Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1849-02-22
To the Editors Of the Enquirer:

PETERSBURG, Feb. l7lh, lS49.
Gentlemen: Never having insisted on any
blame or praise OF any man IN private or pupiic
lite, teyond what was just and true IN my con-
scien:ious beliei-being always deslfons Ia be-
stow eu!osy on the virtues and noble qualities Of
any man whose faults may have condemned,
in equal measure as if he had not had any ianiis
which 10 my apprehension deserved condemna-
lion-havins in former years had occasion 10
condemn in strong terms The opinions AMI course
OF the amened Leigh, in publications which
were inserted in The columns OF The same paper
now conducted By you the sons and successors OF
the distinguished gentleman by whum The Rich
mond Enquirer was then edied-it IS now my
wish tha, you will insert The annexed tribute IN
memory OF The distinguished dead, and whose
righ,ful renown, in his lifetime, The writer never
aimed 10 diminish To confer just praise IS not
10 retracl just cersure. I.
from Petersburg Republican, February T.
'Che sad intelligence Of The death OF Benjamin
Watkins Leigh is already told 10 his fellow cil'-
Gems. Ii seems 10 The writer suitable thai some
tribute 10 his memory should emanale from TINS
community which in former years was his iesl-
dence and illustrated by his talents and virtues.
There are now but lew amongst US Who were
his co.empcrary resitrnis in this Town, but no
one OF mat lew UtdtS MN III iCtut nIu16 hSS "i'
ether sentiments than those OF admiration and IS.
TEEN. The high career 10 which his early char
ac,er gave promise OF his attaining was reached
ana rendered menoI1bls in The imperishable his
tory oil mis- county, al the Bar, where genus
and learning, and eoquence slrove Tor The as
cenGant with masnanimous and manly rivalry,
he was not behind The foremost. In The Senate
Of the United States, where Calhoun and Web-
ster spoke ant listrning Senator'S admired, Wat
kins Leigh was bright shining star 10 the GAL
axy. II ever man loved his native State wi n
imprisoned iervenry, il was Walbins LeiSn.
II would BE- ledou, 10 recount The evidences Of
his devotion 10 Virginia. In me State Conven'
ton Of lS29-30, he was the trusted compeef oil
Marshall and Madison, and Randolph, and her
chosen champion when effort OF labor or display
in research or debate was 10 De fIi .oIa. In eve
~ station he filled, and he has llled stations
bringing into Iequisition various powers OF mind,
he has LETT the impress OF powerful and heDefl-
cent genius. As IN pubic station he xhb'teG
The i5mness OF Roman virtue, which is the chict
essential Of patriotism 50, in private lie, he dis
played The bcnienny OF heart which Inc most
essential ingredient ollrue wisdom; in each sphere
inc cI0wning grace Of his character was unsuili.
I'd honesty He will lie remembered with The no.
he>, and The besl OF his Sale, wno have died.
Oi his memory ard TIERS, ice men oil succeeding
ages with reverence and gratitude shall say.
snow they but ono lamp, one light, one sum-"
il il had been Mr.. LeIgh's fortune 10 yield 10
his knopiedge mat laets and nsufca are 10 D. dis
trusted in contradiction Of The popular opinion,
and that public measures by their names oilener
anticipate favor or ill desert, Than earn or incur
il. sucn wers his oher traits OF character nat no
man q. his day and generation could have been
his successful competitor iur The distinctions
within the gift of The people. PUBLlUS.