Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-01-18
a21GEElMoND WEggG.
TUESDAY MORNING. J4NT-1av1 -

responsible for the expenditures incurred in the
reception o. Gen. Lafayette nj York Town aud
tie icaT that any thing he said might he asCrib-
ed to interested feelings, has induced him scru-
i Pniousiy to refrain contrary to his habit from
expires ing any opinion 10 the public, on the
merits o. The question now pending. in the General
Assembly. But Is hat question is as aublic as a
dis uss on pfitinthe General Assembly can make
las ycry animated interest is believed to br
eit IN 'tS fac by all classes Of people-and as
MANY uu>unlei anl ridiculous reports in re
laon to IT, are circulated to the prejudice OF
the Executive, he conceives ii to be his duty
as the editor of public print to Law an unvar-
nshed relation of Il before the world, for the
gratllcation of all who feel any socitude in
the subject, TO externinate the malicious rn-
mors which are in circulation, to place the JUS
uhcatlon OF the Elk rcutive before their consti-
'ueuts.and enable the community to appreciate
their motives, and to decide on the propriety of
paying or rejecting BY the State, the disburse-
ments IN the reception of Gen. Lafavctte at
York. for which the Executive have made
themselves Individually responsible.
1t is known to the public that the idea of re-
ce7mg Gen. Lafayette at York Town, the
scene which witnessed the capture OF Lord
Cornwal!is, and the virtual conclusion of the
war of the Revolution, and the particular thea
, ire of Gen. Latayette's glory was conceived in
Virginia, before his landing in the city of New
York. The idea casually originating in Nor
iollS, was warmly adopted by that borough and
| by the cities of Petersburg md Richmond The
Volunteer Companies of those towns took on
themselves the responsibility of receiving Gen.
Lafayette at Yorl1-organized a plan of action.
and requested The Executive to invite Gen. IA
! iayettc, IN their name, to meet them and the
surviving soldiers of the Revolution on the 10th
Ax,T.,t i
the Executive complied, and the General in re-
ply signiied, Immediately after his arrival, his
acceptance of the invitation. In the meantime.
every city and secsion of the Union which ne
visited, received Gen. Lafayette, not only with
demonstrations of the liveliest affection, and the
most enthusiastic gratitude, but with the utmost
hberalI!y and splenIour of entertainment. A.
the time approached for his visit to Virginia
tie greatest Solicitude prevailed that the STYLE
OF ms reception at York would not keel pace
with the nagnEcence Of his reception in other
states, with the deep devotion which all classes
enteriaInet for his person and character with
the Character and lberahty of Virginia, and
above all. with those proud AMI rlorlons associ
atoms which hal induced the Volunteers OF the
state to select York Town a. the happiest point
at which to receive hin. The military associa.
tons, which, with such honorable zeal. had
or'glna ell the design Of receiving Gen Lafly-
cite at York, found themselves committed in an
Undertaking more arduous aud expansive than
they had at first supposed, and actually beyond
their strength to accomplish. The eyes of the
whole Union were turned towards York; the
reception to be given to Lafayette there. was
emphatcally considered as the reception of Vir-
ginIa-and it was accordingly expected to cor
respond with her generous spirit, and with the
deserts of her guest. Representations to this
effect was made to the Executive, as that de-
partment ofthe government, which, in the recess
ottheGeneral Assembly, could alone extend the
assistance OF the state to individual exertions
In compliance with the earnest solicitations of
the volunteers, the Executive borrowed six
Thousand dollars of the Banks upon their indi-
vlduai sponsbility-approp it to aid in
the celebration at Yorl1-and appointed Robert
~. Scott, Esq. one of their body, To superintend
It's disbursement. The appropriation falling
snort OF the object, Mr. Scott, upon his own
responsibility. ian assumption of responsibility
extremely disinterested and highly honorable to
himself exceeded the sum already appropri
ated bv $1,000, making the aggregate expenli-
ture $4,000. The conduct of Mr.. Scott has
been fully approved, aud hi. responsibility shared
by the other members of the Executive. And
the question is, whether the General Assembly
shall reimburse these $4,000, or permit the
In the House Of Delegates, a select commit
tee was appointed 10 consider the subject. and
they have reported bill to repay the whole a.
mount Of th' expenditure. On Frida, last this
Dill was taken IN to be engrOssed, and its en-
grossment was ordered by a majority of one only.
ayes %, noes 81. On Yesterday the bill was
again taken NJ, but laid on the table TO rive
time to examine the documents. From these
indications we are warranted in predicting the
defeat of the bill.
The subject addresses itself strongly IN fbe
feelings of every man. As to the loss which the
Executive are to sustain, that is altogether 4
subordinate question; FOR it is impossible that
the honorable spirit Of this state viii permit an
expenditure incurred for such an occasion. and
by men who wore honestly endeavorinr TO exc.
cute what they believed the unanimous ,yisl, of
the country, to fall on 9 or o inSiyiluals. Sub
Scnptions will be opened, and the difficulty viii
be in combining their amount, to the sum reouir-
ed. But where is the boosted marnaninity and
patriotism Of the Old Dominion Where is that
generous and uncalcuating spirit, which has
ever risen to the level of the occasions Is tbe
saving Of $4,000 such an object that for it 2
vote Of censure is TO be passed. on the Executive
for All unauthorized, though laudable acto-Vir-
/ giDja to be exposed to the taunts and scorn OF
the whole Union for her nigrardly parsirnonv.
and Gen. Lafayette to be hunbled by the re-.
/ Election that the animated reception given him
at York, was Unauthorized by the people, and
unpartIcipated in BY their feelings What is il
but saying 20 him, the people of Virginia did not
warrant that reception-they think the receo.
ton given you vas too costly and magnificent