Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1843-04-28

lion in every direction leaving The town al the mercy
of troops, who after entered and sacked It
Twenty five Of the Texans were killed IN The en-
nagement The intelligence was brought to san An
tonic by 4 Mexican, who had letter from w. r.
Jones, saying, he man who nigh. lie reiIec on
one who bcrended The prisoners and requested us 10
be kind HIM = But the report wants continuation
1t is IN direct collision with the report from Mexico
that the frtives had been re.aken BY the MeSicnhs
we arc sorry to hear The report, thal"a fatal quarrei
took place Washington the 3ls ult between oo''
James X. Cook, formerly Of This city, and Mr.. al
kins in which Col. Cock was killed, and NJ. ADKINS
MORALLY wounded
TO TUE EDITORS or TIE E''QCIEER
Gentlen.cn Whilst | am far from snpposinr 'nat
your leading editorial in Tuesday Enquirer, was IN
tended to mpute political party Influences 10 me VI
the DISCHARGE of my official DUTIES, think you must
allow that II calculated to produce that impression
upon the public mind claim the privilege therefore,
of setting YOU right two important r.'chicS,
and cannot but regret that no opportunity was ahothen
me Of giving you correct information on SUBJECT "tch
has been altorpthcr msconcclved and distorted oy
street rumor You viii perhaps be surprised 10 lean,
that ! entirely concur with you and with TIE COM
miliee, 10 whose report you refer, in the opinion,
tina. house keeper OF head of family, Is not en-
titled 10 vote, unless he shall have paid revenue
tax, duly assessed the preceding year-anc, tia'
If no such tax has been assessed, III one oi The
two methods prescribed by law, the omission cannot
he supplied by the subsequent act OF The party
have supposed, therefore, for moment that an
individual, paying taxes into The Treasury, alleged TO
be Justly due 10 the Commonwealth, hut when have
not been regularly assessed could acquire tcrsby The
right voe-and whenever such have occurred,
aud | had reason to suspect the object Of the pay
ment, have invariably expressed that opinion. Hor
have stopped there. In all such cases, the Precau
ton has been observed Of wording Tie Official re-
ceipt ior the tax, show, lis face, that The sum
assessed for the preceding year, but is the 20
lunary payment of the party ltnw such a payment
under such circumstances, can change the law OF
elections, confer rights which that law has de
med, is what, ] confess, canr-ot comprehend 1T IS
not the of the Auditor, any than the act OF
the party himself which can give validity TO what IN
itself is imperfect and, If the right OF suffrage - sought
TO be exercised without the necessary qualifications
there ample remedies provided either 10 prevent or
annul the proceeding. Bat, gentlemen, when you or
the INTEL gent committee {and | with pleasure con.
cede their ability undertake to pronounce, that the
Auditor las authority 10 'ccttce surh t9n,S, beg
leave respectfully, 10 protect against your and their
jurisdiction. An experience o more than twenty
years has made me somewhat familiar with nv off,
cal dutiee, and have never been able 10 discover,
by what righ, could 9cay PERMISSION IN any tudtri
duol to poy 1neaey info tie Treasury G}cccd dY nm
to be dnc 10 the CONFERENCE.-The even although til"
dence OF Indebtedness did not appear m the oEciai
records. Sach payments have been frequently and
repeatedly made; and for years past taxes nave beer
occasionally paid, both from country and town, aad
By all par;ies-whch had been assessed By The
revenue commissioners. | have known conscientious
men, whose property the commissioner had altogether
failed TO list; forward Voluntarily and discharge
their dues to the Treasury, without any reference TO
the right Of vong-and yet, | apprehend, # the
power obligation 10 refuse, reject, exists in the
case, it must in the other, also. have known
honorable sles, who had received taxes licenses,
not returned by the commissioner, voluntarily pay
the same, though not debIted with the amount-and
recollect to have received anonymous letter from
the District OF Columbia, enclosing $50, which tho
writer alleged TO he justly due 10 the Literary Fund Of
Virginia, and which accordingly paid into that
Fund VIII it he contended, for moment, tina, the
Auditor, Second Auditor could not !ighlin!y re-
ceive these debts, dues, without special authority
by law -Or would they not rather have been lithless
their trusts, have refused unless the law had spa
caliy enioined such refusal, ! have never said as
you seem more than TO intimate that would receive
the States quota OF the proceeds Of the Public Lands
if rendered by The Secretary Of the Treasury On the
contrary, should most certainly refuse 10 receive IL
uuess from agent appointed by the State authorities
pursuance of he act OF Congress, in That case made
and provided Tie State authorities have exclusive
control over the subject and the lie gisatu.e las IN
effect, prohibited its reception
In relation TO the effect the elective franchise Of
payments Of taxes on property not assessed, which
appears TO be the snle Of your peculiar animadycr-
son. beg leave 10 remark, that gentlemen far my
superors IN ability, have expressed opinions oppnsc 10
yours AND mine. If they right, and are wrJDr
do you not perceive that by refuaing 10 permit such
taxes to be paid, might gubect myself to the serious
charge of nsng my Official power To disfranchse the
citizens of the State Whatever course | might pur
sue therefore, would give dissatisfaction to some and
under such circumstances, the invarabe practice of
the Office, and my Of duty mus. furnish the
guides of my conduct
1t may, perhaps, serve 10 quiet much of the alarm
and apprehension which to have been excited
by stating that within few days past payments have
been made OF taxes property assessed hy some
half dozsn individuals, of whose politics am not
informed no. having inquired; and that so far from any
great danger being likely TO arise the Constitution or
laws in consequence of such payments tie simple re-
suit apprehend will be, that the parties will lose
their votes and the Commonwealth will gain its dues
In conclusion, gentlemen, allow me 10 make the re.
mark, that whether from peculiar temperament or other
cause it is extremely unpleasant 10 nae to have nv Of
fetal integrity even suspected and rs do rot belle We
yon have The least desire TO bring it wrongful INTO
question: if at any lime hereafter YOU NAV desireex
PLANTATION Of any of my official acts in which you NAV
feel interested, il will afford great pleasure to give
you myself the information.
] am, very respectfully
Yours, &c
JAS. E. HEATH.
Richmond, .7prH &c, le43.
n We eheerfuliy give place 10 Mr. nea.h's expla
nation Certainly the street runors have greatly ex-
aggcra ed the number of payments which ha ve been
for day or t1o made through the Auditor S Office -
They were confidently stated Monday last a, $50.
This statement was TO great degree confirmed BY
VIVA, reported from two Democrats, who had visit
cd the Auditor Office for the purpose Of obtaining in
formation. Some remark too was made in the Au
dilors Office, though MIR. Heath was not present,
from which the inference drawn that the }7 Geo
would be received, If the Secretary OF the Treasury
would offer 10 pay in that amount. 1t was under
these impressions, that took up the subject
on Tuesday-and it was under similar impressions,
that the Committee of three discussed the subjec. in
their Report on the qualifications Of voters. 1t was
under the impression of there being great mul,ipl
city Of ca Of this description and of The systematic
design to throw all these payments upon the Treasury,