Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-06-20

rem, IN public discussions, to full
sense Of the danger whose near APP
rfoach had been carefully concealed.
The history of that disastrous measure,
and the means by which its success
was achieved, if not yet developed in
all their details, are yet generally
known. In consequence of it, the
State was plunged into the long train
Of disasters from which its citizens
have not yet been able to extricate
themselves, and of which the effects,
extending far beyond their immediate
objects, have produced the most de
plorable results on the, business, pros
/ perity, and even character Of the Amer
lean people. Even after the shackle5
had been fixed, Mr.. Dallas was among
those who sought to relieve the com
munity from SO fatal thraldom. Ia
king advantage Of the approaching
| convention, when the people of the
State were to meet with every attribute
of original sovereignty not restrained by
the constitution Of the United States,
and of which the assemblage was pro-
mulgated by the vote of the people be-
fore the act in question was passed,
he called to the consideration Of the
State, in an able and eloquent letter,
the propriety of examining into the
/ frauds that had been perpetrated, and
relieving the Commonwealth, by an
edict Of that body, from ali fraudulent
invasions of its rights, due care being
taken to protect and indemnify individ-
uals concerned in the Institution from
any pecuniary loss.
Tie political history OF the following.
winter was marked by the election of
Mr.. Van Buren, to the presidency; and
one Of the earliest Of his acts was to
offer to Mr.. Dallas the post of envoy
: extraordinary and minister plenipoten-
tiary to Russia. In that country he
remained till October1. 1889. The on
ly portion of his Official correspondence,
while there, that had been made public,
is the discussion with Count Nessel-
rode, relative to the territoriesand conf
mercial Intercourse ofthe. two natiors
, on the coast of the Pacific ocean. 1t
developes several points connected
with the rights of the respective gov
ernments Of those shores, presented
: with great clearness and interest, and
destined, no doubt, at day not very
distant, to become subjects of still
more general and minute examination.
The claims and rights of the Americans
are sustained with great ability and
, spirit. 10 those objects of inquiry
| which in such country as Russia,
would naturally attract an intelligent
mind, Mr.. Dallas devoted great atten-
ton, Into its history, and stud y of
the habits, manners, and character of
f its peaple, he plunged with a natural
enthusiasm, and collected a variety of
facts tending to elucidate all these sub
iects, In public address, delivered
not long after his return to the United
States, he sketched with vivid and
brilliant pen several of these topics; but
it is to be hoped that, from the mate
rails he has collected, work of more
extensive Lind may be hereafter given
to the public. is one which is rem
dered peculiarly interesting, from the
Z nature of the friendly relations that
) have existed, and that circumstances
; will probably long preserve. He re-
marked with great truth, inthe address
referred to, that ssuch, for more thar
half century, has been the strange
ness and perverslty, of other ntema-
6 tional pretentions, that this republic
} ard that desrotism, though widely Sc
5 parated, recognised the wisdom O
closely cementing their mutual amlty
: The freedom Of the seas, the rights OF
neutrality, the searthless shelter OF the
flag, were early links of sympathy and
5 confidence which the forecast OF Mf.
: Jefferson strove to rivet. 10 these
} ties are since added Others, sprlngmg
mainly from a common Consciousness
that, while there can seldom, if ever
t be points of enmity, their geographical
relation opposite TANKS Of rival and
ambitious powers gives to their de-
clared friendship vast efficiency IN
discouraging assaults or entertainments
upon their own security, pursuits, and
independence. 1t IS but reasonable
! curiosity which seeks to understand a
I nation, more likely than any other to
be the permanent and pacific ally Of
the United States. "
Since Mr.. Dallas $ return from Rus
STA, he has devoted himself exclusive
I " e The practice Of Ills profession; and
though it is generally understood, that
mot long after that, q seat in his cabinet