The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-11-23

tration in the Legislature Of Virgins, had
uniformly declined any situation which
might withdraw me from the bar. In 1898
l was very strongly pressed by the Federal
lists to become a candidate for Congress, and
the gentleman of that party who had offered
himself to the district proposed to resign
his pretensions in my favor. | had, how
ever, positively refused to accede to the pro-
position, and believed that I could not be
induced to change my determination. In
this state Of things, in August or September,
1898, as well as | recollect, received an
invitation from General Washington to ac-
company his nephew, the late Judge Wash
ington. on visit to Mount Vernon. &C
cepted the invitation, and remained at
Mount Vernon four or five days. During
this time the walk and conversation in the
piazza mentioned by Mr.. Lewis took place.
General Washington urged the import
ance of the crisis, expressed his decided
conviction that every man who could con-
tribute to the success of sound opinions was
required by the most sacred duty to offer
his service to the public, and pressed me to
come into the Congress of the ensuing year.
"After the very natural declaration of
distrust in my ability to do any good, I told
him that I had made large pecuniary en-
gagements, which required close attention to
my profession, and which would distress
me should the emouments derived from it
be abandoned. also mentioned the, assu-
rance l had given to the gentleman then q
candidate, which could not honorably
violate.
"He thought that the gentleman would
still willingly withdraw in my favor, and
that by becoming a member of Congress for
the present would not sacrifice my practice
as lawyer. At any rate, the sacrifice
might be temporary. ,~g.c.e.@
"After continuing the conversation for
some time he directed my attention to his
own conduct. He had withdrawn from
Office with declaration of his determina-
tion never again, under any circumstances,
to enter public life. Noman could be more
sincere in making that declaration, nor
could any man feel stronger motives for
adhering to it. No man could make a
stronger sacrifice than he did in breaking
a resolution thus publicly made, and which
he had believed to be unalterahle. Yet
saw him, in opposition to his public decla-
ration, in opposition to his private feelings,
consenting, under a sense of duty, to sur
render the sweets of retirement and again
enter the most arduous and perilous station
which an individual could fill. '' 9z"' ~
".My resolution yielded to this represen-
tation. After remarking that the obliga-
ton which had controlled his course was
essentially different from that which bound
me-that no other man could fill the place
to which his country had called him, where
as my service could weigh but little in the
political balance consented to become 9
candidate, and have continued ever since
my election in public life. s~
"Ihis letter is intended to be private, and
you will readily perceive the un6tness OF
making it public. 1t is written, because i,
has been requested in polite and obligine
terms, and because l am willing, should
your own views induce you to mention the
fact derived from Mr.. Lewis, to give you
the assurance of its truth. ~
With very great respect, am, sir,
your obedient servant,
@f.F ...''> .@-.fFFg'17s" J. MARSHALL"