Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-12

Tie could not, probability,
been sustained ut was further true, that If the Com
mittee OF that House, charged each session. with
The investigation into the affairs of this Institution, had,
during the last the preceding year, strictly perform
ed the dn,cs enjoined on them, tbut then the loss
might have been avoided If again, that House, or
any member of that House, during the last two
Sessions, had performed his duty 10 the full extent Of
which he capable-tie dnty, 10 wit, of examining
into the conditions oil the Banks-ten this vast dclalcn
ton could have occurred. But in truth, neither
the House, the committees, any than the Drcc
tors, the President the Cashier however different
their delinquency degee) had performed their duties
strictly to the letter The Committees reported that all
was well, and that House announced TO the country
that all well; all, doubtless, believing such to be
the fact. Why did not the House ascertain the truth
of the report that all well before it went forth TO
the country? Because they had confidence in the Com
nttee? Why did not the Committee for themselves
that the condition Of the Bank what it repre-
sented to be: Because they had confidence in the Pre-
sident and Directors-the President and Directors did
not because they mutually had confidence in
another and in the Cashie the Cashier in the Teller,
and thus through the whole chan from end TO end there
the same excess of confidence, and all had erred,
though not equally in this respect. In all there
departure from that strict atte non to duty, which, if
performed by any mber of the two last Legislatures
or by any member of their Bank Committee, or
by any officer, connected with the Bank, would have
prevented the defalcation in question. He would,
therefore, ask the members Of that House. whether they
prepared on the ground Of excess of confidence,
when they themselves (and he, as one OF them, was
perfectly ready take his full share of the neglect
and meet the censure it might seem to deserve,
were also culpable: Were they prepared for that
cause to immediate the President of the Virginia Bank
Was that House prepared TO pronounce the ex-
slence of confidence q crime: lie knew nothing
of that noble and generous quality, 1t 1t could be so
consdercd if they banished confidence from their BIO.
son. they would rob life of of its purest feelings,
of its chefest bcssngs-t entered into all the mo-
raj enjoyments Of life. Whoutit, where were friend
ship Where all the finer and holicr affections of the
heart indispensable to the enjoymens, it no less
could attic nd pursut-appiness be found in no con-
dition-It was quality decp-seated in our very ma
lures and strongest IN the most generous bosoms
Where found in excess, 1t was Still fault that
leaned To virtues sde, and deserved respect where
il might not be approved. Shew him, said Mr.. r.,
man in whose bosom confidence (slow as lis growth
should be, and eaousy as II should be watched
could take no root, and will shew you one whose
nature is more akin TO fend than man. lie would
sham such n man he would the coiled adder IN
his path watching. but waiting, 10 strike: Or he might
be lkcncd 10 bird OF prey, sitting the top OF some
tall tree, alert to dcscry danger, yet ready to swoop
upon the first helpless unsuspcctng victim that should
come within reach of his wing. Who was there liv-
ing that would not feel life itself burden without con-
fdence: IT, on the other hand he could be shcwn
who had never neglected duty, he would SHOW
them one who was more n God than man; for such
man must be consummatc in wisdom, perfect in var
such, and it hopeless 10 expect to make such
by law. With respect to all the laws imposing duties
on men in the performance of public trusts, they
might rest assured that, however severe they might
make them do what they would, they need never ex-
pect nor would they realize from any man. greater
degree of attention strctness The discharge OF those
duties than he would bestow in The duties which he
was performing for hmself:-,hey might pile line up
on line, preccPt upon precept; they might multiply
penalties the utmost extent; they might decorate
j IL, g
feed for the neglect Of duy: they might line all
the approaches TO office with these terrific WARNINGS TO
incitc to vigilance, but long as human nature
should continue what it is they would never be able
to secure greater degree of attention and care 10
the public interests than willing 10 pay 10
his own private affairs. lie might refer those who in
dulgcd other expectations, TO the beautiful! fable OF hr
gus who represented with hundred eyes, as the
very type itself Of watchuness yet he, too, oversight
and during that sleep the prize which lac guarded was
rayished from him. The moral the fable to tes-
tify the eternal truth, that watchfuness itself Will
sometimes sumbcr and confidence in the breast OF
man is the music that ued Argus into forgetiuiness
II the House was not disposed 20 look upon the fault
Of over confidence, in the light in which he viewed
il, they might in this instance at least look upon II
with some degree of indulgence. II surely was
not crime call down the power of the State for
the mmolation of the victim, 10 cause hn TO Suffer
under the infllcton OF public trial and Judgment
He thought it too common q fault Tor man 10
look strictly to the letter Of the law, and too little
at the nature Of man;-that justice, which was admit
nistered whoni;regnrd TO the feelings Of humanity, did
not dcecrvc the name Which of themselves was it
that had not also neglected his duty, No within
the reach of his voice would 60 unpunished if held
down 10 the performance of all his duties to the letter.
And he appealed to mbers 10 discharge their duty
in this case as TO ene them to say in their hearts
That mercy To sicw, that mercy >he,s 10 me-"
If they do not design 10 infct punishment lie Wonld
have them inquire whether the interests OF the Com
monweath demanded that this removal should take
place. Was there any one who doubted the capacity
an Skill as Banker and FDancer, of the gentleman
a; The head Of the Bank Of Virginia. Were not his
abilities so distinguished, and his skill well known
and universally acknowledged that he Stood by gene.
raj consent the aec ineePs in Ranking and Finance
To matters of finance he had directed his attention
from his youth upwards-his skill had been employed
to the benefit of the institution the great emolument OF
the stockholders and The welfare fthe State his lbe-
ra!y in times ofdcu!ty and danger was acknowledged
by the commercial public and even the State had expe
renccd in time of war; the value Of his patriotic co-ope
raton-he had carried that institution safely through IN
times of the creates, peril and difficulty For period
ofthry years he had been the pilot OF that institution
through storm and un-shne-through threatening tenn
nests and still more rcachcrous Gains; and who that saw
did not applaud the skill and firmness with which he
prasped The helm lie did not believe that there
man in that House who could lay his hand upon his
heart and say he doubted his ability or his hdety-and
especially after what had passed. could they suppose 1t
possible 10 obtain officer vigant than the pre-
sent President would be- In the present position Of affairs
much skill would be required, with resumption in their
face to enable the Bank TO maintain its high position.
it was more than idle TO pretend-he did not, in
deed, suppose the ground would be taken, that in
Jury would result to the institution by lis affairs being
eft in tie hands of this gentleman; the contrary, he
would be much more likely to use greater vigilance
than any other. This not matter Of specua-
ton We had before us the proofs. The institution
had hardly ever been more prosperous than since the
dcfalcaon, or stronger i'll public confidence than
The profits ofthc last twelve months exceeded S2OOGOO
and reached nearly two thirds of the whole amount
which had been distracted And it was known that
portion of that custom and supper. which the Bank,
from various unfortunate circumstances, had lost,
was again coming back to support and strengthen
that institution lie thought the resolutions before the
House, view il in whatever light they might, ought
not 10 be sustained. The proposed by them did
violence to the just authority ola coordinate Depart
ment of the Government, invaded the sacredness OF
chartered rights, was not demanded By justice, was re-
probated by that humanity which regards with some
indulgence the fraly incident to our common nature,
and is contrary TO sound policy In view Of these va
rous considerations, he submitted the motion TO