Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-09-02
[ro THE PRINTERS OF THE REPORTER. I
90 N-nLnln-- LII, ~


lro THE PRINTERS OF THE REPORTER. I
Natcle=, .iWiy 70, 1917.
The convention elected 10 form a con
siituiiOn for the people Of the Western
division OF the Mississippi Territory, as
sembled at Washington on the 9Th inst
The eXpediency OF acceding 10 the pro-
position oil Congress TO become an indie
pendent state, was determined on bv a
large majority. A large Committee, con
slstingo OF twcnty-onc, was then raised 10
prepare and report by given day, the
project OF a constitution. This commit
tee proceeded, by subdivision into tonr
parts, TO The discharge of the duties as
signed them. A project was accordingly
prepared and reported but what seems
a little strange, the report was said 10 be
dlsapproved of by every member of the
committee. The convention then resol-
we'd itself into committee of the whole,
and commenced a discussion of the re-
ported project, section BY section. They
went through the caption, declaration of
rights, and had advanced partly through
the legislative department, when the sub
Ject OF apportloning the representation
was taken up The members from the
Eastern counties, which are but very thin-
~ inhabited, and the population relative
~ ponr, proposed that they should be al
lowed sen or for each county. This
| proposition was resisted by the western
| members, who were i'm favor of repre-
sentation propOrtioned TO the qualified
electors throughout the state. The lat
ter believed that they had both the popu-
lation and the wealth from which the re-
venue of the state would be raised; and
that nj,
as long as they had majority of qualiii-
ed electors, the direction of the funds
raised from ihei taxation. At least they
were extremely (and very reasonably tool
unwilling 10 surrender up the control OF
themselves and the revenue ofihe state
which they knew would be raised in great
part from them. Some attempts were
made to compromise, but all failec An
analogy was attempted betwixt the con-
cesSions made by the large states at the
formation of the Federal Constitution,
and what the western counties ought 10
| concede 10 the eastern counties i'll this
territory. Finding, however, that they
could not succeed in this attempt, which
is so repugnant TO the fundamental prin.
clples OF well regulated representative
tree government, some of the eastern re-
representatives. moved reconsideration
of the vote by which they had decided
on the eXpedlency OF forming a state at
this time. Those members from the wes-
tern section who had been originally op-
| posed to the acceptance of tile OTTER of
| Congress with the prescribed limits, ion-
ed IN with this motion, expecting thereby
to effect their first object Ofreleclion. The
| question was tried TO day after some Ella
| borate arguments the convention being
! equally divided, the motion in conse-
quence was lost. They will proceed a.
| gain with the formation ola constitution,
but with an apparent determination of ef-
feeling by the final vote, what they have
| been unable TO effect III the progress of
the business. ltisnow extremely uncer-
! tam whether any constitution will be a.
dopied. There seems TO be no practica-
! bic method OF reconciling local preiudi-
ces and jealouisies.
DR.. w. baltimore, the late Dele
| gate IN Congress, from this territory.
made an elaborate argument in favor OF
acccdlng to theoifcr, 10 become a state at
this time. His views appeared TO be
! founded OF an Intimate knowledge OF
facts, and LIS arguments were conclusive
and unanswerabe. The members could
| not however all see.
Should this convention rise without
adopting a constitution, It is believed that
the mississippi counties, and probably all
of the country east 10 Pearl River. and
north e. The 33d deg. OF latitude will pc
iitIOn tor their annexation to Louisiana.
Should that humlliating .fayor be denied,
their condition will be deplorabIe."