The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1811-01-31

tor The ori .in,l Resolu.ion-rhe one.t,on
WIS tax ny Ayes md Noes, and MS mott
tpre vailed Ayes 80, Noes 80
| me Gcaer;I Ass mbly have considered
"a ineritcd a'tenti'.n the pet ION of some
o tie inaabi. ants of Accomack county, i'm.
p Ing ieiects to she Consti ution Of his
sta'e. and praying that a conv entiom may
be called tor,~acdy them. a deliberate in.
VesiSation OF the reasons assigned in that
PTt ton III suppori OF It's prayers, has pr dbl
ced IN TINS Assembly conviction Of their
insufflciency to warrant The grant of it.
ley Consist of objections valuable traits
of he present. Con ii ution,. of grievances
WI hin the range OF legal redress, of evils
resu ing firm the vices f nan her tnan the
co"stit utlon,' and at trivial imperiections in-
sePar bile from human productlons. -.
:" ms Ass mbly hest, ate not to declare
that with them schemes If innovation OH he
CONSTITUTION should not originate !; that they,
delegated 20 actundertnc constitution, Sholld
rot IN the absence of instructions from the
Constituent body. be instrumental in the crca-
unn of power superior 10 the Constitution.
III rule founded on deferential respect
10 the power superior to the constitution and
on = Iaudab!e humility In tn power sabordi-
nate to 1t, would be violated in it's spirit, if
no. IN its letter; we're this Assembly in a.
ny manner TO Interfere III aid of the propo-
81 ION 10 call 4 convention, ON the apple
c ton of a small portion of single Coun,
This Assembly warmly cherish the prin-
CT si'-r o. tree ADD just government That
tue sovereignty is ves'edin the people thai
govern nent IS an EN- ,satinn from and subor>
dinate 20 that sovereignty; receiving ITS
f.r:'' and Organization from the will and de-.
irving us powers fro a the Consent of the
peNple; tina. /. II. instituted for their protec-
ton and security, and where It fails to attain
those dis, majority of the community mas
An unaifenablc and indefeasible right to re-
form, alter and abolish it, are principles e.
st."i'shrd WI h the liberties of the st ate, aad
ndissolubly connected with them. When
such majority hal communicate to the
Gen raj Assembly wish to reform, alter
o. abolish the form of government, thar
assembly should hold its entire constitution.
al powers nbsdient to such wish, and
should direct them in the manner best Cal,
culated to carry itintc complete effect.
" ihis principle is far from yielding sane
ton, 20 any procedure of this assembly. or
its members in their delegated Characters.
1PcratnS IN any manner on the great ques-
ii II: Snall the constitution of the state be
reformed, altered OF abolished. when such
a wish is indie ated tu thsm from but one
county, and but small portion of that couu-
ny IL Cannot be doubted that even the in
it-r gat ry r.m this assembly to il People
shaii &C nVenu' be called to form new
constt t n would authof re hr conclusion
mat the Assembly enter lined the opinion
that UGH measure would be expedient ant
proper nd il is still less to be doubted
that If such an opinion exists. and such ara
'nterrogt Dry be propounded specification
OF thr detects refuir ng rc,nedy from a Con-
ven'loH should accompany the iuterrogatory:
10 pr pound 1t when no such opinion exists,
woald be wanton; IT, PROFOUND i, in conse-
quence ut such opinion AID vet withhold
the reasons OF that opinion. would be if not
an uhc"ndid, It least an Imperfect discharge
OF The duiy Of this assembly
f." This Assembly canant but regard the ORR
/ 81 att n OF such an enquiry by it, and 1t Its
d'scretirn, as unwarranted by an, suunn rea
sons Drawn from IT'S adm,tt, d and obvious
fu. ctnn,. That b dity imposed nv tbio
prin. 'ple on this A sembiy ceases to operate
when about aine.' persons shall petition tor
Convention, Cannot be admit ed. 10 ,ay
that snch petition warrants the exercise of
any OF the powers OF this Assembly. to call
convention or to press upon tie people
the investigation of the Gundamen.at law.
o. ne STATE, is obnoxious t. the most oDyi
Gus dictates OF prOpr'ety and he soundest
conciusi ms of reason. The precedent tur-
nished by srch an exercise of the bowers of
this As>e molly, would be destructive of The
peace anu tranquility of society For mis-
Assembly cannot nationally anticipate from
the laoo's ut convention caustu. ion
winch viii not be r sarded as tlefectiy, and
requiring omrntment. by unmber eoa.l %
the petitioner -rheref're,
= ReSoiUed matt petition Of srtndry in
hahItants of Accom- ok unity, i,n2u.i g de.
tects TO he Co ST. uiion # lis $ at and
praying hat'a e invent N may DE called 20
| remedy lem, u r,j e."
40 that the Question is so far put to rest
Inc friends OF reform h-n H., e no other
resource. tnan to use ;hei Individual exer-
uons with The peoPle--and obtain their aid
| in the call of conven ion