Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-03-10
say. when Mr.. Riyes wa. ;rst elected 10 ~


every argument at that time 10 induce MIR. Witcher
to vote for Mr. Rves and that he endeavored in TO
overthrow MIR. WIS objections to him. IL would be
collected that MIR Rves charged with having
ten letter the subject of slavery, in which he advo-
Gated the emancipation Of our slaves. The gentleman
from Meckenbug addressed letter to- Mr.. r. upon the
SUBJECT and ~ the answer 10 that letter, MIR X decar-
ed that lie had merely stated that something ought 10
done in regard black population Ii aso appear.
Ell from paragraph IN the newspapers that MIR Rchic
to whom the letter of Ar X had been addressed de-
ciared, that he could not put his finger the lrlier
not liat he could not lind but that he could put
his hngcr upon IL: But that his recoecnns OF it were
about the those OF Mr. kves in the letter from
INN to The gentleman from hlccklenburg Again, it
will be recolieced, that MIR Kyrs said be- the
writer OF letter in favor of protective tariff which he
declared oil his in its favor Virginia
might soon require protection to her industry. II
known also that MIR Cabcll, the President of the
James River and kanaw TO- was a friend OF the tariff
and wrote pamphlet in its dricnce connected with that
PaphIei IN 'he form OF an appendix, was collection
OF letters, speeches. Nc, sustaining and enforcing the
tariff principle. And had frequently been told by gem
teu.n, IN whose veracy had perfect confidence, that
Mr. Rivcs had furnished that appendix IL was true that
Mr. X had made one speech IN Congress against the la
rih but MIR W. knew that he was an asprant Tor Office,
and that the practice too ioi public To
shape their course with apparent conformity the OPT.
mons OF the community from whom they hoped TO
ceive promotion, whatever their real sentiments
might be. Mr.. Rives knew that Virginia was opposed
To The tariff, aud that il necessary for him play
double gane, appearing TO hold ~ the opinions of the
state until he could revoluonize them These were
Mr. Wiicher . objections 10 MIR. Rives when he was
formerly candidate for the Senate; and 1 ask said
that period to recommend him my favor? Has sup
port OF the PROCLAMATION and other odous measures of
the Government, given him any additional title to my
confidence. MI W. here commented at some length
MIR. Rvess speech the rroclanaiion which Se said
had been much praised, and opposed certain principles
contained IN That speech The gentleman from Meek
enburg tells US, that ,r. L. has given best evidence
OF his fidelity the right of by resgning his
seat when lie could console nously obey This NAV
be- and may not Ii is true that he resigned but what
was his object in doing So II to- Weld TO the
will of the Legislature but aud against the
Loo In nnHe
know that other Senators have resigned order To repe-
nerate the Siate-and whether Mr. Rives resigned his
seat III obedience Ia the right of Instructions u
Ter oil policy IN order TO return and revolutonize the OPT
MONS OF the State easy be said MIR
w. never voted for him, and shall now believe
that lie Is ready TO do the bidding of the Legislature.
believe he is willing to accept this office, the mighty
risk which he must incur, yielding obcd.nc to the
instructions of this Legislature. let him 20 Let him
proceed upon his cxpungng Mission 10 be admired and
gazed at and pointed by the very boys
the Federal Metropolis; while they each other this
the resolutions OF the Senate | shall envy him.
Mr. Speaker, the distinction which he has acquired
the station which, u6drr such circumstances he will hive
been called upon 10 fill.
MIR. GREGORY read extract from Mr. Rives $ letter
resgning his seat in the Senate in which he states had
he been called upon by the Legislature To perform
cial Legislative act he would have obeyed; but :
specific act designated in the aud he
could not obey them unless the sacrifice of his
opinions, he resigned his Now, sir said MIR.
Gregory, l ask If ii is specific Legislative act,
which the General Assembly has instructed Sc
have been instructed 10 draw black lines around
luton and To write It's face aud surely If there is
any meaning in words, this constitutes Legislative act
IL would be amusing indeed to call the drawing oback
lines around record, act of cgslaon; IL it be
not such an act, will not the objection
Mr. Rves, in regard To these instructions, which pre-
ed hun from obeyng the instructions of 1852.
Mr. GARLAND of Mecklcnburg, rose exr!ain the
passage in MIR. Rivess letter read Nv Mr. Gregory
had the Legislature simply asked hun vote inr a
resolution r9s,~ng the deposes the Bank of the nit
ed States, he would have obeyed, dceing the comse
nt lln fl,,
his best exerons demanded the restoration oil
the dePoscs he could not obey because his opinion
IL involved violation oil the Constitution an uc of
moral iurpudo. Mr. q. believed that these MIR
Rivcss views.
MIR. POWELL asked the gentleman from Goochand
whether he intended To bring against te Journals the
House, the hare assertion OF William &. Hives in All
e'ssiloSssrng speech p"hIishsd IN the Enquirer
Mr. WArKIss said that the gentleinan from Loudoun
was something like the gentleman from Pitsylvania; II,
could not see is and he could that because
did not wish see. MIR W. would read TO the Hons
extract from speech Of Mr. Rives in which il would
be seen that he made most emphatic declaration o
his opinions on the subject Of instructions. MIR. w
81 know well, MIR. President" said he sand ,eel
how much honor and of satisfaction give up III anou
doning my seat on this floor. | abandon what 1 hay,
ever regarded the highest honor of my public lfe-al
honor, than which, higher in my opinion, can b,
presented To the ambition OF AN American CITIZEN sa
crltce social ana kindly relations with many member
oil tins body would fam hope with ait-which ha w
been the source of the highest satisfaction o me here
and the remembrance of which, shall cherish with sin
ccre pleasure, IN the retirement whittier 60 knov
and feel the weight of these sacrccs bui great as the
are, make them, without sigh, the ,ste en- attic
homage can render TO principle I6eiiopc eitIl To m
republican system anu indispensable the safe and sau
Jury Goti0n Of cur political Institutions"
MIR. w also read the following passage xplanatory OIL
Mr. RS vote:
although Mr. Rives voted for the motion of Mr. Chr
ringon in 1920 TO strike the instruct; on th
ground as this writer is well informed and the recor1
shewS, that by retaining H. under C of Nh
case 1T might be considered affirming auhurit,
OF the Legislature 10 command implicit aud unconditio
al obedience, an all cases oaeper
and TO the exclusion of the alternative OF resignation
even where the Representative believed the instruction
contrary TO his oath support the re
gardhg the controversy III fact dispute about words
and having dftodyS mantalned zeaousiy any one
the right Of Instruction in the full of It's yT0cica
efficiency, aud being decidedly friendly the matter
the resolution under considerations he cordially
It's original shape, including the instruct when MIR
Burlington motion to strike it out had failed.
Mr. WIrcngR asked when was this c K planaton give
where did II come romand what is the name Of it
author!
MIR WATKINS. Ii given by Mr.. Rives himself OF
the hustlhgs IA Goocland county, in the year ic2
years after the adoption Of the resolution on tie Mis-
sour Question IN acting upon which be Is accused
having voted against the right OF instructions IL is tn
same explanation then given, SAID Mr. w, for mysel
heard il.
MIR wIrcHLR asked if this report of the speech wa
fnade at the time SIR Watkins said il was lot
Then, ask the Clerk said Mr. Whether 20 bring th
Journal of lSl920 and read the resolution and the yoi
upon IT. Tor the report which the gentleman from Gooc
land has read made II years after the one ,na,
given two years before the delivery of the speech w
well know, said MIR W., the vigilance of the gentlcma
from GOocband and If the Journal would Ina We yyen
dcnce in his iayot would have been forthcoming