Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-08-14

" "cH F"lue, man tDe Inc dpOh beseb
ing merely an adj vsiorem tax at eight cents ior e
very $lO0 value; while all slaves above
the age of twelve years. Gold and young, male and
females, OF great little value, there is laid poll
tax OF forty seven cents. Which, considering we
cannot fairly estimate their average value at more
than $500 each, is three times greater, in proper
ton than the tax paid upon lands. Nor is this all;
for by the payment of this tax upon our slaves, we
relieve the mountain people Of nearly one halt oil
the taxes they would otherwise be obliged to pay
upon their lands, which amounts, in fact TO a tax
ing OF us 10 put money into their pockets. r or
whatever sum they are relieved from the payment
of by this means, is just 20 much gained by them.
And precisely, what they gain. we lose. Now,
| would be glad TO ak, in what way will they remu-
nerste US for The sacrifice thu. make OF our
interests for their benefit, and the relief we thus
! afford them? Can the right OF Representation
which we claim for Slaves be fairly viewed as
any thing more Than a Just equivalent!
On the Organization ofthe Ereeutire.
IL seems to be the general opinion of the advo
Gates tor Convention, that the Governor is mere
pageant OF power, without scarcely either function or
responsibility. And they W ould have the Consii,u
zion so altered as to enlarge the AMI encrease
the other. They deal altogether in generate, and
leave ii Tor US 10 guess with what new powersihey
" ouId invest him, and in What way they would en-
crease his responsibility. 1t is pfesumeabe, how
ever, that their objects are to give him veto upon
the laws; clo,he him with the right TO nominate
poets, in condition similar that oil the Fl esident
of the u. Safes.
1t would be difficult TO conceive a more corrupt
organization of Executive power, than that which
has been adopted in framing the Federal Cons'iiu-
tion-Or one less responsible and amenable for its
sins and transgressions.
IT'S ,rue the Constitution gives to the Represen-
tatives of the people the of the sword and the
purse; and that the Deputies Of the States (our
Senslors) must consent and advise in appointments
10 Office But these Deputies of the States, and
I these Representative of the people are renders ed
continually liable TO become the mere tools of the
| President, by the power and patronage be possess
SEES, and the temptation, which he has is constants
ly in his power hold them, of promotion
TO some honorable and lucrative Office Employ
meni, under the General Government. Which is
calculated, virtually, TO give him the command of
the purse and the sword, and place him hey ond
the reach of punishment Tor any act of NAL. admin
istration he might commit.
Should he be inpesched, he must be tried be-
fore the Senate, which he may have previously
corrupted. Already it appears that things have
arrived 10 that pass, that The President can carry
almost any favorie measure ne chooses through the
Congress of the United States; which seems to be
becoming very obsequious, 10 be nearly as
much under the management and control OF Sc
cIeiary Clay, as the British House of Commons is
under tina, OF MIR. Secretary Canning.
| ? should view the Governor of Virginia, with
upon our laws, much in the same light that woulr
Ia Lion, turned loose upon society, armed with h
teeth and claws, able and ready TO destroy both tn,
people and their government.
/ Our forefathers, in framing their system of Gov.
eminent, after having experienced many vexa-
atoms and expressions they had been made &c
feel and suffer by the abuse of Executive pow eT
! while they were the Colonies of England, very
wisely and prudently determined to render the Go
vernon, or Chief Magistrate, of our State harm
less, by vesting the Executive authority in com
mission OF government, styled " the Council O
Sta,e." by whose advice he is TO act; and by re
tanning, in the hands of the immediate representa-
| tives OF the people, come OF the most imporian
| powers: such those of the appointment OF Judg
es and other higher officers of government, tb,
power OF pardon in general, &c. thus leaving bin
only the innocent function of acting as the orgsI
Of The Council. in carrying the measures adyiset
by them into effect, while at the same time, he re
tains all the dignity and responsibility Of his Office
1t matters not when, nor whose, nor by whom
our Constitution was made. The World neye
saw, nor the Sun never sbone upon a more besuti
ful and lovely feature of government than that o
The organization of our Executive. 1t ehould b.
written in letters of gold--penciIled with the ray
OF light; Illuminated with the vaIiesated and dsz-
cling beauties of the rainbow, and sent abroad int
all the corners of the earth, and published amonI
all nations, and tongues, and people, an exam
ple worthy TO be initiated, and desiring to be upheld
; to be free. The wisdom of man never conceiye
any thing more beautiful. And yet this is wha
these advocates for Convention would sacriIe
gIously destroy: calling themselves too the Low er
OF liberty, and the champions of free government!
But this hateful Council, that operates as a clo
upon the Governors authority, and holds him II
leading strings, is, itself, useless and quite irri
sponsible; aud costs the State less than $500
per. annUm. in salaries 10 It's members.
All, wretched economy After seeing (wib th
most stoicsl indffe ence) millions Of the peopie'
money squsndered in fruItless attempts TO effect IN
most exTsvagant aud ruinous projects, shall "
hesitate 10 bestOw this irifie TO preserve The purit
OF our judges-the virtue and independence of on
legislaiors-the integrity and moral rectude OF al
the other officers OF govefnmehi--aDd even TO AZ
cure ourselves and our children from being .rampls
upon, oppressed, aud loTded over by sou pelty y
rant OF Governor, JtHfrGmDieiie,f in O4ice. an,
irresponsible Tor the n.snner in which be dlscbarne
his duties?
On the reformation Of the JHdfc,oyn.
Being but little conversan, with the laws an,
jurisprudence Of the State, it is not my inten,io,
to say much on this subject, prefernLg rather I,
leave such matters to be discussed and settled b,
men who have made IL their study TO become &C
quainied with such things. II is eonjectured, how.
ever, that one OF the pTinRipal objects 10 view in
reforming tie Judiciary, is 10 abolish the Courts o
Chaneery, aud submit all cases, both " Law and
equity. to the sim pie verdict OF SJuty
That great defeks exist in the forms Of doing
business In Courts and that there is great need
Of reform, there csnsbe no doubt. For suits have
bsen known to femsin on Docket, in some instsn-
ces' Tor, perhaps, forty years And in cases of the
most hsgrsnt outisges upon our rights and proper
y, NE costs ofseekpg redress often amount to the