Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-06-02
ETtrdct Of a letter received at the office O.
the Central Gazette dated

@-"I'oc' 81 tetteT receiUeG at the Office of
the Central GaSette, dated
WASHINGTON CITY, MAY II. 1926.
&c have seen both houses of Congress in session.
Though, the session Is 90 near Its close and
many members are gone, something occurs every
hour, 10 excite the attention of a spectator II is
deep and subtle game which is played here
Every man, from The hireling parasite who feeds
on the price OF his corruption, the most exalted
and worthy parsonage of the government has some
part TO sustain In the conflict which is no longer
impending, but actually commenced. Appearan-
ces Indicate long, arduous and determined strue-
gle between the adherenls of the administration
and ITS opponents each party sanguine in the
prospect of a triumphant result and Jealous in
pursuit of victory.
/ heard Mr.. Benton yesterday, on his bill pro-
vding Tor the graduation and reduction of The prices
oil public lands and proposing sale Of the lead
mines and salt pits OF the west. He had evident
ly studied his subject with great attention. and
bestowed considerable pains both in the arrange
ment and matter OF his argument. 1t was an ex-
ceiient speech, the same gentleman has acquired
much celebrity by his interchangeable exeriions to
restrain and circumscrlbe the scope of executive
patronage. His resolutions and report on this
subject are before the public. John Randolph, ar
rived from Virginia this morning, whittier he was
called by urgent private business He took his
seat, short time after the doors of the Senate
were opened, and was very soon on the floor
But, how was disappointed, when | saw and
heard him! 1t was the first time | had ever beheld
this prodigy oil man, and as his arrival had been
announced. early in the morning the galleries were
crowded with anxious spectators. No one reouir-
ed aid in singing, out his tall graceful and pecu
liar person among the Sfoupe of Senators, who
surrounded him, each offering some graduation as
he extended his hand. The subject under conside.
ration as Mr.. Randolph entered, was the bill es,a
biishing Penitentiary in the District of Columbia
which had already passed 10 its third reaL,ine-
There was no disposition manifested TO engage in q
general discussion OF the principles of this mea
sure, and 1t was apparent that members had made
up their opinions with regard TO it. Mr. Macon
called for the ayes and on its passage and in
tlmaied IN few brief remarks, his hostility to the
system OF peniten.iaries generally, and 10 this in
particular Mr.. Randolph NOV ed the indefinite post
ponement of the bill, S in the most distinct Iumi
nous, and cogent manner | ever heard urged the i'm
proprieiy of legislains, hap-hazard, on any impor
tant measure at the period of session, already
protracted and over burthened with business I
had heard and read the scurrilous and viuperative
abuse which has been heaped on this man by the
friends OF the administrations until really Doubt
ed his capacity for the station 10 which he had been
so honorably elected. But every doubt vanished.
The instant Inc arose, and had uttered one sentence
There Is peculiar charm in his elocu,ion "a force
and caustc severity ia his manner, which | had
never conceived Of, until then. | bad heard him
spoken of as an orator of the first grade -but he
surpassed all the expectations which this desrr,n
ton had enabled me to form. He was listened IN
with marked attention by every one, and though Inc
spoke but about thirty minutes he descante ed nnon
all the various aspects and bearing in which his
subject could possibly be received, with brevi,v
and iullness of comprehension, which az ooce ex
cited admiration and commanded respect Cre,,
very great injustice, has been done 10 Mr.. Ran,
dolph in the public prints The most incorrect and
prejndiced statements of his speeches, have been
published by the friends OF the administration az an,
ihentic, accompanied by the coarse CLOSES of edi
torlal yulgarIiy and patry satire The world will
learn 10 appreciate his powers OF debate. when
his arguments come before them, as they have been
correctly reported Mr. Randolph is The Achilles
oil the opposition, and great point is gained bv
the adheTents of the administration if he is either
neuraized or vanquisbed by their insidious artif-
ces.
Nothing farther will be done al the present ses-
SION win regard to the location OF the National
Road from this place TO New Orleans I avn in I
rlIned TO think from what is rumoured wifbou, The
ramp oi the Phlisunes that the establishment of
his road was never seriously contemplated II j.
! cabinet scheme, gotten up TO lul The watcblul-
iess OF the southern and western people, mere
sop Cereberus." Yours. SC
We presume The preceding interesting Iei,e, is
written by MI. Gilmer The Editor Of the Gazette.
VINO las recently visited Washington. EHql