Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-05-05

4
light As soon therefore, as read Paircl, Henry,
addressed note TO Mr.. RIrCH1E, the senior
Editor OF The Enquirer, in which after vndica,ius
myself against the charges which supposed that
writer to have made l called upon him for the
name OF the Author, 'swi,h a view to make him
similar communication; to remove the erroneous
and. illiberal impressions under which he had adj
dressed tie public" ard that he might make me
through the papers, the reparaon which his sense
OF justice would acknowledge was due to me- This
letter was dated on the 9th 10th of Il pIil, and
as II contains the vindicaion which Inow offer 10
the public, will recapitulate the material parts
of it.
expressed some surprise, that the Enquirer
having declined any polenical contest with me,
should suffer me to be cover;ly assaed through its
columns But of this should not have complain
ed, had It's correspondents confined themselves 10
structures upon my editorial course and opinions.
These, admit to he fair game, and finding il
necessary in the discharge of the public duty i'm.
posed on me by my profession, to agsail those of
OILERS, could not complain, and never have
complained, that the same warfare should in turn
be waged upon me. But they lad chosen 10
separate the man from the Editor, and 10 ascribe
me ornons and course of the latter 10 the influ-
| cnce OF unworthy motives felt by the former,
100 deemed Ii necessary TO make the distinction
and laying aside the indifference ofthe Edito-. 10
defend my rights and character as man de-
N'"i'u W VII. hlchie, mat IN Circulating these
ca!urinies against through the Encurer he
could find no Justification in the columns Of the ma
per which conduct. Towards ,ha, Gentleman.
my course has always been open and undisyused
Whatever liberties | have taken with Inn, have
all been such as were authorised by our relative
professional character, and by the legitimate liberty
Oh he press. nave never, publicly or privately
forgotten my respect for Thomas Pitchie- Ere
quenily when the Enquirer has been bitterly assail
ed in my presence, ! have vindcated its purity
and good intentions, whilst publicly ana privately
nave exposed what thought its errors and evil
tendencies. have never, eYcep; By fair CONNIE
ulIon, attempted 10 supplant the ENQUIRER. Or
advance my own paper j have never entered
into any intrigue against the Public Printer, if
any there has BEEN When, at the las, Session NJ
the Legislature, opposition was made 10 his re-
election, that opposition was net known TO me-
until the eve OF the eection-nor when know, |
d;d communicate 1t 10 but one member WHO b,d
peen my orother-n-law, or attempt directly or indi
rec'ly 10 influence the mind of single individual
Thought that in publishing tie insinustions of
Patrick Henry, aud some others of a similar ten-
dency, the Enquirer had not acted ith ecual co,,,
tesy and liberality.
As 10 The charge Of Patricl. Henry. I have u
ready made known the construction which I mn,
upon Ito my mind il susce;u,.;e of mo
other. In reply tot, supposed that he mus,
have founded 1t upon one OF two fsc,s m
upon both conformity. First, that was
supporter OF the present administration of the
Federal "overnnent-"r II. that l had been
appointed by that Government in very inferior
caPacliy,t 10 transact an affair of lille or no ron
sequence, a. lar As ! was concerned abroad
1t the charge OF corruption, which supDosed IN
be contained IN the expressions OF Patrici, Henrv
was founded upon the first circumstance tbe, 70
sustain H. IL was necessary 10 prove, that had
become an advocate o! the administration subse
ftpn tn i,,,o
the memory Of Mr.. Richie 10 sumner, me N ,hs
fact, that Mr.. Adams had, from the very corn
mencement OF the Presidential canvass bee, NV,
choice Tor President, after The late Spencer Roam
la the spring of 1922, being then the Editor If =
paper i'll Lynchbure, | avowed nv preference TO-.
him, and gave reasons for it, which have never
yet seen answered. This preference I adhered ~
through all the vcissi'udes Of the contest and ,h;
preference was sustained by the Representatives of
the people. Thus originally supporting Sir. Adams
believing hm entitled 10 confidence as far as
honesty OF purpose, experience and ability are CON
cerned-knowing that however objectionable one
or two OF his constitutional opinions NAV be thev
Were yet the opinions of all the candidates for ,Ic
Presidency, and of the great body OF the Republi
cans out oil ViTgina-is II remarkable that under all
these circumstances, should continue TO him a f
ter his election, that support, which had given
him (such as it was) before! This suprort Las
not been slavisil--I have freely canvassed and as
freely condemned as any Other editor, such Of his
measures and doctrines as i dlsapproved. From
the single fact of my supporting the adminis;ra-
ton under these circumstances, it is impossible TO
infer that have been bought or sold
As to the second ground upon which s,,pno.e3
Patrick Henry might have proceeded namely
my being emPioye! TO go abroad can only say
that II Is equally untenable. The emolurncnt was
inconsiderab!e, would it have been possible ~.
any degree OF economy, to save what was losing,
and actually lost, by absence from my bushes. ~
home y! this, was conscious as well before a
aiiei--a particular state OF feeling Onown 20 manc
OF my riends) which soueh, relief in Lara motion
induced me 10 solicit that appointment 10 carr.
dispatches) of the Secretary OF Statc 7, 49,
feIrng the application told him tba, /, g.
neither profit nor honor, but motioa ,La,
sought and That | would not EXCHANGE ~,
present situation, for any Office wi,Iin the eilt
of the Executive, to which dared asDira
These were my feelings then these are my feel
ing now no man foresee the changes which
time and circumstances may produce in his feelings;
but = at revolution must be effected before these
cease to my feelings have been, but with this
exception, and shall be- no applicant for executive
patronage. So much for this ground Of SUSPICION
and accusation. If Patrick Henry suIposes thai
my paper Is patronised by the administration. or
any part OF II differently from the common mode bv
subscription, be is equally mistaken I reeraiacd
from applying for the publication of the laws
when had good reason TO suppose that the app,i
cation would have been successful, because ! did
not choose TO sbjec, myself 10 the suspicion Of being
influenced by the pecdfiary consideration paid TO,
ther publication. sometimes puJli.h atlypr-
usemenis for the public Departments AT IVasliny-
ton, bat not so macy as the Enquirer. If tbisLca
ground Tor suspecting corruption, the T. litors OF
that paper a:e as o6noXions to suspicion As nm,
This isthe substance Of the letter which adj
dressed TO Mr.. Richie, under the supposi,ion that