Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-22

he thinks that the language used by me- as rcportcd
IN The Wing, justGcs The charge made by him By my
Judged The gentleman has acted fairly, in giving am
extract OF that portion of my remarks which he relies
dcavor To show that he has not only misunderstood
meaning, but the design of the speaker Does he con-
tend that the annunciaon that certain Van Buren,
agents IN the West clcctioneering against MIR
Leigh because he opposed the white and favourcd the
mixed baslsand that the said agents represented To the
people that he had compared them to the negroes Of TIL
East could have the ctkc of exciting the Eastern people
against the people of the West and my constituents
Or rather, does IL prove that il my intention OK
cite such prciudccs; Might the people of the East
be told that the opponents Of Mr.. Leigh cectonecrcd
against him. in the West, the grounds above stated
without their becoming prcjndiccd against the Western
people Docs II follow, that because informed the Sc
nate that certain Van Buren, agents and ofccseck
were trying to defeat the election of MIR. Leigh for the
reasons above alluded to- that it my intention TO ex.
cite The local prcjudccs of any people against my
constituents Is il possible, that the statement
that Mr. Rivcs had been elcctionccred for in the West
upon the grounds that he in favor of the white and
against the mixed basis-and because he in favor of
the abolition of slavery, can be construed attempt
ON my part to excite the local preudiccs of the Eastern
people against the people of the West and my
shtuents! There would have been more plausibilty in
the charge, that ii my object to excite the local pre-
udiccs of Eastern virginia against Mr. Riyes only Yet
the gentleman would not have been justified in making
that charge because my language, fairly interpreted
would bear no such constructions and because had
prcssy stated that remarks intended for another
and different purpose But, suppose had intended to
excite the local preudccs of the East against MIR ives
does III follow that intended to excite them against the
people of the West The gentleman will not, suppose
contend that Mr. Rves interest is identified with the
West that cannot be- touched without producing
injury TO the other lie will find it difficult to make the
people of the West believe suppose that the friends
OF MIR. Rves would not be very DESTROYS of intoxicating
such an idea upon the people of the East No will
certainly contend that the by
people of the West would forsake Mr. Leigh if
he had fought for the West he did for the East the
late Convention attempt to excite the prejuccs
OF the East against the people of the Vest humby
conceive that my language, rs reported in the Wing,
would Justify any other conclusion that at
which the gentleman has arrived.
When first took my scat in the Senate, if any
had told me that before retired from that body, that
member would consider it his duty TO defend my
native West, from what he thought unjust assault
made upon it by me, would have said that he
mad man. Surely the gentleman has not well consider
ed the meaning of his words, when he charges me, with
attempting to excite the prcudices of Eastern Virginia
against the People of the West and my constitu-
ents; and with making unjust charge against the pco
pie with whom / was born raised and educated, and
with whom expect to die If the honor of the West
should be questioned by any, should any attempt
pie her interest under foot should the gentleman then
volunteer as her champion, he would find fighting
side by side with himno not side by side that may be
saying too much, would be found in the ranks
though it might be at an humble distance behind.
Please, gentlemen publish this letter in your paper
and trust it will be the last time that shall trouble
you this subject. Yours, respectfully,
DAVID McCOMAS