Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-11-06

! The letter Of John >. Barbour Esq. declining
re-cleoiionto Congress, is published in the Warren
ton Spectator of Saturday last: we had seen it pre-
viously stated that Mr.. Barbour had declined bong
candidate, but as there still existed some doubt
of the fact, we omitted TO notice it.
To the People Of Fauquier and Culpeper.
Having already opprized many of you, that did
not intend TO be- candidate again for
Congress; | would not now feel myself ut liberty
to trouble you with more formal annun ation of
this intention, were it not To correct some misap
prehonsion which is said to prevail.
My coarse on this subject. does not depend on
h any future contingency. The obligation which
binds me To closer duties than those [ owe to YOU
compos me to this determination. Nor does ii de.
pend in any wise, upon the Legislative arrangement
of this any other district. No contingent of
that character entered into my deliberations. The
popular will repeatedly manifested i'm the District
and in the County in which reside, did not i'm my
own estimation, mako il necessary that 1 should
We igh that consideration. 1t is true that had
resolved to withdraw from public life, curly i'm
tho year 1929, which 1 afterwards abandon
ed. AT that moment, now and agitating qiles-
tions sprang up amongst us, which pervaded the
State, and no part of tho commonwealth was more
shaken by them than this district. Amongst the
omens ofmischef that thickened around us, MANY
insisted that could be useful and must 90 to tho
Convention. With the interests and topics that
nscparably wrapt up with the election of Del
egatos to the Convention, L saw elements enough
for strife and embarrassment without inf,isinp o.
theirs that would flow from contest for Congress
IL appeared TO be my duty, far as | could ac.
complish it, TO keep these struggles far away from
each ether. Although tho two elections were to be
hold at different days, they must both have engaged
the public mind at the timo and it required
but little sagacity TO discern that their action and
reaction upon each other, would be inevitable aud
might be fatal to principles that | considered vital
to our safety. That election, far from removing,
increased the embarrassments that envroned me-
he course that L pursued preceding the Convon-
tion and IN its session, provoked against n,o n me-
nacing and acrimonious hostility, which was sub.
sequentiy aggravated, by the express ion ofmy dis
appreciation of some of tho measures of those VINO
administered tho Federal Government; and all these
demanded from me that should remain a csndi.
date for Congress.
My last election brought to perfect freedom
OF choice, and my determination, long formed, was
promptly avowed-that could remain no longer
in Congress.
lfmy course in 1899 made me vulnerable to the
charge OF hckoness of purpose and if like dstrust
on lhat account, pursue me now, il ficklo-
ness OF purpose approved by you in your commend
ing votes both for Congress and the Conventions
and it has since received the sanction OF yor ap-
probation. You will forgive this brief explana-
ton; for though am no candidate for your suf
frages, your good will and good opinion will al
ways be dear to me.
1t has now been about twenty years since a por.
ton OF you gave Inc voice in your Legislative
Councils; and have been tho Representative of
the district for ton years in Congress- You will
pardon me for saying at this moment, that | have
devoted my best faculties, with pcrseverimg fidelity
to your interests. For your generous forbearance
and sustaining confidence through that time can
never cease to be grateful.
J. S. BARBOUR.
Culpeper, October IAN, 1889.