Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1806-06-17


or republic in its stead every thing
then depended on infusing into our laws
that republican spirit which animated the
people, and by the preservation of which
alone, their liberty conld be preserved and
Iperpctuated. IL became therefore neces-
sary to Dew.model our laws, and lay the
foundations oftle temple of freedom firm
" IN the wisdom and justice Of our insti-
tulions. The persons appointed, TO eye
cute thisgreat work, and by whom il was
accomplished were Thomas Jefferson, Ed.
mund pendielon and George Hyde who,
tho mentioned last, might with prcprie;y
be considered as The chief; for, great and
exalted as is the merit of Mr.. Jefferson,
Ut must be confessed that he is in a great
measure indebted for j, to George Wylhe,
his preceptor and his friend Between
those two extraordinary men the warmes,
friendship has ever existed, and he pre.
sident of the United States has ALWAYS
been proud to acknowledge himself the
pupil OF The wise s modest Wythe. By;a
resolution ofihc Virginia Assembly, dat
ed the 5th of November 1875; the three
gentlemen, have mentioned, were ap-
pointed reylsors of the laws, with powe.
to propose such alterations as in their
judgment should be deemed necessary
a trust OF prodigions Importance, on
which the iuure destiny of Virginia dc.
pended! And in what manncr was it dis
chargedI iiia manner more glorious and
more useful 10 The human race than the
works OF any other legislators, ancient or
modern. On the 18Th OF ;uee 1879, the
Committee of reyisprs made their report.
memorable mogatnent Of interchangeable
industry and attention, as wei as of wis :.
DOM virtue patriotism. Iareyicwing
the iabors Of that COMMITTEE, we find ,l,a,
they were the authors Of the act directing
me course ct Gescenis, by which the obi
Gus and unequal doctrine OF. the right OF
prlmo8eni,urc was abolished, and an e.
qual distribution Of the 'ands property Of
persons dying intestae is made among
their children, or other nearest relations
an aet which. BY Introducing and support
ing equality OF property to 2 certain de.
gree among the citizens os this common
wealth, has produced, ab6 will continue
10 produce moreiimpoFtsni and perma-
nent efisct 10 favor OF fe @dom andreplb-
licanism, than any other cause whaisoc
yer. The sa1e comittee proposed The
act Tor regulating conveyances, by which
all estates iD-ta;l were converted into fees
simple, and one of the most detestai,le
contrivsnces of aris,ocracy to keep I'd ia.
equality, and support proud and ogerbear.
ing distinctions OF particular families, was
completely defeated. They also psoduc.
ed the deseryedly celebrated act for the
establishments of religious freedom, which
trost has released The people of Virgil |
MA from the danger of being ever subject
ed to ecclesnstical tyranny, perhaps the
worst Of all. As proof, however, tha,
the proposslof that aGt did not arise from
desire to subvert religion, but, on the
contrary, to maintain il in purity ana
peace, they at the same time proposed a.
nother, entitled an act to punish distar-
beers OF religious worship and sabbath
breakers. Such we're the most precious
irnIts OF the appointment of that truly re.
publican and patriotic committee.
Other Important acts might also be |
mentioned, for in facl, the whole of our
militia system as first organized, the orr.
ginal arrangement and mode of proceed. |
ing IN our courts of common law and
chancery, we're all the work of that com. |
milise, were all iIlus.rious examples oil
thelg industry and Legislative skill in
winch II scme defects have in the course |
oil experience been discovered, they are
only proofs HAT no human Performance
can be perlec,. Yet the COMMITTEES ofre.
visors are not Only entitled TO praise for
she laws, OF which they were instrumcn. !
tal in obtaining the establishments, but for
several which they proposed without sue.
Cess Among those may be (oend bill :
Tor the more general diffusion OF know. |
ledges which, if the public spirit Of the |
general assembly had been equal 10 that OF |
It's authors, would have enabled the chill. |
dren ct the poorest citizen in The conmu.
nily TO stand an equal chance of acquiring
science, honor, and promotion, with those
OF The most wealthy. Animated by mo. |
uves oil the same enlightened nature, they
proposed bill for establishing a public |
library; another for amending the consu |
tution Of William and Mary College, and
providing more adequate revenues for its |
support and furnished hint, which gave
bir'h to our present peniteatisry system,
by bill for proportioning crimes and pu.
nishments IN cases heretofore capital. and
l.. 81. Il