Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-12-30
Is to expect from his august pro-

in this hall, we again find the impressions
and the thoughts which agitatcd US when
you received us in it for the first time. In
deed, who would not be seized with aston
lshment at the sight of this assembly of en-
hghtened men, chosen from among the de-
scendents of the most ancient people of the
earth If any parsonage of past ages should
revisit the light, and that such spectacle
happened to strike his eyes, would he not
think himself transported within the walls
3 of the holy city, or would he not think that
terrible revolution had renewed human
things to their very foundation? He would
not be mistaken; Gentlemen, it is at the
close of a revolution which threatened to
swallow up religions, thrones and empires,
that the affairs and thrones rise on every
side TO protect the earth. A senscless
crowd had cndeavored to destroy every
thing, single man came and repaired ALL
The whole world and the past since its o.
rlgin were presented to his eyes; he saw
spread over the surface Of the globe, the
scattered remains of nation as celebrated
by its debasemcnt as any people ever was
by its greatness. 1t was Just he shoild bu.
sy himself with its fate, and it was to be
expected that these same Jews, who hold
great place in the remembrance of men,
would engage the attention Of a prince who
must forever fill their memory
The Jews, loaded with the contempt of
nations, and often the butt of the avarce
OF sovereigns, have not yet been treated
with Justice. Their customs and their
practices sequestered them from societies,
who summed them in their turn; and they
have never ceased attributing to the humi-
Iating laws which were imposed upon them,
the disorders and vices with which they are
reproached. Even at this day they explain
the Discrimination of some of their brethren
TOR agriculture and the useful professions,
by the little confidence which can be had
in the future, by men whose existence has
depended for so many centuries past on the
spirit of the moment, and on the caprice of
power. Henceforward, having no more
cause of complaint, they win be unable to
justify themselves.
His majesty would have no excuse to re-
main to those who should not become ci-
Gems. He assures you of the free exercise
of your religion and the full enjoyment of
your political rights. But in exchange for
the august protection which he grants
you, he requires religious guarantee and
the entire observance of the principles c.
mitted in your answers. This assembly,
such as it is now constituted, could not alone
afford it him. It's answers, converted into
decisions by another assembly OF still more
awful and more religious form, must be
placed beside the Talmud, and thus acquire
In the eyes of the Jews of all countries and
all ages, the greatest possible authority.
This is also the only means to answer the
greatness and generosity OF his majesty's
wishes, and to make all of your religion, ex-
perience the happy influence ofthis memo
rable epoch.
The great number of commentators of
your law, has no doubt altered its purity,
and the diversity of their opinions must
have thrown into doubt most of those who
read them. The question is then to render
the universally of Jews the important SER
vice of fixing their belief upon the matters
Which have already been submit;ehIo you.
o meet IN the history of Israel with an as
sembly invested with an authority capable
OF producing the results which we expect,
we must so back to the grand sanhedrim.
IL is the grand sanhedrim which his ma
leSty proposes TO convoke at this day. This
body, fallen with the temple, is going to re-
appear, to enlighten throughout the world
the people whom it governed. 1t is going
to REGAL them to the true spirit of their Law
and to give them an explanation of it wor-
thy OF causingto disappear ali the lying in
terpretations. 1t will tell them to love s.
70 defend the countries they inhabit, and it
will teach them that they owe all the SEN
trnents which attach them to other ancient
country, to the place where, for the first
time since their ruin, they can raise their
voices.
In fine, according to ancient custom, the
grand sanhedrim will be composed of Sc
venty members, without counting its chief :;
two-thirds, or Whereabouts, will be rabies,
among whom vii first appear those who
are here present, * whohave approved the
answers; the other third will be chosen by
this assembly itself, from among its mem
bers and by secret ballot The functions
OF the grand sanhedrim will consist in con-
verting into doctiinal decision the answers
already given by the assembly, together
with those which may yet result from the
continuation of its labors.
For,you hear it gentlemen, your missi-
on is not vet fulfilled; it will last as long
as that of the grand sanhedrim it will
only ratify and give new weight to your
answers. Besides, his majesty has been too
well satisfied with your intentions and your
zeal todissolve this assembly before having
terminated the grand work in which he
mas called IT to cooperate.
Prior to every thing, il is proper YOU
should appoint by secret ballot commit
tee OF nine members, which may prepare
with US their matters that are to form the
subject of your new discussions, and Of the