Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-08-04
FoR THE Wine.
Essen and King &- Queen .Iemoyi0I

Essen ana htng y queen Memorial.
At au adjourned meeting of suuiry citizens free
rpiders and freeholders of the county of Essex
together with of their friends from King Il
Queen held in Tappahannock the o0,Il july, 1922
DIR. James Hagan, one of the committee appointed
at previous meeting to draft memorial to the
convention reported the following, which was adopt
cd with only one dissenting voice.
THE MEMORIAL
Ofsnndry citizens. freedolders and non-frcelo!lcrs
OF the counties of Essex and King 81 Queen friendly
10 the extens of the tight of sHfage, the con-
vention authorized to meet in Richmond in OIto.,er
next, to frame constitution for the state of Vir
GINA
In obedience TO the dictates of that great princ-
pie implanted in every bosom which urges the pur-
suit of happiness i'll accordance with the republican
shirt of the age IL country in which live; and Weld
ipg TO the impulse of common justice and humanity,
presume to address you III behalf of class of CIT
izRns who have long abourcd under what we consi-
der an unjust and odious prescription.
The history of nations and statcS like that of midi
yidna's, affords particular periods in which comb-
nation of fortuitous circumstances arising man is
presented with an opportunity of improving i'll
usual degree, his moral condition. of profioiiHC the
harmony and happiness of the whole community; and
OF Glding strength and security t6hs country. In
the history of Virginia we presented with two of
these memorable epochs. The revolution which left
the United States afree and independent nation pre-
sents to the hunaa mind of the most sublime
subjects OF contemplation that the history OF the
world affords. 1t has proved what despos and the
advocates Of monarchical governments have always
bic of self Cove n!nent. In wrestling from the grasp
tyranny this immutable truth, this natural right,
this nestimable privilege people class Of peo-
pie contributed more feey than the -freeholdcrs
Of Virginia. Like the oppressed chivaric subjects
OF Il certain European despot, they have been the
foremost to march TO the defcDGc OF their country
when invaded by foreign foe, and TO shed their
blood protecting the lives and preserving the lbcr-
tics of that domestic arStocracy, who would rvet the
chains and perpeuatc the slavery Of their brave and
generous defenders During the history OF our coun-
try the non .freeholders every which call
cd for the patriotism of the citizen or the virtues U
thc soldier have displayed as much divoton TO the
deny them the rights of 6eemen. Two sanguinary
wars have proved them faithful patriotic and gene
rous oftheir blood. But those mighty efforts which
achieved the freedom and independence oftheir coun
try clothed not the non-frecholdeTs of Virginia will
the natural rights Of freemen. The OF liberty
arose above the horizon only to illunue the paths o
holders the deep gloom in which the iberality O
oped them. For years have they endeavourcd Il
awaken their opponents TO just sense OF their IN
iuries. Still We told that il IS not cxpedcnt Il
Cmaucipate thcm--that they are unfit judciously q
exercise the right of suiira ge-that it would be
inst allow them 20 participate in taxing the proper
" Of frooholders, the owners Of the SOIL the priDc
pal supporters of government, the bone and sin
of the state that they have for upwards q
half a century exercised the uninterrupted an
exclusive privilege of Legislation, and that the
have therefore acquired right TO enact the Jaw
by which the whole community shall be governed