Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-14
sssgGeaaeDsgW egg 1asg.


-'"SH lIt Il JicnSon member OF fINe-
cu'ivc Council of Virginia, is appointed by the Pre-
sident Navy Agent 1T Norfolk, in place Of Miles
King, Esq. 'emoued.
Councillor Lcgrand is the second OF the dignity,
whom the President has hnorcd with an appointment
But one more Jackson Councillor remains to be pro
vded Tor, and he we presume, will bc taken care Of
before The Convention abulises the Council Or the
Legislature niicts the triennial scratch.
This is another Of the prcposterous appointments
Of this most weak and ridiculous administ ration
Grant Councillor Legrand, las we willingly do.) to
be a man Of private honesty, and all his quoifca-
tons for the office enumerated. Ola narrow I'M
derstanding, and obstinate and bigotcd preludices
his success i'll getting Offices, affords another illustra
ton OF the truth, tia; psople ban with sill
yer spoons in their mouths. In 1899 or 3, he was
lawyer without practice reputation III Allegheny.
From that coanty he was returned to the Legisla-
tnre 10y the influence of the late DIR. Merry, who at
that time, elected whomsoCver he pleased. That
winter the scratch came on, and the election to sup
ply the removals coming ola Saturday. and being
closely contested the Legislature was compelled to
adjourn the business over to Monday. MIR. Lrgrand's
name was CASUALLY suggested the intervening Sun
day, VIC have heard by his mate and on Non
day he vas put i'll nomination and elected by tue
force of his mountain position The State had never
heard oi him, and not hundred Of those who eec-
ted him had Tie slightest acquaintance with him. or
any duccmcnt TO vote for him. except that he lived
in the mountains, and it was supposed would lean 10
the interests of that part of the State This latter
expectation fancy, has been somewhat lisap-
pointed. Neither IN the Legislature, nor the
Council, WAS he or is be, known, except by
name. rs to his qualifications for the new du-
ties Of Navy Agent, we would lay small wa
ger, that he does not know day-book from q
ledger, and that, be has been employed by the
Government to perform certain duties he will in turn
have to employ some person to instruct him what
those duties are, and how to execute them. Of n
ship, doubt if he one unless in looking
down james River, through a window of the CAPITOL.
AS his Office is connected with the naval service and
acquaintance with nautical affairs if not ab
soutely necessary, would yet render Tic performa nee
of his duties more agreeable to himself and those
with whom lie TRANSMITS busincss--t is to be hoped
that he will for season, put himself under the tut
lion OF that great nautical character Admiral Branch
lie might find It very unpleasant, his duties and
will lie chiefly among faring men, to
mistake the stem Of ship for the stern or soop-
of war for sevcnty-four
We have gone into tins exposition from no rnaIcv-
Olcncc of feeling towards Councillor Legrand, for
we entertain none on tie contrary, we personally
respect him-but to exhibit to the already wonder
struck people Of this community the pervading faulty
Of Cen Jackson's appointments Never before did the
highest authority of nation, display so little talent
in selection and adaptation. Except the appoint
ment of 1loj. Lee to Algies which has met the uni
r-al ,I,,4;, &c
polntment has been made, ,ohich might not hnre
been better ma|e, and hardly one, which was not
positively and inlrinscalIy bad. The persons reno
we'd, III almost every instance, are men of far superior
socnl weight, aud personal qualifca ton to their sue
cessors. No man can trace any certain principle in
the Here's selections for Office, but that of reward
ing the instruments, real supposed, OF his eleva-
ton We affirm and appeal for the truth of it to the
characters Of his aPponees that three or four ins;an
ce excepted, nc has never looked beyond this perso-
nal motive to consult the wishes or the interests of
The public. For the first time we see President Of
the United States welding the delegated power Of
Ac people to provide for his creatures, and TO dis
;hargc the Obligations of his personal gratitude
Why have the two councillors Campbell and Leprand
been appointed TO lucrative oices2 Are their talents
50 dlstngui he'd to deserve the peculiar patronage
IF their country Have their services been so eminent
ls to establish claim upon the affections of the pco
bic? On the contrary there not hundreds of men,
whose claims written in their blood have been sirht
ed, provide for these two favorcs, whose public
services have consisted Of little more than n march
Twice a week to the capitol and back again, and
journey every ninety days the Bank Of Virginia?
We speak not invidousy, or in a wanton spri, Of
ault finding. We say that the appointment of these
gentlemen is uniustiGabe--that they had no claims
= ha;cver, great or small, the government or pco-
'ln-that The President is the agent of the people
Int the patronage Of the government is theirs and
'ot his and chat when under the constitution, he has
~ ofb'" - hes;ow, whose duties arc Eight snd CON-