Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-01-13


fund was paid out. The money constituting tina,
fund had been drawn from the pockets of the peo-
pie, in the Same ratio that of the present taxa
ton. The nisru.ing East had paid much the
greater part, and the oppressed West WAS yett;ry
| The chief benefit Of il.
! He ext referred 10 the large sums Of money
that had been paid out OF the Fund Tor Internal
improvements towards the laying out and survey.
inS roads, the examination OF rivers, &c.-Durns
the present session sundry resolutions had passed for
surveys in the West-The money! he said cop.ti-
tutins this fund for Internal Improvemen,. had
been drawn from the pockets OF the people in the
same ratio OF inequality as above shown and We,
all, or very nearly all Of that fund was dedicated 70
The Improvement Of the middle and Western coun-
ties. The state had even gone in debt and pedg-
ed Its faith for the re payment Of large sums OF
money that had been applied to objects ofiInprove
inent in the upper country. In that great Fund
| the lower country who had contributed so largely
towards its creation, had no other interes, than
that OF seeing the roads and rivers OF our tellw-
clliLens above, improved. So far he concerned
! tney were welcome TO the whole fund, provided
'ney did not quarrel about IFS application, aud would
give 10 IL Legitimate direction. Should they
quarrel over ii it would become the duty of the ex-
trene east to step in & weigh the matters in dispute
and turn the scale according to the right OF the
case. In that part OF the country below tide
water the bounty OF nature had done every thing
Tor the people in the way Improvement. They
had hne roads, wide, bold, nayig gable streams and
therefore, they felt but little interest in the fund
except as Vrginians solicous tor the prosperity of
all parts of the State.
Now, II the power Of the Government, as was
complained OF, resided in the misruling tide water
country, how did it happen that all the Sc things had
occurred; that they had taxed themselves, raised
large funds, I'D applied them, not for their own
dement,, but Tor the benefit of others. And yet
strange to te-all this constitute the misrule Of
the tide water country.
But ii all the efforts TO form Convention should
iail or II the Convention should not agree upon any
new plan OF government, and separation Of the
state should follow, he supposed that when the
| w est shook hands with the East they would also
part with these great funds. Ii they did they must
resort to taxation TO raise others for the improve
fhent OF their country and the. education of their
people. He could not suppose thew would think
of marching down upon US like parcel of free
oooers 10 take possession Of them by of that
physical force already spoken of. The member
from Brooke, AMI other gentlemen on that floor
might be willing 10 resort taxation to raise 9TH
er funds, but the question was, would the people
consent TO pay the taxes necessary They might
commence it; but they would soon get tired Of
paying.
Mr.. Parker concluded, by remarking. that what
ne had SAID, was said in reply 10 arguments and
remarks that had been made. He felt towards
the West the greatest good feeling, and even af-
lection lie should always take pride and plea
sure in doing any thing he could, consistently
win proprlety, for their prosperity He would
listen TO their complaints with patience, and re-.
dress any actual grievance that existed a'iong
| them. he would even go farther; if in the spirit
oil disappointment and dissatisfaction they should
at any tine, mink proper, to separate from their
Eastern brethren, he was sure that little ex-
perlence would convince them of their foliy and
induce them 10 desire TO return to us. In such
| an event, for one, he would be willing to receive
them with open arms, and take them back into the
bosom OF our political family He had no idea,
however, that any seditious movements would take
place, be the result of this Convention question
what it may. Our Western brethen were too
much attached 10 the honor, the renown, the glo-
ry oil Virginia-they estimated too highly the
proud character she enjoyed both at home and
abroad, to jeopardiZe it, by any such movements
hose who looked TO such results, he apprehended
knew very little OF them.
| He concluded, by depre eating the excitement
OF feeling on this subject; and by expressing his
regret that any thing had occurred, and a wish
that nothing more should occurto give rise TO any
| excitement
| Mr. BRAxToN said-Mr. Chairman-I should!
perhaps, have discharged my duty 10 my consiitu-
ents' by merely recording my vote in favor of the
gu Dstitute but since the proposition which il
contains is the same which had the honor to
submit to the Select Committee, and that PROPOSE
-lon, 10 have the Convention based on equal coun-
Misrepresentation, has been denounced as unequal,
unjust and ridiculous must, in Justice 10 myself
| defend the ground have taken.
congratulate the Committee, that the able and
luminous Exposition which has just been III ade by
| my friend from Northampton, mfr. Parker1 has
left but little for to do, or say, on the subject
Suffer Inc, Sir, to remind you Of the remarks made
a few days since by the gentleman from Harrison
| (hr. Brown.) He did not infinate but roundly
declared, that the House of Delegates mad entered
on the hrs step taken in reference 10 the Convcn-
| ton; for, that the of raising the Select
| Committee was in effect, if may use the Ian
| guage OF distinguished Parliamentarian to COM
init the Lamb to the Wolf Pardon me, Sir, the
fact was otherwise can venture TO assert, there
was no gentleman on the Committee less friendly
| to the subject than myself. AS one of the soye-
reigns OF this land voted against a Convention,
| and now represent, in part, county decidedly
opposed 10 Convention but yet, Sir it is desir-
able to allay the excitement of public feeling by
passing some bill, and came here with the fixed
determination to vote for any bill care little for
TIE Details provided il does not violate the exist
ing constitution; and that so help me God, neve
VIII violate. Written constitutions, MIR. Chairman
are sacred, solemn things. A few DAYS since
when the gentleman from Frederick, Mr.. Masonl
| In discussing some other subject, paid passing
cncomium on the Constitution of Virginia and is
wise trainers, he put every generous feeling OF
| my bosom to action. and my heart thrilled with
Joy, until repressed by the chilling reflection
| that his euogies were but the decorations prepa-
rafory for the slaughter.
did hope, when the gentleman from Brooke,
(mr. Doddrldge) took the floor in opposition TO tbe
principles we contend for, that he would have
based his argument on the Constitution itself
that II was in error, might be convinced tina,
| my construction of the Constitution was wrong
but Instead OF doing this, that gentleman placed
DIS whole reliance on the plea Of " non est fac
/ tum, and cryIearnedly traced the history Of he
Commonwealth aud its Legislation TO shev, that
the people had never authorised the present go
vernment; but in this he has failed as far as can
Judge OF the argument and its effect for one
| or, must SUI bow with the most profound vene-
ration 10 the Constitution Of Virginia as an act con-
SUN mated under the eye Of Heaven, and sancti-
oned by the peOrle for half /, rentu,v