Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-02-28
THE pUBLIC NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.

THE PUBLIC MEETING-YrsrxnDAY
PETERSBURG, Feb. 26-Thc meeting of the friends OF
the Administration at the Court House Yesterday eve
ming for the purpose of selecting candidate to repre-
sent them in the next Legislature was the largest and
most imposing have assembled in Peters
burg we VIII not hazard statement of the numbers
or the responsibility of those who composed it: We
checriuy resign that task cannot
but do us, as doubtless they WILL ample Justice ON the
subject When. the adoption of tn. 9TH resolution.
CAPT Branch rose and announced that by their owl,
act, and not by hiss, he had been made the subi ct of
their will that he yielded matter of necessity and
not oil choice to an impulse which in itself rcsstless
the cheering and plaudits of the onriang
character. Never did witness more interesting
scene. 1t triumph of the people-a enforcement
of and display Of the majesty Of their powcra pow-
er, before which all conending opposition must Weld
obedience, or be crushed by its weight. Towards the
close OF the proceedings, the meeting having been APP
prised OF the presence Of John w. Nash Esq. cal-
diate fer seat i'll the Senate, in opposition MIR Old
he was requested to address those voters present
PLANTATION OF his views several points OF public policy
Mr.. Nash promptly complied with the request; but we
are unable to make particular ausion the subject Of
MS rcnaI sths morning -Consteliation.
AT large and respectable meeting of the friends of
the Administration in Petersburg held Courthouse
Wednesday evening the 25th inst according 10 pre-.
vous notice. for the purpose of selecting suitable
didae to represent them in The next Legislature; CiAS
r. OSBORNE, was called to the Chair and II. RAlxrs
appointed Secretary The Chairman explained in fer
e6e and appropriate manner the object of the meeting
Col Daniel C. Butts then arose, and in an eloquent
speech, addressep the meeting the importance o the
present political crisis, and the necessity Of being pre-
pared to meet it, and concluded by recommending 10 the
| meeting, Tor Their consideration the following
PREAMBLE REsoLurIoHs-
UheredS, a majority of the Members of the present
Legislature of Virginia, have elected Senator of the
United States for six years. from the 9TH day of March
next ensuing; and whereas the reelection Of said Sen
ator is confidently believed have been made i'm oppo-
siton to the Will and desire of large majority of the
good people of this Commonwealth. and only effected
through denial of the Right of Instruction by some;
an evasion Of the practical exercise of that right under
various pretexts and prcenccs by others; and by an
adrot avoidance of the same through the aid of strata
gem and misrepresentation by the remainder of the in
structed members And whereas, it is the privilege eff
the constituency protest against, and acau:cs
cence in, act of the Representatives committed in
disregard of their opinions and iii also their solemn
aud obligatory duty vindcae their rights whenever
voated to redress their grievances whenever imposed
ana to express their opinions whenever required BE
l. Rcsorcd That this meeting composed of a portion
OF the legally qualified voters OF Petersburg, who are
members OF the Republican party, advocating and
talnlg the doctrines of the great Democratic family of
tins Union do declare that the election of the Senator
by the present Legislature of Virginia was an act in
violation of our will, asccrtaned and made known
through the medium of written Instructions John
Thompson Brown, Esq, Delegate in the Assembly
2 Resolred, That the right of the People to instruct
their representatives and control their ocal actions
is an ahercut principle in republican form of gov
cTnmcnt as sacred and important as the elective iran
B. Resotred, That the People as the original source
and fountain OF all political power, have the undoabtcd
authority, to select their own time and thod for
ins'r1cting their Public Agents. and that those Agents
are bound TO render implicit obedience such insfruc
tons whenever, and in whatever form made known
them
a. Resored, That the means resortcd TO by portion
OF the recently instructed members of theAlrginia
Legislature to avoid giving expression TO the ,yiilo
their constituents by estnatng those who had not
signed tc instruction papers asyeng opposed TO their
OBJECT and by swelling the number Of voters beyond
their Just limits and unfairly REDUCING the st Of
ned sgners san attack the of the Right of
instruction, more responsible and dangerous because
more deceptive and insidous than the open denial of
D. ReSoteed, That the Speech of the Dclceaie from
re'ershurg delivered on the 2th Of January last the
virginia legislature concusvely proves that he has re-
ouhceu an support OF The present patriotic Admnistga
ton, and that he has fully identified himself with The on
posllona party composed of those discrcpan and dis
1ifers
g. Resolscd, Thai this meeting views with regret
portion oil The political course of the Delegate from Pc
esourg during the present session of the Legislature
ana that At cannot withhold the expression OF dsappro.
oeon OF his conduct, the declaration Of prtoss
oil those assembled here, seek that redress which s
guaranteed to them by the Constitution and which il
ever to he found by elective Freemen at the Polls
:. hesoeed, la crisis as extraordinary trying and
important as the present; crisis, which decide for
years II not forever, The political character of Virrnia
Crisis; which IS to redeem her from the traldom of
Bank, Federal, and Notification influence or coo.,,
her indefinitely, to the bondage oftheir chanstat No
PATRlOI ought to resist the call his ieIo,ycitizens
them ia the Public Councils but should cheer
uy and nnhesatingy buckle his political armour
sacrihcc Tor time, all private and personal constcr
uons Ter The good Of his country, and enttle himself TO-
as would receive, pie reward for bis
IN the conscious reflection of having faithfully dis.
charged his duty and in the respect regard he would
| WIN from those ne had served
:. HeSoircd That the voters CONFUSING tl,is roectn,
having Inboundcd confidence in the integrity patriot
ISM ana pure Republican principles of their intelligent
and highly esteemed fellow-citizen Cnpt David n
Branch, hereby nominate him as suitable person to re-
present them in the next session of the Legislature and
pledge themselves not only support him. but 10 use all
1 honorable means to ensure his election.
when first offered, blank for the reception Of the
nanc was lett in the above resolution: A motion be-
ng made add seconded, TO fill it with that of Cnpt ID
"a. Branch-tiat gentleman being present, arose and
addressed the meeting in substance as follows:
| acknowledging The high and gratifying compliment
winch mad been paid him by his fellow zens on for
lner occasion, when he voluntary candidate for
hcr suhages, and received their hearty support Cant
expressed the proud recollection and warm fccljn az
gratitude he still cherished for that manifestation oftIor
confidence and esteem and begged leave TO tender in
addition the assurance of the deep obligations he wasf
ger Tor the renewed evidence which had just been ex
Oed mat he still held prominent place in the hearts
OF thusc around him. The appeal made him (said Capt
~ on TINS cccasiou had been most
spouse to 1t IN the affirmative circumstanccd as he stood
and for reasons which he had thought were distinctly and
satisfactorily get forth in letter bcfo the public would
DC most painful TO his feelings Unapprsed he was
up 70 mat moment, (said Capt b. that his friends still
regarded as consonant with Ills convenience serve
them IN public capacity, he had attended the meetne
TO cooperate with his lcow-ctzens in the object which
heartily and entirely Of that object with the sinoc X
cepion of the connection Of his with il; against
which, considerations Of the highest ard In his y9, Of
The most obligatory naCrc, obliged him again To Dyoffs
lie respectfully begged therefore, that his friends and
icllow-citzens, would estimate the REGULARITY Of Ills
situation, and select from the many Of those bv whom
ne was surrounded, some one, whose convenience il