Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1825-12-09

dent, thcn al my commando ai,o admit t...i
nd not concur IN the general sentiments OF ie,
5rcts and even alarms expressed upon the retire
Incnt OF the President These sentiments in the
course OF debate, were limited only by the want
OF mental efforts TO go further in expressions Of
of alarms, aud Of regrets. So much
so, that they appeared 10 me TO be poured forth
at the expense both Of the people, and the gov
ernmcnt oil the U. S. and PARTICULARS of the re-
publican party. Not feeling these ernotions
myself, cndeavored to state more calmly, bet
not less respectfully, my impressions tie occa-
sion. They were III substance rs follow: That
the President had devoted tho greatest portion CT
ms life 10 the public service, and had already rem
dercd services ircstiinabe. That he had alrea-
dy hiicd up the full measure of services that the
public could reasonably require of him. That
ho had frequently expressed the most ardent
WISHES 10 DC relieved from public services; and
To be indui gcd with beloved retirement That
The sincerity Of these wishes could not be doubt
ed; that thought them highly honorable 10 him,
and concurred with him in the opinion that he
o. ght TO be in;!ulged In them. That | had no
douot hut that lac was consulting rs well his own
happiness, as his own glory, in the determination
he had na'fc and that sincerely wished him all
The equipments and happiness he had anticipated
IN lie retired and philosophical retreat OF Mount
vernon. expressly and pointedly stated that
was willing 10 pear forth unboundcd plautsits
upon General w ashington for his own virtues
his own wisdom, his own patriotism; and the
most heartfelt gratitude for lis inestimable SER
vices; but thought deserved eulogium became
iuisome aduiaiiUn when bestowed upon him az
'he expense OF The government and people of
Tue u .. In the extravant warmth Of bate,
produced by the occasion, ii having been fro
Guen,ly said, amongst other most subiinated con-
ccptions, that upon the retirement of the Presi-
dent there would be political chaos if not n
natural one, believe both, | replied in sub
stance that did not apprehend either; but If
these horrible anticIpatious were well founded.
Tue sooner they were made 4Snowa the better be-
cause Tie government Of The L. S. was founded
upon tie principle that man was Competent 10
his own government, and that did not dcponS
upon The services Of any Individual, however
meritoriOus and exalted; and ihat if the pcc
PIE had IN TACT been mistaken in tho great
pr'ncipie upon which they had founded their eo
Vermnent, they ought to be offered an onportuni-
" upon discovering tie fatal error, TO fix upoD
some other better principle for their future GOV
eIhInent, and for tl;o better protection of their
rights, liberties, aud happiness Bul had ~,
Spprehensons that so fatal misfortune lad heiaI-
len the people Of tic u. s.: and 10 Illustration or,
served, mat had no doubt if the President. ana
every officer OF the government, were 20 retire
10 private HE, thousand oher persons might h.
lound IN the I s. 10 I'LL their places with equal
mug W ttS !.'iptc. AIN perfectly SatIcfl-
ca thai Tic trcsijcnt not singled out "a tbe,
only cHlCer TO which Tue observation WAS ,pDI:
cattle. wonid not at dis time pledre ravself
as 10 any Particular form OF expression used nm.
Oh The occasion, although the subject has If all
tunes been familiar 10 my mind but will most
tFeIs pledge myself for the correctness of tb,,
pr'nt'pIes here stated, and that they were urged
VITA Tie most perfect respect aGd decorum ofIan-
gnage towards the President nterspcrseJ viii,
the sentimental! aPp'auses which appeared tu ma
to he called for by the occasion: as proof nos
i've upon this essential point, 1t viii appcar from,
the debate in reply, as stated in ,the ! ifo rs
Washington" dat not the slightest CHARGE of in
decorons or disrcspcctlul language was iinnutcd
TO me by single debater, aliou.,i the necrIior
character OF the debate, and the highly exci,e3
emotions produced by it, would ncccs.a-ils 49,,
called forth the most pointed recr;,niu.,;or. ~
thcy could have been justified bv the copYre 81
observations made by myself. Whilst thereEoro
dsclaim all rude expressions imputed ~ ~
c' ho'e takers and Of course al responsibility
sor tleha, acknowledge myself fully responsible
tor 'he prime lples urged in Il debate andvb.
/ have never piesumrtuousiy set IN any nro -
tensions whatever TO nfaIlibiIity, and know
nave committed many errors, and have at au
'hh's hecp perfectly disposed to acknow Iedgc
'he'a wien discovered, ct after ucal!y nine am,
twenty rcars OF reconsideration, r.y conscience
stands perfectly satisfied ~ tie course Of cnn.
uuc' , pursued upon the memorable occasion
stated in the Life Of Washington
BE pleased, Sir, to accept assurances or M,
''''' al" friendly considerations, &c. =
WIN. &. GILES.
Rich"onJ, Nor. 20.5, 1925.
DEAR Dir Your letter nf the cSth wac nrs
't"''d to me Yesterday evening hy your SON. MOT
m"sl''g IN tie party politics, or even oresfio Of
enc "ay' and entirely Tree from political or ferscr,
ahlhin5'ieS II IS with real concern, nerceiye r,y
sell brought into view having furnished r,,.,tarir
i"f an attack GA any gentleman Whatever. ss,cr;i
y on enc WIN whom have long been IN habits
Of friendly intercourse
10 your enquiry / answer wit,.5uf 1,si,o,;,,
'hat never received any authority from, vo,, ~
Puo'i'h The speech you stated 10 have mad, ~
Inc debate which took place in the House of Pc
!ne'eh'auVeS' on the answer 10 The address OF Con
~ a."'"gt"n 10 CorSfcss, III December 1895, nor
dia ever have any cOnversatou will, en-, ,. -
lug it. The speech was exiracfcd nor, 60 ~ ~,
paPcis 81 the day, which proles5ed 10 give tie de
OateS oil congress, and was supposed 10 he as co--
rect as debates ever are. which ire not prcn,rol L.
I"e speaker for the press, not oniy because 40 az.
satisfaction was expressed with it, iu, ,ecsusr ale
ycn ahou; that tim~ frequently and nnrcsevcl5f,'
N.'".eu w PUBIC thc sentiments which were as
cTihed tO you. IS
Not having preserved my regular n1sx m 49,.
cannot at t'is time say from " hicl nf ,l,en, tb
speech was copied. was ut ihattiine in roe.c.-
SION OF Tue Gazette of tho United States of Dun,oo
ami CIaypo'e paper, Of ono edited by Mr. Brown
an" had also frequent recourse to the Aurora Fro'
one OF them your speech was copied, but c7nro,
Sy Pos"'Eciy Sf0in which. incline 70 think IL
was 'fom Duna? and Claypole's. snail however,
make the necessary inquiries which. I nresune
may be done in Philadelphia
ne opinions which yOu there c=rrcs-e5 v.cra
NOT Pec"iiar to yourself. They certainly prevailed
icy eN'e"slFcy among the politicians of VIRGINIA