Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1817-01-11

JoL,, Reed No choice
Jerh. Nelson No choice
Asahef SteGrns Timothy Fuller
lie result of the whole Election
throughout the state, is, that six Republi
cans and nine Federalists are elected. and
IN the five remaining districts, there is no
choice. ="
Mr.. T. L. L. BRENT, bearero fdispatcb-
es from our Minister i'll Spain TO the Sec
rotary of State, arrived i'm this CITY vester-
day from Baltimore.
We learn from the Georgetown Mes
scnger, that meetings ofthe Free People
OF Color have been held to protest against
being colonized in Africa. These people
nave mistaken the question. Nothing
could be more explicit than the dsavow,
al TO put any force on their inclinations in
tins respect Their best friends would
recommend them TO be at rest, and not
IN any manner disturb, by their own acts.
!he tranquility and comfort they now en-
Joy. Ii is their enemies only who couId
have excited them to the proceedings
WI. II are published as having taken
pace. Nat. Int.
he Legislative Journals ofN. Hampsbire
Tor the session just closed, bear record of
a singular proceeding instituted against
isaac RIM, the indetaiiga ie iitor of the
New Hampshire Patriot, for contempt
oi me Legislature, by remarks on a par
ticuiar report made in that body. though
me motion of the proceeding was first
grounded on alledged MISREPRESENTATION
OK oi speeches OF the members by Sir. Hill
iiie consideration of the accusations and
censurc of Mr.. Hill were, at lrnoth 0e
having been heard by counsel in defcncel
indefinitely postponed, b. a majority ri
only three votes. Such proceedings are
degrading TO the dignity ola legislative
Douy, contrary TO the spirit of the consfi-
tuition, and worthy Of the fathers of fine
oid sedItIon law, and their disciples. old
ana new: Inc Liberty of the Press, spo
Ken OF IN the constitution, is the mere
phantom OF disordered brain. ifthat
fress is TO be subject TO either Iegisla-
tive orJndiclal prosecution, to satisfy the
offended pride or morbid irritabiity of a.
ny one or Two individuals, who have fall
zen under IFS censure-it is MINISTERIAL
"neiher justly or nOt-for their official
conduct: As long as private character
is sacred, must the Press be shielded Inv
the Kgls of the Constitution. In regard
to speeches in legislative bodies thongh
more correctlyreported in America than
many other country, the most assiduous
care never has been sufficient to rive mn
yersal satisfaction it is enough for the
fnblic, and ought TO be for the Ora
Tors, that Reporter aims at correctness
and, If perchance he fails i'm anv mater;,
RAJ point, cheerfully corrects fhe error.
When one reflectson the subject. if mnsi
be extremely difficult TO avoid occasion
al error, where, nine times out often
the speakers misunderstood each Other
as IT is proved by the frequency Of infer,
rupfions III all debates for explanation 4,
OF complaints OF misapprehension ofihe
views of the Speakers by those who have
commented on them The principle ON
which Legislative Debates are published
Is TO inform the public of the motives nj
pubic acts, rather than to present the
language, or even the sentiments offhe
several speakers in debate. That the
general course Of an argument be cor
rect, therefore, is all that is essential. The
language is merely theappareI of the IDEAS
ana not necessary TO establish their iden,
tlty. ~
1t has been said, (sayst the Trenton Trpe
AmerIcan,) that II the stripes on our flag |
were as numerous as our states. theS |
conid not De as ptainly seen. THUS. how. |
ever IS OF little consequence, we can but |
make them seeereNfth.