Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-10-20
DOME STI0e
From the New York Commercial Advertiser
FROM OUR CORRESPOND ENT.

FROM OUR CoRRESPON DENT
RICHMOND, October 6.-Y gu participate am sur.
notwithstanding northern feelings ia the general inter
est excited by the assembling Of the Convention here
1t met yesterday, and will attempt TO give you ia
miar sketch Of the scene. Perhaps Won have been
In Richmond; il not, you have a pie asu.e hone TO
come; for it will be pleasure and Of no ordinary zes
TO wind your way up the noble stream which flows
through the heart OF the ancient dominion. On the
brow OF hill the Capitol presents itself FROM far TO the
eye in most beautiful and imposing manner: its porti
overlooks vast landscape, through which the river
meanders in very picturesque manner aud the hi her
grounds oil the city are covered with many stately
buildings. the residence OF private citizens embosomed
Ia trees and rounded with ual shrubbery
=. in some parts Of Boston But this by the way The
Convention met in the Hall of the House of Burgesses
spacious apartment well calculated for the purposes
ola deiberative assembly The seats for the member.
ina triple row, surround the Hall-te centre is free
and unoccuped and every speaker has thus an ayan-
tageous opportunity OF addressing the chair The seat
OF the presiding officer il the same formerly occupied
Ior mat purpose under the provincial governmental
venerable relic OF tall, stiff antquated FORM very plain
and made Of dark walnut: $50 dark that an inscription
over the front OF it, expressive of the dominion of the
British King remained undisc till long after the
revolution, and has but lately been removed) There
was, as might be expected, general and punctual at
tendance OF the members only five six being absent
End these Chiefly detained by sickness Some lime be.
tore noon, Mr. Madison entered the Hall, his appear
anee and manner perfectly simple and
ms venerable figure erect and for his age even alert
His coun,enance is saow, but has a eathy look his
eye you know. was always rather cold one this cx.
preston IT retains, and his whole face is serious and
Tails into hxedness when rest almost resembling
statue. ms smlie' though very transient, is sweet:
ne smile oil very grave countenance is apt TO be so.
His whole appearance and figure inscribed with dig
nifty and the refinement of gentleman. His bow il
graceful, and his address and demeanor fitted To com
nand an involuntary respect from all who approach
him. Many even Of the delegates, saw him now for
the first times others had him since his retire.
ment and the greetings OF his old friends were numer-
Gus and cordial. He makes his home at Mr. Speaker
Sevenson's, whose lady is relative Of the family
lie look his place on side OF the chair on the low
est row OF seats On the other side sat Mr. Monroe:
bis appearance looks broken by years and cares: yet
there is cheerful benevolence about hi, face most
winning in its effect upon those whom he addresses
dress was pian-more so rather, than that Of Mr.
niad'son The latter still wearing powder, and having
diamond buckles at his knees After some time Mr.
Madison rose and addressed the assembly. His voice
betrayed the feebleness of age and like his whole
Tame trembed with agitation aud apparent embarrass-
ment. His eyes did not wander, did he use much
gesture; and, indeed, il some moments before the
mass oil The persons present knew that he was speaking
He merely stated that the first step be taken in the
organization OF the Convention, would he pre- be
he appointment OF presiding officer and he took the
liberty oil nominating, as suitable person for that of
nee, James Monroe, OF whose services and claims il
was unnecessary for him TO speak This was the sub
stance oil his adress-which delivered apparently
oy painful effort, with frequent pduses The latter
part OF H. perhaps owing 10 the increasing silence OF The
assembly, was pretty well heard The question being
then put the nomination unanimously concurred
~; upon which Mr. Madison and Chief Justice Mar.
shall conducted Mr.. Monroe 10 the chair Mr. Mon
roe you know, is diff lent man, awkward in his a
fudes and movements, and somewhat unganiy in f
cure lie felt, very naturally, his constitutional en-
barassnent ON this OCCASION and in unusual degree
and II exered an unhappy influence in the manner OF
his address the substance of what he said eed not
state, as II Is given In the public prints containing the
reports OF the proceedings. After il delivered
had leisure to glance my eye round the HaIl,-and ii
was certainly ilustrious assemblage, presenting
most imp essive spectacle. Dignity, we are willing to
acknowledge, forms striking trait in the Virgnian
characters and very much of il be on every
side The men were generally tall, many Of them past
me meridian OF fe and some Of them gray headed but
her eyes were bright their countenances for the most
part crossed with the lines of thought, and most
noble In their expression Gould sudden accident
nave sunk That floor, what chasm would ii have left
among The distinguished men of America! 1 have
heard several old men say that the scene reminded
them Of the first Federal Convention such, am
told, was the remark Of Mr.. Madison himself Little
was done during this first sitting but the organization
OF the body, by the election Of subordinate officers
The Secretary, Mr. MuDford il the Clerk of the House
OF burgesses: an accomplished officer, with a clear
sonorous voice and fine distinct and deiberafiye mode
OF reading lie is Of good characterand smiable
depor'ment, and the appointment seems generally APP
proved Of
Thus the Convention has hosted sail and gone to sea
with AL the interests Of Virginia board and some Of
her oldest pilots at the helm what storms il may meet
ano above ALL what port may finally arrive at, re-
mains yet TO be known. Many difficult subjects must
be discussed, many important and conflicting interests
anu opinions posterity will feel the result
long and deeply may it he happy for this great
''e'c Az" VIC NhOle republic
chesapeake and Del0todre CdHdi.--The completion
OF ih'inporsnt work, will be celebrated Saturday
next We give the correspondence of the Committee
oil Arrangement, with the President Of the u. States
who has been compelled by press Of business to decline
attending.
To Gen. ANDREW JACKSON, President of the United
States.
STR;-The Chesapeake and Delaware canal being
now navgable the President nod Directors purpoe cell
eersing The termination Of their labours in the course
oil the ensuing month
gratefully aware Of the interest with which you ave
regarded their progress in this int orant work. hey
nave permitted themselves 10 indulge hops, that YOU
would notrefsse further 90 honour them, by witnessing
is conPlcton. They have accordingly directed US Il
70 invite your presence, and 10 solicit, IN their name
hai you would be pleased TO indicate day. on which
wiz eoport with your convenience 10 assist in the eel
ebraion.
We are sir. with tlc hishesrespeet your most ODE
olentsefyants, J. X. KANE,
ROBERT M. LEWIS,
-, WILLIAM PLATT