Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-03-15


per OF the Goth of February, IN which he complains
that | did not make known In him Mr. Randolph's
Intentions before | announced him u candidate for
Congress, and has been pleased TO saw that Mr.
Randolph and hare offered ,ndignty TO the moral
feelings Of The community. My purpose is to vindi.
cate Mr.. Randolph and myself from tins charge.
On Monday, the 9TH February, in the morning, be.
fore announced Mr.. Randolph candidate I made
known to MIR. Bouldins brother my intention of do
ing SO, aud requested him TO inform Mr. Boultin
that would on that day declare Mr.. Randolph \ can
didate. From that time, beard no complaint from
any quarter, until Friday the S5th, when received
communication from Mr. Boudln himself To This
communication immediately replied before knew
what course Mr. Bouldin intended to ,ake-explain
ed TO him my reasons for the course had taken anil
assured him. I'D the earnest manner that ! had
not the slightest intention OF treating him with dsre-
spcct, 81 of woundng his feelings Had Mr. BouI.
dip written to m. a. earlier dav, or had heard
from any quarter OF any dissatisfaction on his part
nothing would have afforded me more pleasure than
TO have explained my conduct to HIM.
Mr. Boudin states in his Address that no fact could
be better known TO Mr.. Randolph and me, than that
he would have fuTthercd Mr. Rundolphs purpose had
it been disclosed to him. do no, mean to oues,iou
his sincerity at ALL but the fact cert AMY was not
known to me. Neither NJ Bouldin, nor any of his
friends, nor any other person, gave me any such
Information The mistake Mr.. Bouldin seems to
have fallen into Is this: He felt strongly his willing
ness to further Mr.. Rando ph's purpose and there
fore inferred that Ma. Randolph and knew it. But
so far from my knowing his willingness, to rive way
whether q
would not continue a candidate, though hoped and
rather inclined to the opinion, that he would with
draw. The public, dare say, will not consider my
doubt very unreason able
With this doubt upon my mind, ! began to consi-
der, whether | ought to inform Mr.. Boudin of Mr.
Randolphs intentions before | announced him. MIR.
Randolph had given me no instructions to this mat.
ter. In no act of my life | ever more anXlous
to find out, and TO do, what tit aid proper for he
occasion; aud | especially anxious to avoid civ
ing ofRncc to Mr.. Bouldin and his friends Upon
the question, whether ought or ourht not TO rive
the information, deliberatel long and anxotisy;
and my Judgment, honestly eXerte1, told me- thai
taking into consideration The situation of Mr. Ran.
dolph and Dir. Bouidin, well as my own, | ought
not. My reasons were these: dad not know whe
Their Mr. Boudin would or would not decline the con-
test believed, that, if he intended TO continue
candidate he would prefer, that no communication
on the subject should be made 10 him. and consId-
cred 1t but fair that he shou be left to pursue his
own course. unembarrassed by any act of mine
And as 1t respected Mr.. Randolph l apprehcnded !,
might be believed gave the information by his di
rectlon and that some might attribute to him the
opinion, that the mere communication of Ills inten
ton to become candidate, would be sufficient TO pre
vent MIR. BoHldlns opposing him; which | THOUGHT
might operate TO his prejudice, in case his election
was opposed. My sollctudc to avoid rivnp offence
also, greatly influe ced my conduct. kne.y it was
possible, that offence might be taken At the commu
nlcaton itself, or at expressions in it, however
guarded my language, or that improper motives mirbt
be atrlbu ed to me, however upright and friendly INV
Intentions. But it never occurred 10 me tina;
my remaining silent, could be cause of offence To snv
one. had always supposed, that no member Of
Congress had any reason to take offence because
another offered to represent his district without first
giving information of his intention to become can
dIdatc. Nor did 1T enter my head, that, in merely
announcing Mr.. Randolph candida G, and Coinu no.
thing more, was giving Mr. Bouldin or his warmest
friends any cause to be offended with Mr.. Ranrolph
or myself; much less, that was doing any thing,
which would justify Mr.. BouIdn, in publishing in
81 n taf ,ty+h
had altered indiSniy IN the moral feettnes of the
community And, now, after again considering the
SUBJECT consider the course pursued the proper one
have already said, that air Randolph gave me no
instructions as TO the manner in which should an
nounce him candidate Ills directions riycr in f,n r
letters OF dtieren dates, very concise' Give mo-
dest but decided notice. that it no better man shall
otter, and my old constituents God bless them will
eject INC, Will serve them III, the next Congress-
God wililng"is the direction in one of the letters
and his other directions longer. Considcriup
that he has much to write about, aud many important
matters to occupy his attention. candid man will
cenSure him Tor not specially directing me- first TO
inform Mr. Bouldn of bis intentions even if ho had
known that Mr. Bouldin willing TO give way 70
him. But this firmly believe he did not know: ma ~
IN my opinion, 1t was not possible that he could know
IT. For the last five years. nav saw for line last
eight am pretty confident. and since Mr. 3 ,uldin
has been III Congress, ain almost certain there has
been no intercourse between him and Sir Randolph.
And am quite sure, that within the same period not
S"S'c iSttC' idS Deeh written Dy either OF them
the other. Mr. Randolph could not, therefore, know
MIR BoudIns intentions, unless he could look into his
bosom and see what was there. | do not moan tn
convey the idea, that there has been any Gisaoree
ment between Nj Boun and Mr. Randolph ! am
sure there has been none. Their non-in,ercopr, p
has been owing to Mr. Randolphs retired manner of
living. and Mr. Bould'ns occupations. 1t is obvious,
then, that if there has been any impropretv in the
manner of announcing SIR Randolph, he improperly
was wholly mine, not his.
have no" stated my reasons for the course took
have shewn. at any rate, that hIr Randolph is in go
wise auswera6lo for the manner 10 which lie was d..
cared candidate. And for myself in regard to the
whole matter, my conscience so entirely void of of
fence, that am confident every impartial man will
ncquito mo Of al blame. Nay, IBBk Dir. Bouidin
himself must acqut me. am not, and nev,r have
been, unfficndly to him. Ny object has beer solely
to indicate Mr. Randolph g. myself not assail him
1t there be any established usage which requires pre-
7ious notice to be given to the incumbent by one in
tending to become candidate, it is due myself to
state, that wac, and wholly ignorant of it; and
that IN violating it, had intention to offer any dis
respect to DIR Bondin or his friends. Whnt course
Mr. Bouldln may take, know not. lie having
reluctantly declared him elf candidate in opposi n