Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-01-27
Virginia Legislature.
HOUSE or nELEG,9TES
IEIDNY. .In,,. -

ing preamble and resolution:
Tie General Assembly Of Virginia
rherisl, with peculiar regard, rs funda-
mental principles IN their political
creed. the following: That nj! power
is vested in. and consequently derived
from the people tIiat ali free govern
ments should have Cor tl,cirl, basis eoua-
lily and i'll practice should lis ..nsc IFS
blessings with no less equality to Tie
prOp'r: That wl.eneycr a e.overpmcnt
shall he found differently organized,
or producing different results, a M
Jo'rty OF the people have an iadubi-
table, unalienatle ar,. charlottesville right
TO reform, alter or abolish il in such
manner AS shall he judged most cond;,-
eve to the public good. The Genera,
Assembly entertain for the constitution
OF this state q high respect, and. in con-
tcmplating the circumstance under
which it was formed. particularly the
infancy Of political science. find cause
Tor surprise that plan of government
should have been devised. that in II.
great outlines, should have beer so pro-
pitious to the liberties. and The conse-
qucnt happiness OF mankind. Eat lis
authors would have been more Than
mortal IL they had produced a perfect
plan OF government: Hence time and
experience. the severe but imDartiaI
triers OF all human things. have deyeI-
opcu errors, which, in the opinion of
some, require correction.
This Assembly are aware of the de-
ilcacy and danger Of frequent attemnts
at innovation but where defects cyist
OF such extensive consequence os TO re-
quirc remedy. the experiment of chan
gins the government. bold as il is, must
be tried; and in the crisis thereby pro-
duced, we must look for safety TO the
moderation, the patriotism and wisdom
Oh the people. Petitions Tor series
OF years having been presented TO the
legislature, suggesting defects in the
constitution, and calling for a convent
Oh to remedy the same; and it being
suggested by many that this measure IS
wished by majority of the good people
OF inns state, and this Assembly know
ing that the right to call a conyention
belongs exclusively TO the people. and
tilat, under such circumstances. il is q
respect due TO the people, both to con-
SUIT Them and devise some method nv
winch to collect their sentiments mon
THIS interesting question.
therefore, Resolved, That the she.
RVS and seveants throughout this COM
mOnw ealti, DC instructed and reouired.
at their respective elections for dele,
gates to the next General Assembly, to
open poll, the one column of which
10 be headed Convention" the other
"no Convention" and as the votcps
pass for delegates, to request them also
10 vote upon this question and fairy
recording their votes, deliver the noiI
mas taken to the persons elected to the
Assembly, that the sentiments of the
people may be correctly made known
10 tile ensuing Legislature, and by
them carried into effect.
"A motion was made by mir. Lee (of
n Norfolk thoroughly to amend the resoiu-
'ioh by striking out the words /" the
sherlffs and scrgcants, ~ and inserting.
IN ileu thereof, " the officers authoris.
Gu by law to conduct elect elections.
Mr. Leigh (OfDinwiddie) then NOV
Gu 10 postpone the farther considerati.
on oil the said preamble. resolution and
, to the Sist day of March
ncAt ; and the question being put there
upon the said motion for postpone
'neht was carried i'll the Affirmative.
Ayes S3--Nocs 30.
On motion of NIr. Wilson. seconded
by Mr.. Jesse,
Ordered, That the Ayes and Moo,
on the said question be inserted in the |
Journal.
Inc names fthose WHO voted i'm the |
atiirmatiyc are, Messrs. Stevenson. |
>SPeaker) Cooke, Robertson, Armis- |
tead, Andrew Anderson, Given, Ber-
~, Taylor, Andrew Lewis, Tucker,
Yancey, James Walker, |
keyeicy, Richardson, VIM. Daniel, |
Alien, McCOmas, BENJAMIN W. Leigh,
pegram, Pryor, John Jones, Richard
coleman, Buckner, Alexander Scott,
Bernard, Payne, GIagill, Garrett, Per
'in' John Lewis, Currin, Morrow,
slacIin, Spencer, Snyder, Chapman,
sing, White, Patrick Anderson, Win
Ton, Simon, Machir, Nathaniel Sell
len, Joseph Seldcn, Johnson, Good
on, Hawkins, Hill, holland, Mercer,
iOode, Thruston, Jesse, Caperton,
tray, PicstOn, John II. Christian,
Robert Christian, Dunton, Leonard
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