Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-09-04

siden, within the District, and also be free holder
The representatives chosen annually from each
county, and one from such cities, towns and borou yh.
as were entitled to representation under their charters
at the formation OF The Constitution in lT76; or ha been
allowed Representative since, pursuant, 10 the princi-
Piles Of the Constitution. They also mus, be freehold.
ers actually residing in the county for which they are
chosen The Governor is chosen annually by joint bal
lot OF both Houses, and hold the office bu, three
years in seven. lie is assisted by Privy Council of
efN members, chosen in like manner either from their
own members, or from the people large; two Of the
members are removed by joint ballot OF both houses Of
assembly every three years, and these ineligible
Tor The three next years; two new Privy Councillors
being elected to supply their places The right Of suf
rage IN Virginia belongs to none but irecholders
! believe Virginia is The only State in the Union.
where freehold qualification Is required in tho voters
and was glad TO hear many gentlemen of that State
not only express their pride in this circumstance but
declare, that the effect send higher and more
useful class of men into public life.
Just atthe period OF my visit, however Convention
yeas proposed, and has since met the ob.c of which
IL understood 1t correctly was not so mu ch 10 extend
The right OF suffrage, as TO equalze the distribution OF
ne freehold votes. But l observed in many parts OF
at state so strong tendency 10 extend the right of
voting that suspect in spite oil the sincere wishes of
the weather. class of inhabitants, who are generally and
wisely very averse to any such change the numerical
popular voice, viii be an overinach, for the Vr-
gn'a arisocracy, and that universal suffrage will soon
he established there, it has been 1very where else in
America.
In walking round the Capitol al Ricbmon :. in tho
course oil the morning, my eyes struck with the
unusual sight OF sentinel marching in front of this
ouiuig, win s nusket on his shoulder. 'Bless mel
exclaimed has your legislature guard Of honor that
something new
oh, no, MOI cried my companion that soldier is one
barracks ~
q 90 not yet understand
t is necessary. he continued, COR at all events IL is
customary in these States to have small guard always
under arms; there only fy here II is in con-
sequence oil the nature OF cooured population; bu,
cone more as preventive check than any thing else
it keeps all thoughts of insrrecon out OF the heads
IN fhosa
amongstus who may be iimorous But in reality ther.
Is no cause Tor Alarm as 1T sixteen years since such
thing was attempted here aud the blacks have become
power
On inquirng farther into these matters, learn that
there was in all these towns vigorous and nc,iye no.
ce whose rule is not 10 take granted that anv thing
Is secure, which vigilance watch No negro for
example, is allowed 10 be out Of doors after
without written pass from his master explaining the ma
nre oil his errand. H. during his absence from home
he be iound wandering from the proper line OF his mes
ssage he speedily taken up and corrected accordingly
had many opportunities of investigating the slavery
question, during my stay in Virginia. for always found
the planters in that State and NAV add in every other
extremely fair and communicative and far from their
being ouchy or prone 10 take offence when talked 10 nm
on this subject and had often been told they wer
smey seemed to me quite willing TO discuss il frankly
me essential impedment, however which found i'm
the way OF getting the truth, on this and many other
subjects consisted less any reserve ON the part Of The
natives, than in the difficulty found in removing The
shell or husk OF prejudice which surrounded my own
H.
servalion, in order that might see things in the par-
ocular light under which had pre-conceivcd, thew
ought 10 be viewed.
On the slavery question, This difficulty il perbaps
greater than on most Others for hero our feelings enter
into contest so often with the Judgment tina, sober rea
son, political necessity established usage and so forth
have sometimes no fair play.
My sincere wish, however, even when Ico,nmepced
these researches, undoubtedly 10 meet this great
topic as boldly and fairly possible, by giving due
weight TO all should hear on both sides In the end
hope have done so. though at first nothing can be
conceived more difficult stranger quite unaccus,on,
ID 10 the actual presence Of slavery snauray very sy
u admitting any thing, even to himself which shall look
IKE approving OF the principle of such degradation Of
any part oil his species; and il requires considerable
inns, and knowledge of many details, before he can
be sure thathe is doing the subject Justice Ignorance
SO apt 10 usurp The place of know ledge
that by strange perversity, fresh inform alton
sen unnecessary, and is not unrequenty resisted a
Intrusive.
The subject was, at all events full of interest and no.
velty, and contributed along with many other crcun
stances at this stage OF our journey. TO make feel
hat we were vcrging towards the region the tropics
Tobacco, cotton, and rice fields met our ewes By the
road side every where The mildness Of the climate
TOO the colour OF the population and the tone of their
voices, were all so Characteristic of countries quite dis
similar om those had left that almost for the first
Il me we felt faiilv travels.
On the 4th of February. accompanied gentleman
10 hls plantation some miles cut of town. the banks
OF Jamos River, where had most agreeable and adj
vantageous opportunity OF seeing the arrangements on
a well managed estate, the working of several coal.
canal recently formed in order TO improve the internal
communications OF Virginia, at point where the river
by passing over RAPIDS is rendered unnavigable.
What interested me most, however, was party Of a
dozen negroes squatted the goor of tobacco-house
ihey were placed, men, women, and children in a cir.
Gle, drawing the leaves from the stalk In the centre
$1,000 TWO men, who, on receiving the leaves from tn
pckers, distributed thsm in heaps according to their
quality There seem TO be three qualities OF tobacco
The lower leaves those which touch the ground are
liable to get dirty and torn; but the higher parts of
The same stalk two different sorts OF leaves are found
one yellow, and one brown. These being careG,IIv
separated, and made into little lunches, somewhat
thicker than mans thumb, tied round with thong
formed out of the leaf itself The lunches are then
sung IN pairs, across bars Of wood stretching from side
to side OF the roof, not unlike behring's in driving.
house. In tie course Of time, the house becomes al
completely filed with these bars carrying lunches of
tobacco, that there is barely left space enough Tor an
70 creep under then to Trim the fires, kept constantly
burning on the mud floor, TO dry the leaves.
The next process IL to pack it into the large hogs
heads which every one has before the door Of
iobacconiss' shop. This operation is performed bv
means OF long levers worked by hand which force il in
to compact mass.
The slaves looked wonderfully cheerful and heaIthv
ana though scantily clad unssasonaby So; for
The AR was quite mild, notwithstanding now il was the
depth OF winter. ONO slaves on th4 plant,,on was
TOLD not one old or young knew how 10 read or write
In the evening" were invited to a party. where
we met many very agreeable people, every one as
usual more Kind to US Than another, and all so anxious
70 be useful that regretted exceedingly the necessity
OF running away from such oblging friends Bnt HAD
the greatest curiosity The Delaware line Of bat
ne slip lying ready for sea in Hampton Roads in the
IheSaPeakej and having just received Information from
asbiuglon, that che was 10 sail in few days was
ooged 70 cut and run from The pleasant society of Rich