Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1834-02-01

your friend. Such an accusation il compliment; the
onve ION ana honor you have well deserved and whae-
er may De tue penalty oil such supposed guilt your own
approving consciencs aud the applaudug sympathy oil
many oil your fellow citizens, must give 10 you heartfelt
consolation.
Although this is my own language. SIR vet I am very
confident that expresses truly the feelings and opinions
d ose whose organ am; who have personiied in
YOU, that proud independence Of thought and action they
have been accustomed TO admire, which they delight
10 CHERISH as the sole Means under the protection OF Pro-
vdence by which our rights and liberties can be pre-
served.
Most cordially. sir, do unite with my fellow citizens
IN Offering you our best wishes your welfare and
you have been driven because of the
ton Of your legal rights.
am. Sir, very respectfully,
our most obedient servant,
~ w LlTrLETON w. TAZEwELL.
To VIM J. DUANE, Esq.
PHILADELpHIA, Jan. rs, 1884.
sir'- nave the honor TO acknowledge the receipt Of
your letter Oh The 9Th Instant nunicating to me, by
me desire oil the citizens Of Norfolk their thanks for my
conduct IN endeavoring o preserve the public Treasure
from the invasion Of the Federal Executive"
IL was IN the political school, in which Virginia had so
many eminent mea that taught, that the highest
human obligation Of public AGENT is duty his counry
so tsa' 20 receive The appobaion OF portion Of the
its most distinguished sons peculiarly grateful to my
heart Tor II satisfies me- that have srayed from the
path which has been abandoned by many others.
In Tree STATE the duty OF every citizen 10 watch
the conduct OF those who invested with power and
was consistent with your character do so, with
anxiety IN my case, under the circumstances which fol-
lowed my entry into Office. Out Of my State, had
occupied no station, in which might have had an oppor-
tunity to make known my principles; and enough, 1t
seems, known Of the of Others 70 arouse
the tears Of those who of human nature
and oil the Of the decline of republics Far from
regrettng that eyes competent TO
nize, fixed me, rejoice at supervision,
since indebted to for the lofty praise that you have
bestowed upon me- praise, which whilst it greatly
ceeds my merit, consoles under defamation as merci-
less as IL Is unmerited.
vi the extent OF my information, the soundness of
my Judgment, upon the questions i'm relation TO which l
differed IN opinion from The President does not
me to speak but in the pride Of TRUTH may say you
nave not over-raed the purity Of my motives the sim
eey OF my convictions; and err, in addng
further explanation must make this evident, il that
is possible 10 give further explanation many public
and private appeals have been made me,
at which ought not TO be surprised II had felt such
resentment, as the course pursued towards well
calculated 10 excite, would have long arraigned
The conduct OF others, and ged inquiry my
own: but believed, that indignation alone how
ever just, did not display Of ministerial trans
actions and, that the disclosures Of us
ally made under excitement not calculated create
respect for our institutions abroad confirm attachment
10 them at home Many grave questions were come
with my case, and was unwilling by any reference
TO them TO AFFORD pretcxt for saying that had inci
nation to affect the action OF Congress- besides the dsn-
clnaton to separate in feelings OF discomfort from friends
sui attached 10 the President, had repugnance, even
to repeal the blows Of one whom had so long
especially as considered him the victim Of unworthy in
huenees and unhappy passions. So confident, indeed
was OF the proprey Of my whilst in Office that
.
ed, would have preserved the silence which had i'm
posed upon myself eng retirement to private life The
tracts, from two letters, which were published without
my CONSENT there is Of resenme n much less of
nalignty, nor is there sentiment in them in relstion to
me Chiei Magistrate which am not ready 10 maintain
by fact and argument.
Ii may not, this occasion, advert 10 the Incl
dents OF my brief official career, il be due 10
you, That should not leave the subject wholly unnoced
The service which asked to perform seems not 10
be distinctly understood The official for
ing what refused 10 execute, donot embrace expana
ton which consider due to myself the people or
their representatives The true nature Of the service
required consisted, not in the removing
deposites but in removing them, from unwillngne
Congress, or TO resort eo the appro.
pirate agency Of the Judiciary upon questions
with the Bank OF the u Snotin the mere substitution nj
fiscal agent for another, but in exercising for penal
ends power given solely for conservative purposes
Hostile as was to the Bank, and willing was 10 inves
gate the transactions OF its officers in the strcies manner
in the Legitimate way, perceived that operation in
the scheme proposed, would beinconssten with my duty
as public agent, my principles citizen, and my
sympathies as man. And, although owing to my
friendship for the President and my anxiety TO be GER
tain that right, kept myself open 10 conviction still
my first impressions remained unchanged TO the end III
had thought proper to resign, might have received the
mission TO Russia the spontaneous assurance of the
Executive himsel5 bu, could favor change which
at variance with my duty, and which would have gve
scope for plausible not just reproach On the contrary
released, as finally was, from all obligation of decacy
by acts so wanoa as to have insult stamped upon
their front, determined SO lar it depended me-
preserve the public Treasure from the invasion of The
Federal Executive" by voluntarily reHnquishing its
guardianship conferred on me by the law.
Recurring TO the past find nothing my part TO re-
prove did not profess TO be courier, TO be free
from the influence OF feelings, which, perhaps become
private, rather than public life To the last moment
struggled TO believe, that the weapons with which was
ossaled, IN hands, and that they re en-
ployed not on account OF hostility my part which
existed towards the President was his
true end striving 10 Illustrate purpose injurious TO his
country and his ame and which successful could serve
those only who hold places that belonged to better men
Sir, u there ever man, associated with the Pre-
sident who had tonder desire than another win him
back TO the observance OF early professoDsto him TO
the performance, his part, OF what he had rec
eDded to one OF his predecssorsto aid him in increas
ing his fame by eevang the character of his county
abroad and recOucing his coun ymen each other al
home-humble as 1 may be, that was that per-
son. Whether msook the character of the Chief Ma
glsrate or he forgot hmself il is sufficient for me 10
know, that whilst apart from duty 10 the public had no
motive TO resist his WILL there every inducenent 10
retain his friendship. But much preferred his conf.
dence to heariles prescription, the loss Of it, dared
not do, what ii done, ought have deprived me of his
favor, and OF my own esteem.
That have the support Of your weighiy opinion not
only upon the main question: but Other points on which
my sentiments have been known, is a source OF sincere
pleasure 10 Ii Is possible, and barely that when
main question was first unexpectedly presented TO me-
may have expressed sentiment which YOU or some
OF your fellow citizens may not concur If so have
guarantee for literally in the wishes for my ellae and
happiness which you have eloqueBy and feeliDgly
expressed.
Those wishes accept with due sensibiHy; will che
existence; and until then shall 10 desire that
you and your follow citizens may have al the re wards
that are Derited by patriotic citizens and generous men
With the utmost respect. am, Sir,
Your obedent servant
W. J. DUANE.