Monmouth, Oct. 25th,
1830.
In answering your last, I will commence at home. Your
friendly feelings have associated my name, in a certain contingency, with the
senatorial election. A number of partial friends from other counties, and among
them some of your fellow-members of the Legislature, have hinted the same
thing, and I believe, if my political sentiments upon the great national
questions which are now discussed were better understood, I should stand a
respectable poll. I have, however, thus far succeeded by adhering to a rule,
from which I must not now depart — to establish my reputation in the office
conferred upon me before I seek another. The people expect that I will faithfully
perform the responsible duties now confided to me, not only the duties of
chancellor, but reporting my own decisions, and their expectations shall be
fulfilled if in my power. Besides, much of my future reputation will depend
upon these official opinions, and I am content to abide by the judgment which
shall be pronounced upon them, not for the evidences of superior talent they are
to exhibit, but for the marks of industry and a conscientious regard for the
rights of suitors which they shall manifest. Under these circumstances, I would
not, I assure you, become a candidate, even though my election was certain. I
am induced by your frankness thus to give you my notions, the loud thoughts of
a constituent and friend, who will ever counsel with and advise you, and never
quarrel, although you may differ from him. I note what you say about Mr.
Poindexter. I respect the feeling that makes you prefer your father's friend. I
marked this as one of your characteristics when you were in my office, and it
first attracted me to you. I, too, would prefer Poindexter if he had health and
his former vigor. Our friends M'Niel and Merrick both saw him at Louisville,
and they assure mo that he is unable to stand or move. What are we to do? We
must have an intellectual man. R. J. Walker tells mo ho will not be a
candidate. What is to be done but to take Wilkins? You are wrong in thinking
that he does not desire the place. I am sure he does. Whether all his doctrines
square with your and my views, is proper subject for inquiry.
SOURCE: John F. H. Quitman, Life and Correspondence
of John A. Quitman, Volume 1, p. 96-7
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