Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-12-16


some measure, modified by circumstances, and
abrogating. they did, in few days, their ancient
form OF government, and substituting another in it,
place. they slmost compelled TO retain in it,
some of those features which were inconsistent
with the abstract principle, that " all men were
by nature equal" But the progress of events,
said Mr.. c. had in fifty years tended still more to
increase the evil resulting from this feature in the
Constitution. At that time the free part of this
community was. in great measure. composed of
free-hoders, their families and their oyerseers.
The operation of the statute Of descents, as well
as other great changes in the circumstances of the
people, had gradually produced other classes OF cit
liens.
Men generally draw their illustrations, said Mr..
e., from objects most familiar to them, and he
should, therefore, state what the situation OF
Ais own county, not because it was peculiar, bu,
because he believed it to be Just picture of the
counties IN Its vicinity. There were not in that
county more than six hundred freeholders, whilst
he was sure he did not over estimate the number,
when he stated, that there not less than one
hundred and fifty tenants; not persons who mere
ly rented small houses and gardens, but that number
who rented farms, and equally with the landlord
participated in the burthens of government, and
were equally interested in its wise and economical
administration These persons, deriving their
subsistence from lands, are equally attached to the
soil, nay, sometimes even to the locality with the
freeholder, and have equal permanent, attachment
to, and common interest with him, in the Com
monwealth. That besides these, there were
throughout the Valley counties, a numerous and
respectable class Of mechanics and manufacturers,
who ministeied to the wants and necessities Of
their fellow citizens, and i'm whose boson,s the
throb OF patriotism was not less strong than in the
heart OF the freeholder. Where large and res
pec'able proportion of our population, said Mr..
u, who, taken in the aggregate, are more numer-
Gus than the freeholders themselves, are thus de-
MED the privileges, whilst they feel the burthens of
the government, it is not TO be wondered, that in
| counties so situated, sympathy for their situation
should generally be felt. and desire prevail far
as is compatible with public safety, remove these
disabilities from portion of their fellow citizens.
But what is now their situation? A mechanic
wants not land, and because he is not able to spare
from the support of his family the price Frequent
ly extravaganO OF property in town, he is con-
! denned either to state of political inequality at
home, or to exile from the land of his nativity.
Mr.. G. said, he would not enter upon that ex.
cursive and backneyed field of discussion, which
consideration of the existing political inequalities
in the different sections of the State would open
to him; he would not call the attention of the
| house to the equal weight of Warwick and Fred
erick on that floor; the one possessing bu, TWEEN
tieth Of the white population of the other, thereby
giving to man in Warwick. the same political
matter which hid been too often discussed in that
body not to be fully understood; it was sufficient
Tor him, that changes in other respects in the cir
| cumstances OF the people, had rendered a
pondng change in of the features ofthe ex-
| listing government, indispensable the happiness,
the prosperity and the tranquility of the common
wealth.
| Thursday, December IA communics-
| iOn ved frct he hat h,b
agreed TO the joint resolution proceed Friday,
TO the election of two Councillors in the place OF
those recently removed.
| MIR. Keller moved to postpone the joint order of
the day, which had for its object the election Of
Chancellor for the Wythe, Stanton, and Green
brier Districts, until Thursday next. This motion
was opposed by Mr.. Craig, and nesatived. The
| House then proceeded 10 the election.
| John II. Pey,on Of S,aunton was nominated by
Mr.. Iapp. Supported by Messrs. Irvine, Lewis,
| Moore, Clarke of Augusta, and Gilleland.
Allen Taylor of Flncasle, was nominated by
Mr.. Craig, supported by Messrs. Miller of Bath
Patterson, Everett, and Wtcher
| Jonathan b. Carr of Albemarle, was nomina, ed
by Mr.. Cooke. sustained by Messrs. Gordon Bryce,
and Winston. The two last gentlemen being
| called on to bear testimony of M. C's merits.
i Edward Campbell of Abingdon was nominated
by Mr.. Keller, and supported by MIR. George.
The ballots Stood Taylor 50, Peyton 67, Carr
"a, Campbell % Mr.. Campbell being dropt ac-
cordng to the rule OF The House, the second bal
lot was: Taylor ia, Peyton rs. Carr 23-where-
upon Mr.. Taylor declared duly elected.
| Mr.. pViiiiams asked leave to bring bill to
amend the act concerning the establishment, &c. of
the Superior Courts Of Law.
4 He explained his object to- be to re-organize
four circuits, beginning on the Bay, and ending on
the Ohio, TO merge in them, the circuit on
the Eastern Shore, and supercede the necessity OF
appointing Judge in the place of the late Judge
Parker, which election was 10 come on, on the
next day.
/ Mr. Gholson moved TO lay the resolution on the
table which prevailed.
| On Mr.. Colston's motion, the Committee for
Courts of Justice were instructed to report bill
to elect Judge for the 10th Judicial circuit.
Mr. Rufner, from the Select Committee to
whom was committed Bill to amend the act, en-
titled Z" An act regulating the inspection of salt IN
certain counties therein mentioned" reported the
same with an amendment, which was agreed to by
the house; and then the bill was ordered be en-
crossed and read Sd time.
i On Mr.. Kin,broughS motion, the bill authors.
ing the Auditor to appoint additional clerk, was
taken up and ordered 10 be engrossed.
Mr. White, from the Committee of Roads and
Internal Navigation, presented resolution, and a
bill concerning Adam Harness, Jr.--And Mr..
II Winston from the Committee OF Propositions and
Grievances; presented a Report and bill authori-
sing separate election in the county of Pendleon,
which were laid upon the able.
Mr.. Thompson Of Norfolk county presented a
petition of sundry inhabitants of Norfolk, praying
the passage of law requiring the Dock Master in
the Borough Of Norfolk to attend and regulate the
es,rance and departure of all lighters trading to
that place, and to allow him a compensation for
his services.
Mr.. Shin also presented petition from the