Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-06-05

money transactions in other words. de-
prive him OF the liberty if he pleases OF be-
ing looed.
The fact is, Gentlemen, that the legti-
mate lower of state legislature has o.ea
but little understood in the State OF N.r-
ginia, since the adoption OF the Federal
Constitution. and instead of being confined
rs they ought to be. to enactieg laws res
pecting roads, bridges, caus.ys, altering
court days, and preserving the breed OF
oysters, they have gradually progressed IN
the usurpation OF power, until they nave
swelled their code into most ir:ght.ul mas
of tyrannical & laws, threa
tening destruction To the liberty Stproperty
Ofmany good & worthy citizens Of the COM
monweaith---For example. in the very
teeth of the constitution, they have not only
impaired, but actually annuiled and made
vold the most solemn contract by bond or
mortgage given for debt fairly and hon-
cTd6ly won.--Agair a merchant Cannot
trust a man more than twelve months with-'
out forieiti-s the whole debt, pretending
that long credits bring ruin upon the peo-
pie, and this they call great evil, which
they nave right to remedy by law
We hope and trust, Gentlemen. that at
your next meeting, you will take up the
whole code, cviscerate it, expel this NOR
bid matter which contains the elements OF
legitimate regulations, and restore 1t TO your
coustry un contaminated by usurhea pow
er./ lfyou should be at loss to draught
presentment, the gentlemen of the bar
who are concerned in any os the unchar-
tered institutions. dealing in bullion, sc.
will aid you with pleasure and without re-
ward.--It is true you swear to what they
write, but it is only matter of opinion not
fact, and we demand, who is to be the ar
bitter OF the truth or falsehood of an opin-
ion or can you be punished for PERU
ry on the superstition that you are evea
mistaken? We answer, and every tyro of
the law must give the same response
No.
SINE scep les have doubted your authori
ty to make the presentments already pro-
mulgated-but they must be such as would
not believe, " although one rose from the
dead" there are in the world such iniidels
OF the painese propositions. Let US see
how easily these doubters are put to flight
on the approach of lc - and reason. You
are charged by the Judge to present all
treasons, murders, felony, or other crimes
or misdemeanors committed, or done with
in the county guhcre yoH reside. Now, for
the oath" You shall diligently enquire
into, and true presentment make of all
such matters and things as shall be given
you in charge, or otherwise come to your
Knowledge touching the Present service"
Mark that 6 othcrgvisc come TO your
k'iozriedge ;" although the subject of your
presentment has not been given you in
charge, has it not otherwise come to your
knowledge, viz though the Attorney
drafting the presentment, and who is capa-
BILE OF understanding and proving law to
be unconstitutional 1t is just whispere d,
that We have left out in this reasoning, the
words " touching The firesent service, %
touching tiddlestick J! Does not law
made in Richmond operate in every county
IN the State And is it not at least a mis-
demeanoT, If not crime in the legislature,
to enact an unconstitutional law Ergo, it is
an offence committed in the county of Har-
rison, Berkeley, Jefferson, or any other
where you have, or shall make present
msnts. 1t may not be exactly in point
but there is certainly some analogy to be
drawn from the British precedent, laying
the venue, where the offeace is charged to
be committed on the high seas, viz : in the
county of Norfolk.
Thus, Gentlemen, having established
YOUR right to act, beyond all doubt, we
trust hereafter, you will be impartial, and
embrace in your next presentment. the
grievances Of the whole sisterhood of Un :
chartered Banks. and in doing so. confer
an everlasting obligation on your friends
The Perseeuted