Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-12-17
UtGncSd1U. December l6.
ELECTION OF 4 COI;E(urIDP OF STATE


The int order Of tie day being for the election of
Councillor OF State for year from the 3ls Of March,
fill the vacancy to be occasioncd by the expiration Of
the Of service of Daniel A. Wilson, then taken
up, and motion OF Mr.. Sherrad, the House proceed
ed To the execution OF the jpint order.
Mr.. SHEMKARD said, while up, 1t gave hnI pleasure 10
present TO the notice of the House the Of Peter V
Daniel, Esq gentleman who had formerly filled the
station Of Councillor of Star, with honnr to himself and
eminent advantage to the Commonwealth Ii was
necessary for him u enter into detail OF the high quail
fcaons Of Mr.. d for this office, there few
beers OF the House wo not intimately acquainted
both with his public and private character He .G scrr
ed for many years in the Executive Council ana MIR. S
believed had given general satisfaction III the perform
of his official duties
Mr.. MrHDAuGm rose 10 put in nomination. Daniel A.
Wilson, the present incumbent. That gentleman had
been elected for three several terms and no objections
could be offered TO him On the contrary, he admit
ted all hands 10 be faithful and efficient officer of the
Gorernment,-and Mr. NJ. could not just grounds
which opposition could be raised against him. Mr..
NJ. felt himself placed in delicate situation in the
course which he taking, and lie would offer
brief explanation of the motives upon which he acted
The gentleman who had been nominated, had been
Councillor for any years 1t would be rccollected, that
last year the then dominant party r"ctcd Nh Daniel and
placed another individual in his place. On that coca.
SION Mr. NJ. opposed to that act, and urged many Of
his friends in the House 10 vote for Mr. Daniel. Having
warmly advocated tie election Ct Nh d. that occasion,
his conduct in now opposing him might &c considered
inconsistent. without the explanation which nc was
lvorng the election Of Mr.. D. 1t the last Session which
induced him support Mr.. Wilson. lie had uni
formly been opposed TO that system Of prescription
which sanctioned the turning out of Office individuals,
whether friends foes against hem fault was al
legged the of The performance flher public duties.
Mir W. opposed at lis last election. and Opposed by
gentleman much more c0ngcnal IN political sentiment
to Mr.. Murdaaghs feelings; but lie (Mr. N.Y. supported
Mr. Wand the gentleman who opposed MIR. Daniel,
last year, also preferable to him the ground Of poll
teal srnmen but he had disrcsadcd that coTsld ration.
He avcrse 10 the removal Of public officers, "n the
grounds Of their political opinions He saw many gen.
tclurn III The iuuse, who had cOncurred with him in
gard The election Of last year. when he had sustained
Mr.. Daniel, and when, had he been member of the
House. he would have given his vote for Mr. D.and he
reminded them that the principle which operated
in favor Of Mr. d. that occaSlon was rs powerful now
in the case Of Mr. Wilson-;ie principle, that faithful
officers oug not be elected from Office without good
causes being given for the act He had said thus much
in explanation and would await The remarks which those
opposed to Mr.. Wilson might offer.
MIR. PARKER did not intend TO take any part IN The
discussion this subject but there was one view OF The
matter which lie would draw the attention ofc House.
If this election before the people II would be me-
cessary to ask the question whether, surprising Mr. Dan.
rl were elected he would serve. And unless was une.
quvocalIy understood that he would serve he would not
be clcctedor If it was known that an individual so ST.
tua:cd was in expectation Of appointment TO another
Office which would prevent his serving, the peape
would undoubtedly their backs upon him. The cir
cuIslanccs in VIII Oh the Federal Judiciary placed,
were well known. The country had sustained 4 lpss
in the venerable Chief Of that Department, which
had Spread L general gloom over the land. IT
indeed severe and melancholy blow: But it
the dlspensation OF Providence, ana ought not TO
pine The vacancy occasoned by that distressing event
10 BE- filled. And who spoken Of as the
sor Of the late Chief Justice? Il said that MIR.
fancy was 10 be appointed. And who was TO take
The place Of Associate Justice Mr.. Parker under
stood that it 10 bc given 10 Il distinguished citizen
OF Virginiu-Phip P. Earbour-and if he nominal
ed he would be confirmed by the Senate. Who then
was to take the place of Judge BARBOUR 1t had been
announced that the nominee ofthe gentleman from Nor.
gan the And MIR. P asked, whether if they
elected Mr.. Daniel TO this Office any gentleman in the
House would guarantee that he would fill it, aud reject
any other Office which he mi CHI receive.
If there any doubt upon The subject, the
House our TO be informed OF it, in order that al
ter having elected Councillor, they should not be
called again at late period of the Session, TO
fill the oticc. This certainly question Of great
iniportance-and unless pledge was given that Mr..
Daniel would accrp the Office, his election ought 10 he
deprecated by ALL Mr.. p. called the friends Of Mr.
d. for information. They knew wrlI that his had
been announced for the scat OF Judge Barbour
Of his appointment 10 anuther staLIu-and those gen
tleulan ought clear themselves of the impulation Of
endeavorng to give to Mr.. d. office when i, was
prubahe he would he called to fiji another He ought
have prepared his friends TO This question, for
it could scarcely fail of being asked. Mr.. Daniel was
not Mr.. P.s favore lie should vote for him; but
he trusted there would be understanding which should
prevent the necessity of revivng the agiLaons OF an
election at late period of the session.
MIR. SnERRARD said that any interrogatories put to
him in respectful MANNER and from respectable quar-
ter he would answer with pleasure as far as 1t was IN
his power. He had had correspondence with the au
horities at Washington who might tender TO Mr. d.
public Office under the General Government-nor had
lie convcrsed with Mr. Daniel on the subject he did
not know what would be his course were an office ten
dered him. but be knew that on former occasions when
offices under The Federal Government had been offered
him, he had declined them. Whether ne would do
SO again. MIR. S. did know. The runos 10 which the
gentleman from Northampton had alluded, had reached