the last Congress, he entered into the
| disclosure OF his conduct relative TO the
! Compensation .aw-IIe had pledged him
| self to do all that he could for the repeal
| of this Law, so odious TO his constituents
| and so hostile 10 his own opinion, for he
| was positively opposed 70 extravagant sa-
| iarieS-the exertions he promised were
| madeuse of-he, in conjunction with Mr..
| Philip Barbour, endeavored TO, and as far
as their endeayors profit ted, did effect the
! repeal-he was one amongthe first who
brought the subject before the House by
| requesting that a committee might be APP
pointed to consider upon ii. Here, be-
| ing questioned by somePerson, (who only
introduced that upon which he was lust
going TO proceed,) if lie did not receive
the money he declared that he did; but
| not without mature dcliberation, and
some consultation with Mr.. p. Barbour
| The law passed when he was SO i'll that he
could not attend the House, thro' which
ii was hurried in the course of 3 or 4 DAYS
and it being law he considered himself
justfiabie in receiving the money, aud he
firmly and honestly believed that the re-
fusal Off would have branded him with
the charge of endeavoringt to wheedle and
play upon the minds of his constituents.
Was paltry pelf his object? He had relin-
pushed his Judgeship, Welding him an
! emolument OF SI50O a year, TO obey the
call of his fe!low-citizens, who were good
enough 10 repose confidence in him.
| Thus, gentle readers, | have sketchcd off
briefly MIR. Nelson's remarks on Monday.
| 1t has been said, that he did not redeem
his pledge to the People about the Com
pensation Law and for this very cause.
he has lost votes in this county, and
have been told is 10 lose more in others :
but be did redeem this pledge. Could
he by his own might drag all Congress at
his heels, and take his own course about
it, without the consent of a majority
there! lie acted with others-their uni
ted efforts were successful.
Had Mr.. Nelson delivered his speech
before the commencement of the eIecti-
on, verify believe that he would have
obtained much larger majority. There
were many sensibly moved, and saw one
man, venerable Ill Years and appearance
scarce able TO restrain his emotion. Mr..
Nelson has grown grey in the service of
his country-he has acted. according fo
my humble belief, the part of an honest
Republican and Patriot, and I would saw
to his equal, entering upon the same du-
ties which he has past through. with so
much credit to himself" Go thou and do
likewise"
Fellow Citizens. am no WAYS related
to Mr.. Nelson ! am 10 feed post !"
| am not hired by any consideration O,
advantage, or solicited by MIR. Nelson. or
any of bis friends, to this, what ! call a
duty Go not intend that he shall ever
know who the author of this address is
and, consequently, my motives, hope,
you Will believe honest.-Weiqh. be.
seech you, the professions of both gen.
tlemen, before you give your suffrage :
and ask yourselves whether age. l6ng
well discharged, and arduous service
ought not to claim pre-eminence over in.
experience and youth; and. let me adj
that J am afraid there is TOO mnrb oI
youthful sway already in our higher Off.
ces.
A CITIZEN or ALEEMARLE.
Massacansctts Eiectio,lfor Goreraoy low
Brooks (Fcd.) and Gen. Dearbon Pen