Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-07


thcin oil the Character of men. The federal number
as II Is called, is particularly recommended 20 atcn-
IL IN forming basis of representation BY its sim.
pncity itS certainty It's stability and its perIna nency.
Other eXpedents for securing Justice in the case of
taxation, while they amount in pecuniary effect TO
The same thing have been found liab, TO Great obac
IONS; ana do not believe that majority Of this
Convention IA disposed TO adopt them if they can find
substitute they approve. Nor is il I; small re-
commentator of the Federal numbe. in NV view
,ha IS conformity to the rata recognized in tho
Federal Constitution The cases, II is iFue arc not
precisely the same, but there is more Of analogy
than might NJ first be supposed. IL Tie coloured no.
pnstion were equally dnhsed through the state the
analogy would fal; but existing, il docs, in large
masses, IN particular parts o It, tie distinction be-
tween the different parts Of the State, resembles
that between ;Ee slave holding and non-slayehodinp
States: and, we reject doctrine ia own State
whilst VIC CLAIM the benefit of it in our relations 70
other States, other dssgrceabe consequences may be
added to the charge OF inconsistency, which will be
brought against US. If the eXamp. OF cur sister
States is TO have weight, find trt in Georgia the
Federal number Il made the basis Of representation
in both branches of their Legislature: and DO not
learn that any dissatisfaction or inconycnencn hus
flo wed from its adoption. / wish we could know
more OF tho manner in which particular organizations
OF government operate IN oth'S parts of the United
States. There would be leGi danger of being mslcd
into error, and should have the ADVANTAGE Of
'hcIr e%perience as well rs our own. IN the case l
mention, there can, believe. he 10 error
whether, therefore, be- fixing basis of rcrre-
senta'ion for the one branch the other Of our e-
gisIaiurc, or for both, in combination with other
principles, the federal ratio is fvorite resource
with me. IL entered into my earliest views of the
subject before this Convention was assembled; and
though have kept my mind open, have listened to
every proposition which has been advanced und ri
ven 10 them all a candid consideration must say
that 10 my judgment shall wisely in prcfcrrng
il 20 others, which have been brought before US
Should the federal number be made to enter into the
basis IN one branch Of the legislature and not into
the other, such arrangement might prove fiyora-
% Tatt hp "A 81 i,1.
il has been, suggested that those who have them
sa7es no interest in this species of property are ait
to sympalhise with the slaves, more than NAV b.
the with their masters; and would, tlereforn
be disposed, when they had tho ascendaucv 10 pro
ect them from laws of IN oppressive character whist
the masters, who have { common interest witt! the
slaves. against undue taxation, which! must be pDid
out Of their labnur, VIII lie their protectors when the
have the nscendancy.
The Convention is now arrived at q pau, w'.crc
we must agree on some common ground. q. sides
relaxing IN their oplniors;not changing, but rluu
ally surrendcring part of them. In framing Con-
sttuton, great difficulties necessarily 10 be over
come: and nothing can ever overcome them but q
spirit of compromise. O;her nations are surp is.d
at nothing much our having been ube TO form
Constitutions IN the manner which has been exeIa-
plhed IN this country: Even the union OF so many
States, is in the eyes Of the world wond-r tile har-
monIous establishment Of common Government owe,
them all miracle. cannot but Eatter myself tha
without miracle, we shall be able 10 arTanrc ali Jic
ficulties l never have despaired; notwithstanding
all lne threatening Appearances Das-a,
through. have now more ,haa hopc-a cohso!inn
conference.-the we shall last find that our abors
| have not been in vain.
| Some conversation took place on the course
of proceeding, when Dir. PLEAsANTs expressed lis
Willingness to Withdraw his proposition to olneul if
the gentleman from northampton could not other
wise obtain an opportunity To explain his propositions
The CHAIR pointed out the necessity of adverting
to the Legislative Report, To get at the subject.
MIR. JoHHsoH thought this course was necessary.
He thought the questions might be at once propoun-
dcd on the various propositions. But if the Chair
| thought there any parliamentary impeachment
there IS another course. 1t is parliamentary to move
! to strike cut the commencing word. II the Clair
thought this the best course, nc would now move 10
strike ont the word Resolved"
After little further conversation, the motion was
Withdrawn, the question being considered by the
Chair as parliamentary, upon the adoption CF the
solution.
Mr.. UPsHUR then said he did not mean to diss,fss
! the proposition, are all tatinucd with LChll.
but merely to explain bis scheme. He said VIC arc
I'll in search Of some middle ground on which We
can oil agree to frame a Constitution. Tho plan
which he had submitted was formed with a CAUTIOUS
eye to this consideration. Some persons are dispo-
sed to take white basis some on the combined basis
and some on federal numbers. He had regarded
all these had taken the census Of the present mo-
mcnt taking the Auditors ratio Of increase. lie
had been obliged in carrying out the proposition 10
dispose Of fractions To the first district he had ~
cigned 26 to the I'd district he had given D. to the
Sd he had given SO, and to the 18th he had given it
\ ineNlOCIS'
| In Senate 70 the first district he had given MEM
bcrs TO the Sd district 6; TO the Sd he had assigned
Q, and to the 4th district he had assigned members
/ Whenever fractions had occurred, lie had given
them to the There is little difference between the
gentleman from AlboTarle. lie assigns to the first
district 26 MEMBERS TO the second district 81 mem.
bers; TO tho Sd district 81 members, and to the lth
district % mcmbus IN a House of Delegates of 100
members. The proport ons established by his plan
m the House Of Delegates % members west, nd
/ 20 cast. Mine 80 west and ~ Gust. lie carry.
| ing his plan through would give 10 Senators west
10 Is cast. Nine would give 10 members Tor the
vest and II for the east. There is no great differ
Cnce between the plan Of tho gentleman from Abe
marie and this; except that the gentleman from
Albcmarle had made no provision for future appor-
tionmen's. The east had every thing 10 lose and
nothing to gain. The west have every thing to gain
and noting to lose. Fhc western part of the State
IS filling up. The system Of culture in lands viii
prevent us from Clcvating ourselves any higher. In
al future appoItioumcns the est will have the adyau
taga This he had thought ~ TO sTy as to numbers
As to numbers and taxation, the ri ratio: the east