The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-03-01
From The Norfolk Herald
MIR. TYLER'S LETTER IN 1927.

We insert below the letter of Mr. TYLER las re-
quested by the Madisonan) in reply to certain mem
bers of the Virginia Legislature who called upon him
Che being then Governor of Virginia. for an avowal
of his opinions certain points, short time before
the election OF U. s. Senator Gin the place Of the
Hon. James Barbour, appointed Secretary of War by
MIR. Adams,) in January 1897. When the election
was called up, there much speaking, and the
friends of the two Johns, CTYLER and RANDOLPH, the
only candidates) pressed the claims of each with
great energy; In the course of the canvass IN the
House of Delegates
Mr. Gordon handed in the following etegs to and
from Gov. Tyler, on the subjects
To HIS ExcELLENcY JOHN Tyler
Sir-We understand that the friends Of the Admi-
nstration and Others will support you for the Senate
in opposition to Mr. Randolph W. desire to I'M
derstand distinctly, whether they have your consent
or not And if not, will you please to say explicitly
that you will not abandon the Chair of State at this
time, to accept seat in the Senate.
Respectfully, your ob't servts,
LINN BANKS,
ALEX. SMYTH
VIM. f. GORDON
DAN A. WILSON,
VIM. O. GOODE.
Richmond, Jan. 18th, 1927.
JANUARY 18TH 1927
Gentlemen-Your note handed me last night by Mr.
Goode in which you say, we understand that the
friends Of the administration and others will support YOU
desire to understand distinctly whether they have my
consent not, and if not requesting me to say cx
plicltly that will not abandon the chair of State at
this time, to accept seat in the Senate deserves
and shall have candid reply. Let me premise that
am unacquainted with the political references of
those disposed to sustain for the Senate-sufiice
it to say, that my political opinions on the fundamen-
tai principles OF the Government are the same with
those expressed by Mr.. Randolph, and that admire
HIM most highly for his undertaking attachment the
IfItIn ifnefnI 4
the events of long political Iife-and if any man
votes for me under different persuasion he most
grlevously deceives himself You ask me whether !
have yielded my consent to oppose him On the con
trary, have constantly opposed myself to all socita-
tons. desire most earnestly to be left at peace
There is no motive which could induce me to seek
TO change my present station for seat in the Senate
at this time. cannot admit that to be one in body
of iorty-elgh members is to occupy more elevated
station than that presented in the Chief Magstracy OF
Virginia. My private interests intimately connected
with the good of my family, more highly sustain
ed by remaining where am, than by the talked-of
change. There is, then, consideration, either po-
ltcal or private, which could lead me to desire it.
From the first to the last every where, and to all
with whom have conversed this has been my uni
form language.
Your last inquiry is one which, when urged by
those inclined to support me, have constantly de-
clined to answer. Propriety and due regard to
consistency of department requires to decline an
answer now. onOuld the ONCE IN opposition to my
wishes, Ga result which cannot antcipate,) be con-
ferred upon me, shall then give to the expression of
the legislative will, such reflection and pronounce
such decision, my sense Of what is due to If may
seem to require
These explanations mig have been had by each
and all of you, gentlemen, verbally, if you had sought
to have obtained them that way which might posi-
bly, have denoted greater degree of confidence i'll
me, but as they given, you at liberty to
use them in any mode you may pease-reserying to
myself similar privilege.
With sentiments of proper respect
| have the honor to be,
Your most ob't serv't,
JOHN TYLER.
To Linn Banks, Alex. Smyth, VIM. F. Gordon,