The Alexandria herald. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1811-1826, 1822-12-06

to my former lie OF alternate iabour and
study in my favorite occupation Of agri-
ture. do not hesitate to aver, that il is
not possible for any one Of my predcces-
sors to have been more deeply penetrated
with gratitude for the favor received, or
more sincerely elated with honest pride
in the enjoyment of the honour conferred.
1t is true that have not found the fune-
tionsso exalted, or the Office so dignity.
ing, as l had expected from the theory
Of our constitution. But my political
creed was ever honestly republican, and
has become with time q matter of moral
sentiment, not OF interest or passion. 1
have therefore performed with alacrity
all the duties assigned me, industriousIy
conscientiously, boldly and impartially.-
1t has been my good fortune to enjoy the
blessing Of uninterrupted health during
the whole period Of my service, and ,'nosl
certainly, have never, once in the time
had any of my humble faculties impaired,
weakened or obscured by any cause
| whatsoever.
Twice only, in the three years, have I
been absent from the seat Of government,
few days longer than week, at one
time. Once only, have failed to return
with punctuality at the appointed hour
l have been, so constantly accessible
during the whole period, to all who had,
or supposed they had, business with the
chief magistrate, that have rarely kept
my seat at table during an ordinary meal
W thout rising to attend some person re.
curing to see me. In council l have
ever cheerfu!ly performed an honest, faith.
fui, and laborious part reading aloud all
| communications and documents, investi.
eating every subject with all the ability 1
had. and making the research requisite,
with patience and sincere interest. Nor
have ever once repined, with selfish
| feelings, al the servitude 10 which time,
the corrupter of all things, had reduced
the Office held uor of the contumely
| SO often experienced, of inattention, or
interruption by loud and unreasonable dis.
course, to which it was liable. Without
any share OF the authority of speaker,
| chairman or moderator and natural a.
version besides to every kind of unneces.
\ sary ceremonious restraint, l have no
| right TO expect much better than what
has happened; and no rule of conduct,
but never to suffer myself to be uncivil,
| until 1t be necessary, 10 check the pro.
! gress Of incivility in Others.
The charge OF a design, or wish ,on my
part, to introduce change into the execu-
| tive department, was certainly unjust
Hut outcry against innovation is an old
'ay Of Disgusting and perpctutaing en-
croachments. have insisted, that an un-
| lustihaole misintcrpretation of the consti-
tuition was made, when the casting vote
was wrested from the governor. For now
while constitutional advice may be given
by any three councillors, if four be pre-
sent, yet all power to act, in any way, at
any ure, may be denied, by four mem>
bers of the executive body,to five,or by
three to four, or two to three as the num-
Der may happen to stand at the meeting. l
| have maintained that the question Of the
governors absence from the government,
| when no such intention had been intima.
ted beforehand, nor regularly commune
Gated by dispatch, could not be properly
! decided exparte, much less without Ia
| king any evidence but that Of non.ap
pearance at the moment; as proof of the
fact-Ihe governor being annually
chosen and also improbable, is directly
responsible TO the legislature, and NAV
be presumed to know and duly to esti
mate, the consequences Of neglect of du-
fy. II cannot surely be constitutional,
upon supposItioD TO the contrary
and under the pretext ofproviding against
such neglect to him, to transfer his func.
tons to that branch of the executive,
which, as body. is scarcely responsible
at all, and thereby to take f. ON the hands
OF the immediate representatives Of the
people the only efficient check upon ex-
ecuti8e proceedings which had been pro.
vidcd
l have declared that the possible vio-
| lation OF the sacred character of private
correspondence, with which such a con.
| s'ructlon necessarily involves, was alto.
gether iDadmissible, and have threa.
tened to impeach the honor Of such as
should knowingly commit that act. But
l have always allowed that the hearer of
sealed communications, when such were
brought BY private hand, had right,
understood to be impaired to him by the
sender, TO require them to be opened by
another than the governor; and moreover
that when such were laid upon the table
~ the council chamber, but not when ia
Ken from the post office, the requisition
to open them Immediately might fairly
be implied. To conclude, if have fall
len into errors ofopinion in these matters,
l trust il has not been for want of proper
m oct al