Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-05-27
Richmond. Va. !, Tuesday, NAV .;
MR.. SrEYENSON-S LEyrcp

cu1ai
our -soee hen we ondesad tina, M has been
nominated to London Tho said be laid owe, III,
the close Of this week The which Mr. g Law. down I,
inc letter corresponds with the principles which he as
always proiessd; " ~
TO THE EDITORS or TIE EJvouyerp
oENrLEMEN The recent indications i'm ,bi. CON
gressions District. OF decided dsspp, obaon or lis
measures OF the Administration in regard 70 the Public
Deposies, Induced TO address letter to Mr sIax.n
son. appfising him OF the gre at meat which
ell here, aud desiring 10 be informed what eoure no In
.snueo 70 pursue as our representative. Though All.
thorised to use his reply as might think proner
deemed IT unnecessary To do Than shew IL w,ho,,
reserve" TO those who knew would feel al, interest In lbs
contents Bu believing that the views and isen,on. of
,. Stevenson may have been nisuuder by psny
aud that the subject has xciled much iueres
,he Disc have yielded 10 the advice Of friend. to al
low ms letter TO be published at this time and accor,g
~ enclose TO you for that purpose is proper 70 III
s. ms communication is to the Press wi,hou,
consultation with him. Your pronp, aten ion 10 i,s nmh
heanon VIII obiige Yours, very respectfully.
Richmond. 22l May 1881. '1"' ooHD.
=, WAsHINGToN, Ma, OH 1874
MY DEAR SIR: received your kind letter ,,y, 10.
ago. and avail myself OF the first moment have nd 70
answer IT, lieel, very sensbly This continued pro,f Of
your friendship, and for me sd ,h
you Tor the ankness and candour with which YOU have
addressed me- shall you in the same Shirt and
express freely my opinions and determination npon The
ue"cae anu important subjects suggested for my cons
dersiion In this matter have no motive 10 disgn;s.
my sentiments, and do not suffer myself IN he
misunderstood may claim hope, at least the virtue
" attempting 10 conceal my opinions views nm
on political subjects. have been in the baLi, ,hroh
my wmo'e NE, oil speaking plainly, and openly and unds
guisedy, and meeting every question with badness All
decision shall! continue O do so az lone a. 4 an, ~
puohc ME; aud can assure YOU that there has never been
an occasion or moment that seiz. with mora "
slate freely what feel This subject and VIA, ;n,
uog. have not been unspprsed OF the state of f., linz
@ III my D'''iir,; nor Of the attempts Oh the
P1rt OF some oil political foes wound Inc at hone
whilst was doing my duty here. To say that have moi
peen surprised and mortified, the acrmony and bitter
ness WIN which have been assaied, and at the unyar
ranisble attempts that have been made 10
anu iure me, would be uncandd; and especaIiv too
coming IRON those from whom should least have x,ec
Gu az confess that have elt and po, ed deepy This
state OF ihhgs; aud the more so, because 4 have 80,
CONSCIOUSNESS mat have not deserved it. aIlude OF
course, TO the conduct OF individuals and not 10 IN. Pc
abuse aud denuncaions OF the Latter have no terror
Tor me; not because, pretend gre indGsenc. on
TINS point than other public bur because we ALI know
na no purity oil motive or conduct, high party times
shelter any man, he he who he may, from tie violen Ind
might not say, indiscrininate abuse of M tisnn
nave own, great confidence in the justice and inelI
gence OF the People, the liberal and generons nor"
non oil my political opponents. and do permit myself
Tor one moment TO doubt, hai az soon a. The
aud uI bulrnt spin, OF the shall cease 10 exert ~;
'nenee over our distracted country. justice will
doubt. 'S "o'
You desire to know. and so do many of nv friend.
Wnat course mean to pursue in the present stale Of
th,ngs IN my D'src'; aud you tell me, that Won are
daily in'eHoga,cd upon the subject by friends and
opponents. You express at the time entire con-
HueHce IN the principles which you think will gude
me and The course shall pursue. In this YOU do me
no mere Than justice, and beg you to believe that
WIZ not disappoint you. | mean, 10 pursue ,teadiIv
and iearessy the path duty carry out those pr,n
cipies which have governed me ihrorgh ,nn p,i
Of pubic service o. his you aud my friends may rest
sa,sneu-ih nat decided ni joriiy Of my District differ
with me upon the subject OF the Renorol and he Reso
ration 81 he Public Deposites would be tolv in me
now 10 donbih what learn be true, the local eIec
lions are to be regarded any test. Under snch cir
cumstances, should ee justified az tue Renr.saoa
i've OF Tue Due'' IN refusing TO obey their wishes in
s"uc'ions, Wough not formally expressed NV opinions
as to the right and consequences of Instruction on The
part OF the Constituent have long been known 4, has
ever been with me iavOrite doctrine aud ought TO he
justly regarded as OF tie corner stones of ali Rrnre
sentative Government. Our Constitutions are wisely
founded upon the Representative systems; and The very
meaning OF that taru displays the nature aud benefit Of
the system Representative is a public agent, who
represents the Wishes interests and sen,imrnsn ~ ,h
reope; and ihough they choose regulate his
course by special instructions, in consequence of pre.
sumption that he may often enjoy information that ,Ley
do not possess The real OF their is not ma
terialiy chaDged-"The virtue, spirit ana essence o
House OF Representatives is their being the exnress
image OF the feelings OF the naon This is one OF The
great ahd distinguishing principles OF free insi
tutions, and have always pledged i'm The nos nm
qualified manner TO uphold aud mainisin IT, In vain nv
uear ST. might country like lavish its bod and
treasure III defence OF its Liberty and erect barriers
against Ambition aud Power, public agents sbouLI ne
permitted TO deny The right the Peoplo 10 ns,ruc anJ
the duty Of the Representative TO obev or ,nrrsn, 500
the trust. A Representative Government without M
right would be lille else than the essence Of ockerv
Nothing hen shake the deep rooted opinions which
have so long Ioslered aud acted on aud which in nv Re-
preventative character could consent in any man
ner to IMPAIR without entire abandonment Of private
honor aud public duty. shall therefore, rot hesitate
TO acknowledge this right and obey The wishes aud in.
sUuclons oil majority oil Constituents
lions OF expedency and practical policy involving no vo.
iaon OF The oath have taken support the Constitution
OF my country, or affecting my conscience or honor
beg you 10 communicate these, my opinions i'm such
manner as choose to those WHO are really desi
rous OF knowing what they are feel an niete, in the
maiter-TbisI all that deem il eedlui or proper for
me TO say, aud you will use il you please II IT, howe
YER possible that this may satisfactory TO one
portion oil my constituents, aud effort may be mazda IN
iorce me 10 retire. BE 1t ready 10 lay dow the
trust Whenever II may be required In manner that 1
ought TO listen to and respect have said so 10 MANY Of
my other friends. Under such circumstances 4 could
have 40 motive 10 continue. Verify my irenL as YOU
well know, have paid dearly for all my public honors
bey have brought on me heavy pecunisfy losses aud been
productive oiay hing but peace and tranquility gave
up lucrative professions with the prospect OF
wealth, 10 devote myself 10 the public service and NOW
ans 10 be paid with deDuncalon and abuse! All tat
ever expected or wished was, serve and merit the
appreciation OIL my counryi aud especially those whom
ior 50 i5Dg tine ii had been NY pride and po IN
represen and declare 10 God, that through tbc ,yLo
course OF my public life, had looked TO is as the ho.
et reward Tor all my public abors. No man would ia.
neni mere deeply sincerely than should do the oss
o tbs conidence but II IL be so and NV services
30 longer desired, shall most willingly retire 70.
maths for me only 10 add that until do, 1 shall CONT
nue. 10 discharge my duties in the manner think fisbt
and best calculated 10 advance the peculiar Interests and
prosperity Of NY immediate District aud The welfare and
honor OF our country.
With cordial aud sincere regard,
ain dear sir, your friend and serv't
a. STEVENSON.
Col. JOHN RUrHERFooRD, Richmond, Va.
THE COMMITTEE or IyVYESTTGaTTON