Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1816-05-15

,"e 70 themselves, and the community OF vhcI
-hey are members, make the following present
ments;
We present as a grievance. which has long |
been severely felt, which has long been severel,
FELT, which is rapidly increasing, and whicl |
threatens soon TO become niolerable, the inequs 1
lily with which the different parts of the
state OF Virginia are represented IN the &c.
neral Assembly We consider the preponder-
ance which this inequality of representation con-
feTs on minority of the people. inhab,ting the
Eastern and Southern parts of the State, as to-
tally Inconsistent with the spirit and character of
our republican Institutions, and iustifying, if a
redress OF the grievance be much longer post
poned, a resort to first principles
We present as grievance, and as 4 gross yo-
iation OF the fundamental PRINCIPLES of our 20.
vernment, the refusal of the last General Assem-.
bly, to pass law for taking the sense of the peo.
pie on the question, whether convention should
be called or not; all hough BILL containing pro-
visionsSo that efiect,was voted for by the Repre-
sentati' es of majority ofthe people.--we consi
der tbs refusal as evidence of a determination i'm
the Representatives ofthe Eastern and Southern
sections the State. to pecsevere in a course of
legislation, local and partial in It's character and
destructive of the best nteres 3 of the majority
ofthe people, inhabiting the Northern and IVES
tern parts thereof.
We present as a gre vance, manfestly result
lng from the Unequal ~ representation, and the
performance of sectional interests, the acts q;
theLeeislature in relation to the public revenue
We are warranted in pronouncing these laws
partial, oppressive aud unjust inasrnuch rs the,
require payment of the public revenue in TN.
notes of the incorporated Banks of Virgins.
which, while they compose the circulating me
rilm OF the tavoured portion of the state, arr not
10 be obtained at any premium, except to a very
small amount, IN the Northern and Western parts
thereof.
we present as a grievance. which may be ira.
ced, ike all the rest, TO tire inequality of repre-
sentation---the continuance of the seat of p,.
Varnment at point so remote from the centre
Sf the State, both as II regards population and
ferritory.-While in all the other states of H.
xonion, Possessing, like this, Weste m section.
aPidiy increasing IN population, the seat of Go.
Sernment has been removed, with view to ge
neral accommodation, Virginia alone, the victim
of local legislation, in suoservience to the inter
ests and convenience of particular section of
fhe State, retains her Capitol on tide water more
accessible to foreign enemy, than TO a large
proportion of the frrce upon which it must ever
q epend for its defence
We present as a gris vance, an Act of the las,
General Assembly ent lsl " an Act TO rive relief
30 the people Of this Commonwealth in certain
cases." and an Act amendatory thereof which
sHect to recognize the notes OF the two incorpora
ted Banks, as r part of the circulating medium
OF the Northern and Western Counties, and fur
Their affect to consider the actual c rcuIatinp me
dun of those Counties, as deprecated below tbs,
of the favoted section of the state.-We cons
der these laws as containing an unwarrantable
usurpation of power, and most preposterou.
transfer to the County Courts of this usurpe.
authority--ss having direct tendency to de,
troy, what wise Legislature would have earn
estlp endeayored TO sustain, an uniformity of W
lue in all the constituent parts of the crculatinf
medium.
We present as tyrannical and unconstitutional
the act of the late General Assembly. entitled
can Act more effectually to prevent the circuI,
zion ofnotes emitted by unchartered Banksn-
Observation-Disclosures the prohibition under
severe penalties of unincorporated Banks, IS
virtual grant Of" exclusive ernoluments and mr..
Vileges" TO the two incorporated Banks--iD ex
press violation Of the 4th section of the Decls
ration of Rights"-Because 1t subjects the citi
zen 70 the payment of heavy fines to the Com,
monweslth, without allowing to him he priyi |
1ege and the protection Of the trial by ury--,r
express violation of the 9th sectiou of the said
observation-disclosures it imposes fines exces |
sye" and uuprecedented-in express violation ~ 1
of the 9th section of The said Declaration r. |
cause it is an assumption by the Legislature OF \
the powers properly belonging tn the Judiciary. |
which latter branch of the Government hath |
lone the right to take from the CIT zen, Propert,
Of which he is in passesson--in express violation
of the Sd article of the Constitution of Virginia.
And lastly,
Because Il mpairs the obligation of con- |
tracts" entered into by he members of the d,ffe.
rent banking associations IN the State, MADE be 1
fore me passage of the IIry.--In express violation
Of two of the prohibitory clauses of the 10Th sec
tion of the LIST article of the Constitution of III
United States
And Observation-Disclosures il tranples on tn, |
citizen in all the particulars Just enumcra,el. |
and because il ANS a deadl blow at the prosper,,
of the Northern and Western sections of a.. |
State, containing majority Of the Fl ee iuhab
San.s thereof We do not hesitate to ,mputt |
this oppressive and tyrannlcal law to the gre
pervadng evil, which IS fast blightng the prc. |
perity of Virginis--the inequality of represen
tion, and the consequent predomnance of loca! !
interests, snd locol passions
The Grand Jurors of Berkeley are sensbl, |
that in the enumeration of grievances, Every &
from fall one) which they have thought il thel,
duty to make, they have departed from tha' re- |
spectful tone, which, in common tunes should |
be preserved towards the government of Tia /
State--But they are justified by the actual stat,
Ofthings. 1t becomes freemen, when their right. /
are invaded, TO speak plainly, and to act decisive
Jy.
WM. MORRISON,
Foreman.
A Copv-Test.
HARRISON WAITE, C, h. sc.