The New era. [volume] ([Portsmouth, Va.]) 1845-1847, 1846-08-11
From the Richmond Enquir err.
GOVERNOR SMITH

Inc wing press OF Inc S'ate having INDUCED
in some bitterness of remark upon Gov. Smith,
for his recent absence from the seat of Govern
ment, and the Rockingham Register. upon such
authority. having done likewise, think it but
Justice tn Gov Smith to notice them
these structures originated in the supposed in
ability 10 obtain the Executive Proclamation for
the arrest of Epes, the alleged murderer Of Muir.
Now. as far as This fact is mpuriant, find upon
enquiry hat the proclamation could not have been
issued one hour sooner than il did in consequence
ot the want at proper evidence. which was called
for by order of the Governor and which did mo-,
reach of Government until the day after his arri
val. So much for this fact
But as learn, interregnums are not uncom
mUn during the summer season, longer one hav
ing occurred without complaint, believe, than
that for which the Governor is now so 6erceIy as
sailed
When Gov. Smith was (to him) unexpectedly
elected TO his present high Office, he was in the
midst of an Important and lucrative practice as
lawyer, indispensable Ia him az The chief if moi
the only means ut support for his large and ex-
pensive family. His first purpose was To decline
the office rendered To him by the General Assem-
bly,, for he saw in its acceptance the necessary
Abandonment and consequent sacrifice of his pro
fessi"na pursuits, and only yielded his acceptance
to the wishes OF his friends whnse feelings cir
cumstances had particularly excited thus addlng
an0thpr 10 The many instances in which he had
sacrificed lis substantial interests to calls tn
which his own social and disnerested nature
did not permit him to turn deaf or sulen ear.
Having concluded to accept the Executive
Chair. the Governor felt much solicitude IA to
the course he should pursue with his existing
professional engagements. He was strongly urg-
ed by some of the first men in the State not 10
give up his practice. He was reminded that
Governors of some of the States. Senators and
Vice Presidents of the United States diligently
prosecuted the profession, and that it was loo
heavy sacrifice 10 give up his bread and meat.
and to commence anew at the end OF the term
of office his professional career. But the Cover
nors respect for The dignity Of office for the pre-
JUDGES of many Of his felluw rlizens. and especi
ally his anxiety, fully and faithfully to perform
all the high duties devolved upon him. induced
him to decline such advice. much as he might
have been DESTROYS of adopting it, But he was
already under obligations To many clients, in
causes, some of which were of the highest corse-
quence. He could not abandon such clients with
out their consent. Yet, anxious to contract The
circle of his operations, and rapidly to discnnnect
himself from lis professional engagement, he did
but publicly recognise his obligation 10 his clients.
as will he seen from the following Card clipped
from the Warentun Flag of '9S
A CARD.-ln consequence of my election as
Governor at this Commonwealth, | shall have to
decline new business in the line Of my profession
Bnt the business on hand at The time of my cleo
tun shall receive such attention as will protect
the interests of my clients. IN the mean time
my friend II. L. Moore, Esq. in hose ability
and attention have every confidence, and my
son Jas. G.. Smith, will lake charge Of the BUSH
ness and To whom my clients will apply for
counsel and assistance. will attend the Supo
rl"r Courts Of this county until this business is
closed.
February 6. WIN. SMITH"
In prosecution of this purpose, he wholly gave
up his Prince William Courts-he attended par
of one CulpePer Conri, part Of two Courts in
Rappahannock part of two County Courts and
part of one Superior Court in Fauquier only
winding up his business. professional and Other
wise, with anxious eagetness and industry, that
he might al an early day give his whole attention
To the public service. This consummaiion is at
hand In October Governor Smith expects with
his family To be settled in the city of Richmond
by which time he hopes to have his business mat.
ters arranged, so that he leave them wihuu,
anxiety.
Nov, what is there wrong? What unreason.
able in this? Elected in December To take office
in January last, did one man, who voted for Gov
Smith, expect or desire that he should leave his
plough in the lurrow-sband0n his private bust
ness to utter ruin, and break his subsis,ing en-
| gagemeots? Certainly the people did not expect
or desire il, and do not believe a sino1s member
| of The Assembly did.
II is great mistake TO suppose that Governor
Smith does not appreciate, as he should the high
honor done him by his election bat he never
sought nor does he hold his honors with the ca
gerness Of passion. The Register advises Gov
Smirh to resign his Office, if his private circum
stances will not allow hin TO perform his p0bIlt
duties The Governor can, without difficult,
and without trial. retire To private life, and il i
only requisite 10 satisfy him, my life upon it, tina
such is the wish Of his party, and he will do i
without hesitation. For FIVE and twenty year
William Smith has been actively connected viii
the politics Of his State He entered public liz
upon the requisition Of his party and against hi
own protest and is perfectly willing 10 drop agai
into the ranks at the bidding Of that party which
called him from his retirement. But am salts
fed that Gov Smith would never have expecte
that the Rockingham Register. knowing him a
The editors Of hat paper DO, would have joined il
| the cry against him.
In conclusion. the Governor is graiiied to he
'ieve that the public service has in no wise sui
Tered by his sbsence-thai he has taken no nor
time to wind up his private affairs than many q
his pFedecessors--no n,ors than isTeasonsbe-sn