The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-04-07

is that knowledge which has induced me 10 extend
TO this length the present letter So far from eschew-
ing an expression Of the opinion OF the Legislature
as TO the necessity and propriey ofan immediate re-
signation OF my seat here in consequence OF my IN.
ention 10 accept the Office of Councillor, II would
crafty me, If the Legislature differ with me as 70
the course proper for me TO pursue for that body 10
whose opinions and wishes will implicitly submit,
TO declare their sentiments.
beg you to do me the favor TO transmit this letter
to the Legislature and TO accept for yourself assur-
ances of the high respect with which
lam, very sincerely,
JOHN M PATTON
The above letter was laid by the Governor, before
the Legislature and that body, after consideration,
adopted the following resolution:
Resolved by the General Assembly That the Go
vernon BE- requested to notify John M Patton, Esq,
OF his election Councillor OF State To supply the
vacancy occasioned by the expiration OF the Term OF
service Of VIM H. Mcfarland, Esq, TO take effect
from and afler the 3lstof March last, and also to
inform him that this General Assembly expects, in
case of his acceptance of the appointment that he
will do with the least delay compatible with his
personal convenience.
We regret to learn that Mr.. Parton, feeling him
self called upon by the above resolution and the
notification of his election to the office mentioned,
will resign his seat in Congress- probably to-day.
Mr.. Pattons talents and position in Congress render
country at this important uncture. Subjects Of the
highest moment pending, in which his own constilu-
ents as well as the whole people of the country are
vitality interested, his experience and patriotism
will be sad loss His resignation is the more to be
regretted because his constituents must be left unre
presented at crisis when they can but feel most
deeply concerned
While upon this subject we cannot forbear to no
tice the unprinciped assault which was made on this
gentleman by the Globe Of Wednesday. That paper
is certainly an anomaly among government organs.
Not content with the office Of announcing the move
ments, doings DEGREES, &c. Of the administration,
explaining them, and arguing the various questions
that arise out of them before the people, it attempts
to DESTROY with the wanon ferocity of tiger every
body who will not acquiesce in lis desires, or sup
port the measures it recommends. Mr.. Patton is
not party man that is he will not blindly support
party measures that opposed to his own convic-
tons of right, and incompatible with the interests of
the country. This reason, added to the fact that he
did not vote for the Globe for Government printer,
furnishes, doubtless, clue to the amiable feelings
which the editor of that paper displayed in The fol-
lowing paragraph
1t seems this gentleman has listened to the
ties Of the Editor OF the National Inteigenccr the Bos-
ton Atlas and other organs devoted TO the Federal par
y and has, by letter, Informed the Legislature of Viz
GINA that by their leave he will hold his seat In Con-
gress and accept the Office Of Councillor, to which he
was recently elected. 1t is certainly violation Of the
spirit if not the express letter. of the Constitution, for
the person to he portion Of the State Erccntire,
and of the National Legislature at the time The
discharge OF the duties OF both places at the tme
impossible, aud the blending the powers Of both is in
compatible with the genius Of the State and General
Governments. But this is matter The Federal
party, TO whom Mr. PATTON owes his election,
nothing for Republican principles. Mr. PATTON can
serve them best in the House at this moment and
he dare not trust his constituents to elect another re-
preventative" ..-
This gentleman has listened to the entreaies of
organs devoted 10 the FEDERAL party" Was ever
ver ribaldry exhibited IL violation OF the Con-
stitution 10 hold an office under State Government,
and be member of the National Legislature at the
same time We fatty denyit. We defy the Globe,
by any article expression in the Constitution, TO
prove that such is the fact. 1t may be incompatible
with the constitution of Virginia-it may be impro-
per for the reasons the Globe has alleged. But that
" it is certainly violation Of the constitution"
meaning the Constitution of the United States, we
positively deny ..s. .a. .-#
But, says the Globe, " the federal party, to whom
Mr.. Patton owes his election, care nothing for Re-
publican principles" This is a reckless libel upon
the Commonwealth Of Virginia. It amounts to
charge of federalism upon the whole people of that
State Are they not fairly represented in their Lee
gislature1 Was not Mr.. Patton fairly elected by
that Legislature7 Yet Virginia, the very mother
Of Democracy, and Virginia people, care nothing
for Republican principlesr' We wonder if the peo-
pie of Virginia will not repay the administration
with increased affection, for being denounced
through its official organ" federalsts, because
their Legislature elected Mr.. Patton to the Executive
Council! '.
But the Globe is partial in its denunciatons II
Mr.. Patton is denounced for asking the will of his
Legislature in regard to the he should pursue,
why did not the Globe think to denounce the Hon.
Mr.. Beardsley, of New York, who was appointed At
torney General Of that State while member of Con-
gress, went 10 Albany, accepted and was qualified,
and returned to his seat in the House, which he
tanned several weeks in order TO vote on the North
Carolina contested election
But there wasa case Of more recent occurrence
Why did not the Globe assail Judge FARMER, accuse
him of violating the constitution, and of being sup
ported by federalists, because he was elected while
Senator of the United States TO the Virginia Court
of Appeals accepted the office, but remained in Con-
gress TO the end of the session. Did not Judge Par
kcr, like Mr.. Patton, write 10 Richmond for the pur
pose of aScerainng the wishes of his friends And
what did he say in his letter TO the Governor, writ
ten month after his eectionl
every important questions of great interest to Viz
ginia and to the whole South, were then depending
here, and the friends with whom consulted strongly
urged the Improperly Of such course, tresgnatonl
until ascerlaned at what time my successor could be
appointed then endeavored 10 ascertain, by writing
to several members of the Legislature in Richmond,
when that election would come protesting my readl-
ness to resign the moment received Information that
any member or members wished to bring it on, and IN
time to enable him them to offer the usual rcsolu
lion The answers received assured me that the Lee