Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1825-07-12

more correctly represented in the House OF Dele
gates. know not whether this admission will lie
| made by Mason of TO- but am conliden,
that the author ofthe Substitute would not, and
| could not deny it, seeing that scout of his own
| mouth he would be condemned" The delegates
from the district OF Augusta, &c. (Which is COM
posed OF three counties) voted unanimously in Ia
vor Of the Bill and 1t is notorious that the people
OF that district have been favorable to conv enton
almost time out of memory. The two delegates
from one county only, and that small one, in uie
district OF Nelson, SC. (Which is composed of o
| counties) voted against the Bill. One delegate
from another county in that district did also vote
against the Bill for which his constituents refused
| TO reflect him. The whole representation of one,
and the half of another county (ihe two least po-
pulous) in the district OF Giles, SC. voted agains;
the Bill, leaving considerable majority i'm its IA
vor; and although in the district of Middesex, SC.
a majority of the counties were in the negative the
| excess OF population the other side. Thus
| Ii ave demonstrated the fact most conclusively
that the vote oil the Senate, rejecting the Conven-
ton Bill, was not in accordance with the feelings
wants and wishes "a i;iiie people
now turn to another topic, which has been
magnhed into one of great importance, and con-
corning which some OF the extraordinary errers
and decisions have prevailed. l mean the ques-
ton whether the representation in the House of
Delegates shall be appor,ioned according to the
population taken together. l earnestly solicit the
attention of Mason, and of my countrymen al
large, particularly OF the lower country, to the
marks which are TO follow. / beg that the facts
and calculations which submit, may be subjected
to the severest scrutiny. They have been derived
from the best sources OF intormation, have been de-
liberatey weighed, and are fearlessly offered, as
founded in the strictest truth and mpartality. Even
the acute and comprehensive mind of Mason, has
not escaped the influence of this ightful contagion
In his first publication OF the Goth May last he says
" that whenever the attempt shall be made TO APP
portion the representation without regard to the
slave population,-to place that property in the
absolute power of those, who have little interest
10 preserve 1t, and the strongest interest TO
b,irthen II, 1t will be attended with such contest
between the people of the different parts of the
state as the Loudoun Committee indeed may think,
only wholesome agitation of the political Amos
phere, but as shall think convulsion portending
The most fearful consequences. I'm the last publi-
cation OF the writer, in allusion the subject,
he declares, Whether am false prophet or not,
will be determined wheneverit shall be proposed to
equalize and appor,ion on the principle ii. e.
white population) the representation ofthe people,
IN that house tohich SHAH be entrusted auth the
potcer Of originating money bills
person not accustomed to the mistakes into
which enthusiasm and prejudice so Frequently
betrayed, would be tempted to believe from the
foregoing quotations, that the commonw cath was
about TO be involved in some calamtous destiny, and
that some fearful convulsion was likely to endan-
ger her peace, her safety and happ ness. The calm
and undisturbed Enquirer would ask, why is all
this uproar and alarm, and for what purpose are
these apparitons conjured up? Suppose that
the new constitution (if one should be formed, and
sooner or later il must beg should make the free
white population the basis of representation in the
Legislature, what are the mighty evils and mis-
obi aEy g.. ..S m
be place." in the absolute power of those who
have little interest TO preserve it, and the strongest
interest to overburthen ~" Will that species of
property he IN danger of oppressive taxation from
those who will not be slave holders? Let can
did statement OF facts, answer these enquiries.
For all statistical or political purposes, the state
has usually been divided into four districts. The
hrst commencing spon the sea board, and extend
Ing to the head of tide water, comprebending 3S
counties and all the large towns of the Common
wealth; the 2nd, from the head of tide water to the
Blue Ridge, embracing 81 counties; the 3rd be-
tween the Blue Ridge and Allegheny, usually de-
nominated the Valley, having Ia counties, and the
ith, west of the Allegheny, including 26 counties
An Impression has very generally prevailed that
the mass OF the slave population lay in the LIST district
ard that the excess in Its present representation was
nothing than just equivalent for its excess in
the number of slaves. But what is the fact2 In the
30 counties and towns of that district having so
Representatives in the House of Delegates, with
total population of 39I SIG. there are 2O2. g6O
blacks, wh hist in the 27 counties of the End district
having o. Representatives and a total population
only OF 81 ,s7l, there are 2o3, 1897 blacks so that
In the second district, with fewer Representatives
by rs, and smaller total population by I9, 915,
there is larger black population by several hun
bred
What portion of Virginia then, / emphatically
ask, contains the slave-holding population, Is it,
might be inferred from the dismal Jeremiads
winch have been chaunted on this subject, some
little nook or corner, which having acquired an IN
due share of political power is resolv ed toretain il
No! the black population destined to be The stalk
ing horse of that class of politicians who sheer at
every scheme OF reform or phanthropby) are dis
per>ed almost 10 exact proportion TO he great mass
Of the whole people OF the state, and nearly co-ex-
tensively with the whole inhabiiable territory IT,
Indeed the mass Of the slave population is on the
east side OF The mountains, so also is large MAORI
ty OF the white population. The present repre-
sentaon IL the House of Delegates consists of PA
members, OF whom 81 from The east and so
from the west side of the Blue Ridge. If the repre-
sentation should be apportioned according 10 the
number OF free whites, how then would stand the
relative political influence of these two sections
The east would lose precisely members still re-
tanning the decided majority of SO in the Legislature
Let it be observed too, that the Counties of Jeffer
i'' 'ieu''ich, hueuS'd, nockDTioSe ana others
situated in the Valley, large slave-ho ding coun-
ties, and that according every reasonable cacula-
ton, majority OF from 40 TO so would always be
found deeply interested in the protection of slave
property from the rapacity and injustice Of those
who might be disposed TO overburthen it, In truth,
this demon Of discord, so called By the author of
The Substitute, is but mere scsTe-crow, which
makes most hideous noise indeed, but Is utterly
powerless and harmless.
One fact more deserves 10 be mentioned, as illus
iTatIng The absurd misapprehensions which have