Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-11

influence which the body which he sought 10 place that
gentleman,w exercise the desnes the nation
And he knew no man who would ill the station better,
who was more fully qualified In every respect that the
present exgency would require. Te did not int nd to
euIogze Mr.. Riyes but simple statement of the grounds
which he had brought him before the House. would be
proper and necessary. Pc was the carly disciple of
Thomas Jenerson--a who had done moro 10 break
the letters of prejudice and deuson than any other
dividuai In any age-whose spirit. although
his body rests in the tomb, pervades the earth, aud
Is nerving the arm of the peasant in tho struggle
to break the chains of despo,sm. Nurtured in the
school Of Jeiierson Mr.. Rives early a member OF
this body and you Mr. Speaker, know wen the services
he here performed. The mind Of MIR. Rves did follow
the brilliant iances which dazzle but TO dclude He
not an Imaginative man-not what would he called
brilliant man. But his mind penetrating and pro-
gwen with persevering assiduiiy TO good and
useful result MIR. c. appealed to the Speaker m this
not the character which Mr.. Rives bore this House.
Called from the Legislature to Congress- he acted
OF the most important subjects which crossed the
alterations Of the national councils. A larger field
there offered for the display of his abilities and
his fellow citizens his talents exercised for their
best interests, in which reflected honor upon
the State He was uniformly opposed 10 that policy
miscaed the American SYSTEM and which has resulted in
the destruction OF the and harmony of this extended
Union He not only opposed the policy OF protection,
but considered the Tariff violation of constitution
grant of power. II might he that these were the OPT
Mons OF which the gentleman from Pi,tsylvania en-
tcrtained doubts But Mr.. lNvcs's opinions this
subject have often been vouched. His course in Con-
gress had secured him the confidence and respect of
his cons'i,uents-and his abilities recommended him to
the Chief Magistrate OF the United States for the sta
ton OF ambassador 10 the Court of France II was not
necessary for Mr. c. speak in detail of his
with that powerful Government. He was placed at
Court, between which and Government most iinpor-
tant questions at issuc-and he has accompli shed
what had not been accomplished by Galla,in, Brown,
and others who had preceded hcm-durng occurrences
the most adverse To negoca,ioi,while that Kingdom
was convused by revolution which drove the Bourbon
dynasty from tho tlrone and placed upon it a monarch
chosen by the people. Alths William C. Rves has done
Whenever the service OF his country has required
Tents his labor he has been ready able discharge
the duties imposed upon him MIR c. believed that i'm the
station for which ho proposed his capacity and
patriotism would reflect honor upon Virginia Ii was
necessary that his opinions should be detailed other
points tic was known 10 The State, and worthy of
her confidence. Such 10 be srnugged into
tl< high Office by the Withholding any sentiment which
he entertained. II further information required Mr.
u would answer any question which might be PROFOUND
cd TO him.
Mr.. Whether said that, not intending to nominate any
individual he should have RETAINED from questioning the
qualities assumed for Mr.. Rives but that the gentleman
from Albemarc had declared repeatedly lie thought
with something of an air OF demce that any questions
would be answered He would ask that gentleman
firstly, Is Mr. Ryes opposed 10 the Tariff constitutional
grounds-Does he believe protective Tariff unconsti-
utiona! SecondlyW neither in the present crisis OF the
country, Mr.. Rives is disposed put Congress right
where Congress l. wrong-and South Carolina right,
where South Carolina is wrongor does he wish make
either bend to the views OF the other regardless of the pn
cple Of rght'
Mr.. Gimer said that with regard the first question: he
could give ready repy-hat Mr.. Rives opposed 10
the Tariff on constitutional grounds. But if he understood
the second question of the gentleman from Pitsylvana
believed the gentleman from Buckingham had received
Mr. Rives' written opinion The question presented by
the course OF South Carolina new one-and MIR
Rives had just returned TO the country. 1t would not
therefore be supposed that he had formed opinion
oil the policy which the present time demanded. In
his letter to the gentleman from Buckingham, he states
that he is opposed TO notification. But whether he
would be in favor OF one another plan Of conciIia
ton or compromise, he could not say. II he had an
swered the question of the gentleman from Ptsyvania
he should be graifed; but thing he did know from
knowledge OF Mr. Rves opinions and feelings; that the
ardent wish of his heart that the differences which
distract the country should be peacefully adjusted
Further than this, he could answer and he doubted
whether any man was prepared TO give full state
ment of opinions that difficult subject.
Mr.. Yancey said that he had been alluded TO- and "a
mention had been made OF letter which he had the ho-
nor TO receive from Mr.. Rves, it proper tina, he
should give the information in his possession. lie had
heard many rumours unavorabe TO Mr.. Rive., and which
were likely 10 have injurious effect upon his prospects,
These r'nours had reference TO his opinions upon the
Leading subjects oil public interest al the present time
and he (Mr. W addressed letter Mr.. r. stating the
points which his sentiments matters of tlonbt and
speculation. He had received an answer from Mr. II
dated at The house OF his broRern-law, previous 10 his
arrival at home.
Mr.. Y. here read extracts from the letter of Mr. r. in
which he states that lac is anti tariff bank ant-nul-
hca,ion, and firm supporter Of the policy of the pre-
sent administration MIR. Y. hoped that these decara
lions would satisfy the asidious gentleman as 10 the
opinions of Mr.. Rivcs. He had known him long aud he
believed that he was opposed to the Tariff constitution
al grounds.
Mr. wcher asked if in writing TO Mr. Rives the GEN
ieman from Buckingham had asked him the specific Gles
ton whether he believed the Tariff unconstuiiona or
not As the main charge which run,or had preferred
against Mr. Rives was that he believed the Tariff consti
tutional, he wished to know whether that question was i
rectly brought 10 his notice If ii had been Mr. must
he permitted to say that his euuvoca as
the gentleman iiom Buckingham might suppose bis (r
WIS., scrupes faslidious.
Mr. Yancey could rccollect the precise terms of his
letter TO Mr.. r. whether that question was distinctly
put 10 him. But he believed lac stated 10 him that ru-
norr had declared him believer in the constitutions
OF the Tariff. Mr.. Y had written him hastily and his
queries had been answered by Mr. r. by saying that he
was Tariff Anti Bank and Anti n uIlifica
ton
Mr. Gimer said that he had written 10 Mr. r. with tbe
familiarity with which friend writes TO another and
stated the rumours which lac had heard The answer had
been addressed jointly TO the gentleman from Buckng-
ham and himself lie could not say that he had made
the pointed enquiry alluded TO by the gentleman from
Pittsylvania. He had stated the charges generally II
would have been impossible state them all in detail
Mr. Rves bad been charged with almost every thing ex-
cept cannibasn; he had he ard him arraened for
having eaten man, although accused Of nearly every
! other enornity.
The nomination of Mr. Rives having been communica.
ted to the Senate and other candidate having been pu,
IN nomination by that boyhe roll was called and the
vote stood follows =
For WILLIAM G. RIvEs-Messrs. Banks, (Speaker0
Riley, ColeburD, Cilncr Randolph, Persnger, Camm,
stuart McCuc, Mayse, Preston. Pate Faulkner, Miller
wilson OF Boteiourt, Campbell, Gboson, Shell, Paeson
OF Buckingham, Yancey, M'Comas Dearing, CbeahaIn,
Dckerson, Rome OF Charles City Richardson Pateson
OF Chesterfield, Pendleion, Thornton Wilson of Cumber.
land Brodnax, Rchie Daniel, Marshall, Wallace, Ste
phenson OF Fayette, Payne, Helms Hale, Woods, Smith
OF Frederick, Barton, Earle Enmons Smith Of Gouces-
/ ter, Watkins M'Camant, Anderson Steward. Bruce