Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1834-01-30

,ssars are addressed to me, requiring categ0ri-
ri answers to questions concerning my opin-
: :. IN a variety of political subjects some OF
iSn mere points Of policy, which have never
~ ~ acrasion TO examine, and on which, there
Sre I have no settled opinions. Yet these let
.ors are from persons really friendly to me; and
nast answer them--it is most painful to me
.hat I cannot, consistently with my motives OF
nronriety, give them the kind of answers they
reouire and expect.
Itis q to me most wonderful, that my friends
should be importuning me to make profession OF
nv POLITICAL principles and opinions, in direct
reference to this nomination of me for the Pres
idency---that they d0not perceive, that they are
playing into the hands of their opponents. There
have been employing every artlhce--loy taunts
concerning my obscurity, and by professions OF
good wishes towards me, +" ifI was only known
10 the nation at large"--"ifmy opinions were IN
derstood'')--to induce my friends to demand an
exposition of my faith: III decline to make 1t,
the commentary will be, that | am SO utterly UNI
known that my own friends are ignorant OF my
~political character, and yet / refuse explana-
fion even to them: If make it, then shall be
charged with openly acting the part of a candi-
date, electioneering and intriguing for the OF
fee, and degrading myself to promote my cleo
ton to it. The very purpose of -(glvlng
him credit for sense to know whathe was about)
was to betray my friends into these importuni-
ties--he could hardly have been silly enough to
suppose would give him an answerln the news
papers. Now, if were really ambitious OF the
Office of President which Heaven knows l am
not for / have not hope enough of il, to excite
or feed ambition--I should never be weak
enough to degrade myselfin order TO obtain it.
If "lowiiness is young ambitions ladder" then
Ihave either no ambition, ormy ambition, is not
uoyng. If the Presidency could be had for ask
ing, but not without asking, | would not ask it.
Mrs. Leigh is atthe Springs; and am here at
work about my own business, to which shall
stick resolutely.. A little relaxation would have
been agreeable as well as beneficial to me--but
had not time for it.
Ny best wishes to Mrs.--and all yours.
Your friend, B. w. LEIGH
Extract of a letter from B. W. Leigh, to a gen
heman Of Meckleaburg, dated June "a. 1888.
shave very decided opinions on all the sub
iects you neutrality-suspicious. formed long before
this nomination of me for the Presidency was
thought of which though Gas you justly remark)
my situation never made il necessary that they
should be publicly declared, yet | never con-
cealed. IF any gentleman of my acquaintance
had, Without reference TO Mis nomination, deslr-
ed to know those opinions, ! should have Civ
en- them to him, without the least hesitation, in
language as free as my thoughts; and to none
would | have given them more freely or more
readily than to you. But when / came to un-
derstand that this nomination was seriously de-
signed, | deliberately resolved not to have any
part or agency in it-not to say one word, not
to dc any act whatever, that could, directly or
indirectly, induce or tend to induce any indi-
vidual or any portion of my fellow-citiZens to
make the nomination, or If made, TO support
me for the Office. You will see, in the sequel,
that this is not an empty profession: the resolu-
ton is founded in a deep and solemn sense of
propriety, and shall be literally fulfilled. | am
nor a conAi1afo far tho nfioo. I AOuhf ubotbaV
any man, under any circumstances, ought to
present himself, or in any way wilfully to unite
with others in presenting him, as a candidate
for it. | feel that it would be the height OF pre-
sumption in me TO do so. acknowledge the
right ofany of my countrymen to put me In no
mination, if they think proper: and such a nomi-
nation will confer honor on me to which l can
not be insensible: but / shall, nevertheless, hold
myself perfectly free to support the election of
any other gentleman who may be nominated,
and whose election / shall think more for the
good of my country, and more feasible. And
if by a miracle (for it will be little short of one)
I should be elected to the presidency, | would
make sure of going into the Office unfettered by
any pledges, and as free as | should be deter
mined to pursue the great end of the general
good, according to my Judgment and the best
advice of the wisest and most virtuous men |
could summon to my assistance.
| can say, with most perfect sincerity, that,
~'NA OClO1C LilC ~ tllllOS u II 1ikO 0AfNAb-
ed me Gas they very early did) from the pur-
suit of political honors, in the widest and most
dreaming state of my ambition the presidency
was never, for a moment, within the scope of
my expectations, hopes or wishes; and beliepe
that | should now have no desire OF that
high station, if / were as sure that it is with
In my reach, as | ar that it is above it. 1t
is impossible, | should be elected to it, who
have borne so little part in public affairs, and
am so little known to the nation, that even my
fellow-citizens of M~ecklenburg county, Virgi-
MIA, are uniformed of my opinions on the most
Interesting political questions of the times! That
fact alone is enough to ascertain n to my own
mindrthat / cannot be elected-perhaps, another
would say, enough to prove that l ought not to
be selected. 1t would be unwise in me not to
Keep my mind perfectly uninterested in the at
fair"
Ertract of a letter from B. ". Leigh to a gen
uenean of Brusswick, dated August 8, 1888.
Let me assure you, that until my return from
South Carolina last spring, the thought had ne
yer crossed my mind, that should or could ever
De presented to my country, as a competitor for