Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-04-07

rum GtG IHlNlG .7GEGfTie
irlend and uniform advocate OF the Cnpveu-
ton wrote 70 MIR. Rives, after his nomination BIZ n
meeting OF the people, at our las, Court for the
purpose oil asceItaining his opinions on the lead.
ing Objects OF Reform. The suhioined letter has
been received in reply. Though not written for
The press, il, is published under the persuasion,
That the public ieef deep interest in knowing the
sentiments OF those who are contemplated as their
representatives III Convention. This interest is
peculiarly felt with regard 10 VIM, C. Rives
whose talents and distinguished qualifications as a
statesman are 50 justly appreciated by his district
| and his State.
CASTLE HILL, March li,h, 1929.
Dear
did not arrive a; home 'djl the evening of the
day before yesterday, when | had the pleasure ~
receiving your letters OF 9th and 18TH instant.
eei myself much honored. assure YOU, bv tle
unanimous nomination Of me for the Convention.
which, you INFORM me, was male by a numerous
and respectable meeting of my fellow citizens nj
Albemarle, on their last Court dav. If tbe o,bcr
counties OF the District should concur in this fiat,
terins estimate ofmy capacity TO serve them in so
delicate and important trust, certainly shall
ho' ieet myself at liberty TO decline ii, while IL
would be, every way, unbeconing in Inc 10 seeJ-
u. There never WAS an occasion 10 which ,ba
Just aud often quoted sentiment CT Mr. Io-vndez
Is more emphatica:y appIicabe--a that the AZ,
poln'ment is one neither 10 ice sought nor declia-
ed. ID answering yonr enquiries therefore l.,
regard 10 my opinions on the subject Of copsii,u
tonai reform, hope You will not consider inc AZ
setting up any preteDsoas, or indylpinq even =
WISH OIL tins subject. for myself am SURPRISED
to learn that any could have 90 misunderstood
my sentiments as 10 suppose me hostile 10 reform
In not advocating the call of a Convention. (Cor
could not be said to he opposed TO it0 cer,ainI,,
never entertained the belief that there wore, 40
detects IN the Constitution 10 be reformed; but
acted or thai principle Of political ptudence hij
is consecraed in the Declaration OF A,ps,ica-,
Independence "That governments long osish.
iished, and 10 which the people are accustomed
ought Lot be changed" without necessity etn,x
ing out OF actual abuses. Though could moi bu,
see many detects in the frame of the Constitnton
believed that as yet they had produced no Sort
Gus practical eyii-iiia The proper time tberefore
had not yet arrived for its revision and amendment
that when actual grievances should be fejt tbe,,
would best suggest the nature and extent Of The
,emeuies-ab1 mat, IN the risan time, we should
nave me oeneht OF The progressive experience.
not only OF our own, but Of % associated Common
weaths in relation to many interesting ousstons 90
organic regulation thenin course OF trial in fbeu
ai' 10 enable US, when we did undertake the t,ss,
W neW-modelling our institutions TO settle ,hsr,
tiaI'S On tne safest and most satisfactory f,,,nda
ion,' "iih these views, az an individual ctj,en
~ 1he Siaie, could not say tiiat I,risI,f fe eli
o. on 'i"n, at the time when the p,onrsion
We h'st su!Hml'ed. Twas, however, ai,ysvsa
ious' anu ursed upon my friends in the Iegi,ls.
ture, thst the sense of the peouie sIo,,id - 80
on the subject; and IL mso,iiv inyt ',o oxen
avonr Of IL, was then prep,reJ ta',I.' %,
zeaiously to cooperate with the (ris,ds - r',
measure in reforming all Tie defects Of d. n..
tution, oil which, a. Iiisye already sand tsi,,..
Ga there were MANY which would demand -,
ton, whenever tbe task OF revision sheuld lie ~
ueilaken. 10 lhe Legislative department. for ,.r
''"P'e' me inequality e. representation was = d..