Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-16
VIRGINIA zEGrsLATURE.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

Wednesday,, Dec. I3.-On motion of Mr.
Coleman leave was civ en- to bring in bill to a.
mend the act authorsing the counties Of Caroline
and Hanover to convert the Bridge at Littlepage's
across the PamunlSy river into toll bridge"
(This motion incorrectly noticed in our last }
Bills presented TO amend the act regulating the
inspection of salt; to change The time of holding
the Superior Courts in Scott.
Petitions presented BY Mr.. Rutherford, of
the Justices bar, SC. of Richmond City Hastings
Court for the change of the time of holding said
court By MIR. Keller, of Hannah, for permission
to remain in the State By Mr. Gibson, of Geo.
Park, 10 be refunded money advanced by him in
the late war, as Captain OF company By Mr..
Uauis Of H., of Lieut., S. Tinsey, for commuta-
ton pay as an officer in the Revolution By Mr.
Taylor, of William Creepmouse for pension
By Mr.. Rutherford, OF the Richmond Dock
Company, TO be permitted to raise sum of money
by lottery. BY Mr.. Clarke, of Augusta, of GER
tain inhabitants of Augusta, Bath and Rockbridge,
for the extension of the Kanawha turnpike from
Covngton, by way of the Warm Springs, TO
S,aunton- BY Mr. NC Chung, of the citizens of
Lewisburg to repeal the act prohibiting swine from
running at large in said town.
These petitions were referred to the standing
committees.
CONVENTION.
Speech of Mr.. IRVINE on the uotion for leave
to bring in a bill 20 take the uofes of the Free
holders on the call of a Convention.
MIR. SPEAKsn 81 am as much opposed to a
Convention as Any member Of this House. We
live under a constitution which has for its basis
the natural right of man. and for its superstruc,urc
the freest principles OF the English Government
Admirable in its theory, it has been almost unex-
cepiionable in its operation. IL has secured to us
the dearest rights of man, and calculated 10 per-
peiuate those blessings to all future ages. We
may justly and empha,caly be styled the free
born sons of highly iavoured land. We live in
country, where the means of obtaining an honest,
living are easy and ample-where justice is admin
istered with equal and impartial hands TO all classes
OF the COMMUNICATIVE the rich and the poor,
the naughty and the proud are equally entitled TO
the protection, and subject to the penalties and
sanction OF the law. Go to the poor mans house,
and be will tell you, that he enjoys the profits OF
his laoour with his wife and his children around
MIN IN peace and security--thst he is perfectly
Tranquil and contented-- that he has cause of
alarm or distress. Go TO the rich mans house, and
ne will tell you that seated under his own vine fig
tTeehe has none TO modest him hat he enjoys all the
blessings which can be derived from free govern
Ineni-ihst he is surrounded by every pleasure that
Is most congenial TO his disposition. How prepos-
ferrous would it be in US 10 give up all these bless
ings, In search Of that ideal happiness, that ITO
Plan perfection in government which never can be
obtained. But, although | acknowledge hat our
government is founded upon free principles, and
that Il has been administered with republican purity
shall vote for the measure under your considera-
ton There is at present in this state deeprooie ed
feeling OF discomfort with the existing government.
All who have mingled much with the people at
large must be fully satisfied Of the existence Of such
feeling. Those murmurs which have been so
often heard among the people have reached the
walls OF this house. The friends Of Convention
have twice petioned the legislature for hearing
and have as often been refused Notwithstanding
these repeated repulses they still clsmorous for
redress Of their grievances. They begin TO i'm
peach the motive Of those who have thrown the
weight Of their character against the measure; they
accuse them of a contempt OF the principle Of in
structon and charge them with indifference for
the most sacred Of all rights Can a state Of things
lie the present, be OF long Duration? Will the
people give UP the question of self.governmeni
sbandon their claim TO be heard, and acknowle edge
TIE right which has been usurped by the members
~ 'ti- house 10 say whether they shall have a