Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1824-08-13

unanirnity, only four members voting against 1t.
1t was then sent to the senate, and the commit
tee to whom il was referred made report, to
which have already alluded. a majority OF
the senate thereupOn sOlcmnly declared, that II
was expedent to pass law at the then session of
the legislature giving to the people of this state
the choice of electors of president and vice pre-
sideut of the United States, aud by general
ticket. Its almost immediate and simultaneous
postponement by the senate till November next,
may have been produced by the fact, among o.
TIERS that as congress was still in session, IL
would be proper to learn the sense of that body
before the bill was finally disposed of.
If this, or some other reason, equally well
founded, did not exist, it would be viewed by
the community as singular phenomenon, that
a measure grounded on general principle,
concurred in by the two branches of the lcgs-
lature, should in the end be defeated; on the
| contrary, was bound to notice the declaration
made by the senate and assembly, and to believe
that those honorable branches of our govern
ment were willing and DESTROYS of giving to the
| people the right of choosing the electors.
| If these circumstances grew out of the fact,
| that the senate of this state had postponed the
subject in the hope that congress might still in
| terfcrc, by recommending an amendments then,
rs soon as congress adjourned, without doing so,
it became my duty to convene the legislature
at an earlier period than the day fixed by law,
and to which they stood adjourned, TO afford
them an opportunity of passing the bill so anx-
iously required and expected 10y the community
| at large.
| 1t became duty, from the many cxtraorli-
nary circumstances connected with the inca
sure from the constantly increasing sol-itude
Of the people in its favour, and from due
gard to the honour of the state.
| Ii, under such peculiar circumstances, | had
hesitated to pay just Difference to public senti-
ment and Legislative declarations, it would have
subjected me to the mcrited reproaches of
free and enlightened people. Having thus per-
! formed What. in the view taken of this highly
| important subject, consider an incumbent du-
ty on my part, ii ROW remains with you, gentle
| men, to adopt such n course with regard to the
choice of electors, you in your wisdom may
think most consonant with the wishes & cxpeca-
tons of your constituents and in recommending
the passage of the law giving il to- tire people, it is
also satisfactory tome To reflect that IFS adoption
will occasion additional expense to the state,
as the necessity otherwise of your again meet
ing in the month of November next, will be
thereby obviated and removed.
Should the legislature be engaged i'm any o.
Their business than the immediate purpose for
which it is now called, or in the unfinished bu-
siness of its last meeting, | would then recon.
mend the proprlety of investigating another sub
ject, which | consider connected with tho
safety Of our citizens, and the prospcrit, of our
state.
The deep interest Which is so Justly felt in our
steam boat navigation, and the fatal accidents
which have recently attended the operation of
its machinery, i'll several instances, Indicate the
necessity of an early inquiry into the causes of
those misfortunes, and of adopting regulations,
by law, for inspecting, al stated intervals, or for
otherwise asccrtainne' the condition and safety
of the apparatus used in such navigation, TO a.
void, in future, far practicable, the awful
consequences arising from misInanagemcnt or
carelcssness.
cannot foi bear, nj this extra session OF the
legislature, TO mention the anticpatNns so fond
1y cherished by the American people, that the
only surviving general officer of the revolution
the friend and companion of Washington, and
who has been so conspicuous for his lisintcrcst-
ed patriotism and devotedness TO the Liberties of
man, is expected shortly 10 visit our country
With the name OF Fayeft, are associated the
most tender, and interesting reeoslcctions; and
| that country, whose independence and freedom
| never be Indifferent to his welfrre, nor be wan
ting in the hospitalities due to its noble bcne-
factor. doubt not gentlemen, that YOU will
adopt such measures for receiving this dstin-
guished patriot, mt the seat of government
should he visit this city, as will do honour to a
grateful people.
JOSEPH C. YATES.
albany, .4ugust 2, 1924.
WASHINGTON, August O.
1t has become duty to announce the death of
T.