Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1820-11-24


s6mbled at al early hour Yesterday in the
Representative Chamber in the state house
The attendance was very full eviucing the
lively interest ielt by those 10 whom has been
submitted Tie important duty at deiiberaIiug
on This interesting topic. and of proposing
such alterations in OuI State Constitution a.
The spirIt of The tunes may require, aud as 10
them NAV seem pNpealeut
The intelligence the wisdom and the experi-
ehce OF the State, may be SAID TO be Cuucen~
naled IN tins assembly and The presence of
the venerable JOHN ADAMS, formerly Pia-
sideNt OF The u. States. now in the S6ih wear
ct his age, added essentially 10 the luunreSsi -
dignity OF tue sC+HP
The House was called TO order by Iieut
Gov PHILLIPS, who being requested, TOOK Tie
chair.
A committee having beenappointed to re.
ctive the ballots, the Convention were called
upon 10 give in their votes TOR "A Secre alV.
ihe whole namber given ~ was 27J: ecesst
| ~ tor choice, lbs 4; BENJAMIN Pollard Esq
had l9l and was chosen.
iHeCOnFtlition next proCee ded to the choice
OF President aud on counting The votes il an
peaTed:ihaf $50 were given IN of which Tie
lion JOHN ADAMS had SO aud was che
sen.
The folln~ iug Resolve, offered bv Judge
Parker, accompanied by some remarks from
that gentleman, was passed:
WHEREAS the Hon. john ADAMS, a mem
DER NJ thls Convention, aud elected president
thereof, has ioT more than bali "A century de-
voted the great powers of his mind and his
Profound wisdom aud learning TO the service
OF his country dud ina k ind
IN iedTleSsiy SindcdtIng the rights of the
North American Provinces against the usur.
patioh aud encToachment OF The SupeTintend
iDS government:
I'm difusing a knowledge OF the principles
OF civil liberty among his fellow subjects aud
eXcitin- them to- firm aud resoiute defence
OF HE privileges of ireemen
In early conceiviug, asserting aud Main
tdluip" The Jnstce aud practicabilItv OF estab
lIshhg the Independence the Uaited States
of America
know!edge IL the formation OF the Consi,tn
iioh othiS naive State, which Constitution
oechm', III asreAt aiessure, me model of those
winch were subsequently formed:
~ concillatins the favor OF Foreign Pow
erS, and obtaining their cOunleuance and
support in the arduou> Struggle for Independ-
ence:
La negotiating the Treaty of Peace which
'ecorei forever the sovereignty OF The Unit
ed States, and III defeating all attempts 10
prevent II and especially preserving IN that
treaty the vital interests OF the New EBglana
States
In demonstrating TO the world in his de-
teuce OF the Constitutions OF the several II
States, the contested principle, since admit
ted as an axiom, that checks aud balances
IN legislative power are essential TO the prr.
serVatIOn OF true liberty:
Ia dtVotinS his time aud talents 10 the SER
vice OF the nation in he high and important
irHSis OF Vice President aud President Of lii
United States:
And lately, III passing an honorable old aye
III disiiIhed retirement, IN the practice of All
tue domestic virtues, thus exhibiting to his
cOunttymcD and 10 pOAterity an examine Of
true greatness OF mad aud of senuiue patris
orism:
Therefore RssoIred, That the members Of This
Convention, representing tue people of this
commonwealth, do joytully avail themselves
OF lhi' opportunity To testify their respect and
gratitude towards This eminent Patriot aad
'4ateSnhn tor the great services rendered hv
hlh TO this Country, and their high gratifca.
iiOn, That al This late period of life he is Der.
united by Divine Providence to assist them
"ilh his couUses in revising the Constitution
"hich forty years ago, his wisdom aud pru-
dence assisted to form.
Resoiced, That Committee of twelve mem.
OeFs be appointed Nv tie chair, 10 commune
cafe these proceedings 10 the Hon IouV
ADAMS to inform him of his election 20 pre-
Siue W this Douy, aud 10 Introduce him to tie
Clair OF this Convention.
be COMMITTEE appointed TO wait mon the
non. JOHN ADAMS, aud to inform him of his
election as President Of the Convention. con.
sisted OF the following gentlemen Hon,
Messls. Gray Of Boston, Varnnm of Dracnt.
Moreton OF Dorchester, Fisher of Westbo'
rough, Rev. DIR. Baldwin OF Boston. MIR Fow-
ttF or WesinCld, Mr. Dane of Beverly Thomas
meifiil, Esq OF Boston Mi MaiiOOn Of Am
Ht w HoaT OF Lincoln, MI. Bartlett of
Tie above Committee bayiirg performed the
uuty assigned them, returned and Reported
mat I,ic Hon. Mr.. ADAMS declined the honor
InteDded him, and the following cnmn1nnica-
, LOW was subsequently transmitted from the
Do5,ordDle gentleman TO the convention
FeROlC CHisens AN election at my aye ard
w my circumstances by the fee suiilages OF
so ample representation of tie fortunes and
.hients, ihe experience aud wisdom the an
monty. the virtse and The pieiy of tie ancient
ana renowned STATE Of AIassachussfte I .s
ltem ibe putest and iaresI honor OF my lie
ano my gratitude is proportiouably ardent and
smCefe. pay you, gentlemen. 10 present TO
tbe Convention my most cordial thanks,
our enumeration OF services performed for
lhs country, recalls TO my recollection the
long series aud succession Of great aud excel.
lent Characters with whom / have had tlr
Onof 60 ACT h' Csc former pari OF NY life, AND
70 Whose eXertious nave cnjeagoased e ~