Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-10


but breaking 1t to our hope. Under this contracted
doctrine Of MIR. Leigh which would effectuay ow
to the feet Of own servants, what would become Of
those checks OH which even Rufus King and John JAY
and Alexander Hamilton descanled al the formation of
the Constitution? What control would the State Legis-
atures exercise their Senator'S if this heresy
to prevail None. Why, scarcely any Fedealist Of the
ancient school has gone further in relation 10 this
doctrine, than Mr. Leigh does And ye, this is the man,
who talks about vnd'catlng the Right Of Instruction
and the authority of the Laws " This is he who ,ru.
the author of the Report OF lol2! ~.
Nor his OF refusing obedience less offensive
the Legislature and the People What docs he say Of
these Instructions: " 1t nsructs to rxpunge that
which is there truly recorded! 1t nstrucls 'dc.
face, and in manner TO iasify apUbHc record" {" 1t
requires Of me- in record, jcsujtical equvocation
with my oath and conscience alt commands me to
cur dslonor, shame and guilt resign. 1t requires
to nAict.( lin his sense ofthngsr's vital blow upon
the Constitution of his country then he adds:
/" cannot shut my eyes against tEe truth-plain and
garing upon the face OF the transacLon-hat such in
ytructons not given me, eGt any expectation,
rieo perhaps acSh that should yield obedience
TO them There is, in TRUTH choice between the al
ternatives proposed to me; and believe, most undout
edly that Grsyned to lcurc me any chocc, that
the real and the only purpose Of the Instruction. lcaS to
compel me to rcsgn-'io mstrucne out Of my seat.
4gain--"If The General Assembly had any object at
heart pursued directly for its value, and not
means Of accomplishing by ndirrcton, other objects Pian
In unjust and Unconstitutional, &c " But regarding
the present instruction. mainly directed 10 the purpose
of forcing TO resign the trust win %hch the &c
neral Assembly has clothed me- in order that it may be
transferred into the hands of those who will carry into
execution the wishes and instructions Of the constituent
body'-which wishes and instructions think plainly
contrary TO The letter and spirit Of the Constitution; and
deeply convinced, as ain, that my resignation would
moro vitality affect the integrity of the Constitution than
implicit obedience TO the instructions, haze
therefore, come to resolution that cuHnc ought not,
und rM not resign"
Such is the language of menace and insult When is
addressed by Mr.. Leigh, Of The Senators OF Virginia,
her General Assembly in 1886. But, what did this
consistent politician say in 1884, because one OF
her Rpresc respectfully venured 10 doubt we-
Their The Legislature had expressed The sentiments ot the
People of Virginia, in their resolutions upon the Depo-
sites:
Extract of e Letter from 9ndrep SteuensoH to Gorcraor
Floyd, mot to the LcgisIaturs)
In receiving, however as do, the Resolutions OF the
General Assembly of my native State, with the high
spect that is due to them and giving to them the consde
ration they merit must be permitted 10 doubt, whether
they express the public voice Of Virginia; indeed think
it more than probable, Gf what learn be trnc that the
General Assembly have mistaken the opinions of The
people of the State, upon this important subject which
has arisen since its members elected, and in rela