Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-04-27
COMMENT.

Whatever the Grand Jury NAV urge to
the contrary. it is rather strange course
which that important branch of our JUDI
CARY are now pursuing. Were the g-iev-
INC "fSi~ir 49, present, g ccrnrnitted or
done within TIE District for uhich they
are impannelled ," as the Act os Assem-
bly, chalks Out-They admit, indeed, that
the authority which is exercised, els foun-
ded on no law" but plead usage and tut
lie convenience by way of excusc-Bnt
where are the cases, if any, in which our
State Grand Juries have ever travelled
so far beyond the record pit might be
wished that these cases should never occur
again.
Taking TIE two first Presentments toge-
Their, they present a conclusion which is
very different from the fact itself. Who
would not think that the haher of the Is
banks, (of whose rejection they complain
was to be received in payment OF the fu5-
lie reUeHue ?-whcn it is a fact, that had
these Banks been Incorporated, the wes-
tern counties would not have been more
able to have discharged their taxes. II
was ertresSly declared, that the paper of
these banks was not to be received at the
Treasury of Virginia.
The rejection of these banks is stig-
matted by cp.thets. which are much
moro acrimonious than correct. Had the
Commonwc alth been in the same situation
as when the two existing banks were esta-
blished, it might more properly have been
considered rs partial and tyrannical" to
have denied the pc titioners Of the West.
Or, these charges mi ght have been more
truly urged, it in the present state Of things
any banks had been given to the Fast, but
denied to the West. 1t was because the
circumstances of the times had chuRged,
that the policy Of the Legislature under
went proportional change. We lad too
much bank paper-and too little specie.
The market was suffering uader pletho-
r., was it right to add to it! Was it not
wiser 10 restore the country to health, be-
fore more Of these institutions were per-
mtted
The bugbear of Richmond Influence,
which is CO. jured up, has hitherto escaped
orr notice. We are disposed TO think.
that the fact lays the other way-and,
that it is a very little help to me sure 70
learn, that Richmond wishes it success.
The last grievance presented, we are
really sorry to sec in 8uch company. 1t
may be true, and We believe it TO be
true, that Rehreserfafion is unequal
but, it is lmpossb that a worse
proof could be given of it, than the one
which has called out the Grand Jury Of
j, ferson. Isit any proof OF the grievance,
that the country was rot suffered 20 be de
luged by fresh emission of benk paper9
| Let the friends of equal representation
| take higher grsund tnan this let them
| disc srd the avaricious spirit of moned in. IL
tutions, and all tie unworthy rescntments
OF local JEALOUSY let them equalize the
| land fare8 also with the representation.
| Upon these grounds they would have q
right To be heard. Bat why did not the
| Jury of Jefferson take this urse Why
stop short ~ their prescntments Why,
not dcnouncc the inequality Of the system
Of taxation, as another grievance IN Our
| Institutions
IN this great closing sentiment we fully
concur May Virginia b., what She ought
| 70 be, h apPy, four.shus and great