Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1840-02-11
LETTER OF JOHN TYLER,
A Senator from The STATE Of Virginia, to The
Speakers and Members efthe General As
ssmbly Of Virginia.
WAsn1NeroN, Frp. 2sth, ls3G.

~ <AoAAtNoA OAN1 AsDs ~ONiAg ~~OO'
GENTLEMEN:
Certain resolutions of the General Assem-
bly, of Virginia, instructng their Senators in the
Congress of the United States, to introduce
and to vote for a resolution TO expune the
journal of previous Senate, in the particular
therein mentioned, and pointing out the precise
manner in which the act shall be performed,
have been made known to me. After the most
deliberate examination which am capable of
beStowing upon them, and with sincere de-
sire to COMO m my conduct to the wishes ofthe
General Assembly, find it impossible to re.
concle the performance ofthe prescribed task,
with the obligations ofthe solemn oath which
| lave taken to support tie Constitution the
Umt.d States. With what promptitude /
should comply with the instructions Of the Le-
gislature, if compliance was permitted me, nav
readily be inferred from my past course ofcon-
duct--and / beg your indulgence gentlemen
whilst advert to the most prominent incidents
Of my life, in connection with the great ques-
ton ofinstructions--I was very young when
| first took my seat in the House Of Delegates
70 which had been elected shortly after at
tanned the age oftwcnty-one. The then Sen
stors from Virginia, (Biessrs. Giles and Brent)
stood obnoxious to the charge of having disre.
j UdAuCu lltG AlclluClouc u TIT l4CkicidtuEta
which had been adopted on the motion of a
gentleman then distinguished member Gov
/ Barbour) to vote against rechartering the Bank
of.he United States. The first, while he vo-
ted against the Bank denied the right of the
Legislature TO instruct him-the last disregar-
dcd the Instructions altogether, and voted fol
the Bank Impelled by no other motive than
a desire to Uphold the Legislature in its right
1 resolution disappearing the course which hao
been pursued by the Senators. My motive
/ for doing so was single and unmixed I ira.
too young 70 seek profit By their orerthrOlc.-
Il The resolution thus introduced by me, passed
into other hands, and was substituted by othe
resolves, which were finally adopted by tht
two Houses of Assembly BY large and over
whelm;rr .maiorities. AT the age of twenty
five, I took my seal in the House ofRepresen
tatives, Of the United States. The repeal 0
the compensation law, soon came under dis
cussion. came in TO supply avacancy, ant
/ brought With me the wishes ofmy constituent
in regard to that measure. made then know
and claimed the repeal of the law, as due to tn
well ascertained wishes Of the people. Thi
brought into discussion the obligation Of tn
right Of instructions, and / contended for Iii
ton as had been laid down in the resolution
before alluded to. now re.afirm the opinio
lat all times heretofore expressed by me, tia
instructions are mandatory, provided they d
4 not require a violation ofthe Constitution, o
| the commission of an act Of moral turpitude
When acting under an oath. tie public agenl
whether a Senator or JurorsSs bound by obi
gators Of a higher and more controlling char
acter, than can proceed from any eaFthI
source The Constitution ofthe United State
Is the original and primary letter Of instrnc
tons, supreme overal and binding upon al
For the agent who IS sworn 10 support il, I
violate knowingly and Intentionally, would b
an act Of the grosscst immortality and unnlit
rated debasement. Such IS the condition
which, 10 my view Of the subject obedience
your Instructions would place me. It is know
to Won, gentlemen, that on entering the Ser
ate, the only oath which ! took was an oath
support the Constitution Of the United State
! To support it in al and each Of its provisions
Fl To yield il neither to force, persuasion Or e
pediency--no matter what the object-shoul
i,satiainmenf confR upon ne tle create.