Richmond Enquirer

TO THE EDITOR OF THE R. ENQUIRER.

Richmond, January 23, 1841.

In your paper of this date, there is an Editorial article of the debate between Mr. Anderson of Botetourt and myself, upon the Rescinding Resolution, in which, after a very meagre and imperfect sketch, you use the following language, viz: "The Conservatives may soon discover to their mortification, that they cannot expect to be treated on terms of reciprocity or equality."

This I understand to be the ascription to me, (1) and through me, to the party with which I act, of a purpose to treat the Conservatives otherwise than with "reciprocity and equality:" and thus, by tickling them on one side and leasing them on the other, you would produce jealousy of the Whigs and consequent discontent. With this game, I have nothing to do. It is, I suppose, fair warfare on your part, and it rests with the Conservatives to detect it or be caught by it. Their own intelligence will best guide them in these matters; and it would ill become me to make a suggestion to them.

But, as there is no Reporter to the Senate, I must ask the favor of so much space in your columns (2) as will be necessary to correct any misapprehension as to what I said. I did not manifest, by expression or otherwise, any desire to treat the Conservatives otherwise than with "reciprocity and equality." I have no such feeling. I ask nothing more than "equality," and will submit to nothing less. And neither did I say, that if Mr. Anderson had spoken as he did, before the election, I would not have voted for Mr. Rives. I said that I voted for Mr. Rives in good faith, and under the circumstances under which I gave the vote, I would have voted for him in preference to any man in the State;—but if Mr. Rives's peculiar opinions were to be made impediments to Whig action, and I had believed that in voting for Mr. Rives, I was to place him as a log across our path to obstruct our action, and even the expression of our opinions, I never would have voted for him—and as I had no design to embarrass the Conservatives in supporting the Rescinding Resolution, I could not admit that the danger of embarrassing them was a proper ground for submission on my part.

I did not disparage the Conservatives.—In reply, I referred to their numbers, being five in the Legislature: if there be another, I don't know him; and I could not admit their right or power to control the Whig party, for although all honorable and intelligent gentlemen, yet, in numbers, they were powerless. (3) I believe they are more powerless out of the Legislature than in it, for I believe that the very worthy gentleman, who represents the old State of Fluvanna, is the only one with a constituency large enough to return a member "upon his own hook."

I said that all that I asked of the Conservatives was to act with the Whigs, when "the honor and interest of the country required." Thus far and no farther did I wish to see them act together, and believing that they were united upon that basis, I had regarded "conservatism" as a thing that was.

In conclusion, allow me to ask you if the Conservatives were disposed to leave the Whigs, would they meet with "reciprocity or equality" among the "Democratic" party? (4) and, if not, would you advise them to set up an independent establishment? (5)

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

JAMES LYONS.