Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-01-08
POE.ATACAE.

POEATACAE.
From the Petersburg COnsicllatiOn.l
a bet,ceen Ihos. p. atkinson, Henry Watkins
Wiuia'a Old and Daniel f. Slaughter, Of the Senate Of
Virginid and their Constituents.
MEssRs. EDIroRs 81 have been to the city twice du
ring the present session of the Legislature, and while
there, not very inattentvc observer of what
going and 1T may not be very unnerestng you to
have some Of my speculatons what Witnessed.
did not converse with but two of the gentlemen, and d
hear them say what they intended to do; consequent
ly, my conclusions have been fornod either ON
knowledge of their general characters politicians,
the Information obtained from such members were
most likely to be acquainted with Their feelings and de-
Examinations.
There was one other thing on which put some reli-
ance which will also mention In the hands of.difer-
members lists of members of both branches Of
the Legislature, and against some of the names
dotsagainst others, circiesand some had stars. OF
course, enquired what the meaning of these pri-
waite signs and told, that expressive of his
being Leigh mananother indicated preference for
Rves and that the third conveyed idea of doubt
what the member would ultimately do
On my way home it occurred to me, that there must
be much enjoyment in private life than there pos
sbly could be in public station like that occupied by
these gentlemen; and n order to enter completely into
their feelings and defence, supposed them before their
constituents, answering questions, and hearing the iudC
ments passed on them.
In the first place. brought DR. Wilkinson before his
constituents TO be catechsed, and considered him
dressed in the following Well, Doctor, you and
three of the Delegates from your district last winter
went for the most 6cr measures against the Admins
tration; for doing which, showed disappr
by turning out the Delegates That, however, did not
enable to extort from you promise to abandon your
opposition, and have put ourselves toitsetroube
OF nsructing you vote against MIR. Leigh Please
to come to the pont-wil you do it? Answer: | have
been very badly treated by "a Rustic" and others
in the district; but having admitted the right of the peo
pie to instruct their agents am, ofveourse, bound to
resgn or to obey and there is prospect Of eiectng
"Uhig, if l make n vacancy, must, however pain
fu it is to me, give the vote you desire.
Constituents decree heTeonYou have done much bet
ter for us Doctor, than most of the instructed have
done for their constituents for you have said ut home,
and had agency in violating the spirit of instructions
up to this time We shall indulge the hope that you
will take your seat the 29th inst and not only do
what you have promised but will aid instructing our
Senators in the Congress of the u S provide by law
for the sale keeping of the governmentdeposes in the
State Banks; and Also to instruct them aid Mr. Ben
ton in expunging from their journal the resolution of
censure which, evil moment, they adopted last win
ter (Sdnd aside
(Since Ibis tcas ,criaen DR.. H. has resigned.)
Mr.. Henry l.. Watkins makes his appearance and is
thus addressed Sir, we presya that you apprized
of the fact that Charlotte Prince Edward and Noitoway
firmly opposed the recollection of Mr. Leigh and
furthermore that Lunenburg is we'll balanced, as
10 be claimed by both parties Pray, sir, what will you
do
Gentlemen my situation is indeed disagrecable one,
and is very foreign from my wish inclination, TO be
the representative of people who divided and dis
satisfied Whilst admit to the ulletex the right of
the people to instruct their agcnJ must be permitted
say, with due Differences however, to their opinions
that the mode resorted to, is tIaught with danger
consequences But gentlemen, | think it
ceedingy questionable matter, whether the people of Pr
Edward and Nottoway are opposed to Mr. Legh It's
true that majority in each county did sign the
ton letters but they imposed and deceived by
the "1OrieS, aadI cannot you de6ntFcly,
because of the "hOHcSt WhigS" riding to the
people TO explain matters and prevail them
10 withdraw their will give yOu his assurance
however, that II these telling friends OF mine do not
succeed, will vacae my seat; for my conscience will
not permit me to do thing so highly improper as tSt
which you desire.
The PeOple.-We understand you very we'll Mr.. Wat
kins You mean that foofS and knaves who have
been engaged in this business. and you will Eiew with
great disirst the statements of those who
in Of
and will put the most implicit confidence G The
lions of the secret toDoHoTS who have been put in
tion by the 1aeire-SoOTers Richmond If they cannot
relieve YOU we arc to expect your resgnSto;ut ''Per
mt 10 say, moi for the you have assigned
the reat object would be- TO defeat the Will Of the people
IN the new election You think that fticnd OF yours,
of great worth and personal popularity may by great
activity the part Of his friends beat any Aduinstra-
tion candidate that be started Get out of the way
sir, and let try it.
Come up Mr. Old aud let us hear what YOU haveto say
for yourself CHESTERFIELD Petersburg and Amelia have
instructed you to vote against Mr.. Leigh. Will you re-
sign obey will you follow the example set you by
the New Jersey Senators in the Congress Of the H. 81
From what had geen in the newspapers prior 20 the
meeting ofOhe Legislature, supposed that there
majority against me- and continued at home poet
ing TO be officially informed OF hc fact, n whcl event
intended to resign. But the 9Th day Of the ses-
son between the hours of 10 and IL received by
press, information from my party in Richmond, 'thai
hat dayea public printer was 10 be elected and 81 wish
I'd fo.hayc Richie removed from Office then was the
auspeOus moment and had better get to my with
out delay As the distance short, not exceeding 80
t'h'Atat-t
an hour If the debate protiactcd, might get my
vote recorded against The old fellow. The effort was a
happy, but extremely taiigag for by running from
where left my toaniag sieed 10 the Senate Chamber
enabled 90 hear the Speaker say the Clerk, caH
the roH which he did soon that scarcely had breath
to aricuate the word 'Stepheyd As succeeded SO
weln this ,chig scheme, party much cmbolden-
ed end put heads together 10 sec how wc could
defeat the wdl Of The people and yet admit their right
20 instruct as.
In the town Of Petersburg, admit that 23I good and
legal voters have signed The Instructions and that the
Commissioner Of tic Revenue has certified 20 nc thai
fbe whole number Of votes in The town docs exceed
400. But have heard that an indivd1al who wishes
to vote for Mr. Leigh says there less than 500
in that place.
had supposed, too Til goto Richmond that Cbcs-
orfold did not contain than 80. hat Il am nov
assured by true Wigsas any Of the present day
that the county contains 1900 II tfue, that G27 IN
that county have joined in the insifucoas but they are
only the majority Of 1913 instead of 1900
In Amelia, there Is majority Of - against me bat
the means resorted TO- 70 obtain IT, were unfair and on
mature delibeIatiop, my own county (Powhsian) Is
very equally divided, shall Disregard your op6nons
and carry into effect ny wishes by voting for Mr. e0b
The Peopte-hr. Old you have hccn very candid with
us thus far, and think probable that no other mem
Der viii explain himself moro fully than you have done;
but we cannot let you of without answering one more