Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-10-31
RICHMOND, OCT. 81.
COMMUNICATED.

L, like many others, have been induced TO visit 4
the Courthouse OF one OF the counties composing
the Petersburg Congressional District, for the pur-
pose OF witnessing discussion between Messrs
Archer and Giles-the former, at present the re-
preventative of that District, and the latter his COM
petitor Tor election at the expiration of the exist
ing term This discussion took place at Powhatan
Courthouse Thursday last. was no freebooter
in the District, and felt other interest in this
discussion, than that which every American ought
TO feel, In obtaining correct knowledge of the
characters and pretensions of those men who as
pire to political preeIment. wanted particularly
TO know why IL was, that who had played
as conspicuous part on the theatre of public af-
iairs as any man in this country who had not held
the FIRST office, Should have been condemned to po-
lica exile by the legislative body of his own state
and remained so long under popular odium-and
TO hear, from his own lips, the defence which had
vainly been attempted by Others against the polit-
cal crimes with which he was charged. | Will
not pretend to any uncommon degree of exemption
from prejudice, In order to give weight 10 my tes-
timony; but think venture 10 say, that L
ielt an honest willingness TO be convinced; when
beheld man, who had been public servant,
present himself before large assemblsge, totterpg
and trembling under the combined influence of age
and bodily infrmity, in the attitude of ore asking
for justice 1 confess my sympa,hies were some
what awakened IN his behalf.
| He said he had been wantonly and cruelty ar
raigned before the people, upon charges of serious
naure-that he had made every effort TO avoid this
contest and to evate the call made upon him from
Nottoway, consistent with the principles which had
governed him through life obey the calls of the
people, II posslble-that finding he could not get
on, he had postponed his letter of assent until MIR
Archer could present himself at Notoway Court
&c. &c. that Mr.. Archer aud his friends had not
manifested he same liberal spirit towards him. for
that he had been Informed that certain Congress
ssond cOmpeer OF that gentleman had told his in
dormant, that he had been at Nottoway Court mus
tering .9rcher'S fock- here Mr.. Giles gave a
dissertation upon the word Rock saying that 1t ap-
piled properly to sheep and not 10 men that he
had also been informed that these Cong ressionaL
conPeeTS had beer at a certain Camp Meeting in
Amelia, where they had held caucus with some
OF their adherens and what the motives of
these cOnteder0ted eiectioneering gladiotors2
Did they come, with pious purpose, TO PROSTATE
themselves before the altar of their God? 10 pour
out their hearts before him, and pray to him To
cleanse them OF all wicked thoughts, and 10 forgive
their sins! No--they came by preconcert TO cleo
uoneer against him, by pdriuuerings-l here he
toIa an anecdote OF custom among the British
"incers IN the East Indies, to contend for purse
OF rupees hung up BY the Governor, by parlapey-
lngI That lhls Congressional compeer had
violated the sanciity OF the elective franchise by
leaving his own District to pariaver in another
and what, he asked, ought to be the penalty? Oae
black eye at least, and he thought two would he
feet good humoU: He would advise this Com
greSS,ondt .cTOnaut to stay at home another time
II he would escape the lot of Pheton, who was
punished for his temerity by souse in the river Po
could not help thinking, at this instant, that no
man mad better right to give this advice than Mr.
Giles, after having himself experienced the folly
playing the part of PhGion in a late election I
will here mention, although somewhat out of time
that Dr. George w. Crump, OF Cumberland the
gentleman alluded to by Mr.. Giles, when the latter
had concluded his address-arose, and in a burst of
animated and indignant eloquence, perhaps never
surpassed, repealed this foul and unnecessary
upon him. would not ask higher treat for the
reader OF these dull details, than TO give him every
word uttered by DR.. Crump-but it is out of m v
power 10 give even taste of this specimen of ora
( tory, and must content myself with simply stat
ing, that he said-in visiting Nottoway Court
b house and the Camp Meeting, only six miles from
his residence he had exercised the right of free
I agent, possessing the power of locomotion--he
would, therefore, not condescend to state his mo-
tives In dong so--that, In justice TO Mr. Archer
he haty denied any concert or understanding with
him and that, as far as he had expressed any opi-
mons about the election, he had used the privilege
S OF a-freeholder in the district always emsIoyiSe
language of the utmost respect to MIR Giles ~
whom he had never, at aEy time, used any other
lie protested against receiving political instruction
from man who had been successfully the reviler
OF Washington, Jefferson, and Madison; and said.
the advice MIR. Giles had given him, came with a
poor grace from who had himself been an in
= terloper; that he came, like schoolmaster with
his fescue in one hand to point out a course. and
rod IN the other to whip him into il but. thank
God, he now his own man. and if he was tn
e have teacher he would rather choose for him
self, &c. Never was sarcasm more bling or re-
e proach more deserving, than that of which Mr.
Giles most imprudently made himself the object
g on this occasion To proceed with the speech of
Mr.. Giles leaving DIR. Crump, as he thought, in
; the bottom OF the Pc, it would have been fortu-
nate Tor him, ii the Doctor had been actually there
or in the bottom of the Appomsttox1- he advert
ed to Mr.. Archer's message TO him before the can
vass was commenced, informing him that it " as
> his intention 10 address the people publicly.
, throughout the District, commencing at Pow
j hatan Court, and to use his name freelv.--
Mr. Giles stated, that all explanation from
him was rejected that he had supposed !, was
challenge 10 pugsm; and that il was new thine.
Tor the challenger TO choose the lime place, and
weapon OF attack complained heavily of being
thus dragged before the public against his will and
10 slate OF health 80 inhrn, that his life was en-
oangered by IT. that the gentleman had, by this
time, found out whether he had been fortunate in
Gls choice OF weapons told an anecdote of judge
hed, once member of Congress from South Ca
roiins, who challenged member from Rhode JsI
and Tor piece of wit in debate, which member
accepted, and appointed the hour OF IL, the next
day, IN the centre Of the floor of Coneress-halI
there 10 settle their differences with the foue,te
as we were informed by Mr.. Archer on that dav
That Mr.. Giles told all his anecdotes for the third
time, think will forbear TO repeat them here in