Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1838-11-13

IISS
Dslssd e . pubic dime gisen ~ q
as Gu 81 he e. slans
Mr.. President and FeIlo Citizens:
respond q your inc Wi.h sent.
menia Of The niost sincere qualification.
After laboriotis exellion ID the service Of
the state, i s peculiarly grateful p my
feelings "a meet with my Old friends and
companions, whose regard FOR me am
proud 70 believe, originates from 9 higher
source than mere political association.
You have known me long and wen, and
your appreciation bears upon i the stamp
Of genuine sincerity. receive il as ster.
Ing coin and appreciate lis value. The
honest love which I know YOU entertain
for me as an individual would not ex-
change fer the highest political honors--
still 4 am pleased that my course as a rep
resentatige Of ihe state meets with your
assent; for thoughin The performance ofa
public duty,l hold my own conscience as d
tribunal Of the highest and last resort,
YET / am not less anxious trust, than 9th.
ers, to obtain the sanction Of good mems o.
pinions II support Of my own conclusions.
Under ordinary circumstances would not
allude to political subjects; but rather IL.
dulge IN the Renaissance which even now
crowd upon my mind ,ot the happy occas-
ions, which have often Heretofore united Us
around the festive board. The mis-repre.
sensations however, which have been
made Of nay course and opinions render
it my duty to say something in regard to
both and shall crave your indulgence IN
embracing the present opportunity for that
purpose. I had supposed that my senti-
nents upon the leading political topics Of
the day had been so repeats iy-so open
ly-and 50 caEdidly expressed as to leave
no room for doubt OF cayil; yet, though
have uniformly and to the best of my abil
ity advocated the principles upon which ]
placed myself before the people, ! find
| myseifthe subject of the most IN measured
abuse, represented as hostile to the inter-
ests of the stale, and united with those
who look with an evil eye upon her pros.
perity. AS apublic man, / feel bound 70
answer all charges, which are OF a nature
to affect.m relations with the people, and
| have not the slightest wish to avoid the
responsibility Of any Of my acts or opinin.
ions.
Il The FIRST duty which I felt il incumbeni
upon me to perform, after the instruction
Of the people in April last, was to obtaiI
for the state Of Mississippi her constitu
tional right, of being represented BY vIrtul
Of her constitutional election. bis Figh
had been grossly and as ] believe wick
edly violated BY the House Of Represen
tatives, in their decision denying the YAH
dity Of the regular election held 10 thi
state u November kst. ] succeeded Il
my Object claimed my seat and took ]
under the November election, and trust
shall yet live to receive the thanks Of M
political opponents in the state Of dIississ
ippi for saving them from thedegrading re
fections Of having sold the common brit
fright ofall her citizens for mess Of po
lticol postage Had tl.ey succeeded, thI
state would have been, aye, and deserved
to have been, mock and q bye-word a
mong all her sisters.
The next subject of deep interest TO th
stale vas the e.emption.law; this warm
/ IL supported and but for the exertlon
ofmyself and colleague, itwould have pas
E sci ina shape wholly useless to this state
4 It IS well known that the Cnoctaw pnrcE
: use IS the only portion Of the state actual
interested IN such law. lust as the b
0 was about to pass. the coynmittee on Ind
t an affairs. offered az amendment. exclnd
S ing the whole Choctaw country from Il
3 operations. Notwithstanding the war;
opposition Of myself and colleague, this {
d mendment carried. then moved whe
/! the Bill was upon IS final passage, It's X
4 commitment, with instruction to strike o.
b this amendment of the Indian commitie
s and to insert one which ] had prepare
and which now constitutes, the last. SCI
/ hon, Ibelieye oftbe bin, preserving II
I. rights of the settlers and Of the same tim
p authorising the President to reserve Ian
Z not subject q pre-. aption, sufficient 70 sati'
8 fvfhe claims of he Indians. The Hous
refused my motion then handed i
Judge White 0f the Senate, who obtaine
IS its adoption there, which was aiterwarg
& agreed to ~ the House, Without this a
8 ton tie settlers 81 the Choctaw purchal
Is woul not have been entitled TO any pr
s enption whatever twithslandin th
Is perceive, that this very motion ofmiI
a TO recommit. has been. ~ the menJacii
]. Of ignorance Of The party press @ @
state charged again me IS proctor q
hosfilitv Is the rights Of tie settlers
rasIseset,4s