Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-02-14


that power derived from slaves, as we do not re-
cognize Its existance among ourselves. Mr.. w.
said, anxious he might be, to preserve the dig
nity oil his native state unmpaired, vet would he
the ra'her yieid the power, were 1t absolutely
necessary, than submit to its influence here-But
is not their fear without foundations? One Of the
hrst resolutions presented TO the Federal Conven-
ton was offered by delegate from this state, re-
curing that the right OF suffrage representa-
ton in our national councils should be in propor-
states, or according 10 the contributions from EACH
under the old considerations which were in pro
portion TO the value of the lands in the several
states. Had their proposition been adopted Vir-
Sinia and some two or three other states would
have acquired great preponderance in the Co
vernmcnt-But the smaller states, conceving
that they were sovereign and independent, were
unwilling TO accede 10 such an arrangements; the
difficulties arising ont Of this question, such,
as almost 10 have prevented the formation Of any
constitution, and. perhaps would, had not spirit
OF concilation, and mutual concession existed a
mong the delegates-and in lieu Of the represen-
la'ion according TO white population required
by Virginia, she and the Southern states, were
authorised TO take into the estimate of population,
three -hlths OF their slaves at the lime yield
ing 10 the smallest states equality OF Represen-
tatioH IN the Senate-Thus thers was cesson OF
power ON our part, 10 which il was thought the
number OF our ireemen at that day entitled us, and
we received as partial recompense therefor, their
been equally distributed among those freemen-
But the smaller states to the North and West dare
not complain OF their federal ratio, DO what we
may "a il respects our internal arrangements as
we might reply to them-Yield to US your equal
representation in the Senate, and we will willing
ly yield you this power-the Southren states will
not object-Theie cah be but some two three
OF the larger, whose interest would require the
change-yet are we TO fear, that VI e are giving a
state 10 our political importance?
D,,t 4
representation should go hand in hand-This is
true when correctly understood-not that repre-
sentaiion should be IN proportion TO taxation, for
then the former would be dope ndant upon the lat
ter, 10 the exclusion Of popuIation-bIt that tax
alton should not exist without fair repres on
to assent thereto. The citizen that j. master OF an
hundred slaves, requires more protection from
Government, than he who owns but one, and con-
sequentIy should pay greater portion Of the tax
necessary for the support OF that government; and
and revenue on The other-1he gentleman from
Northampton (Mr. Parker) ha- informed us that
during the last war, the West poured forth her
MALTA in defence OF the sea board, and that the
East, by her revenue, paid for the protection at
iorded-But no-he could not believe that The
gentleman intended to convey the idea that our
militia, mercenares, received their hire they,
sir, were influenced by other and nober views,
than the paltry consideration OF their monthly pay.
But, suppose it were otherwise, and that they did
receive Tor the protection they afforded the Eas;
the revenue of the EAST IS qud pro quo
the Wet requires additional 'epre. entaticn oI
the protection afforded, neither should The East
for the revenue she pays-the one has as just a
claim the other.
Ii the principle be correct, that property re-
venue should have distinct representation for its
greater security, the power incident thereto, hould
be vested in The owner OF the property; that there
by he might preserve it from the rapaciiy OF the
poorer part OF the community; and the citizen who
pay a tax of one hundred dollars should have the
political influence of one hundred freemen, (ac
cordiDg 10 the cslcula ion before ell, and thus
the power of every county would be vested in
some forty fifty indiv iduals-the Government
be in the hands Of a small minority-and moned
arlstocracy be the consequence. But shall we be to d
in reply, that the representation derived from re-
venue, is not to be vested in the wealthy citizen
in proportion to his tax, but 10 be equally divided
among the citizens of his county: If so, the prin
ciples upon which the power is based, is al once
violated-you deprive the wealthy OF right as
much theirs as the freehold estate which they
possess, and the latter as well the former may
be distributed among their poorer neighbours.-is
1t possible, That any principle OF Government, can
be correct, which, when reduced TO practice,
shall produce dangerous consequences!
The gentleman from Charles City (Mr. Chris
tian) has boldly declared bis want OF confidence
in the integrity and political honesty oil d major
ity OF the freemen of this state who now are, or
soon will be, found in the west. He apparently
fears, that should our just representation be award
ed us, we will impose grievous burdens upon the
slave hoider-that slaves may become the sole
subject of taxation, &c. Mr.. w. said that he
could not but consider this direct attack upon
the honesty OF the west, which he had supposed
no gentleman would have made in this house.
He asked, why have not the eastern members,
who have had the ascendaDcy since the formation
oil our government, exempted their slaves from
taXations and imposed IL upon those kinds OF pro-
perty, which are alike common throughout the
state? Simply, because it would have been I'M
just and dishonorabe; and he confidently believed
that the gentleman would yet be informed, if he
were not now apprised Of the fact, that there ex-
lists among The people as much political honesty in
the western as in the eastern section OF state.
That this is idle fear no rational man, he
thought could doubt, when it is seen that one hall
oil the western population, found in the valley
country, are shareholders 10 great extent, and
would unite with the east in opposition to any dsr.
ing outrage Of which the tiBiidity of gentlemen
might suppose US capable OF committing.
MHch has been said by our eastern brethren
about compromise. Mr.. W. said, he, too, was viii
ling TO comprehensive the two extremes-sphl
the difference, and meet them hall way.
correct combination Of white population and reve-
nue. OF the present day, will give the west as be.
fore stated lat least SO members out of one hundred
this is one extreme. The population Of the pre-
sent year will give the west 10 members; this i.
the other medium between the two, will give
to The west ~ i-2 members, pre- eisely the proper
ton given by the proposed amendment, arranged
according TO the Census of 1920. Thus far would
ne go IN compromising. but no further. He could
recognize no basis ofrepresentation, other than
The reemon of our land In them are or should be
vested, the powers Of government. as asserted by
our bill OF rights as indicated by the vote Of the
Virginia delegation 10 the federal convention, a.
inst The proposition, that representation shou 4
he spPortioned among the states according to
wealth aud population. Mr. w. called upon he