Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-04-16
RICHMOND, April 13, 1924
TO .Sr. j. FL. Pleasants, one Of The Editors
Of The Constitutional Vhic.

Of The Constitutional Whic
SIR: see from the account of the meeting at the
Capitol last Saturday evening, given in TIE Consi;
fu,ofaal Wing of this merning that the editors have
wholly Inexperienced the remarks made by me on
that OCCASION, and have imputed sentiments to me.
which never expressed and never entertained
which altogether disclain, and which from nv
earliest youth have abhorred
MY political opinions and principles are of yerv
little Importance; but they have been formed with
Sooe care ana study and corrected by diligent OBJ
servaton OF the practical operation of government
ana, though they certainly open to such further
cofrecuon as experience and meditation NAV sug-
gest, they are matured and settled They conform,
most strictly, with the principles upon which the re-
publican institutions OF this country are botomed
my own conscience IS satisfied with their ortho-
doxy ana, while allow the most unbounded ,ber-
ty' ana even license, TO the opinions of Others am
Aitie moved by the censuces which others may bes-
Tow on NINE have ever thought, that the mind
cannot act with vigor, uEless it act with freedom
ana nave sometimes suspected, that the decline of
Poiihcal talent IN this Commonwealth, which have
Often heard deplcgcd at home, and which resounda
IN "ther states Oh tie Union, may be chiefly owing
10 'ie letters which the tyranny of party has i'm
posed For myself, abiure all allegiance 10 that
species OF repubicaniSm, which sets up certain dog
mas wei imagined for the purpose, as the tests of
political virtue tests, pretended TO be nfae ,,ot
80 ti'S wings, ana more uDTGdSOnab BILE
than the straeSt religious tests that ever b;ro,ro
oavsed. a man can hardly digest one before he &c
presented with another. OF all the patents for ex
elusive repub,canisIn, that have been SUCCESSFULLY
Invented aud sued in this State within the IA -
hiteen years Il have register of thcn) not one Of
mem included inc. | deny 10 others, The exclusive
privileges claimed in virtue of them; and, for NV
seii' REJECT all benefit from any such monopoly. I
do not covet that for which have no use
but whie am resolved to cnIny perfect freedom
OF mind, and am ready to maintain the principles I
really entertain, and willing to incur airy conden,-
nation they may deserve, cannot consent to have
opinions publicly ascribed to me, which do not en-
'ertain, and which monstrous absurd and dctcs-
liable am too well acquainted with the fairness of
parry logc- rot TO know that silence would be re-
tsardcd as confession.
did not say, "that peaccable assemblacc of
citizens" (suci meeting that 0: Saturday even
lng) to deliberate on the defects OF the Constit-
tion, and TO debate the propricty of calling n
Convention, was an attempt TO establis govern
nept separate frsin nd independent of the e~eru-
incnt of Virginia and coiIscuuentIvibf, III WIN,
concurrcd in the objects of the meeting had in
Cured the penalty Of high treason;" no such sem
t'mcnt escaped my lips, ever entered into my
heart to conceive
The fact was this-An advocate for conventions
Il dcsigne1ly speak in the puraD had proposed two
resolutions, the first Of which was in the following
words Resolved, as the opinion Of this meeting.
"tbat Convention ought tdIs,ediUtely TO be called
6y me people, for the purpose of amending the
Constitution Of this State" When rose, ] asked
whether it was intended, whether it was possible that
1t could be thought right, that Convention could be
caied by the people, without any act OF consent of
the Legislature; and was answered. not by the
mover bat by another gentleman near me Gas un-
derstooh him, and nc afterwards SUBSTANTIALLY
aYowed III dcba'e) Hiaf IL traS. l then remarked.
mat had attended the meeting, less for the purpose
Of joining in the discussions than Of seeing whether
The prudence of the execution was answcrable:o the
wisdom OF Tue design; and that had little expect
co. that the first step taken would be 10 recommend
10 the people, TO adopt measure, which, if cxccu-
ted aud perfected according 10 The recommendation
would involve all persons concerned, as principals
or pfocuers, IN She guilt of high treason % ascer-
tanned by the statute law Of the land, and subject
them to the punishment of 1ailors-death. ,v hang
ing, without benefit Of clergy. read the statute,
whicn provides that every person or persons, who
snail erect or establish or cause Or procure to be
erected or established, any government separate
irSIa or tndsPslh'cu' ST fg scycrpmenf of li.si-