Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1840-1842, 1842-03-25
COM NUM- Ms.

Mr.. Editer; The article in your paper Of Friday
sst n relation to my vote for Judge Summers, ss
ioveroor, Is, think, calculated TO produce an
neoas impression, as to my motives, in giving that
vote. No man is less inclined than I am to bring
my name before the public unnecessariiy, hut a
>ense o. Justice TO myself requires that shouli
'epel the imputaton, which a fair inference from
your article would east upon my conduct in that
ieeton. You remark, that ait is but justice to
Nr Thompson, TO say, that he never voted FOR
Iuoge Summers. on any ballot. when an election
could DO made" Il quote from memory, az the pa.
per I" not before me,) which simply means that my
support oil tho Judge, was not in good faith, and
that would not have voted for him, IL there had
oeen fair prospect for his election. Had there
oeen regular reporter in the Senate, or had you
heard the remarks with which seconded the no
minaton Of Judge Summers. am sure you never
would have indi,ed that paragraph; and | am
equally sure, that not only every friend Of Judge
summers, but you yourself, will at once aequit me
OF the impuiation which your article casts upon
me, when made acquainted with the facts OF the
case. You profess in your article, n desire to do
me Jusitesi and as ask nothing more, in reference
70 any OF my public acts-i hope you will not be
guilty OF the njusies of denying. TO this ex pana-
tor, place in your columns.
My intentions. in reference to this election, were
wei known TO the prominent and active friends of
Judge Summers prior to his nomination. When
asked by them, how l would vote, should he be
presented rs n candidate TO the Legislature,
frankly told them that | would vote for him, and
euucIo 10 MIN, ns long as hB most sansu'ne
friends thought there was reasonable prospect
OF his election. When his nomination was com
municatcd TO the Senate, | rose and seconded
u, warmly and zeaously; not only because
! believed him acceptable TO my constituents, but
because of his high and eminent qualifications for
the office, and his ardent and persoserns devotion
To the principles and interests of Western Virginia
reference to III. Journal will show that voted
Tor him on three ballots on either which he might
nave been elected had his political friends united
upon him. After the second ballo', n majority OF
his friends were convinced that his election was
hopeless. rs many Of the Eastern whis, had de-
e!ated thor determination not 10 vote for him.
under any circumstances. | left the matter for
mem 10 decide, declaring my intention TO vote for
HIM as long as n shadow of hops remained of his
success ana accordingly, again recorded my vote
Tor nm. After that vote, believe all his friends
had gwen up the contest in despair; but rs his
name was continued before tho Legislature, [ still
intended to vote for him. until, finding that his
vote, instead OF increasing. had fallen or ia the
Senate-end Mr. Andersen of Botetourt having
changed his vote, in favor OF Mr. Stevenson-I
determined to vote for him also, in the hose that
! by 20 DONG, might terminate the contest.
Inns, Mr. Editor, Is i simple statement Of tho
facts connected with this mli,or:-I can assure
you, as wei! ms the friends Of Judge Summers, that
'hEon:houi the whole contest, acted IN rerfect
good faith and with sncerc desire for his sue
cess, and az you have the liberaty to admi, that
am gentleman, although n Lceo FSeO, hope
you viii do me the justice TO believe the assurance
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
r A. THOMPSON.