Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1837-01-12
NO. SO.
POLITICAL.
Fro. IRE .aisrandria Gazette.

10 IHE EsDfION.
Sir:-My absence from the City Of
Washington on, . short visit 10 the
Country. has prevented me until This
morning. from noticing = paragraph
which appeared in your paper. the lid
ult.. hesded with my name. Your
whole article 10 written in 20 proper and
liberal spint. that feel Il my duty
to respond TO il. without reserve. IL
doubts or MISREPRESENTATION prevail in
relation TO my opinions on the two sub
jects mentioned by you, IL has not been
owing 10 any fault Of mine. for have
never been in the habit Of conccaline
either my opinions or imprsssions, on
any subject interesting 70 tho pubic;
although j do not think that any ono
can Justly accuse me Of being violent
political partizan.
In regard 10 the right Of Congress 10
abolish Slavery in The Dicirics Of Coium.
bia, whilst have felt no disposition 20
denounce those who admitted il in theo-
ny, but were determined 10 oppose Il NJ
decidedly in practice, rs IL their obiec-
tons to its egcrcise were constitution.
al ones my own settled conviction
has been that Congress possesses no
such right. As Representative Of the
State Of Virginia. my object viii be 10
prevent. as Ear a. possible. all agitation
Of this exciting subject; and, TO oppose.
to the utmost, the designs Of the Abo-
litionists to interfere with il IN any way
in the District or else where. under the
firm belief that our Union will be en-.
dangered. fthey receive. 10 any extent.
the countenance Of Congress.
In relation to the other subjects as 20
which you invite IN explanation Of my
views, have 10 say. thstii Mr.. Davtn-
port, Of Jefferson, in the debate on the
election Of Senator, expressed his be-
lief, from personal knowledge OF other
wise, that my opinions Of chartered
rights were coincidcnt With those Of
MIR. Dallas, he greatly misunderstood
them. In proof Of this. might refer
TO several letters written by me 10 diff
fcrent individuals, soon after Mr.. Dali
lass communication appeared, and 20
conversations held with oihera, a.
mongst whom I may mention Judge
Tucker, Of our Court Of Appeals. I
have never thought that convention.
any more than an ordinary Legislature.
could impair the obligation Of q con-
tract psOtected by the Constitution OF
the United States: nor have ] ever ex-
pressed any opinion concerning the
justice or legality Of the State Of Penn-
sylvania'S interfering with the charter
granted by il Ito the Bank Of the United
States. In point Of fact, I never read
that charter; know not how II was ob-
tanned, nor what has been ils operation.
for good or evil, upon the people Of
that State. But in speaking Of the ab-
stTact question ofthe inyioisbility OF all
charters, ] have more than once stated
q as my impression. that charter grant
ing privilegeTwhether banking OF CON-
mercisl, intended 70. public purposes.
as well as for tie benefit OF individual
stockholders. NIGH, be resumed BY sob
sequent legislation for reasons Of State
neccssltyi provided just compensation
was made 10 the persons affected by
the repeal. inclCding Of course. the re-
turn Of any bonus exacted. 10 other
words, I do not consider all chat. =
grading mere privileges, - sG'".ss
within the meaning - -~' , 1,Ssse !" 'He
Federal -.ssution, toTbidding any
cA-.S 20 pass law ''irppairing the OBJ
legation Of contracts. /" nor do believe
that so broad . proposition has ever
been established by tie decisions oflhe
Supreme Court Of the United States.
on which some rely TO maintain Il, OF
by any other. entitled 20 respect.
freely admit that the faith Of The Slaia
is virtually pledged to respect chartered
rights Of every description, so long as
che corporation acts within the scope Of
its authority. and the public good does
not manifestly sRd imPcTiousiy require
us privileges 10 cease; aud there are, Ia
my opinion. few cases which woaId
justify Legislature in resuming its
grant. But ithas appeared 70 me. that
10 contend there are NO such cases, sud
That Il 10 question foE ibe deCiaoA q
the Courts alone. is 10 place the ints-
rests, and even liberties Of people. lor
sn indefinite period. Al the rnefey q
au uniformed o. improyideni lsgisia-
t"t'f Ntttseat NatN fstaalotttty ~ AotH3ainE
redress. UadeF the guards snd re-
siueiions have Poiatea out, 1 eanuol
at present see that ibis docisias would
be unsafe on unreasonable. have BE-
LEVIED 4 10 be the doctrine of ihe Eng-
liah Whigs aud Of many espiaens
Statesmen. IN COR osn country. Who
are neither radicals nOE Jewellers, sos-
fIfned ~ tie practice q sesegsi - sha
State legislatures. Yet, ! coafass,
have never examined Il In ga its
BE- ,iiag with the cars 4 slefils. Sksuid
ever have oceslioa 90 act on 4 10 ang
capacity. and upon fuil eonesdafslioa,
hBd u 20 intcFfeFs With shs vested
rights r pfoPsEiy. ~ eth 80 ohiizn-
iioa q contracts. 40 olse Riu BE- mona
unwilling than myssh n sec 4 essab-
hshed % more readily relinqussh Ne ib1s
pIetsfpns noU entertain IN fesgest ~ q.
u ~ pa - yos vii psfetiys. ~. ny
ch1ctt in has bassF commuaitniion. g.
Do nefe ihsa - state fraokly snv fssi
seoiIueufs ~ relsiiun g. he stkiefss