Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-24

rLiety o. granting county ioi tie encouf agement,
vi the growth OF hemp. OF the effects tina, will
be produced upon the latter. by the act OF Con-
gress. passed for its relief at the last session.
would, am convinced, be yet premature to Judge !
IL its operation can derive aid, il any other ad-
vantage can he obtained, from Legislation your
part il win, a,n well satisfied. be your pleasure
as il will he your duty, 10 afford all the assis-
lance in your power 10 this great and valuable in
tercst
The great importance OLA full and extensive
publication OF those parts Of the Re, ised Statutes
which are OF more general application, and i'm re-
spect to which the most Important alt. ratons ma c
been made OF the existing laws, cannot fail 10 oc-
cur TO you. and will, hope, receive your earl,
attention
My elevation 70 the station which. hy the IA
voir o! the people, now enjoy. makes il n.ce.-
sarv thai -hculd resign he office Of senator in
Congress OF the United States. You WILL there
fore. pleas TO regard his my resignation OF that
high Office; and allow me 10 accompany il with an
expression of my sincere thankfuine.s for the I'M
deserved honor conferred upon me by two success
cessive appointments, and my regret that il has
not been in my rowerto make myself more use
tai in the discharge OF IFS important and responsible
duties. The nature Of those duties are SO well
understood, and fully apprecia ed, that il is
scarcely necessary that should ask you, in sup
plying the vacancy, TO remember, that there
bat few 1t any public stations in this country pre-
seutng iairer field for the successful exercise Of
great talents and sound patriotism, than that now
referred TO.
Allow me, in conclusion, 20 submit some obser-
va'ions OF a more general character. That jeal-
ousy of the exercise of all delegated polica
power, a solicitud. 10 keep public agents within
the precise limits Of their authority. and an anx-
io'Is desire TO III public Expenditures und er
the control of rigid and scrupulpus economy. are
indications OF contracted spirit, uubecoming tn
character Of a statesman il "A ointment that most
men NJ period of their lives, are pr one to IN
terrain cannot lain TO have been alway- ex-
eiapt from It's in!lU But the limited expert
ence which it has been my fortune TO have in pub
lie affairs has abundantiy satisfied me that il is po.
iiical heresy, which cannot lie too oon or too eff
fcc,ually exploded
IL was truly said by one OF my predecessors in
Office, who one of the most distingui.he and
efficient Of the civil patriots of the revou, that
"few circumstances are more essential TO the du-
" ration oil civil liberty and the well-being of
people, than that the departments and officers of
the government do on the one hand. exercise
on proper occasions, all the powers and authori-
ties constituionally committed TO them; and on
the other hand, that they do exercise on any
+" occasion, powers and authorities which are no,
constitu'ionaly committed TO them" The en-
iorccmcnt of these excellent and saving princ-
pies, so far az they relate 10 most Of tn depart
mems of The governu emf, rests with you aud with
the right Is The duty 10 exercise il.
IL is also truth confirmed by the experience
oil Ili', a. well as every other country, that no
people are so well served, those whose laws
exact tlr most strict accountability fro'n their pub
as cardinal political virtue. Acting ulon these
principles, do not hesitate, in fulhlm mt of The du
ties imposed upon me by tn cons tuition TO RECON-
mend 10 you the propricty Of faithful sur, ey Of
The existing laws relating TO the powers and duties
OF public oiiiccrS and the enforcement, as far as
possible, Of strict conformity to their provisions
of limiting, as far practicable, the range of
official discretion, always remembering, that as
general rule ii cannot he conded 10 any one, with
out danger OF abuse--Of ascertaining whether
Tyuurp1 fhns tod
with public monies, may not he ncrcased--of
making the instances i'll which the government
releases those, who, torge;ful Of the sacred char
acter Of 'lcir trust, wrongiuliy apply the public
funds to their own use may be cunsis
tent with the claims Of humanity-and, gener-
ally, of compelling vigiIant accountability, and
strict economy in the public disbursements through
all thei ramihcations There is 20 reason TO APP
prchcnd impediInents 20 successful adIninistra-
ton Of the government through unreasonable jeal-
ousirs upon these points. As long public senti-
ment, the great lever OF our political machine, re-
mains as now, intelligent and patriotic, we need
not fear that any measure with which the pub
lie interest is essentially connected, will fail of
support.
Let me not, however, he understood as incul.
eating any thing like parsmony or injustice of a.
ny description, towards the servants of the pub
lie. The difference between that course and the
one have referred TO, is wide and palpatle AL
though ii is incompatible with the spirit of our po-
hica system. that the rmoluments of office should
be such as TO enrich the iUcumbents, il il never
theless due TO its character and eser, alton tina
orr pnblic !unctouaTies should receive a lust G.
quvaient for the services they render. It is your
province 10 decide whether such is now in ali T.
spects. the case. have reason TO beiiey We 'ta
the gross amount received by the public officers
OF ibis state, is not an adequate recompensc for
their services; but am fully persuaded that the
compensation allowed by our laws, is uniustIy and
unequalIy disibutcd-The salaries paid TO tn.
chancellor and judges Of he supreme ,nI cirrui,
courts in particular, is less than what is paid 10
Judges Of the same grade in several Of the states
OF the Union; and considering the expenses Il
which they are una yOdably exposed fear in
sufficient TO save them from actual loss | do no,
heieve that our constituents could reconcile to
that strong sense OF natural Justice by which they
are influenced 10 receive the entire services Of A.
ny OF their fellow citizens, without Welding them
compensation at least sufficient for their s,ippot:
and am yet 10 learn, that they would wish to
rule applied 10 their public concerns of
which they would not approve in those thli are
personal. have therefore no hesitation in say
ing, that any bill which shall correct the ineu,Ial-
y that at present exists, and place the salaries of
those TO whom have particularly alluded, upon
just footing, shall receive my cordial concur
renee
The relation in which sge stand TO the Federal
Government, occasionally imposes upon us the dis.
charge ct delicate and highly responsible duties
vi the invarablc deposition of Thu state 10 sustain
the federal ann. in the exercise of all its cons it-
ti0nal power, il would be supeIfuous 10 sneak: il
has been fully exempiGed both in psac. & in war
But whilst we thus evince our undated Ioyal-
ty to the general government. we must not be
uninindfui oil our obligiiidns at home, or forget
that II Is only 10 the principles upon which tn con
iederacy was based, and which were intended 10
be enforced by the provisions Of the federal con-
sutuuon, That our support is justly due. As the
theory OF our general government was without
precedent, its rtirdi ODrrAfion could cpI, n,