Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-08-16
ArroRxEY GExRnAL's OFFICE,
August IL, 1861.
Hon. 4. z. Richie, Vitgiaia Convention
lEhselin1:

7 uAeetWy-
/ srR-Your letter of the 9th instant WAS
received within this hour, and as you ask
an immediate answer, you, of course, will
not expect me to go elabora;ely into the
subject.
have thought great deal upon the
/ question of dividing the State of Virginia
/ into two States; and since came here, as
a. member of the government, have COM
vcrsed with good many, and correspond
ed with some, OF the good men OF Western
/ VirginiR in regard to that matter. In all
this intercourse, my constant aud earnest
effort has been to impress upon the minds
of those gentlemen the vast Importance
! not to say necessity-in this terrible crisis
of our national affairs, TO abstain from the
Introduction of any new elements OF revo-
i luton, to avoid, rs firns possible. all new
and original theories OF government: but,
7 on the contrary, in all the insurgsnt Com
{ monwealths TO adhere, as closely ascircum-
stances will allow, - the old constitution
al standard Of principle, aud to the tradi-
T tionnl habits aud thoughts Of the people
+ And still think that course is dictated by
tue pllinest teachings of prudence.
/ The formation of new State out of
Western Virginia is an original, independ-
ant Hct of Revolution. do not deny the
( for il is never prescribed, it exists in force
only. and has and can have nolaW but the
win OF the TevOlutiohis;s). Any attempt 10
carry il out involves plain breach OF both
the ronstitutions-of Virginia and of the
Nation And hence it is plain that VOC
cannot take that course without weaken
ing, If not destroying, your claims upon
tho sympathy and support of the General
Government; and without disconcerting
the plan already adopted both by Yirgiuil
aud the General Government, for tie re-
organization of the revolted States, and the
restoration Of the integrity Of the Union.
( That plan, understand to be this. When
State. by its perverted functionaries, has
Z declared itself out of the Union, we avail
ourselves Of all the sound aud loyal Gle.
ments Of the State-all wboown allegiance
70, and claim protection of the constitu-
tiou, 10 form a State Government, rs near
y rs may be, upon the former model, and
claiming TO be the very State which has
beeni in part, OyerthrOWn by the success
fol rebellion, In this way We establish con-
isiiRiioR1l nucleus around which ali theshnt
& tered elements Of the eonmouweaith NAV
meet and combine, and thus restore the old
State 10 is original integrity.
This, I verify thought, was The plan
adopted Et wheeling, aud teeoguized and
Ee;ed upon BY The General Goverumen
here. Your Couyeutiou anuulled the rev.
4 olRtiOnaFy proceedings at Ri5hmoud, both
IN the CeuvtntiOH aud the General Assem-
BY, aud your new Governor formaliv de-
manded Of the President toe full6lment 81
thS constitutional guarantee in favor OF
FlgiEis-Y Virginia, as known to oar father.
aud 70 us. The President admitted the ob-
ligation aad promised bis best efforts &c
luilM it; and the Senate admitted 700,
Senators, not rs representing q new and
name'ess State, now for the frst timC
heard Of ia our history, bat as represent.
leg ''the good old Commonwealth
Mast all this be nadUne, and q nsE and