The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-08-17
Castle Hit, July Is, 80.

Gentlemen nave had the honor 10 receive youi
letter Of The 9th inst in which you inform me oi
your deputaion as a committee, on behalf OF many
Of my fellow citzens Of the county OF Louisa, 10
communicate TO me :" the high estimation in which
they are pleased TO hold my. recen, independent
course in the Senate of The United States"
need hardly say TO you, gentlemen, that this
spontaneous and generous expression Of the appro-
baton of my fellow citizens Of the county OF Louisa
is most grateful TO my feelings Happily, under our
republican system the sober and intelligent mass of
the people, nnagitated by the violence OF party pas
sions, and unseduced by selfish or ambitious views
constitute the tribunal of last resort 10 sit in udg
| ment on The conduct Of public men. and 10 decide
every question Of public concernment. However
1 regardless have been Of the clamor Of mere party
denuncalion, when il has been necessary to
ter 1t in the honest and conscientious discharge Of
| my duty TO my constituents and my country, have
never heard the real voice Of the people, whether
uttered in censure or in praise, but with sincere de-
ference and respect With this just sensbiy to the
opinion OF the great body Of my counrymen, the
sentiments you have been commissioned to express
to me in the name Of many Of my fellowcitizens of
Louisaa county SO long distinguished BY the purity
| and soundness Of It's republican principles-could
not but affect with lively satisfaction and call for
! my grateful Acknowledgements
In your condemnation OF the Sub-treasury scheme,
and in the high and over-rnling grounds of objec-
ton TO It, SO forcibly stated BY you entirely and
heartily concur. A scheme more directly calcula-
ted to increase the Executive power BY adding TO
It's already enormous resources of patronage and in
fuei ce--a project more iy adapted to organize, in
| the hands Of this Government, formidable money
| ed power, which would speedily invest itself with
the functions, and acquire the fearful predomnaDce
| of Colossal Treasury Bank-a measure in short,
in all It's aspects more hostile to the public liberty
the public morals, and the public prosperity or more
vitality at war with the jealous Republican princi-
pies OF '9S and 90, (Which ought 10 be peculiarly
dear to virginia. has never, in my humble judg-
mcnt, been presented for the consideiati Of the
American people. Such, you truly remark, were
he Wis IL cd If hv vhole
party, (wh The exception of single dissentient
only, so far as was KNOWN in 1884, when il was
brought forward under other political auspices
Seeing 70 think differently of the measure
in 1887, when, to the great surprise of many OF his
friends, It was espoused and earnestly recommended
By the present Chief Magistrate, had no alierna-
tive,.a an honest public servant, regarding the
great interests Of the country paramount to every
personal or party consideration, than to oppose it
with undated frmness.
This measure so Justly obnoxious TO the objec-
tons you have stated TO H. and so repeatedly and
decisivev repudiated by the solemn sense Of the
zion, is lit seems) sill 70 be pressed upon reluctant
people, until they shall be fatigned into compliance
"a vexaion, be II remembered, specially enumera-
ted in the list Of grievances and wrongs set forth in
the Declaration Of American Independence! The
President himself has recently entered the field of
political controversy in behalf Of his favore policy,
and has announced that "the period is rapidly APP
preaching" when all opposition to it, sustained now,
as he says only by pirate Interests and personal
considerations" will nnavoidably cease BY what
private interests and personal considerations The
Chief Magistrate supp the great body of tie
American people 10 be actuated in their opposition
TO his cherished scheme or by what appliances Their
opinions, founded on and matured by years OF g.
iberate and careful reflection are To be made, aat
once, unavoidably" TO cease, | know not bull
am greatly mistaken in the spirit and charactera
my countrymen II either Executive dctation or &
ecutive denunciaon, any more than Execute
Establishments can prevail on them to surrenderhe'
honest convictions Of their understandings to he
requisition Of power. / think l may answer or
you, gentlemen, that though most, If not all of ou
were ardent supporters of the Presidents eecpn,
no inducements Of that sort can operate on yot to
abandon opposition which, as freemen, II is yur
right, and patriots, II is your duty, TO make TO
every public measure which your judgments on
demn; and for myself, honored by your genenus
confidence, promise you that, whatever other In
diridpal Efforts may be discontinued" mine sail
never cease 10 be exerted with all the humble ati-
ty possess in every lawful and proper mode, sne-
ther in private or public life, TO arrest messire
which believe with you, 10 be fraught with The
most imminent hazards to the liberty and happiness
Of our common country.
Your kind invitation to meet you and those dmy
fellow-cizens whom you represent, al public Gin
ner to be given at Louisa Court House, accept
with pleasure; and understanding that some day in
the early part OF September will be rs convenient
and agreeable to my friends the day first Suggested
by YOU while Il will be more consistent with ar
engagements had already made for an exclusion OF
health and recreation, Tor some weeks, with my
faniyI await your discretion in the designation Of
any day You may think proper 10 fix in that month.
Accept, pray you, gentleman, for yourselves,
and be pl ,ased TO convey 70 those of my fellow c-
zens Of Louisa on whose behalf you act, with nv
cordial Acknowledgements of their kindness, the
sentiments OF sincere respect and esteem withWhich
am their and your most OBJ dient servant,
w. G. RIvES.
To Messrs. Pleasant Hackett, Joseph K penaleton,
John r. Quarles, Nath Mills, VIM f. Johnson,
Charles b. Hopkins, John Ellis. Bushrd W.
Branham, VIM. NJ. Amber, Daniel E. Hickman
--Committee, DC. DC.
| See the Presidents speech at Castle Garden, New
York; arid his letter TO committee at New York, IN