The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-09-02

ell AZ hearing that many of our citizens in
t,terent parts os Che state mo-mured and
declared their dissatisfaction at the result OF
yo',r deliberations in that particular
availctl myself of every source of infor
NATION in nv power. with the vi. of as
.oertaining whether it is the wish OF :. majo-
rity of the inhabitants of the several coun-.
ties in the state that the Assembly should be
convened; and to this end applied to the
Judges when Just off their late circuits, as
well as to others from different quarters of
the state, but without obtaining, in = salts
factory degree, the information sought after
However, on receiving Il renouStrancs from
Il part of the inhabitants &c Granville coun-
ty, and some additional petitions AMI pre-
sentiments of Jurcs from that and other coun-
ties in the state, and understanding withall
that respectable portion OF the inhabitants
of several ofthe counties which had not pc
titioned for call of the legislature, had de-
clared themselves dissatisfied with the tieci-
sion of the Council on that head, ! deter
mined on calling you, gentlemen, together,
again to consider and determine, with the
help of these additional evidences of the will
OF a part ct our constituents, whether it is,
or is not, advisable that the legislature shall
be convened, for the purpose OF taking me;
Sures to paliiatc Oh counterfeit the inC0nVe-
niencies and hareiships growing ont of the
laws laying an embargo, rs complained ofby
the petitioners, by staying process, or other
wise providing in cases of execution.
Since determining on this call of the coun-
Gil, learn from the newspapers and thro'
| ether channels, that this subject, meaning
that OF staying executions for debt, has been
fully and formally discussed and decided or
by the Legislature of our sister state OF South
Carolina, during their late session, and that
it was negatved by a large majority of that
>f itck aiN of
power, inasmuch as it is one of those sub
jects of legislation which arc forbidden by
the constitution OF the United States.
Whether the Assembly OF South Carolina
have decided correctly or otherwise is net
for me to determine the decision, as is before
said, has happened since concluded on con
vening the council; and such being the case
nave felt it Incumbent on ME to mention it
to you, seeing we are all equally bound to
conform to and support the constitution and
to the end likewise, that if you should Judge
a call of the legislature advisable, and shall
have doubts as to the constitutionality of the
object in view, you may, if you think proper,
call on and advise with the Attorney Gene
raj OF the state as the law officer whom we
have constitutionaiiy right 60 consult, and
one who, / apprehend, is eminently and well
qualified to set the matter in clear and dis
| tinct point of view, and to do away all doubt
OH this head.
have thought it was not my duty to ex-
press an opinion or wish on this subject and
therefore herewith submit TO you ali the pc
titions and other writings IN my possession
which have reference to it.
have the honor to be,
With consideration and respect,
Gentlemen,
Your most obedient,
r WILLIAMS.
RALEIGH 9upHSt 1G 1908