Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-09-08
RICHMOND, SEPT. 8.
FOR THE Eve ULRER.
} the Freeholders of .Nottotrdu

10 the FTeeh0lderS OF .NOttOtCdy.
In looking over the Enquirer, of Tuesday last,
h was struck with the appearance of an address to
you, from who calls himself Freebooter of the
same Congressional District. Another Freehold
er. OF the same district, begs leave to say few
words TO you, in reply to that address.
have made no enquiries, and have no idea OF
the authors real name; but, judging from the high
e-tIma,Ion in which he holds bodily strength,
have supposed he is some Hercules or Gol!ah
who could demoiish common man at blow. -
You will excuse me, therefore, gentlemen, for
addressing myself to you, instead of directly to
him; especially as l think with Falsaf that
Discretion is the better part of valour'' To be
sure, if he should turn out to be as slim and lean
as his arguments, should be little ashamed of
the cowardice had shewn. But, to confess the
TRUTH that very slenderness of argum ent makes me
suspect his physical powers very great: for
some how or other, have always been under the
belief that great bodily strength, and high mental
abilities, are very seldom, il ever bestowed by
nature upon the individual; but she general
y makes up in one for the deficiency in the other
~ fact, believe this notion is attempted to be
proved by all the best writers upon Physiology
AT any rate, it would require much less faith to
believe 1t, than 1t would to give credence to many
OF the Freeholder's opinions, advanced, by him,
with so little mercy TO reasoning faculties, that
he seems to have forgotten, that downright absurd-
ties would offend common sense.
Perhaps it will be as well, since have the pa
per before me, to answer his argument, or rather
deny his assertions, in the order that they are
offered
He sets out, by asking, &c Are you, or any of
you, personally acquainted with Mr.. Giles; and do
you believe him physically capable of performing
The duties of Representatives
The first part of this question is ridiculous; be-
cause he knOLos you are oil acquainted with Mr.
Giles, personally and politically The latter part
IS answered by your memorial of which he speaks
He then goes on to speak of some fanatics, as he
calls them, who would rather have Mr. Giles elect
ed, though he might not be able 10 leave his room
during the session. This, suspect, is phantom
OF the gentleman's own brain; arising from the
wonderful anxiety he to feel, for the sue
cess OF his favonte Candidate, and, suppose per-
sona friend. Though, believe, no one made use
OF such an expression until he put it in their heads
yet there is more reason in than one is apt to
suppose, at first view. There is an impression
prevalent among US, that most of the important
matters of Congress are freely discussed by the
members in their private apartments; or, as il is
generally termed, out of doors: and there the mat
Ter is most frequently settled. The speeches in
the house seldom, if ever, alter single vote; but
are intended for their constituents to serve cleo
uoneering purposes at home. And, indeed,
have been crediby informed, that many ofthem are
not spoken at all; but, by a nearer route make
their way directly to the newspapers, from the pen
Of the supposed speaker. And, after few. slight
alterations and explanatory amendments, they are
published for our edifcaton. have been induced
10 believe, that these editors perform the same Off
ces for some members of Congress, that sort of
persons, called Grinders, do for the candidates for
degrees at the University of Edinburg. And ,
Tor one, far from finding fault with them for il,
am very much pleased; for, to confess the truth,
am often entirely indebted to the editors remarks,
Tor finding which side of the question these gentle
men have taken Now, we all know that Mr..
TILES powers of conversation are very great; and
mat his age and great political experience, would
draw many around him, cannot be doubted. So
mat, II he could and then get to the house to
give vote, be might even in that case, represent
US toIerably well
But, to end this sort Of talk, will venture to
say, (and the Freebooter knows it as well as do
'bat II Mr.. Giles finds the state Of his health will
not allow him to attend three days at a time, in
me Virginia Assembly, as the gentleman would
nave US believe, he will decline holding a Doll AZ
all will here take occasion TO state, once for
ail, that / say these things without the knowledge
o. Mr.. Giles, or any private communication with
hIrn at ALL But all his public assertions lead US TO
mat conclusion.
AS to the state Of Mr.. Giles health, which
SENS 10 haunt the FreeholdeT so much, there seems