Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-08-26
pETRoIr, July 81 lssl.
no rIIE pIIRIIC

To THE PUBLIC.
An address 10 the President of the United States re-
fnonsra,ing against appointment as secretary OF the
Territory, has been published in the Journal of this
mornng aud il being the first opportunity have had
OF knowing. distinctly. the grounds upon which have
been assaulted take the earliest moment TO reply TO
them. In doing this. exercise right and perform a
duty, which can fnd fault with; and shall
deav0ur cebsure by an exhibition OF passion
or excitement which have been taught to consider un
becoming in youth, however il may be tolerated in
turer age.
nunciaion OF my appointment had preceded me by |
day. and that an excitement had been gotten up the
instant and proceedings had upon it before could be
seen or heard, or had been permitted to return home;
although it was known, that expected in the next
boat mention this TO show, that an immediate inn
pulse was given TO public feeling momentary rehcc
ton, and that it has been kept in motion by prccip-
fancy in the whole proceeding, which seemed rather de-
signed TO overwbem, than with fairness and
candor mention il also to show that decent respect
Tor one who formed part Of your society, and far
he knew, altogether unofendng, should have called
forth the exercise OF liberal feeling rather than prema
ture censure. His youth claimed it of you, and
as member Of family resident among you, they had
Alright to expect from community like this, at least
kind aud respectful sentiments.
had supposed, alesst, that there were some among
YOU who knew me and my family and the relations OF
their pcsuun 1ie, who would have found thing OF
excavation for the offence, which il seems have
committed, i'll accepting an appointment rendered TO me
by the President, without consulting you. No one de-
sre the good feelings OF others than myself, be-
entertain kind feelings towards ALL The aspsr-
ties OF party and the personalities Of passion, form no
part oi my composition. To this, those who know HE
will bear testimony.
That my appoDimen is so extraordinary use YOU
own lansuag) az 10 FL you with a'tonishrnent and
Indignation, TO noe equally astonishing without feel
ing eotrespondirg indignation WHAT were the facts
upon which the minds Of those Informed on the sub
jet, wo'b naturally rest on this oees'ioi! My father
had moved TO the Territory, holding the Office OF See
Rotary; had brought with him a family, con-
ssing Of eight females myself his only son, and oldest
child. To their comfort, ID well known that
the petty emclumen,s Of this office essential.
I.I and
and lie tbscn some length Ct time from the u. Sa:.s;
forbidding him 10 hold the office, and his resignation
under such circumstances was publicly called for by
soue Of you. There ineompatibiiy in his re-
taning The otise, and he resigned.
About to undertake long and hazardous journey,
10 precaious climate. there consider alton due
to bis family, thus Left dependent on the single and
youthful x-rtions Of myself? Could You fad no Jus,
motive IN these considerations to that my appoint
ment was at least txcusatls, not jus6Abl! Was h.
rot rendering an adeqiaic service TO his country; asd
was there nothing in this sbvious view Of the
which should have called forth the just and generous
feelngsot enla htensd and ibsrai public, Ii there
10 not, hys greatly mistaken the character of thi'
community.
But was not expected that this oste rim care should
be extended to The injury of any one, 10 the detr-
meni II the public. Nor did lima giae that my ap
poinDeIt would have called forth IN expression OF
alarm tor the "dearesf rights and liberties # free
men. could see nohirg in il calculated TO excite
apprehension. Even my youth was a guarantee a
gaintt usurpaop, and security that should possess,
IN 700, judieious and fai;hfn counsellors. without
PTesumlug on my capacity, felt COL hdense in my
ability for The disehsrge Ct the duties Of Secretary
cause had performed hem, and knc their cha actr
Ard The insinuatoD, contained ia your adore my
father had passed eondemna len upon my capacity, by
keeping an eslimabe aud intelligent, young ia the
o1ce, am compelled TO say, 10 both illiterai aud
jus. To make reproaehfu application Of gene Gus
noives, is inexcusable The mpulses of yo nth
me o,he and sj,h9YshJ haze psha 10 ns ~ ID
Knows me but would 80 pronounce. This impua,ion
maniiesis spirit which am sorry to see; because
whatever may be my demers, had rs hi to expect
manly aud candid course from those who have h, =
come censcrs upon he occasion.
10 an 'hat has been said aod done, have hitherto
opposed n9'hihg Sltj to an inquserial exami-
nation, have borne it calmly and vi hout reproash
although tie anaIhema had Illuminated before Trial
ln ie address is formidable array Of the du,ie, i'm
posed py Ia" OF the Governor of the Territory aud an
lmpassloned appeal is made, Wheeler am competent
TO the discharge OF these dues 10 other words vout
statement Of the case amounts TO the ,qury, wheihe
would be proper aPpointmen for ,yerr orb, t,
lair statement Of the csse?-I ask at least Justice
And can ii be considered just thu, to blend two tfice.
which are peculiar aud distinct in themselves and bav.
ing each the appropriate duties pointed out under the
law with The view OF dis par aging nv pretenson. To
the oihee OF Secretary ?-The incidental and momenta-
ny dnss Hhish may, on certaia coming devove
on me staIy you assume pr mary ies reauir
ing ms qualifications Of maturity OF talents and aye of
UJverbo'! The peculiar duties OF Secretary under
The IswraTs simple and easy Of performance he bsug
m"e more man registering clerk for the Governor
The incidental duties OF Governor, which he NAV by
possibility be called on TO perform fer short period
are equally simple Its simplicity consists in doing no
harms not to bs youd the mere routine of busines, in
the Cce; such az the Secretary does daily
ohy MS s'yIe on Inc commission from "seereiary" 10
acting governor Tboss momenlous duties which
are suggested required TO bs performed BY the
tary, ne cen hardly ever be called on to exercise Tn.
scar oihe general government IL contiguous IN .uf
Ter vacancy IN the office of Governor prejudsaI N
Puohe interest, and at an important time; aEd no Go
werner would absent himseH except al convenient
seaor and alter putting his Off go in an advanced con
diton Suppose these high duties 10 occur for mo.
mtnAry spses' ls there any difficulty in getting the
advice Of wiser enl ADLER mar? The oldest AJAX advise
anu no man In tina: respset is indie pendent Of the soe
~ ~ which he lives. Tbs difference is youth WELLS
10 aoyice; b1i age seldom or never.
Does any one seriously son end that nv min o,i,v ia
usqna lhca'lon under the lawi IL 80, ID can only be
zone Tor enast Ii forms disqualification: and a. IN
ihe requisite under the ordinance Of holding 500 arres
OF IaId II - we'll kno wn that subsequent
nave dispensed with It, But should il he reoui,ad
,heFe no difficulty in my compliance, for am vel 70
IeaIn "ha' Jaw iorbids minor being The possessor of
rear OF psItona estate That there are many in the
ieHlofy CT higher 4uali cations, os when The snnon,
nen' might have bean conferred is broadly and fIIv
conceded; and 10 Is only 10 the peculiar ersum,,,nc.s
OF my position h're, and that OF my family 10 yybi,b
an HpPsa can DO made, for selection that would seem
pass WiSer and ADLER men.
That my minority forms IN, only s,ou.d n ,e,ton.
Objection, Is gtafyisg 10 me. The fact howsv.r 81
my being under 81 years of ago ha, b.sn s.n.aai4
IRON no ore and Garnet DO altered. That I ala 30
come INTO The world some months sooner IN suIiso,
OF Iegtet WIN me, so Tar as earlier birth mSht have
coneria'ed The good opinion Of some Of YOU
Sjme gentlemen have had The eandoY a. .cL,o,r
ledge, That their objections were no, az g,e.,
sowatns IN. 'asksop; and that they could even find
IN 'helr hearts TO forgive me, but IL was too sood -
CPporuLy TO let slip for 6oding fault with the pr.s
oeh'' me modern tactics Of party warfare have n,o
uucsu 'eSoi' 70 every weapon OF assslnenL Neitb,,
nor sex nae been exempt from tho ruthless al,aeL
y, P'y s,gIence, MY youth ssnsoi claim an sxemp-