Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1829-11-19
LITTER OF RESIGNATION.

LETTER OF RESIGNATION.
Sir-Many of my constituents have in
structed zoe TO support the proposed plan oil
apportIonlng representation with regard to
white population and taxation combined; and
| have reason To believe that large majority
of the people Of my district concur in the de-
sire expressed in those instructions.
it is due to myself to prevent all mlscon-
ception Of nay official conduct. / was elect
ed to this body with the full knowledge of nay
constituents that favored reforms ia the ex
isting Constitution. came here untrammel-
led by Instructions, aud restrained by no
pledges. | am unfortunate, indeed, IN this,
that my opinion do net hunfonlze with those
Of my constituents; bnt have disappointed
no expectation, violated no engagement, be-
TRACED no trust.
Having always believed and maintained
| that the nature Of representative government
| mainly depends on the principle, that repre-
| sentation is emily mean whereby the deljbe-
rate will Of the constituent bedyis to be ey-
pressed and efiectuated-no act of mine snail
ever impair the principle. Had my censtitu-
ents Instructed NE on some other matter Of
+; mere expedency, or required me TO perform
! any thing which was possible, it would have
| afforded me pleasure to testify with how
| cheerful a-submissien would give effect to
| their opinions rather than nay own. But they
| ask what is impossible. They require ne to
1 violate my conscience, and the sentiments Of
flial devotion which | owe to nay country.
Relieving, as conscientiously do, that the
/ measure | am instructed TO SUPPORTS hostile
! to free Institutions, destructive Of equality of
( right among our citizens, and lntroductlye OF
| principle that minority, on account OF sd
| perior wealth, shall rule tue majority OF the
| qualified voters oftne State, / should be gull
! ty of moral treason against the liberty Of my
I>native land, if allowed myself to be the in
strument by which this measure WAS affect
ed. In this state Of mind, by executing the
| wishes OF my constituents, / should justly sub
| ject myself to their rcproaches for my base
ness, and to the more insutterable reproaches
| OF my own conscience.
One mode only remains to reconcile my
duties TO my cons tituents, to the higher and
more sacred duties | owe to myself and my
! country 1t is to resign the Office which they
| conferred upon me, and therebyto enable my
colleagues to select a successor, who, more
fortunate than | am. may give effect to their
| wishes without violating any sentiment OF prl-
vate or public duty.
Allow me to ask that this letter may have
! a place on your Journal. Forgive the feeling
which prompts this request If any eye shall
hereafter read my humble name, wish that
the same page which records nay retirement
from your counsels, may also record the mo
tives mistaken, perhaps. but not unworthy
which occasoned IT.
4 leave the Convention, sir, with sentiments
of profound respect and venerahon for the
virtue and talent which ennoble and advance
1t.
Nly heart win stll attend your councils,
and | shall not cease To supplIcate the Al
mighty that he may SO inspire and direct
them. that Virginia may be regenerated,
united, free and happy.
Il have the honor to be your eb't servf,
ROBERT b. TAYLOR.
JAMES MONROE, Esq.
President of the Convention.
pirginia C0arenti0n-Frem an extract on
the fourth page, it will be seen that MIR. Giles
did not follow 2ir. Monroe in the debate, as
was anticipated from his having moved the
Adjournment after Mr.. NJ. had closed. Our
friend Mr. Mercer, it viii be seen, has since
addressed the Convention. Opinions upon
the question before the Convention will hard
" he changed by this debate, the members of
the Convention having been elected, with We
ry few ifany exceptions, upon avewcd prin-
ciples. But the debate is not without deep
interest. We trust, withai that it will not be
without an abiding effect in dispelling in part,
at least the pernicious distractions IN regard
to some principles OF Government, and Of pc
ltical economy, which, for the last ten or
twelve years, have had too much influence IN
the Councils of that State.
The presence OF the Ncstors oil the land
gives gravity and dignity to this Assembly 1t
gives more. 1t quells the turbulence and
abates the acrimony of debate to degree, II |
we may Judge from what we have seen, hard
ly anticipated. 1t gives rise TO touching incl
dents, one of which we annex an account OF
1t rs impossible, indeed, to contemplate the
venerable trio of grest public snea, Madison,
Monroe, Marshall. standing in thus ConYen-
ton, as Mr.. Speaker Clay happily said OF La
tayette, on his reception 10y the House OF Re
representatives., "n the midst of posterfy,"
without feeling a crowd of associations rush |
ing to the mind, OF which il IS difficult to say
whether those of history OF Of the affections |
predominant. Combined, they INSPIRE US with |
the most profound and unnRngled respect.
THE INCIDENT.
Mr.. Mercer, in his speech, traced the his !
tory of the principle of representation and |
taxation, at the commencement of our revolu- |
ton. lie contended that this principle deri-