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


overthrow Mr. VS. objections 10 him: 1t would be re-
collected. that MIR. Rivcs charged with having writ
"n letter on the subject of slavery, in which ne adVo
GATED tne emancipation of our slaves The gentleman
from mecktnburg addressed letter TO Mr. K upon the
subject, and IN the answer 10 thai letter. Mr. r. drcar
Cd That he had merely stated that something ought be
done III regard IL nu black pnJua"n Il also appear
ed from aIrnnh in the newsuaprs thu, MIR Richie
TO whom tho letter al Mr.. r. had been addressed de.
clarcd that he could not put his finger on the letter
moi that le could nut find lt-bu that he cnuld not mt
his finger upon IL But that his rrcorcliuns of il were
about the those Of Mr. iives in the letter from
him the gentleman from MrckIrnburs Again i,
will be recollrctcd, that Mir. Rvrs said to be the
writer Oft letter in favor Ut protective tariff i'm which he
declared of his reasons III It's favor that Firuinu
mig rt require protection to her industry. 1t
known also that MIR. Cabrl: the President OF the
James River and kanawl Co., was friend Of the tariff
and wrote pamphlet in its Defence connected with that
pampilet in the form u All appendix, was collection
OF letters speeches, &c, sustaining and enforcing tile
tariff pnc r And lad frequently been told by gem
trmcn: in whose veracity had perfect confidence, tina:
Mr. Rlvcs had furnished that appendix IL was true that
Mr.. r. had made speech in Congress against the Ia
rl, but Mr. " knew that he aSpirant Tor Office,
and that the practice was Too common tor public men to
shape their course with apparent conformity to the OPT
Mons Of the community from whom they hoped 10
crI"c promotion, whatever their own real sentiments
might be. MIR. Ryrs knew That Virginia was opposed
to the tariff: and that il necessary for him to play
double game appearing hold to The opinions oil the
State until he could revoulionze them. These were
MIR. Witchers oljc 10 MIR. Rires when lie was
formerly candidate for the Senate and ask, said
MIR. Witclcr, whether he mas done any thing since
that period to recommend him to my favor Has his sup
port OF the Proclamation and other odous OF
the Government, given him any additional te 10 my
confidence: Mr.. W. here commented at some length ON
Mr. Rlvess speech on the Proclamation, which he said
had been much praised, and opposed uin prnc pies
contained IN that speech. The gentleman from Neck
enburg tells U.s. that Mr. R. has given the best evidence
OF his fidelity 10 the rig ht Of instruction, by esignng his
seat when he could not conscenlouSly obey. This may
hR amin . fl,ub hal
was his object in doing so? 1t was not to yield to the
will vi the Legislature; but to return and against the
Legislature, and carry his views with The people, We
know that other Senators have resigned in order regc
nerae the Slate-and whether Mr. Rves resigned his
scat i'll uhrtcncc TO The right Of Instructions
ter I'll policy III order to return and rcvolutonize the OPT
Mons OF the State, is not easy BIZ ascerancd said MI
w. never voted for him, and shall not believe
that he is ready 10 do the bidding Of the Legislature
believe he is willing To accept this Office at the mighty
risk which lie must incur, i'll yielding obedience TO the
instructions Of this legislature Let him 20. Let him
proceed upon his cxpung ing Mission 10 be admired and
gazed a and pointed al by the very boys the streets Of
the Federal Metropolis; while they say each other this
is the who has here draw black lines around
the resolutions OF the Senate | shall not envy him,
Mr. speaker the distinction which he has acquired,
the station which, under such circumstances he will have
been called upon To I'LL.
Mr. GREGORY read extract from Mr. Rivcs's letter
resignng his in the Senate, in which he states had
c been called upon by the Legislature to perform spc
clal Legislative act, he would have ODE yed but 10
specific act was designated in the Instructions, and he
could no. obey them unless at the sacrifice of his
opinions, he resigned his seat. NV, sir, said Mr..
Gregory, | ask # it is specific legislative act
which the General Assembly has instructed our ST.
majors 10 pernrm by the Expunginy nsoluons' They
have been instructed to draw black lines around
luton and Ia write across lis face and surely If there is
any meaning in words, this Constitutes legislative act
1t would br amusing indeed 10 call the drawing otbllck
lines around record, act Of gisaton; and ii it be
not such All act, will not the objection to
hirl
ed him from, oDeying the instructions Of lc32.
Mr.. GARLAND of MecklrnburL, TO explain the
passage III MIR. Rivess letter read by MIR. Gregory
Had the Legislature simply asked hun to for
resolution restoring the drposltes 10 the Bank Of the Unit
ed States, he would have obcycd, deening The
quencrs VI The act to rest the Legislature; but when
his "brs excrtlons were demanded iur the restoration oi
the drluscs, he could obey, bee USE mis- opinion,
il involved violation of the Constitution and act Of
moral turpitude. MIR. &. believed tia. these MIR.
Rivcss views.
MIR. PowrLr asked the gentleman from Goochland,
whether he INTENDED to bring against the Journals Of the
House. the bare assertion OF Wilium C!Rivcs in an
eIectionccrng speech published i'll the Enquirer.
Fir. WATKINS said that the gentleman from l.oudoun
was something like the gentleman tum Pttsy vuna; lie
could not lhS and he could not That, bcca.se he
did not wish to Mr. w. would read to the House
extract from speech of Mr. Rivss in which il would
be seen that lie made mos. emphatic declaration Of
his opinions ON the subject vi instructions. Mr.. ".
then read as follows:
81 know well, Mr.. PRESIDENT said he 'anI I 1eel
how much honor aud Of satisfaction give up IN ahau
donng my scat OH this tuar. | abandon what have
ever regarded the highest honor Of my public hEr-an
honor than which, higher, il my opinion can Le
presented To the ambition o an American citizen. Sd.
crilicc social and kindly relations with Iuuny rrt:Lr.
of this body-l would fam hope with uN-wh ich lave
been the Of tho highest satisfaction ne here,
und the remembrance Of which, shall cherish with sin.
pleasure, in the retirement whittier e." | know
and feel the weight Of these sacrifices; but great they
are make them without sigh, Us the III IS; emphatic
tn a HcIuiel GgIge ,fIIf tc
Republican, system: and indispensable IL The s9t: and $a
taryactiOn o. our pUlitIcal instuttOnS.'
MIR. w. also read the following passage explanatory of
MIR. RS vote
rngton in 1920, 10 strike out the word Instruct;
ground, this writer is well informed and the record
sews, that by retaining II, under tie circumstances Of the
case, it might be considered affirming the authority
Of the Legislature 10 command implicit and uneonditi0n
III obedience, IN a cases rchacEtr constitutional other,
and 10 the exclusion Of the alternative OF resignation,
where the Representative believed the instruction
contrary To his oath To support the ConsiItution-yc
gardng the controversy in fact dispute about words,
and having a'Grays maintained, zralously any one,
the right u Instruction in the full scope Vi practical
efficiency and being decidedly friendly the ulatter Of
the resolution under consideration, h. cordially voted for
il It's original shape, including the instruct when Mr.
Darlington $ motion ~ strike it out had failed.
Mr.. WIrcHER asked when was this explanation given
-wic.r did it come from what is the na,ue Of its
author?
Mr.. WATKINS. 1t given by Mr. Rves himself on
the husngs in Goochand county, in the year ie22 Two
years after the adoption Of the resolution the Mis-.
souri, Question in acting upon which c is accused of
having voted against the right Of instruction. 1t is the
explanation then wen, said MIR. W. for myself
heard it.
MIR. WITcHER asked if this report of the speech
made at the time: VIZ. WArKiss said it was Loi,l
Then, ask the Clerk, said Mr. Witchcr, bring the
Journal OF lSl92D and read the resolution the vote
upon it, Tor the report which The genernan from, G1och
land has read made II years after the made
the huS!ings in Goochland, 10 explain away vote
given two Yeas before the delivery OF the speech. We
we'll know, said Mr.. w., the vigilance of the gentleman