Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-28
GENERAL ASSEMBLY, OF VIRGINIA.
DEFERRED DER.4TE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATEs-.u0nday, Jan. IL.

BANK OF VIRGINIA.
MIR. VERIFY said, he did not know that he ought to
congratulate himself having the floor on that occa-
sion amidst many aspiran,s.
The subject under debate one Ct SO much I'M
portance to the community, OF such vast interest 10 Inc
Legislature and Influencing great extent, the cha
racer feelings and interests of individuals n tins COM
munly that he felt constrained to ask the Indulgence
OF the House while he should present his views on the
matter He should touch upon many points, but would
cndea be brief upon those points as the nature
of the subject would admit, ard his own dhnse nino
enable him be- If he To regard his own FEELINGS
on the subject, regardless of the duty imposed upon
HIM as one Of the people, he should
not mngle in that debate, and would AVOID censlre,
from urging charges and specifications winch would
naturally excite dislike IN the MINDS OF some; out
he was left to pursue the nciinatons OF his own
mind because OF the stern requirements o! duty urging
him forward lie should in the discussion OF this sub
ect take It from lis commencement, and 50 forward TO
the cose-and hoped TO b. able to present ms views III
an integbe and satisfactory form. lie regretted ina,
the motion for indefinite pastponement had been SUB
itted because lie did consider that the principles IN
yolved in that motion themselves OF vast I'M
portance, when distinguished from the merits OF the
case. But, the motion TO postpone indefinitely,
the whole subject open to debate, ne should follow
in that track, first directing hs remarks against the
motion To postpone.
He begged permission here TO remark, that the whole
administration Of tins Bank Of Virginia was IN the
country believed to BE- unsound; that, IRON the time OF
the discovery of the defacaton 70 the present moment
il the nelghborhood discussion, and the topic on
every court green, and you rarely meet man who
does not PROFOUND the question, what action would the
Legislature take in the mater:-what remedy would be
proposed to prevent similar mschances Tor The future:
There prevalent opinion that some action was IN
dspensab!y accessory and yet the motion tor lndehne
postponement to defeat all action. And am, of
the opinion that action will exert an important in
fuence upon those moneyed instutons-and It may
be- that upon that action, to some extent Will depend
their safety and the public interests
/ am moreover, opposed to the motion, because, IN
my opinion, it will embarrass the Executive. They
have delayed appointing Directors, with view to the
action winch had been commenced in the House of De-
legates; and respectfully submit to gentlemen to say,
If it is proper becoming in 10 throw the RESPONSE
blity of choosing Directors, favorable otherwise to
the election of Dr. Brockenbrough, upon them, when
have raised committee TO examine into the late deal-
cation, and are now discussing the question as to the
proprety Of his continuance the head Of the Bank Of
Virginia? Should the motion prevail how can the Exc
cutive expect TO escape censure?
But to postpone indefinitely, and thus by side blow,
avoid direct expression of opinion upon subject
Of such Importance, is unbecomng the character and
dignity OF thus House, and would be considered CON-
Elementary 10 DIR. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS thus do VIC.
lence 10 the facts and circumstances this and
what more would be regarded 10y some, conclusive
that there had been justification tor an exam
nation into the condition and transactions OF the Bank,
the official conduct Of the oihcers: otherwise,
the House would most assuredly have come 10 vote
upon the report and resolutions of the Committee
Sir, will not such course the part Of those who
placed sentneS to guard aud watch over the al
fairs of this Bank and protect and defend the deep
interest which the State holds i'm this establishment
say, will not be in substance, declaration to the
public, that all is well-and that the institution has
been wisely and carefully managed'-no carelessness-
but that the defalcatIon was purely accidental when
the fact is VIGOROUSLY otherwise, will appear most
man,festly by reference to the documents and facts
submitted for our inspection.
Sir, did desire to prejudice the Banks of this Com
mon weal;h, in the minds of IT'S citizens and to arouse
them to hostility and opposition, would vote for the
proposition submitted by the member from this city, 10
postpone indefinitely the whole subject
This brings me to a discussion OF the merits Of this
question, and feel, Mr.. Speaker. that have deli.
cate and unpleasant duty to perform, and beg that the
House will indulge me- in submitting few remarks in
relation to myself--Consclous of my inhrmities,
but feeling the utmost confidence in the purity and in
tegrty of my motives, shall endeavour in the discus
sion OF this grave and serious matter, carefully to alb
stain from any and all unkind illusions TO the officers
of that Bank-and il know myself and am capable
of approaching what is due to private character, I'M
sulled aud unsotted-to integrity and long public
vice, IL would cause me exceeding great pain to utter
expression that could, by possibility give I'M
pleasant emotion to the gentleman who is at the head
of that institution further than shall be compelled to
advert to facts and arguments which have been de-
veloped in the progress of the debate, and deemed
BY me important to Illustration of the subject in
h1nu-anu mere dsclaim any allhslon OF personal
nature am of one other difficulty that lies in
my way. Some persons may suppose that am ope
rated upon by party feelings and considerations, but
dscaim oil such; and aver, if indeed am compe- |
tent TO examine into own breast and to report the
result OF that examination, that am not in the |
sgbtes degree under such influences
am free to admit that my party feelings and bias
are strong. and are INDUCED great lengths
proper occasions, those Of most persons and am
far from regre,ting that they suitable occa
sions; but the present. dream unfit occasion-and
have taken council from pious Quaker who feeling
himself aggreved, pulled off his coat and having folded
up carefully, laid it down and said ie there Quaker
ism, until fog this fellow" In like manner, have
thrown from my shoulders my political cloak, and do
not to fold'it about until this discussion is
and the question decided.
MIR. Speaker, the power has been denied TO the Lee
sislature, by all those who have addressed the House
,pon the other side, to have any action in relation
he appointment of Bank Directors. They state, what
presume person viii deny, that the Legislature
annot rghtfully interfere with the Executive Depart
nent; and assuming the Postuate, that this power
lamed for the Legislature belonging to the Ex
cuve branch Of the Government and therefore would