Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-08-04
no THE EDiroas OF TIE rNou1Rrn

| Political DiSquiSitions-R Shot.
| Genffemen-A republican, of the old school.
congTaiuiates The people, of Virginia. and felici-
'a,es himself upon observing. that after the lapse
OIL more than nall century, audable spirit OF
| enquiry should be manifested through vorr
paper, TO ascertain the day on which the Bill
OF tights and Constitution of Virginia were first
adopted, and proclaimed to the Yirginian people.
and TO the whole world, az well as the orIpinal
authors, OF those inesiimabie works. The writer
links the subject presents the most curious Ieiec
IONS and coniempla'ons II is certainly little
snort OF miraclei that the proudesl day in the
whole Calender for the people of Virgins a. and
perhaps for the whole human race, and most ;pstIv
| entitled TO the special comnemoration of evsrv
EHglnian, should remain unnoticed until nov. and
lnat diihcuIes should even now occur in liking on
so memorable day with authoritative certaintv
One point, however, seems TO be agreed by all on -
qurers, that the Virginian Constitution is the fret
written social compact that ever was made and
brought into practical operation. Theorists and
OtoplaDs had before asserted the principIe that
all riehtful governmental power was derived from
the people as the only legitimate source of all no.
Htical power, and was founded upon their consent
asceTtained by social compact either EXPRESSED
or impiIedj but The great work remained TO reduce
this first principle to actual practice This grea,
work was achieved by our heroic, ius,rious IA
Tiers They, therefore, are most Justly entitled IN
'ne "ist hohoT ana lhe highest homage, not only
OF their own sons, but of the whole human race =
The merits OF our yenerated fathers do not stoo
here. The writer confidently expresses the opi-
mon, that they were not only the original authors
OIL the JIrst UT'ften social compact grounded up.
on the natural rights of man the world ever saw
but OF the best toTitten social compact the world
has ever yet seen. The writer fondly induloes
the hope, that the sound and splendid talents now
engaged 10 asrertaining the first point, will extend
tber useful and lsudable enquiries TO the ascer-
tainment OF the second. The writer has been led
into this course Of reflection, at this time. from A.,
teniively observing highly interesting and in
elnSent communication in your paper of the
3Otb ult.-under the signature of J. C-and head
ed, George Mason OF 10"
The following is an extract:
Inc constitution o. Virginia the first syiften republ
ran constitution which has ever been ado,eJ IN fbt iii
ut all cyents, history gives account Of sny otbe t
previously adopted vas The model of imitation Tor all dc
other colonies ~ The Uaed 6iss and NAV fberefrs he
called the original from who have been rp;ed All ~ e.
governments that have been established "a die world he
msteT Of most interesting enquiry who wa bs ,, ~ ~
immortal documenH bad always understood mil "a cI
ton and that Thomas Jefferson was the sgt6r az o R ~
ghi eoDt'inue The principles upon which h, pueort ~ he
founded ln this opinion find am mistaken tiedrs Mso
The author Of both. Mr.. Jefferson gfcl The iS ~
he Oop'lnuilop Of Virginia, which IN common with many
others pe'ume have conlounded With Bill u R,ebf,
10 evidence OF these fscts,J. G. then introduces
an extremely important correspondence between
Judge woodward and the late Mr. Jefferson.
whose Tece@ lamented death has shrouded the
whole country In mourning. Upon an enquire
made by letter, from Judge Woodward. rsspect.
ing the authorship OF the Bill Of Rights md Cons,-
luiIoh OF Virginia, Mr.. Jefferson makes the follow
ing statement of facts:
The fact Is nnquestonlble that ihe B ofRv1ts aud IN.
Constitution Of Virginia dflwa originally by Cieo~.s NJ
son one OF or really eres mem and Of The CIT order
ncs' Inc history m the preamble 20 the AZ fov
wa 'n ~ fndePht wnh Congress, aad knowing that the
Oenuon Of FHenifw1s engaged IN forming plaa ofeocern
neni turned ny mud to The subject and e,g sketb
m o9,he o. constitution, with preamble which sent 20 aI
teno0h ffe'ogD o. nc conrs1or. hc nicfe pas.,b