Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-11

in the several districts had essentially ohangcd those
OF the Western districts having risen, and approached
m W more nearly to- equality with.thoss II the Ess-'
ding To the same standard: in consequence ,vb,,cof
the tide water district was unduly burthencd. and the
o'her districts, especially the third and fourth. paid
Tess than they ought. Phese inequalities, in the i'm
Sosn."h vi axes, and IN the representation, in The
oe.d'e, hau Oeen the subject Of frequent discussion.
and l was informed that several Intellectual nt,cmp,s
nau oeen made to correct them, by an ordinary net of
eslsiaton' These fruitlcSs Efforts served only to
increase the general discomfort, 10 in1ame an,mosi-
Ties, and by giving to the discontinued a solid rea-
son Tor obJectng to the organization of the rovern-
ment, enabled them With more success ,o seize IN NIL
occasions oil pubic distress, or popular excitement. 4.
turn them to the purpose ofrousing a spirit OF Needles.
reform: mus II happened, that IN 1916. the people
oil The large districts being disappointed in some tnvo-
rite measure, and much dissatisfied with tho nrocced
lngs OF the Legislature, they were persuaded thar
they mad been grossly injured, that the cause of their
wrongs was to be found in the UNEQUAL distributor
Oh toe power OF the government, aud that their rene
ny was 10 ne sought IN 4 general Convention to re-
form this, and manv other fanciel or real dofncts ~
the Constitution. Under the excitement oftbis occa
sion, that meeting in Stanton was held. which has
been denomlnated the Stanton Convention. Tie
county OF Augusta did not participate in the fpycrisl,
excitement winch then prevailed, and while it was
wiling tn seek BY temperate and prudent measures
substantial relief from acknowledges evils, il WINS nm
VIKING = To encounter the hazards of general reform.
IL therefore depuied to the meeting two members. of
whom l was one, and charged them with the du,v -,
cndeavoring Ia lnfise into The proceedings as p,,,cl, 81
temper and prudence as possible, and To restrain them
10 u respectful memorial, asking of the Leuishture
tnst proper measures might be adopted for organizing
a Convention 20 amend the Constitution of rho S,.,o
but with powers limited to the objects of cousI,;,r
the representation and taxes. and of proyiIno und.-
proper cautions, for future amendments The do
hOeTations OF this meeting resultt d i'm a memorial II,
inc Legislature, asking a general Convention; and
IN n DrUt1St nv "a SpNal no.. 1 81 II
Augusta deputies belonged, the object whereof
was 10 llinit the powers Of the Convention Ia tho
IN c. subjects which | have mentioned. The Memo.
I!'t anu protest were IIld before the legislature al
their session OF 1915, aud q bill passed the House of
Delegates, providing that the voice of tho nannI.
shouid De taken on the question, whether i Convcn-
ton should be called, with powers limited To these
three OBJECTS and ono other only, the extension of the
right OF suffrage. This bill was amended in tho So
nate, so as TO limit the pow ers of the Convention -
taxes and representation only, and was LAID on the IN
Die 10 await the coming Of a bill then in PROGRESS. for
reforming the Senatorial Districts, and for a re-es.
SesSln"iC oil the lands. This bill came to the Senate.
ano passed by a majority, l think, of one; the bill frr
the Convention having been rejected bv a majority oc
were very OBNOXIOUS TO the western mem. !,
berS, and were opposed by tlien;-both were accent
able 10 me- and advocated by me | preferred the
Convention bill, because | though, it would rive ,pnra
and more permanent relief: bu, v,Son :, NO
lost, l espouSed the other, though its operation va
and harsh. and It's relief temporary.-
The Convention bill was IN truth preferred To ;,s RI
VAL by a large majority of the Senate, and would have
passed, but tor one of those amusing incidents in L.
by which false calculations of raior;t,o,
cheat Us OF our votes. Here Mr.. ]. re
Iated an a%nccdote, showing that one of the Senators.
being deceived IN his calculations, had been induced
10 give II vote, which secured the passape NJ tho hill
which he most desired TO defeat
This bill reforming the districts uoon the basis oF
white population as ascertaIned, by the census of18lO
gave to the country beyond the Blue Ridge, nine Sc
majors. That country had then about its due share
IN the representation ofthe House of Delegates. upon
he same basls;-and All adequate provision was made
or a just apportIonment OF the taxes
Believing that the Legislature would follow, this
'lece"eul'-%oul preserve something Ike L pructi-
;aI equality Of representation in both House,. hv &c
c4slonal reforms OF the Districts, and nv the d;,,s,r,
Counties, l was content to submit t. tho reinain,nr
lnpertectlons' IN the Constitution, rather than nut 10
hazard every thing valuable that it contained. d,d
think there was much IN it, worth nr.sn,vi,r
thought 1t suited to our genius and character, cal
cnlated to protect our rights, and promote our int.
rcst5-taklng t"au IN all" comparing II with evorv
constitution OF which had any KNOWLEDGE. and nsnc-
ciany with those which our extensive confcdcracy aE-
lords, 1 preferred tito any ofthem;-andI yeneTated
1t, because 1t was the work of our wise and v;r,uous
nncestors,--a child of the Revolution, born with tho
State, and consecrated by all the associntions ,vb,ch
make us proud OF our Country II have therefore,
ever since the session OF 1916, opposed the call of a
Convention, whether limited or general. and have Ia.
bored much to prevent It. Step by stem have fol
lowed the march Of my friend from Chesterfield, in
the campaigns he has made, in defence of the Constr.
luton aud though / have not emulated the pallantrv
or proves Of my leader, he will bear me witness that
have been a faithful soldier, and thar | never laid
down my arms, till the victory was fairly won from
us. II was not till n decided majority of the free
holders had desired the call of a Convention. that INV
opposition to 1t ceased. From that time, my friend
from Chesterfield, and all our other wise men. | be-
lleve- united IN opinion, that the will of the peonle
should be obeyed. that the Convention should be pr.
ganized, without delay, and that Nil the subjects of
complaint should be considered, and as far as possible
adjusted.
have detained you Mr.. Chairman, with these ex-
plantations, because | thought them due to myself If
they we're not strictly due to the Committee. ncl-
Their expect nor desire, that they should recommend
TO your favorable attention, the poor remarks / have
TO offer, on the great question in debate These re.
marks ] shall submit, with a consciousness, that they
are but little worth, though with an humble trust,
that # they have any value. II will not be- lost on the
candor and intelligence ofthc Committee.
The first duty, perhaps, which / owe TO the Com