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Oak Lawn, Feb. 2nd (th) 1837 --
Where shall I throw my restrictions? let every one look to
ho[missing text] says one and he will work there for reformation.
It i[missing text] enough too continues this one, for every body to mind their
own business! Granted. Every body's business is a duty to their
God, their country and to themselves. "God and our country then
shall afford a fair trial to those I may suppose no fault.
As we revere God and preserve our own honor. So we should
deal uprightly to the accused and guilty. It is a fundam-
ental [?] of cilized government that service to one's
country is properly his [?] duty and therefore, business.
whenever we behold government, or the heads of government
going wrong it is our business by the authority of civil polity
to respond as things deserve and to do what we can however
humble, to set things right or prevent them from going
wrong. One or two bad acts unnoticed have their examples
and afford precedent for future evil.

The Virginia Legislature then now in Session ought not to
go unscathed--to pass without censure commensurate
with its improper legislation which may have a
bad effect in future in N. Carolina and througout the
Union. On this potent body then severest restrictions
should be brought down. Party and Spoils to the victors,
men as tools vindictive for self gratification--these are
the motto and go-by of this high body at present--
They strike at all social order and wise polity. For parties
sake and vengeance dire, the Va. Leg. trample on all moral
restraint, violate the most Sacred instruments of law and
order, instruct the first men of the age to do the same
and to violate their own honor--then censure these ornam-
ents of her counsel because they refuse to comply with Such
nefarious instructions and moral degradation. All these enor-
mities this representative body has perpetuated. This is not
all--By a system of causing they (this body) cause the
minority to defeat the majority in choosing the highest
officers in the State. A judge of the Supreme Court
[missing text] instance may according to his ability and integrity [aff?]
[missing text] men's lives, property and earthly honor--Such officer
therefore should be the choice of the whole commonwealth.
But alas! how fallen men nowadays. sacred O mores O [?
[the col Jo.?] of Gocheland, why tramplest on law and justice
once sacred!

The above is common place work for I am more inclined
[missing text] sleep than any thing else. Algernon Sidney.