Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-16

dertaing, and gave H. AZ hrs opinion, that the trip
would be fatal TO me; whereas, If deferred 1t till
the fall my strength might be fully equal to il. My
friends CONQUERED with him in opinion, and yield
ed though reluctantly. 1t was then too late, If l
had resigned, to have had the vacancy flied in
time for the spring terms; and by the fall hoped
TO be abieto attend the courts myself The event
has prove ed that ! was not mistaken. ! held my
court in Staunton, in June 1925 and all my courts,
as usual, in the fall. AT all of which there was
as much business done ever was done in those
courts in the same time; and from the small num-
Der of appeals conclude fully well done; un-
less we can suppose that botl the lawyers and
suitors, also turned insane in complaisance to me-
omitted TO mention, that before set out on my
circuit last fall, declared to all with whom l
conversed on the subject. (and they were not
iew) my fixed determination to resign my ONCE
immedia,ely if upon trial found could not dis
charge the duties of it. by attending as well to my
distant, as to my home courts: And IN this decla-
ration was sincere; for no one, not even the RIO
poiabe Member himself, despses more than do
the man who pockets the public money, without
rendering to the public adequate service; and SIN
ce.ely wish some way could be devised TO keep all
men, judges as well as others, who We're UNIT or
unworthy, both from the public confidence, and
from The public treasury. Alter the facts have
detailed, what must be thought Of the Honorable
Members preamble, in which he states that, tor
Two years, have been permanently ncapacitated'
by bodily, if not mental ihfrniity, and that not
withstanding my acknowledged incaPacity, and
the loud clamours, and the petitions OF the people
Of my district, repeatedly preferred TO the Lestsia-
iore for relief.
have shevvn disposition. and lett no hope,
that will be actnated by proper regard TO pub
lie opinion and public interest, and magnanmousiy
tender TO the government and 10 the people resis-
nation ofmy coumisson!!! cannot help expies-
1T hta
tsaordnary part OF this extraordinary preamble
10 what loud clanours, to- What repeated petit
lions, docs the honorable member allude! What
is their nature! And 10 what extent do they ARK
relief Who arc the clamorous, and who the
petitioners have just been informed. by gen
tleman from Lewisburs, who must be presumed TO
have known the fact If it had existed, that such
clamours and petitions had been heard Of in that dis
trict, and know ofnone, and have heard Of none
IN the other districts. How then have they found
their way 10 Richmond? Prom what quarter have
they come! For it must be presumed that the Hon
orable Member had both heard and them be-
fore his preamble and resolutions reported. il
Is true, that from the causes before mentioned.
have IN "a years failed 10 attend five courts That
such failures may have occasioned disapponments,
admit and regret. But until the preamble and
resolutions aforesaid informed of the fact
f-n>w not that they had occasioned clamors and
petitions for redress of grievances. Tho people
knew the cause, and ! presume hoped, az did
that it would be bu, temporary: OF if likely to be
permanent, that by voluntary resignation, would
opea the way for some one who could discharge
the duties of the Office If they had wished my
1uinedlate resignation, why not let me know 1t!
They needed not TO have applied to the Legisla-
ture. But believe, from all know and have
beard, that such not the wish of the people in
my C!rcuit-blt the And, no ground,
can account for the clamours and petitions alluded
and now for the first time heard Of after the
causes have, in great measure, ceased Whethet
my Office is vacated and whether the vacancy
ought To be supplied according to the movers first
and second resolutions, must be decided by the
Honorable Assembly; and to that decision what
ever 1t may be- will cheerfully submit; though
by no means admit their constitutional right to
pass or act upon any such resolutions. But sup
posing they have the right, (and do not wish to
dispute 1t III the present cast, Their beg leave to
make a few remarks, much for the sake OF the
public, as on my own account. II is now twenty
four years since was honored w.h,hc appointment
OF Chancellor The honor was unsolicited on my
part; and the Office was accepted with diliidence
arising from consciousness Of its great respon-
slbil:ty and doubt OF my qualifications to al
H. How have discharged its duties, is net fol-
neto determine. Suffice it TO say, that had heart
OF no public complaints, I'LL the present preamble
and resolutions were published. That they wer,
submitted from pure and honorable motives. will
have no personal knowledge of me, or of tho fact.
hom which lbs differences and conclusions ar,
drawn, and who has not thought proper TO state ,lt
source from whence he has derived his information
Oh The facis themselves; facts, which if no; sufi.
Client to sustain an impeachment, at least calcu
lated TO attach public odium and infamy upon th,
accused. For what, in public estimation, can b,
more serious offence than prevent, or endeavou
20 prevent, the regular administration Of Justice
so largo portion Of the State, for the indeiinit,
term OF life which may continue ten or ffteer
years, and with the selfish, and dshonorable ant
may add knavsh views Of pockeiing the publ,
money, without rendering, Err the expectation O
rendering to the public any service? ask then, il
/. just towards an old ssrvant, gnominously tc
dismiss him from Office, on such charges withou
hearing, or thorough nyesi gaion into the tru,l
ot those charges But what bsc ones of tho boast
ed independence Of the Judiciary if any Judge ma,
be dismissed from, or legslated out of office with
out hearing, and without an opportunity of en-
qufr;ns into the truth, or motives Of the charge.
preferred against him? II is possible that the char
ses may be false, and the motives impure. Blu
without investigation how is this to appear in tim,
10 protect the character and rights of the accused
and where can this investigation be so properl,
made, as where the charges orignntedl II is witt
view TO this object, that have taken the libert,
oil troubling you with this communication. As tC
my Office hold it as nothing in the present case
It's duties are, at all times, fully commensuratt
with its enoluneni;. But If, az the Honorabl.
Member rays, l have nothing else left, am un
willing to surrender all pre,cnsions to honor snt
character, without struggle. The preamble and
resolutions have gone abroad through the Union
They have been published in paper Of genera
circulation. have many highly esteemed ant
honorable friends in Virginia, and elsewhere, b,
hon thaxrx h,r g Al.