Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-10

The People Of the u. Sta;cs-the depositary
of the most precious of all rghts-,hat o. self-go-
vernment; may they, by their wisdom and virtue,
ever prove themselves worthy OF the sacred trust.
The follow ing note from Mr.. Bates was re-
ceived too late for last, bat we, to-day, give it
place with pleasure. We do not profess perfect.
ilIy, but on the contrary sensible we may
sometimes be led, and often fall into unintentional
error, which shall at all times be promptly cor
recled when pointed CUT Ii is the easiest thing in
nature to be mistaken, and if we have mis- repre-
scented Mr.. Bates in part ne, in his turn, has mis-
understood the extent of our meaning and the
publication OF his letter, while il affords opportu-
nity to explain furnishes the public with the be-;
evidence OF the political relation IN which Mr.. B.
stands to Mr. Clay.
The Editor, during the presidential contest, in
pursuing his vocation, frequently met with Mr. B
In public company and in that free interchange of
opinions which belongs TO the American citizen,
he found Mr.. Bates differing with Mr.. Clay on
several points OF national policy, involving consti-
tut!ona questions, and opposing his professions to
the Presidency. II was this which induced the
Editor To SET Mr.. b. down, not as he supro.es
" the peTsonal,'' but the POLITICAL enema of
Mr. Clay position which he thinks is amply
confirmed by Mr. BIS address to the people, in
which MIR. Crawford appears 10 bav been his first,
which The pre-ent note OF Mr.. Il appears both to
express and imply, and which it is presumed
he ieels no disposition to contradict. Part of the
renl9rks quoted and complained of by Mr.. Bates,
" the constant fevier OF Mr. Clay SC we can
only say were drawn from res. ec,able information,
and upon which, it IS hoped, Mr.. BIS letter will
be the lest comment. The second quotation that
Mr.. u. sc cannot be reconciled TO Mr.. Clay" we
think in The sense in which it is used, is fully su.-
tanned The remark was made with an eye sol ely
to the difference, which evidently exists between
the gentlemen upon principles held by each, as di-
rectly opposite the north and south, and, as we
conceive, entirely irfeconcilable. 1t was not the
men, but the principle they maintained, which we
thought could not be ,.concleh, the one with The
other. Principles are immHtaJle; men are change
GOle sometimes, as weathcrcock-.
81 Louis -4dv.
To tie Editor Of the Missouri .qduocatc.
SIR-The result of the late Congressional cleo
ton places me in relation TO the public, and
gives 10 my acts and opinions a consider alton
which, under ordinary circumstances, would by no
means belong to them. This must be my apology
10 you and to the community for the publication of
this note. IL mistake OF my conduct affected
me only individual, should not deem il INV
duty, perhaps not my right, to trouble the public
with ain explanation. b, the rels,ive standing OF
the representative may, IN some degree, Affect the
''''NipSt Vi me Dtait aGQ hence,
consider it my public duty to correct an error into
which you have (no doubt unintenlionaly) fallen.
In your paper Of the 18th inst. in an editorial
article 1t is stated" that Mr. Bates has been, for
- the last ten years, the consistent enemy and #
" we are not mistaken, The constant reviler of
MIR. Clay and has deal, as freely Nth the pri b.
-" vate chsrace CT Of the Secretary, as any one OF
q" our acquaintance" And in your paper OF the
2ih inst. the idea - still kept up Of an Inveterate
hostility on NY part, towards that gentleman, by
stating, that l '' cannot be reconciled to Mr..
Clay"
IL was with equal regret and surprise that I
rcad those s.a;r".....--regrei, that should have
been 50 much misunderstood as to have been set
down for personal enemy and TeUiier of Mr.
| Clay, wien am wholly unconscious ri having
given occasion, IN any one instance, for the EN-
pioymoHt 81 such epitbets surpri-s, because the
matter OF The statement was altogether new to me
not feeling, and never having felt A. The personal
enemy Of Mr.. Clay. That | have differed fron,
MI Cl'y on several important political questions,
IS most fue but that difference has never prOduc-
ell any ie'Aug Of personal hostility, and has Ger
tanly never inside me his feyiler or induced inc to
deal freely with bis private chuac,sr on the con-
Tary, have thought his talents and public sefyi-
ces entitled him TO i'll high aud in porsnt stations
though was not 10 favor OF his election 20 ,he
presidency.
am sure, sir, You have been led by erroneous
Information 70 make the statements complained OF,
arf thn youwiil fekt Pleasure IN correcting them