Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-01-16
VIRGINIA LEGIsLAruRE-
HOUSE OF DELEG AYES.

| HOUSE OF DELEGAT
Friday, January l2.--The House of Dele
gates were principally engaged in discussing The
Resolutions of the Committee of PriyiIeees and
Elections in the OF Mr.. Dauthat.
MIR. Coisfon rose to reply to the argument of Gen.
Taylor, and in vindca,ion of the Anti. Duellins
Oath--He spoke considerable time.
He was followed by Mr.. Watkins of Prince
Edward, In opposition to the law, and in defence
of the Resolutions.
Mr. Mason Of Fairfax, followed on the same
side.
When the House adjourned
| Saturday, Jan. I3.-A communication was
received from the Senate, that they had passed the
bills, concerning John Nelson; changing the times
OF holding the Court of Hastings for tue City of
Richmond; and concerning the town of Portsmouth
la the county Of Norfolk That they had PASSED
with amendments, the bills, concerning AbsaIem
Eolorook changing The time of holding the su =
p.rior courts of law in the fifteenth judicial ci-cu,
and that they had rejected the bill concerninp
Joshua Singleton Tho amendments were or
motion laid on the table
| us SENATOR
| The House went into the execution OF the ioin,
order oil the day, for the election of Senator in
Congress for six years, from the fourth March
next
Mr. LeDter rose and nominated Gov. Tyler as a
fl; person to fill the office.
MIR. Games nominated Mr. John Randolph, the
present incumbent; and was followed by Mr. r.
rlHe in support of the same Individual The
speeches OF both these gentlemen were very hand
some and appropriate to the occasion. They
pointed out the great importance of the Of
nee, and described Mr.. Il. as possessing all the
necessary qualifications TO ill it. His uniform, al
hersnce to principle for the great length of time he
had been in public life; his fearless independence of
character, which led him 10 encounter every risk,
IN the performance of his duty TO the people,; his
incorrup,ibility; his utter adherence of corrup,
men Or measures, and his splendid powers of elo-
rution, were commented upon in terms of high
commentator.
General Smyth followed on the same side, and
spoke to the following effect:
MIR. SPEAKER:
When we are called uron to cleo, q member
OF the Senate Of the United States, a fit occasion
IS presented for examining the manner in which
hat government is administered: for thereon it may
iepsnd whehersupport or opposiiion is TO be the
ld-'y OF our Representative; and this NAV deter
mine whether the calm of business, or the
orator, whose eIoquencs is suited to alarm and
rouse the people, ought 10 be chosen.
| l VIII contend that the government il in the
| hands OF men whose power was not conferred by
the people, but was obtained by management and
intrigue; that they have fixed political princi-
pies, but pursue their own aggrsndzement; that
"SJ iHiSHu W carry tueT measures by COrTuDtIng
the people, and The members of Congress- that they
intend to continue their power independently OF
| the people; that II is essential TO the preservation
O. the rights OF the people that this administration
should be changed; that John Randolph desires
such change; that his election will contribute
thereto; that lie is a faithful Waterman, an incor-
rupiibie patriot, and ardentIy jealous for the Com
fnonweath; that TO reject him would promote the
views OF the coalition ;snd that III erefore this AS
semby should elect John Randolph
have said that the government was in the
hands of men whore power not conferred b.
the people. Mr. Adams had the electoral vote of
seven states, while Gen Jackson had the electoral
vote of eleven states. Mr.. Adams had only 81
electoral votes out OF 26l and he had only 81 of
2l3 votes in the House of Representatives; and.
| there four states, whose cleo oral colleges yo ed
for Jackson, gave by their Representatives their
votes for Adams. That we governed By men
whose power was Tot conferred by people, cannot
| be questioned.
| But was their power Obtained by management
and intrigue? The election of Mr.. Adams was
| manifesly due TO the influence of Mr.. Clay.
Positive proof of bargain will not be expected
Yet, il is worthy OF remark, that il was contide,t-
| ly predicted, before the election, tina, Mr. Clay
would give his influence 10 MIR. Adams, and tina,
he would receive the Office of Secretary of State
These two men, always at variance, confined
| Tor the first time They previously detested each
other They had questioned each others ysracj,y
Mr. Adams had charged Mr.. Clay with forming
scheme TO ruin him; and Mr.. Clay had said of Mr.
Adams, during the Missouri Question, al always
knew that be was fools
Observe. Sir, Mr. Clay appoints his personal
and political enemy President, who in return sp-
points him Secretary OF Slate, intending him az bis
successor Does not this aford the best evidence
the nature OF the admits, of management and
inrigue,
But there is positive evidence, as I have heard,
that Mr.. Adams did before the election make pro.
positions. Mr.. Watkins, friend of Mr. Adams
said 10 Mr.. Dickens, friend of Mr.. Craw ford,
eff Mt Adams is elected, he will give MI
Crawford carte blanche, for any Office in the
government" This being communicated 10 Mr.
Crawford, lie answered. ''tell Mr. Watkins, that
if Mr.. Adams is elected. will go home;I want
no office under him" This was the answer of
man OF honor. no to be purchased. Now, Sir, as
Mr.. Adams made such proposition to MIR. Crsw.
lord, by whom II was Indignantly rejected, is il
not probable that be made similar proposition 10
Mr. Clay9
II Mr.. Adams had been elected by the Electors,
and left free to choose, would he have selected
Mr.. Clay as Secretary of State? No one thinks
SO. Then why has he appointed him? Because
he received from Mr.. Clay the Presidential Office
Why did fourteen members of the Senate vote
against the appointment Of Mr. Clay, whose ia
le"ts qralify him for the office, unless they had
satisfactory evidence that bis appointment pro-
ceeded from improper motives?
IL this proceeding is not corrupt, we shall pro-
baby never corruption in an election of Presi-
dent II is not probable that money will be given
The Presidency is to be purchased only with the
powers, bonors, aud .emoiuments Of office.
The conduct Of MIR. Adams in appointing Mr..
Clay, has been compared 10 that Of Mr.. Jefer-
n ted tn Of .I. f.,.