Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1822-12-14

" wheu tte'cssting vote was'wrested from
the Governor. For now, while cous
% stitntioaal advice may be given by sny
three councillors, If four be present,
yet all power TO act, in any way, at
any time, may be denied, by four mem
zbers of tue executive body TO FIVE, or
by three to four, or two TO three, as
che numbers u.cy happen TO stand at
the meeting. have maintained that
che question Of the Governors absence
frou the government, when 90 such
5sniention had beea inlinated before
hand, nor regularly communicated by
a di-pateh, could not be properly deei-
ded rz paIie, much less without taking
Amy evidence but that of non appear
ance at the moment, as proof Of the
fnet.---The Governor being annu-
ally chosen aud also impeschable, is
directly responsible to the Legislature,
aud May be presumed TO know aud du.
- 10 estimate, the consequences of neg
ieet OF duty, Ii caunot surely be consti-
Gutionai, upon superstition to the con-
trsry, and under the prete1t of provi-
ding against such neglect in him, to
transfer his functions to that brauch Of
the executive. which, as a body, is
scarcely respousible at all, aud ihere-
by to take from the hands of the imme.
diate representatives of the people the
only efneient check upon executive pro-
ceedings which had been provided
have declared that the possible vic.
lailon Of the character of private cor
responsiveness, which such a eonstrue.
fioa necessarily involves, was aitogeth-
or inedmissibie, aud L have threatened
10 ImPeHeh thehouor Of such e. should
knowingly commit that act. But ! hays
always allowed that the bearer Of seal
ed communications, when such were
brought by a private baud, had right
understood to De impaired to him by
the sender, to require them to be open.
ed by another than the Governors; and
moreover that when such were laid up-
on the table In the Council chamber,
Out not when taken from the post sffice.
the requisition to open them immedi.
ateiy nigh, fairly be implied, To
conclude, sc l have fallen into errers Of
oplniOa in these matters, I trust il has
not been for want of proper modes,y
towards the public that they have be-
come known.--if efrsrs, most certain.
~ they have sprung from honest mis-.
conception, for have ever held the
constitution as a guide to sound polit.
xet, next IN seDeration to the holy dee,
aloSue, upon which our ancient system
OF morality is SO sOlidiy Funded
NY enthusiasm may have been excess,
ave. my zeal perhaps indisereet, but il
IL manifest, from my age, and the mar
70" news TO which ] am necessarily
confined, by he circumstances of my
aitus Ion in private life, that I eou,d
not oave aeen Influenced by any selfish
motive whaiever.-My course NAV
hav' been blundering; bat the eff.rt.
l maze made have ever been the best
my powers could afford, and / trust
she ends Of those WHIT sent me forth 20
II, nave been sufficiently answcred.--
Few, hope will refuse their parting
approval. None, think, eau, 10 last
lnS sincerity, be better pleased win
the clumsy houndering movements of
eonr-die1 arrogance, Overbearins, in
Ais self aPplaudlug career, the free
WIZ Judgment and prudence Of others,
ana 'hrusting aside for d moment from
thelT proper place, candor, truth, and
every hing of an unsei6sh, unassum,ng
and disinseresfed nature.
have The pleasure, in performing
TINS. perhaps my lasr act Of public life,
TO lay before the Legislature The report
on Els late mission TO Kentucky Of oar
Ju''iI nnred, able, aud trusty fellow
citizen iiepj min Watkins Leigh.
III. M. RANDOLPH.
Z hchmond, Dec. 2, 1922.