Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1839-05-09
and these offers. however flatiering. were
respectfully declined.

e''o'"s" "D ioi'y aspirations winch nave
been graiuitonsly ascribcd 10 me by some.
and were capable Of weighing Ior mo.
ment. the rsl,ry interests Of that ambition
against the Interests Of my country. how
could have more clreciually promoted
us selfish aims. than by continuing 10 act
with the numerous and powerful party
which then supported the administration,
and which formed nj that time an admit
Ted majority Of the people of the L. y,
had been associated with that party in
some OF is vital and impor,an, struggles.
IN defence, rs Ibelieved, ofiibcriv. union.
and the best Interests of the nation; and
The tauni' which SIRE now daily addressed
10 me of tho bright prospects have
forfeited" by my Impoli,ic ob.!inacy.
would seem TO authorize tho conclus,on
that enjoyed, at least as much Of us "a.
vor, and was likely 10 obtain lie future
support in aid OF he ambitious aSrirations
ascribed TO personal nature, then. urged
me 10 susisin Mr. Van Burens admins.
trs'ion IN Whatever course Of policy II
might adop,.-If had been capable Il
listening TO The sugce stions Of selfish cal.
cu'a'ion. when the ishes, interests of The
country seemed To- mo al stake. I should
lave suppressed :he solemn convictions OF
my judgment, and in silence have re apcd
'he reward al my acquicfcrncc and SER
witty. knew too from the bleeding
examples before my eyes. wha, fearful
thing /, was 10 incur the denuncialion Of
rsrtv. Bot The conscicns satisfaction Of
doing VIA, believed to be right. and Of
uphoieing Us far as my feeble arm could
aid in doing IL, the liberties and happiness
OF the people against the mischievous
schemes Of party or Of power, rrizcd
above every other confederation, and |
resolved 10 perform ny duty 10 the coun.
try, COS, what IT might ofpersonal sacrifice
TO myself
The frst question which occurred un-
der the administration Of Mr.. Van Duren
was one Of the highest importance. and
involved considerations intimately con-
nected with the fundamental principles Of
the government. ] ollu6c, Of course. 10
the action Of the rev Executive. on the
subject Of the celebrated specie circular -
That measure had been condemned Nv
overw hclming majori,ies ri both branches
Of Congress. A bill, having for lis object.
| among other things, the annulncnt OF the
circular. had passed the Senate by vote
Of 1 10 .. and the House OF Representa-
lives by vote &c LAB to 80. 1t was pre-
sented 10 Gen. JACKSON within the last ten
days Of the session Of Congress and of has
own administration and being withheld
by ham until the adjournment of Congress.
under Circumstances OF which it is no par,
OF my present purpose TO speak. ii failed 10
become law. But though II was thus
prevented from acquiring the force OF
positive law. lis noroi effect as an au'hen.
TIC and imposing expression of the will oi
I the people, manifested through their con-
siiiution,ionsl organs. the two Houses O.
! Congress, were full and undir ini he'd
IL was, accordingly expected by tie gres'
body OF MIR. Van Buren's friends, that the
Grn &C; Of his administration would be 70
dsfer To this expression of the Legislative
will by resembling or e'sen;ially nodIfyinc
the specie circular. Many OF them, before
leaving Washington. united in written
and formal representations. urging him
in the strongest terms, 10 do so.
Feeling myself the livelies interest in
the success OF Mr.. Van Buren's admins.
traiion. having contributed nv bes, effort,
TO his election under an honest belief thai
he would conduc, the afIirs OF the nation
with prudence and moderation, and on
sound republican principles. could moi
but feel much anxiety as 90 the decision
he should form on the important quest on
thus presented 10 him, in the outset Of b..
official career. Whatever u ight be soid
in exouse ofihe specie circular as q TEN.
porsry measure 10 cheek ex'ravsgart.rec.
uis'ions IN The public lands, It's ccniinu.
ance. beyond the imnediaic 6Vigencies
q The occasion, considcrcd wholly nm
ljusiihSble. Besides the ilagrani injustice
81 the discgiT ins;ion i; oonir rnrlaiod he.
tween the different bfanchc, ri lhe pub.
lie revenue, is operation. direct snd indi.
rect. became cninen'ly injurious IN dc.
hanging ;hc whole MONETARY system ~ The
county, and ooniTik--%Sd essentially. g,
have a'wnyf thought 20 The final cqi1t
triple Of the suspension e specie p,y.
meats ~ The Ranks ~ NAV lSS5. ev.
pressed tbs opinion IN advance as rntly
rs the 10th January. l~31 N spceeh
made by me IN that hav ~ the senate T..
g. ond the reason. u iLst opinion were
more fully developed ~ another sreeeh
IlANf Nv M W iIIf tHfFH'f on iNf lfgiI
September. 1877. after he actual occcr-
renee Of the taiaeiiorhe. utirrrrianl
a. this aspect q tie question. was 10 W..
not the mos, imrofiant ~ which ne rub.
jet was neoesssuly prrsen'ed by ~ or.
cnmHances THAT hsd taken place. in To
contidsraiicns oithc nrw Frru1rnt There
Was another aspect II u intimately ron.
neo'ed With .he vital principles n repre-.
sentative cot6rnrtnfitsrE Aner The AZ.
most urauinous expression a. opinion O..
rrind tlr continuance of>the sleric ca.
euler by tie two House, oi Congress. ths
question vac. 'lsii ibe Will Of the people
conveyed through their Representative
prevail. ~ The viii II The Executive.
felt az tie gravity q ihs qucGion md
"a sincere friend n Tic PTcddent. ID.
dressed letter 90 Lin. pfesen'ing for bi,
consideration viih tie respectful earnest
ness vkfch Hat GieuasI4u fnsrffca fhe