Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1834-02-06
lNTFRrsTING CORRESPONDENCE.

The Norfolk (ya.) Beacon, Of Monday, con
tains the following correspondence between Co
vernon Tazewell and w. J. Duane, Esq, late
Secretary Of the Treasury. At the late meeting
Of the citizens Of Norfolk, on the subject Of the
Removal Of the Deposites, il will be recollected
that resolution was passed, strongly appreciate
~ Of the conduct Of Mr.. Duane, in opposing the
acquisitions Of the President, in regard 70 the de-
pOsites. The correspondence subJoined grew
out Of that resolution. The reader will require
no incentive from US, to give it attentive Pc
rasal.--Balt. Pat.
CORRESPONDENCE,
BETWEEN l.. w. TAzEwELL w. J. DUANE.
NORFOLK, (ya.) January 9, 1884.
SfR:--By one Of series OF Resolutions adopted
nt meeting OF the citizens OF this place, recent
Is held, "a copy Of which Resolutions have the
honor to enclose herewith,) you will perceive
that Il becomes my duty "to communicate 10 you
the thanks Of thai meeting, for your honest tho
Intellectual effort 10 preserve the public treasure
from the invasion Of the Federal Executive; and
60 assure you, that in the retirement TO which
yOur Independence has driven you, you possess
their best wishes for your welfare and happi
ness"
My fellow citizens could not have imposed up
on me any task, in the performance OF which
should have derived more satisfaction. Attic
personally unknown TO you, / have watched,
with keen anxiety the course you have pursued
under the late trying circumstances IN winch you
found yourself most unexpectedly placed; and,
let me add, that | have Witnessed the result, so
fir as this concerns your character, with a de-
light proportioned TO the anxiety which the
casion naturally inspired. You have set noble
example, sir, which must be useful in coun-
Try. Solitary, and unsustained by any friendly
support, yet unmoyed by persuasion, unseduced
by fattcry, and unawed by power, you have
faithfully done what you believed to be your du-
~, knowing well the fate which awaited you for
the conscientious expression of your opinion, in a
matter confded by the law 10 your sole discrc-
NsA, and deeply involving the public faith and
me public interest. II differed with You in
=, opinion you have expressed, l should still adj
mire the modest but manly firmness you have
manifested, under such circumstances; and should
siIil applaud that holy patriotism. which induced
YOU 10 prefer what you thought TO be the good Of
vour country, to all other considerations. But
coucurring with you, as do entirely, in each
and every one of the opinions you have amour
ccd as yours, although my admiration Of your
conduct may not be greater, yet the pleasure
felt IS much increased. The charge imputed to
you, is that you have preferred Rome TO Caesar,
J our country to yo,u friend. Such an accusation
IL n compliment the conviction and honor you
have well deserved; and whatever may be the
penalty of such supposed guilt, your own approx
ing conscience and the applaudng sympathy of
many Of your fellow citizens, must give to you
heartfelt consolation.
Although this is my own language, sir, yet
am very confident that il expresses truly the
feelings and opinions of those whose organ ann
WAC have seen pcrsonificd in you that proud in.
dependence ofthought and action they have been
accustomed to admire, and which they delight to
cherish, the sole means, under the protection
of Providence, by which our rights and liberties
csn be preserved.
bIost cordially, Sir, do unite with my fellow
citizens in offering you our best wishes for your
welfare and happiness, while you may remain in
the retirement to which you have been driven
because of the independent assertion Of your le-
gal rights. | am, Sir, very respectfully,
our most obd't servant,
LFTTLETON w. TAZEWELL.
TO MNLIAM j DIANE. ESQ