Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-29

ment, BY concurring in the Senate's amendments
| Why; these importsnt, and highly interesting
resolutions never reached the only hands, for which
they were, expressly designed, those Of the Presi
dent Of the United States, Camlus may be able
to inform the public. That they never did so, Nir
ginius can assure him, and could long since have
done so, from the highest authority Was 1t, be-
cause the Executive, then thought this act of the
Legislature indiscreet! Was this then the senti-
ment OF The governor, himself or oil majority OF
that council, by whose advice ne is required to acr
1t the latter, of the eight members, who might have
been present, or OF the quorum actually present,
who gave that advice! The people have, still
right know these facts; and the warrant oil the
Executive, in the constitution, for disobeyng the
will of he legislature; account of it, ndiscre-
ton. Mark me, Camillus, make no charge,
ask only for explanation. The only charge, OF in
discretion in The legislature, is with yourself.
But, if these resolutions were ndiscIeet, So also,
were those Of two long preceding legislatures, or
General Assemblies of Virginia, occurring, with
some interval of years. between them; and the first,
as far back, the commencement of this century,
| a quarter part of which, hath rung its kne The
first of these occasions, solemn enough, moi to
be quite soon forgotten. 1t Immediately follow
ed period of great alarm, ending with fearful
tradegy, which, fervently pray to God, it may
never become necessary 10 repeat.
These resolutions, however indiscreet, were ex-
ecuied by an Executive, of which Mr.. Monroe
the chief, how then regarded, and beloved, need
| not tell Camillus, and gave rise to correspon-
dence to which Mr.. Jefferson, in whose footsteps
Camillus wishes to tread, was aparty.
recommend it, to Camllus 10 read that cores
pondence, which the archives of the legislature
could once supply; and those of the Council of
State, possibly, still furnish. He will, as
sure him, find constitutional scruples expressed,
by either of the presidents, have named, as TO
the right of Virginia TO expect, or OF the United
O.. .~f Lao u. h..
pose OF colorsing the people of colour.
| The new lights, which, nov, shine upon Ca
millus and his friends have been discovered, since
| they strayed, from the once common path OF MIR.
Jefferson, and Mr. Monroe If Camillus really
wishes as he says 10 walk in this path, it is still
open his return and if permitted, Virginius will
ace company him; or il not, he will be content 10
follow him, at an humble distance. Ii is plain
long beaten track straight, ndbroad enough, with
out jos,ng, for all who desire to travel ii; and it
{. leatleh not TO distinctions" but to individual
comfort well as security, to political union,
prosperity, and glory.
| Camiilus does unintentional, but real injustice
to Vireinius if he supposes that the latter would
ground an amendment of the constitution, or what
| would be equivalent, departure from its clear
import, on the simple request of a state of any
| number OF states, expressed, in any other mode,
than that, which the constitution recognizes. Such
attempts may hav e been made. If so, Virgnius alb
abjures them and the hereical doctrine which they
appeal, for countenance and support. II is ex-
pressly, because, it is deemed constitutional for
| Virginia TO ask and the federal government 10
concede grant OF public lands for colonization,
that the very simple inference was made, in for
mer essay by Virginius, that the same authority
| may be righfully exercised at the instance OF any
other state; and if for the benefit of each state,
| consequently, for all.
| Hence the obvious constitutionaly of the reso-
| luton of MIR. Rufus King, late Senator of New
York, now minister England and of Professor
| Tucker, late a representative in Congress, from
Virginia.
If the former erred, in his course, upon the Mis-
souri, question, and so thought Vrginius, with
my Others, he would have noby repaired his error,
| could he have carried his resolution. This is not
the first innocent offering oil peace, that has been
received with ungeneroms spirit of hostility
DO but believe Mr.. King 10 be sincere. Why not?
| "A nd then what more could any man in Virginia,
ask, than the wealth OF an empire from the Union,
| to wipe on; the only stain upon our escutcheon,
| which, disguise it as you will, must continue,
while it endures all, however ancient be its apo
| logy. An apology resting upon necessity must
fail, when that necessity ceases Wien il shall be
| removed, Heaven only can foresee. To avail our
selves of all the of relief during its continu-
ance, which a kind providence may place within
our REACH is, alike, the dictate of justice, and of
| policy 1t is solemn duty, the consciousness of
which sophistry can blunt, nor tumut of pas
| sion, long suspend.
| Let any caudid Virginian read Mr.. Kings reso-
luton, and laying his hand upon his heart, say,
whether, if he had the power OF accomplishing all
the good, which it proposes, he would not be dis
| posed, well as bound to exert it. The resou-
ton proposes to aid the states, with their consent,
to coionize the free people of colour, and to all,
also in increasing Their number, by purchase,
for the purpose of coloniEing them, also, 10Th
the consent and appreciation ofthe states.
| Does any man, in Virginia, believe, that if faci-
ties for colonizing the free people of colour, were
afforded to the several states, by setting apart a
| dequate funds, their number would not be greatly
augmented, by voluntary emancipation, on The part
OF the master, without price. And if he does not
20 believe, what prejudice result, from afford
ing to such masters, disposed, partial
or complete indemnity for their pecunsry lo-s2
So far, as the constitutional power of Congress
is involved, the often repeated Virginia resolutions
as well, as that of Mr.. Tucker, submitted TO The
House of Representatives, go to the full extent Of
Mr.. Kings
The best consolation, / hope, and trust, that
these gentlemen find, under the abuse heaped upon
them, is that consciousness, which ever follows
the discharge ofduty. If they require any other
the history of the United States abounds with ex-
amples and authority, in point, which, fortunately
too, are so ineligible to need neither the mes
sage of Governor, nor repor. from committee
of the Georgia Legislature, TO c~pound or enforce
them, upon the good sense, and understanding of
the American people.
have seen this day, with great satisfaction in an
article of the Central Gazette, from which argue
well Of the neighbouring University Of Virginia,
brief notice OF these extraordinary proceedings,
which every citizen ofthe United States, beyond
the reach Of the feelings which prompted them,
must blush to read / cannot pass them by, with
out some farther notice of that which is not the
least extraordinary part of them, their attack upon