Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-05-14

n
my fragment OF the gallant bark that bore
MN; they lived, but while they held by me.
IN the rough tossings of the ocean of life L
was not SLOW to discover my value in their
estination, or to exercise, in its fullest extent.
Inc caprlcious tyranny of conscious power.
Almost The earliest impression which my
npening mind received, was regal immn-
nifty from error--I could do no aurong.
There was no deficiency of moral train
ihg' either by precept or example. The.
stream OF virtuous edmonton was poured.
In full tide, over my heart; but il was left To
stagnate. The model of virtuous conduct
was held before my eyes in every action of
my parents; but | was absolyed from the
duty OF imitation. What was the conse-
quencel l imperceptibly created within
myself an arbitrary standard of right and
wrong; my moral vision became habituafiy
distorted; had one code of ethics for ths.
world, and another for myscif; words chang
cd their meaning, according as they were
10 express my own actions, or those of
others. was taught to know, but not re-
CURED TO practice, the obligations of social
lie; and rioted in all the excuses, rar.
through all the transgressions, which mere
boyhood could commit, with prodgal, bnt
warranted reliance upon parental indul-
gence. oh God! what an after life of guilt
and sorrow should have been spared, if
authority, hand in hand with wholesome
discipline, had frowned upon my first OF:
iencesi
"As my passions grew stronger, they
TOOK wider range, and rapidly outstrip-
ped my years. An almost unlimited COM
mand OF money placed at my disposal the
means oil gratifying every inclination, by
giving me the power to put meaner instrn-
ments IN motion: those sordid panders to vice,
who make smooth the paths of sin for the
privilege OF dipping into an heirs purse.
had three or four of these pioneers i'm INV paS
by the time was sixteen; bnt though knew
the rumour of my youthful RIGHTEOUSNESS
sometimes reached my fathers ears, never
saw displeasure darken his brow towards me.
nor hear the language of reproof from his
lips. They are the weeds of a rich SOIL he
would say, which little culture will soon
eradicate 1t is true the more degrading of
my tolles were unknown to him.
My education was not neglected. had
a knowledge; and amid all the dissipation,
into which | plunged, ] willingly and eager.
~ devoted much OF my time to study. Mas
tiers otevery kind were provided for me; but
they were strictly prohibited from exercising
any control. IL so CHANGED, needed none;
engaged IN the acquisition of learning with
the free grace of a volunteer, and believe
my preceptors were not reluctant TO claim
me as their pupil. Alasl the only use
have ever made of what | acquired, has
been TO gid my vices when acted, or ref
ned upon the manner of acting them while
IN contemplation.
81 look back, at this moment, 10 the pc
rod of my hte am describing, as prospe-
rous mon recall the day-springs of their for
tunes. They, from the proud cminence on
which they stand, trace, step by step, in
retrospective view, the paths by which they
ascendcd and !, looking through the dark
vista of my by-gone years, behold the fatol
series of crimes and foles that stained their
progress, stretching TO my boyhood. Tho
gay and frolic irreguicrities, as they were
gently termed, of that untamed age, were
the turbid source of the waters of misery I'm
which | am now engulphed. was law
less planet, running at viii; and the orbit
described laid waste more than one fair
region of peace and happiness.
"My father had brother, his elder by
many years; n man Of stern and rigid cha
racter, as | then considered him; but, as
would now call him, of upright, firm, and
honorable principle. lie loved my father,
but did not love his weakness; and the dis
play of it, in his indulgence towards nue.,
was the cause of many serious, if not
sometimes angry, debate between them.---
Well do ] remember (for it ranlxled like POT
son in my swelling heart) declaration ne
once made in my presence. II was a fine
autumnsl evening, and lie was seated with
my father and mother in balcony, which,
opened from the library window upon a
| cnnCiOttu lnwn IL a
Vanccd towards them, unconscious, of
course, that their conversation bad been
about me; but my uncle looking at me with
a severe expression of countcnunce, and az
the same time addressing his brother, ca
claimed, We'll, lamcs neither you nor
may live to- sec II; but if tho grace of God,
ar his own better reflection, as he grows
older, do not work change in this young
squire, duel, Jack Ketch, or n razor, wii
work his exit some day or othcr.n
/ "My father smiled saw nv r,osi,cr