Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-12-13
TO 7HE EDITORS OF TIE EvO UYRER.
INSTRUCTIONS &c

plain citizen bcgs permission to appear in your CO.
uIs TO say few words upon subject that is Of vital
Importance to the people OF free country-l audc 10
the instructng of some of our Delegates Attempts are
making to induce the instructed Delegates TO violate
their Instructions. And very apprehensiyc that
some OF them have laundering inclination set
their wills up for those of their constituents The
vote Tor Speaker and Public Printer has awful squnt
ing that way For, contend that those who were IN
structcd to vote against MIR. Leigh virtually bound
by the spirit OF such instructions to for Mr. Banks
Speaker, who was known TO be firm friend of Ing
Administration, and who had long presided in That
character in the House of Delegates / have always
understood that he made able and faithful Speaker
why then was the attempt made at this time dspacc
an old and faithful officer; Did these members, who
were instructed, and who voted against him and tho
rupe rnntcr DO so from spite' TO show their dsap-
probation of their Instructions; To let the People $50
that they will literally obey Instructions and not their
general spirit and meaning! Or do they intend hcrcai-
ter to disObcy bot their letter and spirit We shall see
If they do, it will BE- time enough io The people TO de-
crminc what they will do.
am aware that the Right of instruction is not openly
denied But, the that is recommended be- pur-
sued III order at present TO defeat them, in fact
To denial OF the right. The people will not be satisfied
witn tc reasoning which has been rcsorted TO this
SUBJECT They perfectly understand their own rights
and will take especial vndicate and enforce
hcm-even if they have make those who sport will,
them, play the game OF r0ugh. roll aud hipJie A free
people are not 70 be triled with. When Representa-
tive knows their will, it is his duty to act accordingly
without putting them 10 the trouble of formally instruct
ing him. There are honorable examples which
have been set in the of United States Senator in
TINS State Some Of tic Representatives knowing tbs
SENTIMENTS OF tlc voters oil their counties and DISTRICTS
as relates to The reelection Of Mr. Leigh at
forward and informed the people that they would cast
their votes according 10 their wishes, without direct aud
written instructions ON the subject. / wish ] could be-
able 10 state that these instances
than they really are. Such COURSE reflects honor upon
the persons so acting, well as the State at largo To
hear mum elected by the people say that lie does
know their opinions upon important political matters
and require written instructions, you may nj set
INN down as who may be Justly doubted-whO
would be apt to beray the people, and take lis will
as his guide Every who aspires to represent the
people, ought 10 know their senmcnts-at least upon
they should remain at home, and should never be select
cd public agents.
But it has been said, and Of the instructed Dele
gates am told, entertain the views that the I'm
strnct'ons IN many instances have not been signed by
majority OF qualified voters Of the county. la some Of
e counties this may be the case for augit know; but
III all, this cannot be presumed. In ! know.
however, the fact TO be otherwise II there is any Dele
gate OF senator in our Legislature instructed by less ta
majority of the qualified voters in such county dis
rct they represent vii azard the assertion, that such
insuucton papers signed by at least larger MAORI
" Of voters than such Delegate Senator ever recev
iact-and there be no doubt oft-such men onght
TO have the InOdcsty 10 be satisfied and obey such in
siruciiOns Some, understand, who doubt the valid-
" OF their lnstructions never got half Of tho
number Of votes upon their election, compared to the
number who have now actually signed their instTuc-
lions. But, those to whom niude, are certainly
mistaken Upon Investigation il viii be found that
there - great and decided majority Of voters who
have signed their Instructions, with the exception pro-
badly Of one or two counties But is remarkable how
souc q these instructed persons count The Of
county They say that there certainly should be Il
oriy Of qualified voters, the Instructions oh
gatory But how 90 such men view the natter They
take care 10 count every in The county who does not
sign The letters Of Instructions bene Opposed in
strncio when the fact is that there are almost in every
county many vocrs who either vote ct eccCns sgn