Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-09
WILLIAMSBURG,

gentlemen: Your communication covering Ger taIn
resolutions adopted unanimously en- The 9th instr
at numerous meeting composed of the citizens of
Mathews county and of the members of the r did
not in Consequence Of my absence from Williams
burg, reach me until few days since.
This public and unanimous expression Of opinion
by The citizens and the Bar Of Mathews, l. with
truth, you affords to heir odd and faithful
servant the most sincere gratfcarion and has made
deep impression on his mind. The wants of n M
merous family, many OF them yet upon my hands
uneducated AM uDprovided for, must carry me back
to the Bar; and IN re1umny the practice Of tn, law
this public testimony of .the ability iaithfllness and
indeta'igable assliuity with which, have d,schar-
ged the duties" Of my oi'e, during the whole peri
cd from entering them TO their close" NAV be re-
ferred to with confdH"ce to remove any unfavouro-
ole impressions wal ''Eg removal from Off ce may
have created
Ihere is however gentlemen, another consijera-
ton of much deeper interest than the one inst allud
ed to- When, about p years ago. | abandoned i
very lucrative practice, for seat on the Bench
winch had right to expect to ill during good be
hav'onr, took upon myself the bur;hen CT the office
under deep of the importance of a faitDf,
and Punctual administration of Justice and with a
'nnfongh determine oh to permit no personal con-
sIderaIons of ordinary character prevent th,
punctua and faithful discharge of them in the Gen
era Court, and in the circuit to which was assior
ed. That these drtermina ions were carried homes,
~ INTO effect IS dem nsrated by the fact, that a.r
aoont seven years, signed, with view 10 nv
transfer TO the first Judicial rcut and that bv tho
kindness OF the Executive and Lcgi +la,ive depart
merits, was re-appointcd and transferred according
to my wishes. In my letter Of resignation, made no
difficulty 10 expressing my willingness TO be re. an
pointed, and avowed my fixed determination In
withdraw from the Bench whenever should become
from any cause, unable to discharge all nv duties
with punctualitY. nee that time, 7 have presided
Judge IN the courts in The first Judicial circui,
and no personal consideration has caused the lss of
single term and had hoped that all my duties had
been discharged to tho public satisfaction. That
hey have been discharged, the voluntary testimony
Of the cltlZens and the Bar If Mathews county as
suTes me so strongly that nquistude can ever on
That ground, rest on my mind. 1t is in this view that
the resolutions of the meeting are SO dear 10 me-
1t is quite dear TINT the power IF dispensing JUS
tice must occasionally produce disapppintn snt and
VeXation, To snHOTs and others, and sometimes =
consequent lltteng towards the tribunal of us1Icn
That have at oil times escaped this, do not pre
tend to believe. But | proud of the hiph and
nonouTable bearing nnd enlightened public opinion
displayed by the citizens and the Bar of Mathews H.
dIScharsng all selfish feelings, and of their aaG nd
ing me, IN my retirement III" assurance of the unaba
Ted esteem which Tie individuals If the meeting and
the people OF the county entertain for nv private
virtues, and their confidence in the purity and fitness
OF my public character" aud wi lie cannot homo that
my judicial manners have been always nnexc ,priono
BILE, can respond to the opinion of "puriiy in INV
pnh'c character with consciousness of rectitude
udmirtIng of no shadow of doubt
When first went among the people of Mahcws
was treated with the hosp 'ali.y for which they are
80 highly distinguished Snb.,qn+ny, they have
treated me @ih affection. Their kindness towards
me. can new forget 80 long spark of graf.
Itudc fingers with nay existence.
Permit me, gentlemen, through you 10 express to
the citizens Of Mathews, whose interests / most ar
IDENTIFY DE- ire to see promoted, my conviction that
their cxpeciotins. IN reference the DISCHARGE Of
ofcinl duties by Judge Browne will be- fIly realized
You WILDE pleased, gentlemen, to accept for your
selves my thanks for the very polite and kind man
ncr in which VOC have expressed yourselves towards
me, in communicating the resolutions adopted IN
Mathews aud | beg leave 10 assure you individuality
f my UuJiminisbed regard and friendship.
Your most Obdt serv't.
I.MES SEMPLE.