Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1859-05-20
LsrrEa raom raox ROBERT Q. SCOTT, Is
MEADOW BANK, NEAR CLAIBoHsE,

ALABAMA, May Sd, loD9.
Mfr. Editor The mail of to-day brings me
yours of the Gath ult. You ask an carry rep!
and give it to you. Of its value entertain NO
high estimate, for there are lew ielt among US
whose opinions have weight to arrest the mao
and onward career Of parties to upturn anu de-
stroy the time-honored institutions OF inc couh-
try. and | have not the'vanity to believe that
I am one OF these few. in advance, say,
that I have personally known MIR. Letchcr Tor
about twenty years; during some sixteen years
of that time, We acted together with the regu-
lar Democratic party of the State. We came
practically together as members Of the Reform
| Convention which formed the present c%onstitu-
ton of Virsinia-he from the West and | from
the Richmond district, in the East. He held
the opinion that the correct basis Of representa-
ton in both Houses Of the General Assembly,
was white people. while | and others believed
and maintained that representation should be
apportioncd by a combination Of numbers and
taxation; this was the great and only important
question that seriously divided the Convention.
1t threatened at one time to end the delibcra-
tons Of that body, and to peril the integrity OF
the State. Members seriously debated and con.
sidered the expediency of a division of the Old
Commonwealth. Both Mr.. Lctcher and myself
were participators in the debate in the Convcn-
ton. My speech has never been fully reported.
An urgent and important professional engage
mcnt carried me for Il week from Richmond,
when the reporter assured me he was compelled
to furnish the materials for his rcpOrtof it, and
that it was a mere skeleton, and | have never
since thought it worth the labor of having it
separately and thoroughly reported. Mr..
Letcher spoke after me, and think Immediately
after me. now write from memory, having
no book or note of reference before me. In
your letter, YOU inform me that it is attempted
10 be shown that Mr.. Letchcr sis unsouud on
the slavery question:" and his opponents par
t~icularly refer ito his white basis speech, in
which a 'colloquy' occurred between you (mel
and HIMSELF" and you further add, 81 would
like to know of you whether, according to your
recollection, YOU at the time thought that his
spcech was a peculiarly ultra one for 4 Western
man; or whether on that occasion or any other
during the progress Of your labors in the Con-
%vcntion, you heard anything from Mr.. Letcher
to raise a suspicion in your mind as to his iidell-
ty to Virginia or her institutions" have al
ready spoken of the serious and almost irrecon-
cileable division in the Convention on the great
question of the basis Of representation. The
debate that preceded the vote on this grave
matter was long, in many respects able, and at
oIl times very animated and exciting; towards
the close it was angry, and men who had been
friends became bitter foes. We who went into
| the convention with a clear and certain ma
iority of sixteen, (some said seventeen, for the
mixed basis, were finally, by the indonitable
frmness and perseverance OF our opponents,
dwarfcd down so as barely to divide the
Convention, and at last we became n mi
nority, and, in fact, were most ingloriouS-
" beaten,,! have never changed or
Sotened any one opinion that | carried into
that Convention, and still hold all Of them
But | never then suspected, nor do | now sus-
meet apy one of the many able, virtuous and
patriotic men, who were the original and con-
stant advocates of the white basis of represen-
tation, of inhdelity to Virginia or her %institu.
tons. Had | become so lost to every demand
of Justice and fairness. my honored and respect.
ed friend, Henry A. Wise, your distinguished
and eminent Chief Magistrate, would be on the
list of the condemned, for he was the open and
mighty chief who, with the witching strains OF
his clooucnce, and a zeal and power OF endu-
rance which never tired, that mainly contri,
buted to our defeat. ! honorcd and respected
our omen opponents. | could appreciate their
positions, and give value to their honest pin
ions. while | did not then, as do not now,
hold in admiration the few faithlcss represen:
~tatives who, in disregard to the aScertained
wishes of their constituents, betrayed tncir
trusts and surrendered the interests and rights
of those constituents.
Rut neither then nor now had | reason to
look on Mr.. Letcher as q peculiarly ultra west
crn man. nor had I then, or now, anything to
raise a suspicion as to his fidelity to Virginia or
her institutions. Neither from anything said
by him in that Convention, or done by him
therein. did I ever entertain any such suspicion
Tho debate on the basis Of representation ne
ccss,rily led to various views in reference othe
institution of slavery. But these belonged le-
Ultimately to the subject before the convention
While all the speakers maintained the inviola'
bility of property in slaves. Under your pre-
cont Constitution Governor Joseph johnson
was first elected to that office. Mr.. Wise and
Mr.. Letcher were both spoken OF for the Once.
7 wos n member of the Staunton Convention
that nominated Governor Johnson, being a
delegate from the city OF Richmond, and inc
sole alternate from the county of Isle OF Wight.
In both characters I cast my vote for Governor
Johnson: avowing, however, that If he could
not be nominated, and as it seemed the general
wish that the West should have the nominee,
would next 20 for Mr.. Letcher, unless the " est
would waive the nomination, and then would
most decidedly vote for Mr.. Wise against any
ono We were then fresh from the Convention
7 had bccn one Of those who had voted against
sending the Constitution to. the people, Tor, III
INV renrsscatntir character, | could not recon-
mend it to their adoption. Is it possible, then
FIR anv one to suppose that | would have taken
Mr.. Letcher as Governor Of Virginia, who had
created with me a suspicion Of his fidelity &c
Virginia or her institutions? If tomorrow
were with YOU, | should give my vote to MI
L,etcber. would do it not grudgingly, bu,
most heartily and cheerfully. lie IS like al
honest men, open, fearless, ardent. lie speak
roughly, plainly, and to the purpose But nc
never lodges his issues or ms enemies. no'r
feel his blows. wish ] could send you some
thing worthy Of those whom you speak oil as
nv Swarmlv attached friends, the Democrats
of virginia"-the noblest, truest' ana mos,
consistent body of men who have ever acted
on political matters; who have always proved
that they hold their principles eserythi"g,, anc
men, mere men, nothing. am quietly mere
n looker-on at what is passing. but not an I'm,
interested one. in the deeds OF our ttne. lei
me. will the old loved Commonwealth be ready
for the 4tb of March, 1861? Will she take a
Black Republican President, and permit him
to nut the handouts on US before she strikes
II is said she will. | cannot believe it.
God bless you and yours, is the prayer "
your old and faithful friend, .oorr
b. NJ. De Witt, Esq.
LETTER FROM FAUoUIER.
To the Editors Of the Enquirer: