Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-05-18
TO TIE EDITORS OF III WIG

GentIenen-An article in your paper oil the 9Th INST,
under the Editorial head, has, in no small degree, excited
my establishment and r~egret-and but for the direct re-
ference made to me by name in the latter part of the or
tcle, should have been at u loss to know what "proml.
ncnt Wing was intended in the very urgent call made
by you Tor the disclosure OF his opinions. The express
SONS IN the hrst paragraph Of that article, are as follow:
"a prominent Wing has been named as likely to succeed
" Mr.. RIves, and the party at Washington have init
" mated their satisfaction with his nomination. 1t There.
" fore becomes the friends Of this gentleman at once TO
!" let HRS opinions be known without hesitation. The
" mere fact that his election can not only now be tole-
'' rated by the corrupt crew at Washington, but hailed
" with pleasure, renders 1t necessary that The public mind
I" should forthwith be dIsahused in relation TO the opinions
Is imputed TO him Now, cannot for a moment believe
that you designed me injury by the above paragraph, but
most certainly nothing could be better calculated to in
fict it. Ny opinions are not only doubtful, but imputa-
tons are made which render 1t necessary that the public
mind should be instantly d%isabused! Nor is this all
The Administration party at Washington are %clapping
then hands in an extacy of joy at my being named for
the Senate as the successor of Mr.. RIyes. Such is the
iir inference from the paTagraph-and yet ! readily &C.
quit you oil all improper motive in penning il, but will
ascrlbe it to the friendship which you declare TO be It's
Sole dictator.
You also place me in the position of q candidate for
the Senate, TO succeed MIR. KIYes. Now This is TO place
me, during the entire interval of time between this and
the meeting Of the Legislature, in no enyiable predica-
ment. In the first place, the thing is altogether unusual,
and would be, on my part, wholly unwurantable. The
Legislature will, in its own wisdom, select q suitable
person to represent the sovereignty Of The State in the
Senate of The United States. II is a matter entrusted
by the Constitution 10 The hands OF the Legislature, and
do not doubt that it will acquil itself Of lis duty in that
behalf as will best become it.
AS TO my opinions on The Sub.Treasury Bill. | might,
under the above views, we'll content myself with saying
cmphalicaliy - ask my constituents men who have
not blenclied when the storm was at the highest, and
have been firm in maintaining their faith through the
agltatlnns OF The last five years. j have, however, no
disposition 10 conceal my opinions on any po!iiIca! ques-
ton from the public, and therefore answer, that | am no
advocate OF the Sub Treasury Scheme, and that | re-
gard i, as but a continuation of that series of disastrous
measures which have plunged the country into its pre-
sent state of di.icuiiy and mbarrassment-tha | regard
i,as a part Of that system Of humbuggery which has been
played OF, but too successfully, for the last . years. say,
moreover, that upon all proper occasions, my opinions
have been frankly eApressed-lhat, if | have not pub.
lishsd them from the house.tops, | have been influenced
BY no selfish motive. Those around lDe, with whom ]
am in the habit Of exchanging political views, have all
along had knowledge Of them. The few correspondents
that have in Washington on public affairs, have long
since known them. Those correspondents are exclu-
siyeiy attached TO the party 10 which | belong.
An after paragraph in your paper speaks Of advances
made 10 "a prominent Wing. 1t you design me by
that remark, | utterly disclaim it. No such advances
have been made, and no Lures thrown out-and if the
Administration party at Washington rejoice at the pros,
pect Of my collection TO the Senate, your paper brings
ne the first intelligence Of tho fact } stand where i did
three years ago, and there | shall always stand. If that
party desires my election, !t Must arise from the appre-
hension that they cannot elect q man OF their own party,
and their preference for me, if felt, Of which am not
aware, arises solely out of a mere personal preference.
OF that, have no cause 10 complain-but of this, all Of
all parties may be assured, that | shall upon all subjects
think as q freeman, and shall always dare to act as such.
regret, gentlemen, tina, you, or either of you. had not
seen cause to address me in a private letter, requesting
me to remove any doubt as 10 my opinions, under which
YOU NAV have labored. 1t would have saved me from
the unpleasant alternative Of appearing in the public
prints. My apology to the public will be found in the
character Of your call.
Very respectfully,
Your obedieni servant,
JOHN TYLER.