Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1846-08-07
tut IHe ENqHFE
GOVERNOR SMITH.

The wing press oil Inc Stale having innulSeu
in some bitterness Of remark upon Gov. Smith,
Tor his recent absence from the seat OF Govern
menl, and the Rocking CHAM Register, upon such
authority, having done likewise, think il but JUS
lice 10 Gov Smith TO notice them.
These structures originated in the supposed in
ability 10 obtain the Executive Proclamation Tor
the arrest OF Epes, the alleged murderer OF Muir.
Now, as far as this tact is important, Ind upon
enquiry that The proclamation could not have
issued one hour sooner than il did in consequence
OF the want OF proper evidence, which was called
for by order OF the Governor, and which did not
reach the seat OF Government until The day alter
his arrival. So much for This TACT.
But, as learn, in,erregnums arc not uncom-
mon during The summer season, longer one nav
ing occurred without complaint, | believe, than
that for which The Governor is now 80 hereby
ASA lied.
When Gov Smith was 90 him) unexpectedly
elected to his present high office, he was in The
midst OF an important aud lucrative practice as
LAWYER, indispensable to him as The chief, II not
the only means VI support Tor his large ana eS-
pensive family. His first purpose was 10 decline
the office rendered 10 him by Inc General Assem-
bly,, for he saw in lis acceptance the necessary
abandonment and consequent sacrifice OF his pro-
tessiona pursuits, and only yielded his accep-
lance 10 the wishes Of his friends whose feelings
circumstances had particularly excited; thus add
Ing another to the many instances in which he
bad sacrificed his substantial interest 10 calls 10
which his own social and disinterested nature did
not permi. him 10 turn deaf OF suen ear
Having concluded 10 accept The Executive
Chair the Governor lclt much sOlicilude as 10 the
course he should pursue with his esls,inS profess
siona engagements. lie was strongly urged by
some Of The first men IT. The Stale not IL give UP
his practice. He was reminded that Governors
OF some OF The States, Senators and Vice Prrsi-
den, Of The United States, diligently prosecuted
The profession, and that il was too heavy sacil-
flee to give up his bread and meat and 10 com
msnce anew, al the end o! his term Of office, his
professional career But the Governors respect
for the dignity Of office, Tor the pTeJudices oi
! many of his ellow.ciliZens and especially his
anxiety, fully and faithfully 10 perform all thr
high duties devolved npon him, induced him To
decline such advice, much as he might have been
DESTROYS Of adopting it, But he was alreadv I'M
der obligations 10 MANY clients, in causes, some
Of which were Of The highest consequence. lie
could not abandon such clients without their con-
sent. YET, anxious 10 contract the circle OF ms
operations, and rapidly 10 dsconnect himself
from lis professional engagements he did bur pub
licly recognise his Obligations 10 his clients, as
will he seen from the following Card, clipped
from the WaIrenon Flag Of '9s:
"a CARp--ln consequence of my election a.
Governor OF this Commonwealth, shall have 10
decline new business in The line OF my profession.
But The business on hand al The Time OF ms cleo
lion shall receive such attention as will protect
the interests OF my clients In The mean time
my friend Il. l.. MooRE, Esq, in whose ability
and attention ! have every confidence, and my
son JAS. G. SMITH, will take charge Of the bus-
ness; 10 whom nv clients will apply for counsel
and assistance Twill attend the Superior Courts
Of this county until this business is closed
nFebruafy t. WM. SMITH
In prosecution Of this purpose, he wholly gave
up his Prince William Couns-he attended part
Of one CulpePer Court part Of Two Courts IN
Rappahannock-pa Of Two County Courts
and part Of one 81, erior Coul in Fauqalef,
only winding up his business, professional and
otherwise, with anxious eagerness and industry,
that he might a. an early day give his whole at
len,ion Ia the public service. This consumma-
ton is al hand. In October, Governor Smith ex-
poets with his family 10 be settled in the Cry OF
Richmond, by which time he hopes 10 have his
business matters arranged, 50 tina, he can leave
them without anxiety.
Now what is there wrone7 What unreason-
able in lhis2 Elected in December 10 take Office
in January last did one man, who voted Tor
Governor Smith, expect or desire that he should
leave his plough in The iurrow-aban don his prl-
va,e business 10 utter ruin, and break his snbsist
ing engagements Certainty The people did not
expect or desire il, and do not believe single
member Of The Assembly did.
II is great mistake 10 suppose that Governor
Smith does not appreciate as be should the high
honor done him BY his election; but he never
sought nor does he hold his honors with the ca
eerness of passion. The Register advises Gov.
Smith 10 resign his office, if his private clrcuin-
stances will not allow him 10 perform his public
duties. The Governor can, without difhculy
and without trial. retire 10 private life, and Il Is
only requisite 10 satisfy him, my lille upon II. mat
such is the wish OF his party, and he will do II
without hesitation. For five and twenty years
William Smith has been actively connected win
the politics Of his Stale. He entered pubic NE
upon the Iequ>ilion Of his pany and against ms
own protest. and is perfectly willing To drop again
into The ranks al the bidding Of thai parry winch
called him from bis retirement. But am salts
fed that Gov. Smith would never have expected
that the Rockingham Register knowing hun, as
The editors OF that paper do, wonlt have joined 10
The cry against him.
In conclusion, The Governor Is grained 10 ne-
lieye that The public service has IN no wise SUI
f.red by his absence-that he has taken no more
lime 10 wind up his private affairs than many "i
his predeccssors-no more Than IS rcasonaole-
and no more than will be sanctioned ana suS
tanned py his fellow citizens.
have deemed this notice due TO justice ana
nv regard Tor Gov Smith, and claim OF those
napers. in the name Of justice and TAR deaing,
Ohio published attacks against him, 10 publish
This answer 10 them.
A VcicE FROM Friend.
1ys understand liza, Robert c. Grier, Of Penn
sy,vania was Yesterday nominated BY The Pres-
dsn, 10 supply The vacancy on the Bench Of Tie
Snnreme ccurt occasioaed by The death Of Judge
+, iJ,,;n II s1IiDauL I1tRliLoeHteT.