Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-09-18
49,, FOR TIE ENQUIRER
TO LfTTLETON W.7LLER T.4ZEHELL,


TO LfTTLETON WALLER T:4zEHELL,
Governor Of Pirginia
SIR--Beiore the meeting of the next Assembly of
Virginia. particularly before the delivery of vour next
annual communication TO that Body, will submit few
pain Tree and independent observations and admonons
10 you Tor the benefit of reputation and
credit OF the renowned Commonwealth which you re-
present as its Chief Magistrate. Having but a very
slight personal acquaintance, and never any kind of
communication or Intercourse with you, can have
other knowledge of you, but that which is derived from
common repgte and the history of your public life and
character. These are before and the whole world
the property at least of counry-and there
fore have right TO scrutinzc and them Further
have nothing to do with and disclaim all private and
personal motives whatever in this notice of YOU
The office of Governor of Virginia, will freely adj
n Is most dependent He holds his trust not at
The will OF single despo Gas i'll inonarches but under
the VIII and discretion of the superior sovereign majesty
OF free aud enlightened people TO must sub
INIT II popular clamor and denuncialion come against
Nun, he must endeavor to elevate himself above them
by noble and patriotic trustworhincss, by mapnan.
inously Withdrawing from trust which lac cannot fully
sustain and dignity, that exats and dignfies him.
Among the twenty two Governors which Virginia has
pad from the commencement of the American Reyolu-
ton to the present day, (hough all worthy patriotic
menu THREE only have left single trace Of distinction
behind them, such that be red md point
ed out These three were Thomas Jefferson Thomas
Nelson, and VIM Is. Giles-an unfortunate trait our
Republican Peree;ions which calls for some further ex
plantations The fist of these (Alr Jeferson) was APP
pointed, believe, in l779 The succeeding years Of
ms administration formed one of the trying periods
OF that great struggle for national The whole
he
British and the Tories Gov. Jefferson fell under Sc
for his conduct or rather no conduct al
thattryng crisis-insomuch, that impeachment was
strongly spoken OF On the return OF the election for
that Office, alter his second year in had expired he
declined a nomination This was called dcscrton OF
ms post III Tune OF danger, which very much increased
the clamor against him.
In 1872 correspondence took place between him and
the writer OF tins articles who had been through his lat
Ter political career opposed to him. His letter still ex
lists in his own hand writing, and be seen by your
Excellency If desired In this letter the following
items in his own inimablc figuratye style: With re-
spect TO Impressions from any difference of opinions al
Iuded 10 III your letter, whether major or minor have
none l lett them all behind me OH quitting Washing
ton; where alone the state OF things had till then
required some attention 10 them Nor was that the
lightest part OF the load was then dsbur,lened Of
And could permit myself 10 believe that with the
taken place in the minds Of those who filtered from me-
and that now stand in the peace and good will my
feilowcitizens generally it would indeed be sweeten.
ing Ingredient in the remaining drcgs of life"
Then, after adveriing copiously 10 circumstances
OF his administration Governor of Virginia known
only 70 hmsoii and The present writer he says "The
Assembly had adjourned to meet at Charlottesville
where at The expiration of my second year, declined
reelection, IN the belief that military would be
more likely to render services adequate the
OF the times Here then, stretch of phtriosm
sedevotion-n self.inmolaton on the altar of pub-
lie good that surpassed the sefdecidng vote
Of Anstldesnay, even equal to any of the other supe-
rior acts of Thomas Jefferson himself!
On this selt-sacrifce-this voluntary retirement from
hgh ohce, In that purer day of
Ihos Nelson, well understood TO be the military man
most key TO render services adequate to the exgences
othe times, belicve) unanimous by elected Cover
nor 10 attempt to remind those who lived that day.
OF tie merits and services of that DISTINGUISHED reyou
onay character, would be work of perfect
ton; but to the rising generation may be useful sti-
mulatng spur of emulatIOn Invested with all the poiti-
cal and military powers of our State Governme
sessed OF prncely fortune of his owngreat personal
poPuarityand an unbounded credit in ali pecunary af
iairshe diverted all such powerful from all private
personal, and selfish uses into the pure current Of his
country glorious cause Making heavy drafts on the mill
tie, and heading them HIMSELF he aided Lafayette ma
,eIiy ia eNpelnng tne enemy from the upper, tic
lower parts of Virginia. BY heavy and even Illegal
forced drafts of supplies for the support own and
allied armies (without council OF adviscrs) he only
drew together ample supplies for that necessary and in
dspensabie part OF the cause, but he curlacd re-
strcted the enemy his own scanty means bv ports
ions leil on hand BY such means the siege of York
was carried on and accomplished. SO that II Washing
ton may be considered the great head Of
Inent, and finishing of the Revolution, Nelson surely
ranks second only 10 that ustTiOus in such com.
plelion :!
With respect to VIM b. Giles the third Governor
have distinguished as above, confess, commenced my
acquaintance with him. under the very strongest prcu-
does aud diskes for his bitter and npacabe hosties
and hatred towards Generals Washington aud Hamilton
But fortunately, he preserved live down those
bitter party anmosities. lie became from violent and
thoroughgong party politician, mild, liberal, concila-
toIy ana dgnihed Statesman; and amsbe and inter-
estng TO all who favored with his acquaintance as
he was powerful and Irresistible in debate But what
distinguished him most in his official capacity Cover.
nor, was tie prompt correct, and decided part he took
IN the wicked schemes that again foot and are
ogauDg disturbing and threatening the peace and safety
OF our whole country alludc TO the subject Of iminc.
diae, general and absolute abolition Of slavery in the
States This was stirred doring his Administration as
SoyernoT-by incendiary publications sent from the
North Governor Giles met and repealed them, TO the
utmost that lac could, as It was his duty TO do.
This subject and Notification, though in the hands Of
persons IN the exact opposite from each other
on the two topics to wit the first in the hands Of the re-
gious fanatics 10 the North and few concealed incen
diaries clsewheTej aud the last, the hands of the poll
tcai madmen TO the South-are working together and
aiding each other, QhOug from very different Causes
70 the same unholy endshat is, the immediate disco
luton OF the Union, and the total destruction Of our
blessed Government and yet, there is incon-
ssency IN this than the heterogeneous motley par
ties mixing and uniting TO cut each others throats in tile
similar unhoy scramble for other objects
YOU SIR are counted in Of those classcs the "Nu-
liners, but do not believe suspect you Of be-
ing OF the other the "Aboitonists" against your own
extensive interest shoh heord goa ME most
iRaUercnt aOout If all HDinQi Notwithstanding you
have not given that prompt, clear and efficient opposi-
ton TO them that Gov. Giles did, and your duties inn.
penousy required, though such proof IS infinitely
called Tor H''o ~ thc still m'rc aggravated state Of the