Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-12-13
..aea...sei, 20 1'l'l,s.6..- 49,
FOR YHE FNQULNER.
1te Petition FIR a Gana' an tie south side O
INNS Ntrer

(r'nss htrer.
no THE LEGISLATORS or VIRGINIA.
NO /.
The time IS come when YOU vii! exercise
the constitutional functions conferred eh YOU
nv tie Tree people OF this commonwealth :;
when at Scnie period OF your sitting, j Subject
of much moment to the community viii again
be offered for N,ur consideration.
In addressing body at such high and res
pectaDle authority, upon such a subject, it is
proper for me TO inform you that aW not act
ing under the influence Of any disposition to
personal InveGtiyc IL IS no injury Ct personal
interest. nor is II disappointment OF lucrative
expectations, that urges me 10 attack the OpIu.
lens of men, who stand deservediy high in the
scientific world, ~ defence OF a subject which
has gADerlenPgl all The force OF ingenious ar.
gument and al the iuVeteracy OF the most un-
popular principles. 1t is the general object of
this address 10 eNainine impartiaiy the ohjec-
tons Which were urged at the last session OF
vOur honorable body IN opposition TO the pas
sage of iie bill iOr constructing canal ON the
south side OF james River, pursuant To petit
ton of the inhabitants of Manchester and 9th.
ers. - is not merely to maintain the interests
OF "a few individuals, nay, not to assert the
rights of u considerable district of country
tint take The liberty to pTp,rudU my own opili-
ions npor yOu and the community at large up
on this subject, upon this occasion but in de-
nYing the prayer ut TINS petition, l hambly con-
ceiNe that q majority of the legislature, have
made a fatal innovation upon the vital pTiuci-
pies Of that constitution, which they are APP
pointed to protect and preserve inVlOlate to
defend this sacred instrument, then, from the
whence OF such assaults is The chef, and parti
GUAR object Of the following remarks.
First, ] will eGdeavor to enumcratc this for
midabie catalogue OF objections, which as well
as NV memory serves are tOuriOld--lSt
the public imtoreSt-2nd. the public pledge
3Td. the interest Of the Washington Academy
and 18th. the interest OF the individual stock
holders Of the James River Company. First,
then in 0rder, let us consider the common
y = n %
ton fairly TO view in all IFS bearings, in order
to IA he due estimate OF the public interest
when put in competition with that OF a part of
tie community, lt EIll be necessary for us to
examine little he relationship OF public and
private rights, and see how FIR public sOvc.
TeiSDty ought to wage war nfOn privste al
YaICeineut. OF the nature OF republican gov
ernmCut in particular, IT would be superiiu-
GUS We presume TO say much, especially 20
those whom &e believe 70 be tally masters OF
the subject. lie, as then take this rule for our
standard that al wise governments are ins IL
tuted Tor tir Pa DOte OF dispensing is uniVCr.
from the civil compact, and THAI these benefits
arising from the Union thus formed ere 10 he
reciprocdlJ enjoyed Icy thOse udividUais = 10
compose a part at Least, however small ttat
pare may be. ia idtlO Ore (iy prOpOrtloned
10 that OF tie aggregate body. h. We ent9r
INTO an Investigation OF the principles OF ClYIl
government, We snail be- compelled " ackn1w-
ledge The ttnt Of this position, and fOf Liiis
we'll established reas. u, that thc progress OF
civilization and learning, have iot 80 far meta
norphCsc,l human pature, as So warrant rs AZ
tnc conclusion, mat jhe warts ana Tears Of IN
diyiduas are not aUts essential % .iic in3tita.
ton ard preservation oi political associations.
Tie object. 81 Wrn 100 assOci1ting tiicG.se j. cs
tGt ether ~Iaer tiie dominion ~ co. crnIufat,
me. lee shorty TrIacld b. thcfe three per
.Oidi liberty, pcrSola sCcHTit@. and The rIght Oi
private property from these tnree primitive
sources q fi TIE launtcaiinHS 81 rights drd
wrong ".I.rl. are hcldtui ~ sia'e OF Ier1iI-