Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-03-02
COMMUNICATE
To the Legislature of D7rsi,aa.

GENTLEMEN-You are on the eve of disner
sing TO your several homes, and of accounting to
your constituents for the acts of the present
General Assembly, after session which viii be
memorable for many reasons. Without refer
ence to your various legislative acts, the appro-
prlatIon to the University of Virginia, to the
prosecution of the James River Canal, and TO
your decision on tie extension of the charter of
the Farmers Bank of Virginia, whether YOU
recharter or discontinue it (which at the date of
this address is not KNOWN so important in
themselves, the nomination of VIM. l.. Craw-
ford and of Albert Gallatin to the Presidency
and Vice Presidency of the United States. will
throw lustre over your history, and, rescue
your fame from the obscurity which has await
ed the labors ofordinary Legislatures 1t is vc-
ry true that you have protested to act in these
nominations, entirely in your individual capaci-
ties, but possess not the Metaphysics which the
northern politicians ascribe to Virginia States
men-and l cannot for my life discriminate, be-
tween the character of legislative ACT, and one
which IS done by the members of the Lee.isla-
tlre. But am entirely willing that your con-
structon should prevail. 1t does not lessen the
crcdlt which IL due to you as individuals, for
your successful exertions in quoting the public
MIND, and taking measures which must prove
effeetual to render the vote of Virginia, al the
Is on this subject, that address the remarks
which appear over this signature, to your consi-
deratlon-with all the respect of an individual.
VINO has many personal friends among your bo-
dy, and with that solicitude, which the most
plegmahc experience, at this interesting crisis
OF the public affairs.
have never doubted, that the voice of Vir-
glnla, was IN favor of Mr.. Crawford-;f not
majority, at least large plurality-and that by
either, under our system of election, he was en-
titled to, and would receive the whole of her
electoral votes. This impression has been more
than confirmed by recent events-and the most
sceptica, and party heated, are forced to admit,
that the Crawford ticket, under the influence of
legislative recommendation, must inevitably
succeed. Let 1t be supposed then, that the
ticket recommended on Wednesday night to the
people, IS already elected and that the electors
are assembled in Richmond, already prepared
10 transmit their unanimous vote in favor of Mr.
Crawford, to Washington. At this period il is
clearly and indisputably apparent q am still on
suPpoSition) that Mr.. Crawford cannot ,'eceiye
Uotes enough, either to procure his election by the
Electoral colleges, or to send him, one of the
trce eldest before the House Of Representatives
we VIII suppose further, that Andrew Jackson
john Z. Calhoun, or to make the case still
stronger, Dewitt Clinton, from the course of in
termedlate events, has become a formidable
competitor for the Office, and that if the vote of
Virginia is thrown away OF Mr. Crawford and
not given either TO Henry CLAY, or to John o.
Adams, who alone from the force ofcircuInstan-
ces, could exclude the obnoxious individuals
hrot enumerated, that one of them must be
elected. know gentlemen from my own feel
ings, that you contemplate such state of things
with dislike. | know your desire of intoxicating
m fIofA :. IL
nnent candidate for the Presidency, and your
reluctance to do any thing, which NAV possibly
inJure his standing, by imply..g doubt of his
success. But permit me to say, that tits is no
time orhnesse and fastidious delicacy-y irrinia
ought to prepare for such contingency. She
ought not to suffer any neglect on her part, to
deprive her OF her vote and her influence in the
eiccuon-she ought to designate asccond choice,
lot II she does not, she may in effect, be nstru-
mental IN choosing Gen. jackson, or Dewitt
Clinton. The course il is true, may by possibil-
ty inlurc Mr.. Crawford, by SHAKING the blind
confidence Of his tricnds-bul is it better to in
cur this hazard, than by emitting TO provide for
the exigency, throw away the voice of Virginia,
and elect some individual whose elevation eve
ry man would view as a curse upon tue coun-
try! For my own part, do not anticipate the
election of Mr.. Crawford with that assurance,
WHICH SeelHS 10 animate otnSrs. TN the con-
trary, l am free TO confess my belief, that ne
to'Hnot be elected. see no state hearty IN his
cause, but Virginia where he was born, and
Georgia where, he has long resided. Even n.
Carolina IS much devided, and out OF fffcen
members of Congress, only attended the late
caucus IN Washington. Delaware was wholly
absent, and N. York even it it appeared. that
she was now for Mr.. Crawford, from the insta-
bility by which she has always been characters
sea, might in , months, change hcropinions.-