Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-04-01
For The Constitutional. Bnig

public papers, and will probably be made during tho an
preaching elections most fruitful theme defamation,
oy many who are seeking the public favor. 1t sub
Ject SO liable to be distorted easily discooured so
wen calculated to excite, by Misrepresentation the
Prcudces of the people; that perhaps, this period il
not TO oe wondered at, that it should be favorite
"oooy curing the e!ectioneering campaign. It's how
ever deeply woundng the lofty pride and generous
'eengs oil which Virgnians have often boasted that
such oispuat'on about pary SUN, should be thus
oiazohed 10 the world But so it s-and il is hurnat-
ing indeed to the character of this ancient Common
wealth.
Since the subject must be discussed the world should
know the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the
truth.
The expenditure York has been represented as an
,nfaUfut Gnd unprecedented appropriation of the pub.
m-~ey.-The members ofthe Executive advanced their
own credit for public purposes, to save the Common
wealth from dishpnor and universal rdcule-and this
called an unlawful and unprecedented approximation
OF the public money. should like TO see the law OF
tins land or the clause in any part of constitution
which prohibits of the public functonaries AT any
ume' from using te,T ocn money whenever they may
think proper to do for the purpose of saving the
character the honor the peace and safety of the
State To save the State from being overr,n bv The
cupits of the Penitentiary the Executive about eeh-
teen months ago. executed their ow bonds and obtain
ed from the Banks the funds necessary to have these
feonS and murderers secured. Was this an unlawful
and unprecedented appropriation of the public money!
During the late when the enemy was ravaging our
country, and had applied the torch to some. of our
edihces at w ashngton, the Executive of this Common
wealth obtained from Banks, upon their own ndi-
vdual credit, sums Amounting, believe 10 upwards of
100000, and applied them to the public defence and
protecuon. DID the Legislature of Virginia tell the
world afterwards that these unlawful and unpre
cedented appropriations of the public money? No: for
these acts OF generous confidence in the lberaty and
honor of the Virginia Legislature, the Executive re-
ceiVed their warnes thanks and APPROPRIATIONS and all
these debts were assumed and paid by the State
Not whisper was then heard by any human being in
the Legislature, about dangerous precedents and viola
tons OF principle. The acts of the Executive were
unanimously sanctioned. What is this precedent and
principle involved in this SUBJECT Of which we have
heard so much?
II an individual in his private character without the
violation OF any law, either human divine does pub
lie good ,oik hes o,2 monev confdinp in the honor and
beraitv of his country, to remunerate him. does he
merely set dangerous precedent? Does he thereby
Vloate any principle, either moral political? On the
contrary, is not the precedent saiutary one and is If
not sanctioned by every good principle, in either morals
or Pocs If the Legislature had been in session. or
IL 1t could have been called together without great
convenience and eXpence it is admitted that these adj
vances would not have been made upon individual re-
sponsibity But will il be commended that the eosa-
ture ought to have been called in the month of August
or September last for the purpose of making an appro-
prIaion of 10000 dollars? The convention of the Lee
glslatute would have cost the State five times this sum-
What then to be done2 Here was an extraordinary
occurrence unforeseen by the legislature, TO meet which
M provisions or appropriations had been made by law
" nat was me Executive TO do? Fold their arms in
cola indifference turn deaf tie shouts of uni
Vesa JOY which perVaded the Continent on the arrival
among MS of tie great champion of liberty whom we
hHd rted to our Shores and permit his landing IN Yir-
giha 10 De marked by every circumstance which could
give FidctIe and disgrace to such scene, or take
course which would be haerng to her pride eeyatinp
10 her character and most grateful to the feelings of our
great and distinguished benefactor? Is there Virgin
ian VINO would hesitate before such alternative, That
the reception on the part of Virginia of Gen. Lafayette
on the fields OF Yorktown would have been dsrracefuI
TO her Character and ridiculous in the had not
been for the part which taken by the Executive in
H. no man OF candor and of intelligence will hesitate to
acknowledge who had an opportunity of knowing all
The circumstances attending it. 1t would have been
In the language OF the day, total fniiuyeThe Gen
erai would have landed that celebrated spot fol-
lowed by the numerous and distinguished strangers,
VINO mad accompanied him from other parts of the
Union, not under the Sublime and affecting circum-
stances winch marked his landing and reception into
Inc bosom OF Virginia. but WITHOUT any preparations to
receace nam, and without any body TO oeLconle him.
after he had been invited too, BY the Governor of the
State, ia the name of the Volunteers of Virginia;
ana ater too the eyes of the whole Union had been
turned towards this in Virginia. which IN every
quarter 1T was expected would be more hatterinp to
the American price and more grateful and affecting
TO the ylruous feelings Of Laavee than any PERHAPS
which he would witness in the u S. And yet for the
measure which prevented this Illuminating Disgrace
upon the state has given heran incident upon which
our future historians will dwell with .apturous delight
and Lafayette himself often think with the deepest
feelings of gratitude and Joy, the Executive and
majority OF the Legislature of va. denounced and
The strongest efforts made by politicians TO call
down upon them the frowns and Indignation OF their
country Bat it is hoped and believed that these eff
forts will fail, and that the people of Virginia will still
stand by and support those who have stood by and sup
ported tie honor IF their country. CURTIUS.
Frhs Of NE Ne'o- York Canal-Governor Clinton, in re-
ply 10 the letter OF the committee Of the Pearl ST. Merchants
mentions the following astonishing fact as evidence of the
RAPID increase of the city of NewYork This fact in our
opinion, goes to demonstrate with the certainty
the wisdom of the policy of the State adopt
ing he present system ofntenal improvements should
not ad to arouse active feeling oemuaon in the good
people OF our state "ll one year houses hare been
aaad 10 1Ne~ York, than at present compose TIE ancient
O"g' ~ "h''e"' i"o!g addreSs yon" Bal. CtrOn.
The City Of Albany.
safes Of Stock at4,ction al he Cofeeose son Marck.
Shares New Stock of the Bank Of Virginia, 800 IS
10 do Old do. DO. 90 IS
14 do. Farmers Bank Stock, 81 60