Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1828-07-18
CHARLOTTESVILLE CONVENTION.
ETfTdcf OF a Letter 10 the Editors, dated
charlottesville, July 18Th. 1878

sN ~NtttO ~ i, 6tC
Charlottesville, JMy 10Th, 1928.
The Convention met yesterday, when AR.
'1adison was immediately called to the Chair. A.
Dout ~ counties, ! think, are represented, and s
towns: though the meeting isa very large one,
comprising persons from very MANY paris of tI.
o'a'e, ana l may say too, (altnough 1 am a mem
'er) comprising, perhaps, more talent than any
,ody which have seen assembled in Virginia.
r rom such a body it might very naturally be ask
ca, are not great advantages TO the State TO be an.
ucipated: Under different circumstances, such
advantages from such men might be expected. As
Things are,jt would perhaps be extravaganza to look
ior much good. Nothing has we, been done beyond
The appointment Of d Committee of thirteen. who
arc 70 report TO the Convention, probably, to. NOR
row. 1 cannot accurately anticipate what thev
VIII propose; for, as yet no scheme or opinion has
been formally brought forward except the proiet
developed In the speech of Judge Coulter intro
Huctory 10 the appointment ofthe Committee. The
PoJet OF Judge L. points almost exclusively TO the
completion oi the Improvements heretofore design
ed, and IN part executed, for connecting the
James River with the Western waters. It's not
dii1cult, however, / think, TO discern, That in the
aggregate body assembled here, there is much di-
'eIsity OF Inclination, arising from local Causes
anu there viii be as much manifested no Doubt i'm
The schemes for providing the de quoi faire, or
me money for prosecuting every scheme in which
.he general appreciation might set. This is a
delicate and difficult subject.
=" AT the head of the m appointed to
uISesl a report stands MIR. MonToe-next The Chief
justice oil the United States, John Coalter, James
Barbour, Hugh Nelson, Chas. l.. Mercer, Gen. 5.
blackburn, David s. Garland, Mr.. Venable, Gen.
Francis Preston, George Newton, - Peter,
and Professor Dew.
MIR. Madison, | think, looks very well-hIr.
hionroe Is the most perfect figure of woe | ever
enthusiastically wasted away, and manifest
ing II. his couDtenance the deepestand most fixed
melancholy. | have been much affected at hs an.
pearance. aud sincerely wish his old age was com.
Portable.
cannot pretend to predict the termination of
the Convention. Some persons speak OF Wednes
day, whilst others assign to it the entire week.
lAnother letter states, that Mr.. Madison wished
to excuse himself from acting az President. because
II might possibly interfere with his engagements
at the Oniyersity-he consented ultimately to off
ciate for the day.-The meeting was opened by a
speech from Judge CoalteT Of nearly an hour in
length; he concluded with proposing the appoint
inent oil a Committee 10 prepare a Report for the
Convention. Some few remarks were made as TO
The number and mode Of appointing this Commit
tee--and finally the resolution was adopted to linn
1t The number 10 10 persons, and TO deyoive the
selection on the Chair. At the head OF this Com.
miltee ifrom respect for his years and station, but
nos from any expectation that he will take upon
, himself the labor OF preparing the Report,J was
placed MIR. Monroe. Much di, ersity Of opinion
was expected as TO the specific measures Of Inter
nal Improvement TO be recommended TO the lie.
/; Slsiature, and still more as TO the means to be
raised for carrying those measures into execution.
Inc capital project with Judge Coal,er is the com.
pieiion Oh the WORKS commenced Oh me James Ti-