Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-15


In separating myself from the Convention, cannot
refrain from the expression Of my ardent and anxious
hopes. that the result Of its deliberations may CORES
pond with the expectations iondv chershed before
its session need, and that Constitution will be
framed, that will the rights aud protect the in
eress OF all, command the public APPRECIATION and pro-
mote the happiness and prosperity Of the State.
beg you 20 tender to the members of the Conven.
ton Individually my most respectful Solicitations, AMI to
be assured Of tho high esteem with which am your
most obedient servant, ~ II
To PnILIp p. BARBOUR. E.q. ~ 49, =
President of the Convention. Z
This letter. on motion Of Mr.. MERCER, was laid upon
| the table. ~
Mr.. FAREWELL then observed that the resignation
OF the late President Of the Convention rendered II
cesssry that another should be elected: and he made
that motion.
Mr.. p. p. BARBOUR having renqui.hed the Chair
| to Mr.. FIrzHUGH,
Mr.. GosDoN nominated PHILIP p. BARBOUR, asa
suitable person 10 be appointed President Of this body
mined to dispense with the formslty of ballot. and
the question being put the nomination Of Mr.. BAR
soUR was unanimously concurred in, aud he was ap-
pointed President Of the Convention.
| Mr.. MERCER then moved the following RESOLUTION |:
"Nesoired, That the Cow entertzins a hiyh
sense OF the patriotic zeal and ability manifested by
their James Monroe, in the various pub
lie relations In which he has acted; and sympathise
with him in the dispen alton which has deprived them
OF his services as President Of this body.",
The resolution was unanimously agreed to, and
tered on the Journal o
The House then went into Committee OF the Whole
Mr. GoRDoN in the Chair, and on motion of Mr.. TAY.
LoR Of Chesterfield proceedejio consider the report Of
the committee on the Bill Of Rights.
The report, together with tho Bill OF Right. itself
having been read the resolutions considered ser
| atm. I''77'8
The 6rst resolution is in the following words:
"ResOped As the opinion Of this committee that the
Constitution OF this State ought to be 30 amended as TO
provide mole in which future amendments shall be
made therein" s ~ ~ n'4-fN a
| ~. -.
no had come to the conclusion that better leave
the ending power in tho hands Of the creating pow
er, with view to test the sense Of tho committee
moved to strike out the word ar. Resolved"
/ Mr.. DoDDRIDoE, speaking for the county In which
he dwell and with the sentiments Of which he was well
acquainted. said that very great would
| be experienced there, IL the new Constitution should
contain provision for m being nended as the chang
ing and progressive Stale OF society should demand H.
of the extreme delcacy OF the subject but
thought II his duty TO introduce provision Of a
mepdment. Sg
Mr.. NICHOLAS thought It wa, better TO let the ress
ution be passed over for the present. until they should
see whether any new Constitution could be agreed up
ION. ~
motion Ia strike out. ~ - y
After further conversation, at the suggestion of
Mr. MERCER, Mr.. JOHNSON consented to Withdraw his
motion. /
The 2nd resolution was then read az follows:
"ResoIued That the first and second sections Of the
present Constitution ought to he stricken out. and that
clause adapted TO the mended Cousti-
tution be substituted in lieu thereof"
Mr. LEIGH uggested that the proprety Of adopting
this resolution must depend the fact whether an en-
hrey new Constitution was TO be submitted, az whole
to the People, whether the existing Constitution as
TO be submitted with amendments In the latter case
there could be need Of striking ont the preambe i'm
the former, il would have an odd and incongruous ap.
pearance.
The Preamble Of the existing Constitution. was then
read at the Clerks table.
| sent.
The Sd resolution then read as follows:
"Resolued. That the I2,h 2ist and 22i section. of
the present Constitution ought to be stricken out no
longer necessary" .IT
No amendment being proposed
The 4ih resolution was read, viz
"Resoired, That the freedom Of speech, and of the
press ought TO be held sacred and guaranteed by the
No amendment being offered,
lowing: -
"Resolred That title Of nobility shall be created
or granted. and holding any Office Of profit or
trust under the Uniiei States or under any King
Prince or foreign State, shall hold any Office under this
State" = - 49,.
al principle OF policy now laid down, but could NOT
10 its unversatv He had supposed that there
were lew persons jealous of the influence of the
General Government than he was; but for this view of
the subject, the present provisions OF law went far
| noush. He thought there might he such a thing a..
an unreasonable jealousy of that Government and he
cou'u not consent 10 clause whose exte ht
$1,000, would affect all Justices OF the Peace and militia
officers, so as to render IN ineligible TO Congress and
might even raise question whether Counsel te,npora
ry acting Tor the u. States in their profe cana
city, would not, In like manner be disqualified. He
was In favour OF leaving the entire subject to the Iegs
iature-As 10 that clause of the resolution which had
respect to titles Of nobility, any body mig hit have for
him. he felt perfect Indifference whether IL was on, ar
| in.
Mr.. DoDDRIDGE moved 70 amend the resolution by
striking out the words Omitted States or" =
MIR. TAYLOR, after some CONNIE atory remarks on
the provso contained in the Act Of Assembly on this
snhJect, moved that II be inserted by way Of amend.
ment. Ii is in the words following:
"Prouided, that nothing herein conained shall be so
construed, as to prevent Members of Congress from
sitting As county-court grates or from holding off
ces I'D the militia, or so as to exclude person
ing pension from the United States in of
any wound received in war; from any Office under this
commonwealth, on account Of such pension; or so as
70 create any exclusion whatsoever OF militia officers
or soldiers, on account Of the compen.e thew NAV
ceive from the u States, when called out into actual
duty" '
Mr.. POWELL, concurring in the views of Mr.
LEIGH moved 10 amend the resolution by striking out
me WORD RESOLVED lin effect to destroy it)
The CHAIR decided that motions to improvs tooL
precedence Of a motion TO DESTROY
Mr.. MERCER suggested that few il anv OF the Con.
su'uons adopted by other States Of the Union con ain
tanned any reference TO the United States Government
az an; out were so framed as to remain entire and I'M
aHecedI that Government to cease 10 exit He
was as little friend 10 the dissolution of the Jnio.
ana looked 10 such an event with and
ie horror az any other man; but he nevertheless. an
proved oil such form for the State Consfu ions One
great end to be attained by it, was to enable State 10
sustain Itself az distinct and perfect government
smusi all the anarchy produced by calsni,ous an
event, as orcibe dissolution OF the Federal JT,;o,
10 On inf fl.aFfo fgcF