Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1809-03-14
Four Dollars Per. A,,n,n-Paid in Aduance.l

is sometimes found to inhabit the
breasts of men who feel that nature has
denied them the talents to do good !:
that species of spitefnl and envious de-
|pravity, which sickens at the sight OF
a work of lustre, rising by other hands
which sometimes supplies the place OF
intellect and enables even dizziness and
stupidity themselves, to do mischief
with success. There was, believe
another principle of action employed
in this case; and one the more dan.
tgerous and alarming, because more
darby and profoundly concealed, and
because it aimed a, objects no less than
1.-THE overthrow of the present form OF
our state government, and the separa-
ttion of the state itself. This demands
a dev-lopsment somewhat more full.
A fact ofpublic netoriety, here, may
be unknown to many of you; to wit
that during the session Of Assembly,
In the winter 1902, caucus was, che
might publicly held in the capitol, in
this city, on the suggestion, of some
one or more, of the back members, the
jobject of which was, to deliberate on
the division of the state of Virginia,
and the erection of a separate govern
ment be; ond the Ridge. Ofthis eau
Gus, Daniel SheRey, the self-created
chairman fthis committee, and author
Iof the report against me, was con-
Ispicuous member, and advocated the
division of the state. At that time,
there was, as 1 am advised, and still
is, an act of Assembly in force, which
declared every person guilty Of high
crime and misdemeanor, who shall at
temptto establish cny governmentwith-
in the commonwealth, separate from
or independent of the government OF
Virginia, unless by act of the legisla-
rure, and subjects the person, convict.
ed of such offence, to any pains and
penalties, not extending TO life or
| member, at the discretion Of the court,
This nocturnal caucus, however, was
nevertheless, held: but the project oil
disunion was defeated by the virtue
and hrMnesss ofsclne of the back coun.
ltry members themselves. who contsn-
ded zealously and successfully for the
unity and integrity of the common.
wealth. But although defeated at that
time, 1t has never been Abandoned
On the contrary, it has shewn itself re-
lPeatedly IN various shapes in loud
incessant complaints, that the back
country is unequally represented, tina
the local interests of the western par
ct the state are crushed and over
whelmed by the great preponderance
OF the eastern delegation in impor
tunate demands that convention
| should be called to reform the Consti
tuition, and when all these stratagem.
have failed, in perpetual and artful at
tempts to render the present form o
government disgusting to the people
by heavy complaints, and strong char
| ges against the various branches of the
government, but chiefly against tn,
! Executive. These attacks upon tht
Executive, and attempts to render
them odious to the people, are near
~ as old as Mr. Shefev's representa-
tive character. One of the most dis
tingaished political acts by which tina
lgentleman first brought himself into
inoticc, was an assault upon the Exec
utive, at the close of gov. Montoei
J administration. The history of tina
memorable attack is too voluminous tC
he here inserted, and having so recent
~ Occurred, the insertion OF it, even i
1t might be confined within mario ;
compass, is perhaps unnecessary: Blu
those who are unacquainted with the
particulars of that effort, fortunately
as unavailing as it was odious, may
obtain fall information upon the sub
ject, by referring to the journals of the
House OF Delegates, Session 1925.
refer to this circumstance, to shew
that the attack which has been recent.
ly made upon the Executive, through
my sides, is part only OF settled
system of policy TO undermine the
constitution Of the state. MY ruin
was merely incidental and subordinate
to this grand scheme. 1t was known
to the prime movers Of this persecuti
on, that had never drawn, and had