Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-15

who would employ them, to the charge bf I'M
eteadiness or inconsistency?
The final question between Mr.. Leigh and Mr..
NJ let 1t be remembered, is the policy Of calling a
convention, with other power, than that of sub
hitting TO the people, for their considerations and
their adoption or rejection, certain amendments OF
their constitution OF government Where is the
expedicncy of settling such question, by reference
to the faults errors of ethor of those gentlemen
If it has become the duty, it is nevertheless a
most painful one, to Mr.. NJ, to be compelled to
yndicate his own character. at the expense of his
assaiant. II Mr.. Leigh supposes, that when Mason
of re- first appeared, any of Mr.. Ms friends in
this quarter, imputed it to him, he does both Mr..
NJ. and himself, great injustice. These friends to
man, had derived from Mr.. NJ too high an OPT
Mon of Mr.. Leigh, for such a surmise. The con-
viction came from Richmond; and slowly. Al
the time Of its arrival, the Freeman Of 1925 had
not written line of that reply, which is suppo-
sod to sound the asonizng cry Of the tortured
victim of restless ambition. BY the time that this
intelligence did arrive, shadows of distrust il is true
had crossed Mr. Ms. affection, but without chill
ing altogether, its accustomed current. When
the blow came, it was felt, severely felt, if it can
give its author pleasure to know The fact. 1t was
succeeded by many sentiments, already des-
| cribed, among which, disgust was predominant.
These sentiments, but that time will not allow
heart which is stranger to malice, TO brood o.
yer its wrongs, would be magniiied rather than
abated, by the effort which MIR. Leigh now makes
to unite Mr.. NJ, with Aristogiton, and to derive
from the subsequent essay of A freeman OF 1925,
in which conduct that forbear to characterize
as it deserves, extcnuated by being imputed to
wounded pride, Justification of the antece-
dent outrage upon Mr.. MS character and feelings
Arstogiton does not complain on his own ac-
count He has nothing to complain Of, that the
gratitude of an injured and absent man TO gene
rous defender. will not, hope, amply repay; and
for Mr.. NJ, he has ample cause 10 rejoice that, in
being stung, by such friend, his eyes are opened
to just conception of his character.
| II he has any more OF these friends as Mr. Leigh
more than insnuates, he will thank each of them
for similar manifestation of his regard. All that
he asks of Mr.. Leigh of them, is that they will
not publicly praise him, and of the public in rea-
ton to such praise, should it be bestowed, that il
shall be discredited
| In return for this favor, Mr.. NJ, authorize.
Messrs. Leigh and Co. to publish TO the world eve.
ry thing that they heard him say, or knew him
to do. OF him, if restrained by truth, and he will
not charge them with intentional falsehood they
can disclose nothing, of which he should be SC
much ashamed, as to change places with Mr.
Leigh, and to become the acknowledged author oil
| Mason of '76'
| will not assure this gentleman, what the world
or the very small part Of it, with whom, have dis
coursed the subject of his essays, think of their
| author. His scheme is evidently bat1lcd, and he
does well TO cali aloud for help.
He seems to doubt my reverence for the name
of" Mason Of TO-" which he has hitherto abused
and still abuses-not, it seems for the purpose
of concealment
| 1t is, to me, revcrcd name. 1t was that Of
deceased lineal ancestor, and Of the very friend
and near relative of the only parent, whose foster
ing care my infancy knew!
| The last alluson of this writer I will not affec
to misunderstood. His family and connections
highly respect. May he find in increased PROBES
sional emoument, suitable reward for his abus,
of Mr. Mercer. He has been my council, and We
ny able council, ever regarded him. He would
have continued so, if could correspond, with
man, who has wantoniy sought 10 degrade me
Fourteen years of my life, bear testimony, that il
was not my inclination to break asunder the bond,
OF friendship, which united us; and that it was no
my interest to do so, he full well knows.
| lhave, now, done, and candidly acknowledg,
the pain, with which have found myself dragged
into personal CONTROVERSY. Inever sought one
with any man.
| whether itbe my lot, to journey through til,
residue of a more than half spent life in peace, o.
IN trouble, in obscurity, in honor, or in persecu
ton; never will forsake my duty, or abate, if
can help 1t, one scruple what owe to God, ant
my country.
have been in smaller minores than my quon
dam friend over was. have been, also, in larg,
malorities; and so has he Some small share o
praise, unmerited indeed, and possibly Of blame
aiike so, have fallen TO my let; but no man car
truly say, that ever forsook the friend who trust
ed me- or thejust cause that needed my feeble sup
port
| The personalities of this controversy, hope ar,
closed. AS to the convention, let me enreat it
friends, to regard me, bat dust upon the balance
Let my country prosper, and am content, what
ever may be the public judgment upon
g a FREEMAN OF 1925"