Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-11-17

the first Resolution reported by the Legislative Com.
mitee to insert after the word exclusivey" the words
the whole Resolution read:
Hssoived That, In the apportionment OF represcn-
aton In the House Of Delegates gard shall be had
to white population exclusively; aud ia the Senate 20
Mr.. LrrGn now moved that the Committee rise.
II rose accordingly aud ,hereupon the House adjourn
MONDAY, NovrMpER IS.
The Convention met at IL o'clock, and was opened
WIN PRAYER by the Rev. Mr.. Armstrong OF the Pfesby
,e;isn Church.
The President laid before the Convention. letter
from Elisha Bates pre- acher belonging TO The friend.
society. in the following words:
=, RrcHMoND, lih Inc. Io.h, 1899
Respected Friend,
James MonrJe, Pre.idenf of the Contention:
Elisha Bates, minister in the Religious Society OF
Friends. respectfully requests the opportunity OF
gion. mee' ing. with the members Of the Convention
'h's Evening at o O'Clock EbISHt BATES. .
Ga motion OF Mr. DRomGooLE the letter was laid
spon the table.
Mr. HENDERsoN of toudoun. presented memori.
from the non-reehold-rs OF that county, the sub
ject Of the extension of the right Of suffrage which
on his motion, was referred to the Committee OF the
whole
On motion of Mr. Scorr, the House then resolved
Itself into Comistee of the WHOLE Mr.. Powell IN the
Chair; and the question being on the amenden mt of .r
ed yesterday by Mr. Scott. which proposed to add to
me hrst resolution reported by the Legislative Gun
mier, the words sand in the Senate TO alton xciu
svely"-so as 10 make IL read,
Resolved. That in the superintendent or representa-
ton IN the House of Delegates, regard shall be had TO
toite population erclispe and in the Senate 10 tar.
alton erciusioeiy"
Mr. scorr asked and obtained leave to Withdraw hi,
amendment.
And the question recurring ths original re solution
Mr. LEIGH OF Chesterfield novel 10 amend it, by
striking out all after the words, " Resolved that" and
Inserting, IN lieu thereof, as follows:
- representation lin the House Of D.legates)
be apporoned among the several counties cities and
towns Of the Common wealth. according to their re.pec.
ahl hp hafar
the whole number OF Tree persons including those bound
to service Tor term OF years. and excluding Indians
not-taxed, three hfhs Of all other persous."
In supporting the ame nimcnt, NJ. Leigh observed,
that 1t had already been explained to the Committee
that the general result of the scheme he proposed,
when applied TO the pre- sent circumstances of the Com
mcnweath would be, subtantiaiIy the same as that
derived from the adoption Of the plan Of the compou nd
basis which had been rejected by the Committee. MY
motive said Mr.. L. in presenting this 10
try the Of the Committee in reference to the aop-
ton OF the federal number the basis OF representa-
hon lhe proposition varies in particular from
oil my friend from Culpeper (Mr. Greeu) In the de.
bate on his nendmrn,, it was suggested, by way of
objection, that the plan of mix I'd basis put il i'm the
power oil the delegation from The Eastern part of the
states by avoiding to tax the Western districts to kee
The weight OF power constantly in the cast; and hat
such was the desire Of the inhabitants of that part the
state TO retain the power in their hands, manifest,
ca, as was sAu by their general opposition the call
oil this Conven,ion,) that might expect, in future
majority Of the Legislature he anxious TO Law the
heavier burdens the East, and the lighter on the
west This was urged as an obi sction not so much
against the principle of the scheme, as one likely
to operate In its practical details. And not surs
but that some, perhaps several, voted not against
he principle of the mixed basis, but against the
Inconvenience and abuse of power that might grow
out OF The application of the principle. Without
entering into that argument, shall he content to sub
sute for the mixed basis against which this
Is thought 10 be basis the federal number / am
satisfied il is wise provision in the federal s,itu
on ana that here its results will be ben- fetal as
those Of any other scheme:-and il is recommended 10
my mind 10y the facility and certainty which il can
be applied in practice. The plan has long been in ope
ration amongst us; ne Acquainted with its effect;
and earnestly hope that il may be adopted by thu
Committee.
Mr. NICHOLAS rose In support of thu amendment
Ever since have taken my seat said he in hi. Con.
vention have felt very awful sense OF my personal
responsibility have felt it, not only one represent.
lhga portion oil the Commonwealth, and therefore, in
reference TO the whole State but in peculiar manner
with regard to the particular district have the honor
IN part to represent The change contemplated
IN our institutions is radical in its nature. We
are called upon to change the whole system Of our
civil poiry: and gave me leave TO say, that
to my responsibility a citizen of the
al present, am called to decide ques lon which must
aleet the peace and happiness Of remotes, poser
~ ir-'des Sir, am the representative Of one OF
hoseiscts which must suffer most should the chan
ne adopted oo the issue Of our present proceeding
w'' in great measure, depend the future peace aud
tranquility OF the State and though Ihave not the van
NY 10 believe that can bring to the Committee any
thing worthy oil them and should greatly have prefer
red to listen TO the wisdom of others than TO ms
own crude remarks STILL had it not been for the feeble
We
held II to be my duty to make least feeble effort
in behalf Of those, who have honoured me with seat
on this floor.
Sir we have arrived at awful period In our deIibe.
raons IL was predicted by my honourabe file nd from
Charlotte (Mr. Randoph) whose solemn appeal so re-
ceh'iy addressed 10 us, left desp impression on my
mnu mat The rejection to the ndment would be eff.
lecle' ny majority OF one, az Of two votes
Inc TACT has justified that prediction: and, Mr. Chair
man. cannot conceive more awful of any coun-
try than that it should be about change its funJsmen
'al law, oy such n,jory:-to change its entire Con.
'tuon, when one half Of the country vote against the
change So ineagre majority, made up not of dsIa-
gales coming from beyond the Blue Ridge, but in part
by tie addition Of members from this side the noun
TAIN, members OIL whom fondIy counted as being
our natural allies, cast censnre on their conduct
Know hst they act consciencencously, and presume
that they speak the wishes Of their saw
so meagre majority plainly shows what is the sense
on the country, as to a change in s Constitution
Ana can II be wise TO effect radical a change
when haH The country proDounces il to be unyyi,e,
wheA thoy loudly declare that the Grange will sub
vert the rights, PROSTATE the interests and destroy
the happiness Of half the state what must he mir
situation, ii we adopt such measure? can we ever be
happy and tranquil community while one half lis mem
bers conscientiorsly believe, that the charge we shall
have made, has not only injured their interests but de-
s,oyed all prospect of quiet and happiness' Surely
all must KNOW, THAT no country prosper under
suci circumstances. The BEST the only e(ectual am
port OF any government IS ir the confidence of the peo
pe' but whenthe people believe the bv
what prospect can there be Of their Weld
ing, IL corlsl anu enduring support what 70 look
Forward 10, but eternal jealoses aninosites, can
any wise man, however welded he may be to his own
theories, can any good man, wish see the Common
i'm Irh aaifua