Virginia Argus

TO THE INHABITANTS OF HENRICO, LOUISA

AND GOOCHLAND.

Fellow Citizens,

THAT doubts may cease to exist about

my offering to represent this district at the next.

Senatorial election, I think it right to say, that

if I live I shall be a Candidate.

It is always improper if to be avoided, for a

man to say any thing for himself; and I extreme-

ly regret, that I feel compelled from circumstan-

ces which exist to do so.

Because I profess Christianity my views are

denounced, and design is attached ; but since it

is my opinion that the religion of an individual

belongs to himself. I would willingly ask that

indulgence of others which I am willing to ex-

tend. If others differ with me, it ought not to

become a source of contest, for in this way has

it happened, that mighty dissentions have been

generated and cherished.

Altho' I am no advocate for religious tests, &

have always thought that government and religi-

on ought to unite in no plan of operation, yet I

have never learned that the religious belief o

a man made him a worse citizen, or a worse re-

presentative.

What the people are to require, is whether

my political principles are of the kind they wish,

and not whether I am of this or that religious

persuasion. If an enquiry of this sort should be

gone into, I have only to ask a retrospect of the

events of my life, and an endeavour to find out

whether at any time I have deviated from the

political principles which I now avow.

If too, it should be found that my mental ac-

quirements ill qualify me for an appointment so

important among the Candidates, this defect can

be remedied, and an opportunity is afforded of

making an election better suited to the views of

the people.

Accept my respect,

GERARD BANKS.

Goochland, Nov.14, 1805.

4w