Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-12-14
FRO DE CONTINUED
SATURDAY. Dec. 10

| SATURDAY, Dec. IL.
Inc convention was called to order at the usual
hour.
/ REsIGNArIo or Ma MoNRor.
! MI MERCER said IL was with unfcigncd regret be
had TO submit the House the following letter of re-
signaon from his venerable colleague the Presden,
VI Tue conventions which was occasIoned by his Sc
we're mdspusition.
To p p. BARnOUR, Esq.
President pro tenn efUe Contention.
DIR My lndispoSition rendering it impossible for
me 10 perform my duties either presiding officer or
as member OF the Conventions owe II Ia that no.
oy tn my constituents and TO The Commonwealth, TO
resign my seat, To enable my colleagues 20 devovc on
some other person the duties that thus prevent
ed from performing.
| l avail myself of this opportunity to express nv
grateful sense ot the generous confidence OF my con-
stuents evnccd by their election of nae TO the m-
porant trust, aid of their support OF the course
that my conscientious convictions have induced me
to take IN the execution OF tina, trust though il diff
Tered IN some degree with tho sentiments they en-
terta ined.
For the distinction with which have been honored
by the Convention, by the selection of me TO preside
over It's deliberations, have already offered my errnte
tu ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS, and beg leave arain to tender
them and to add that a testimony OF appreciation
of my CoItouct IN the many important trusts | hive
held under the State and Federal Governments nj
home and abroad It will continue to be n sonrce AT
consolation to the latest moment o. my life
| In separating myself from the Convention I can
not refrain from the expression of my anxious and ar
dent hopes that the result OF ITS deliberations NAV
correspond with the expectations so iondly cherished
before It's session commenced, and that a Constitution
viii be framed that will secure the rights and protect
the interests OF ALL command the public approbation
and promote the happiness and prosperity ofthc State
beg you to tender 10 the members of the Conven-
ton individually my respectful saiutations and
to be assured OF the high esteem with which am
our most obedcnt servant,
JAMES MONROE.
The letter was laid on the table.
! Mr.. TAzEwELL said he presumed it indspcn-
sably necessary IL elect President III room of Mr.
Monroe He made motion to that effect as Mr.
Barbour, the present presiding officer was only elect
ed President pro- TEN. IN the absence OF Mr.. Monroe
Mr.. FITzHUGH 'ook the Char.
On the motion OF Mr. Powell, seconded by Mr..
Mercer, Mr. Z. Z. Barbour was unanimously elected
President.
Dir. MEEcER, after u few remarks on the services
OF the late President of the Convention submitted the
following resolutions:
ReSO!Ued,, That the Convention cntertains a HIGH
sense the patriotic zeal and ability manifested by
their fellow citizen james Monroe in the various
public stations IN which he has acted, and sympathize
WIN INN under the dspensatlon which has deprived
them OF his services as President of their body.
The resolution was unanimously adopted
MI MERCER SAID that tine remaining delegation
from the district which the President OF TINS Con-
ycntlon represented IN part, had elected Robert b.
layIor' esq OF Norfolk, as hls successor. a motion
TO iHo-n mat gentleman Of his election, by cxpress
was agreed to-
! The Convention then resolved Itself into Com
mittee Of the Whole, Mr.. GoRDoN IN the Chair
| On the motion of Mr.. TAYLOR, of Chesterfield, the
report OF the COMMITTEE on the Bill of Rlphts was
taken up Tor consdG ration
i The Chairman then read the following resolution
upon which the Committee agreed:
! "Res0tUed, That IN the opinion of this Committee
the Bill or Declaration Of Rights requires no amend.
mcn."
On the motion of AR. DoDDRmGE the Bill or De.
claratlon OF Rights read by the Clerk,
! The second report Of the same Committee was
next taken up for consideration.
Il The first resolution Of the second report was reod
and is as follows:
"Resored as the opniun of this Committee that the
Constut'on Of this State ought to be so amended as
I 70 provide mode IN which future amendments shall
be made therein"
Mr.. JOHNSON opposed to the indefinite lam
guagc Of this proposition After rejecting on what
plan, If any, should be adopted of this nature he was
now ofOpnon that 1t was better to leave the amend
ing power to the creating power lie therefore
moved 20 strike out the word resolved.
Mr DODDHIDGE said he could only speak the opin-
IONS OF his own constituents, and he would say Tn. y
would be disappointed unless provision for fu-
ture Convention retained. He was aware of the
difficulty TO devise such secure plan as was re-
qured.
!, Mr.. NICHOLAS said, with the gentleman from Au-
gBst0, he had great doubts on tins question. IIe
thought there was no necessity for taking this qcs-
ton now IL would be- better to permit n TO reIp9ir
y as II is, until sec what kind of a Convention VIC
ohall have established lie SAID he would not vote
L against striking this resolution at present.
A Mr.. JonNsoN said II was competent for any gentle
man to move 10 insert another provision for future
, mcndment # this resolution be stricken out.
i Mr.. POWELL agreed with Mr. Nicholas that the
plan providing for future amendment depended on the
4 kind Of Constitution which would be established. lr
either case he saw no necessity for striking Out tic
. resolution.
d Mr.. CAMrngLL moved to pass by the resolution
vi for the present
o Mr. MERCER suggested to the gentleman from Au
2 gusta To withdraw lis amendment.
y Mr. JOHNSON consented.
# The second resolution was then read, and is ri
10 follows:
e "I&oiDod, That the first and second sections o
: the present Constitution ought to be stricken out
and thot an Introductory clause adapted the aroend
u cd Constitution be substituted in lieu thereof"
= Mr. LEIGH said his determination on this question
.n-.L Ln,nrL If