Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-19
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
ON THE CONVENTION.


.ypeech Of Mr.. WILLIAMS Of Harrison.
Delivered in the House of Delegates Jan 18th
in Committee Of the Whole. The substitute TO the
Bill organizing Convention, proposing to give
each county one mefnber in that body, being uu-
der consideration
Mr. WILLIAMS Of Harrison. said he thought il,
unnecessary to pursue the course adopted by pen.
tlemen who had preceded him upon this interest
ing subjcct-coInmencing their remarks by offer
ing an apology for the trouble they were about to
put the Committee to in hearing them. Certainly
no excuses are required To au,hor:se any one 20
offer bis views upon question in which all alike
are concerned. If it is thought important that
each individual WHO discusses the various topics
before the committee, (and that il is we have the
autharity of almost every gentleman who has par
ticpated in this debate) should preface his 'obser-
vaions with the reasons, of apologize kind,
THAT induce him to say any thing, I, MIR. Chair
man, have these 10 offer: During four wears
which this subject has been agtaied, though /
come from people who have had a reformation
much at heart, who have for years past looked 10
Convention as the only means Of redeeming the m
selves from the grievances incident TO quail re-
presentation in the Legislature, / have never but
in single instance ventured remark upon any
OF the positions which this question has occupied
in Its frequent appearances in this House. 1 re.
present, in part, a county that gave for Conyen-
ton thousand votes. If great personal feeling,
--the wishes OF my cons.iiuents--and my former
elence-are not sufficient justification for nv
appearance on the present occasion, am sure
nothing am about TO present will give me claim
10 your indulgence.
1t is to be regretted that this discussion has as.
sumed such an aspect, that little can fairly be ex-
pected 10 result from ii but excitement Every
one has determinaely fixed his opinion. In this
etate Of things, argument but more closely attach
es US 10 those opinions; AMI we find ourselves so
firmly convinced of the business Of our senti.
u ents,--,hat we feel warfn,-almosi irritation.
when we hear their propIiety brought in question
The gentleman from Northampton, (Mr. Parker, }
by his frequent interruptions Of persons address.
Ing the committee, has shewn great warmth-has
shewn himselfcomposed Of eombustible materials
| hope, however, that gentleman will not permit
bis nfammable qualities to ignite, by contact
with the phosphoric charsc.er Of any thing may
cay; and that he will perfnitme to proceed with
out interruption to the conclusion, when shall be
happy TO hear him.
The repeated illusions TO the Western part Of
the State, but more particularly the North. West,
By the gentleman from Northampton, and the one
from PowhataD, (Mr. Miller) viii comrel me 20
wander from the exact point before the committee
10 order TO reply TO them. I am sorry the gen
ucman from Powhatsn is not in his seat, az his
absence will prevent me from using that freedom
with some Of hs views, which ] had intended
lie expressed some fears, that people might think
hin mad. IL his apprehensions were notenurely
groundless in his own estimation, some relief mus
have been derived from showing 10 others that he
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