Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-06
MIR. POWELL'S REPLY.

Nj ~. POWELL'S REPLY.
LoUDouH County, April 49, fn7o
Gentlemen: l received your letter Of the 18th inst
IN which, as a committee, constituted hy a uceino
of the citizens Of Loudoun county held on tho rrc
cedng day. and IN obedieHce to he resolution of that
meeting, you submit me- as one of thnsc n.rncd nc
candidates for the conventions certain queries inten
ded to draw forth all expression OF opinion "a tn
those leading propositions of reform expected m bo
discussed IN that body, and 70 which answers arc re
qnescd.In this communication Won sunrost ,,;lb
great propriety, "hat those who are candidates for
seats In deberative body, in which the desinies Of
the people Of Virginia will be fvcd perhaps for npcs
should frankly and freely avow their sentiments"
There shall he want of frarl.ncss or Of freodo,n
10 my reply.-Fully impressed as I am. with iis i'm
Pnrance, and its responsibilities, il is with undsseu
bed dIfhdencc, that find myself without knowledge
or consultation on my part, placed before the public
as Of those deemed worthy to be candidate for
tins high distinctIon-H has not been inv habit in
mo toobtrudc myself upon public notice for official
honouTs, nor 10 shrink from discharge Of public
duty whom my services were caimed.-I shall act
upon the same principle on tho present OCCASION.
in entering upon the exposition called for ! do IL
with the more readiness, from knowlcdpc that faIsc
impressions have been made upon The minds Of some
portion OF the community, and uniounacd icalousies
excited ms to my feelings and views in relation To the
convention and from my strong desire not To- be mis-
understood by my fellow citizens upon whose esost,
and appreciation have always set higher yaluc
'hon mon th"'Y yotcs.
When at the election Of ~ nbcrs OF flic tonso oF
Tvs ~" bC tdSt year, Notwithstanding | Ind
Withheld myself from concurrence in some Of tho
early movements Of the friends Of convention WINS
yet chosen without solicitation on my pnrt and with
view TO tho adjustment Of tina, moaeurc ono Of
the representatives for the county OF LouIon fell
| duly sensible Of the honour thus conferrcd-I nj
that time referred my fellow citizens 10 tho vote
which had given twelve months before in favor o(
convention, and rs surcd them il should have nv cor
dial support in the legislature. Tile votes recorded
mihe journals Of the house Of delegates win show
that redeemed that pledge have alive W. believed
That the progress Of public opinion would, through
INC medium Ut the legislature, md without fuinult
bring about tho desired convention and with IT, tho
Objects Of rational reforms and NY constant efforts
nave been 10 prevent thGconiusinn winch might BIZ
expected 90 arise from tho pursuit Of those objects
through any other channol---TIus far ny wishes
ana predictions have promise Of luflTrent.- Bot
I Tbat nrc tho objects of rational reform'-lt Is 10
tvs, that am called b answer by the queries whcl,
You have submitted.
First ui"n, "a the order Of your inquiries M first in
tic minds OF great portion Of our community shall
speak TO tho extension OF the right Of suffrnoe
and will say in the language rf the resolutions passed
by the friends ofrcforn, in 1875. ut Saunton "tha'
y uc right Of suffrage should 6e extended 10 al
fon white male ciizans obovG 81 years of aqc,
"FHfr 't"ot '"rsn ~ 1c' who cao"h'e 0f ,'Ul