Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-10-20
U0MWMN WTWYfa

COMMENTATORS
Saturday, October I7fh--The Rev Mr. Kerr offered
up Prayer after which the Convention was called to
order.
No business being yet ready be laid before the Con-
venuon-Mr. Doddridge moved that the Conve non adj
lourn--he stated that additional Documents had
oeen prepared by the Auditor OF Public Accounts which
would be placed in the hands of the Public Printer un-
der a previous resolution of that body.
The motion to adjourn prevailed without opposition
and the Convention accordingly adjourned till Monday,
MONDAY, OCTOBER 10.
The Convention met at two O'Clock and its sitting
was opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Armstrong,
OF the PresbyteI ian Church.
MIR. Fitzhugh tom the Committee on Compensa.
tons, made the following farther Report, in part:
The Committee appointed 10 enquire into the compensa
ton proper 10 he allowed the officers of the Conyen-
tion have agreed 10 the following resolution:
Resolved. that the sum of sixteen dollars be allowed
the Sergeant at Arms tor notifying William X. Perrin
OF his election 10 the Convention.
The report adopted.
Mr.. Taylor of Chesterfield from the Committee on
the Bill OF Rights &c. made the following report:
The Committee TO whom referred the Bill or D..
claraton OF Rights. and all such parts OF the present
Constitution not referred to the Committees on
the Legislative, Executive aud Judicial departments Of
the Government have had the subjects TO them refer
red, under their considerations nd have in part perfor-
nance OF the duties devolved them agreed upon the
following resolution:
"Resolved that in the opinion of this Committee tho
Bill or Declaration OF Rights, &c. requires amend
ment''
Mr.. Harrison Of Rockingham presented memorial
from the NonFreehullers OF that county of a similar
general import to those heretofore presented; and which
was on his motion, ferred without reading TO the Lee
gislative Committee.
No farther business being before the Convention, on
motion of Mr.. Mercer, the House adjourned
THE COMMITTEES.
SATURDAY. Oct. 1.-THE Committees are still ,n-
gagged in debating and deciding on, the propositions DO
fore them. They have yet made up Report for tho
Convention.
On Saturday Mr. Mercer nroroseI IN III. .a;.Ic,..
Committee TO hay before the House the revolutions thew
had already adopted; but on the suggestion OF some
member that would be better 10 ait till their final
report made up. (Which would probably be effected
by Tuesday or Wednesday, Mr.. Mercer withdrew his
proposition.
The Legislative Committee was oc cuped some time on
Saturday, on fixing the members of the House Of Del
tegates. Finally they decided, that the House of Del
egates should not be less than one hundred and ,ceny
nor more than hundred and ffy. The residue Of
The session taken up in discussing the amendments
proposed 10 Mr. Johnsons resolutions; in other words
the muci. agated question of Guarantee against an
excessive taxation OF slave property Mr. Cooke pro-
posed the following Substitute for Mr.. Johnsons 81
and 4th Resolutions. offered OH the 18th instant:
ResoIred, That r order to prevent the imposition
on slave property, Of undue proportion of The bur.
ens OF government, il should be provided that there
shaii be AN assessment once in every years, ofthe
then annual value rental of all the lands within The
Commonwealth and an assessment in every We ar
OF the nett annual value hire of The of each and
very save proprietor, which shall be effected by de-.
ducng the annual charge OF those slaves of each pro-
prietor whose abour is worth the of tbeif main
tenancc, from the annual value or hire of those which
shall he worth any hire: And the revenue from land
and slaves being thus asrerained, that all taxes i'm
posed lands and slaves shall be so much per cenu,
on said revenue, and at the per centt,s on
each sulac no tax 10 be imposed either subject
without being imposed on both"
Mr.. Leigh submitted The following Amendments TO
Mr. Johnson's 81 and 4th Resolutions cit ought to DO
provided, in The Constitution that as fundame ntaD
principle the amount Of to be raised al any
time for the service of the ensuing year ouqht
to be divided with equality into as many ajsrot
re- mpru bpr of he Hona nj naI.
for the time being, and OF these parts imposed ON
each county, city, borough district, 10 which one
in the House OF Delegates shall be al.
lowed; two imposed on each county, city, borough or
district, TO which two representatives in that House
shall be aowed and so in such manner that taxa
ton be always in direct fopor,ion representatio
Mr.. Mercer submitted the following amendment f.
Mr.. Johnson's 81 and 4h resoluiions-"That no tar
shall be imposed on slaves. bu, in conjunction with
general tag lands ard horses that all such taxes
shall be charged upon the subjects thereof according to
fair estimate Of their value; and that the proportion IF
the tax at any time laid slaves and horses, 10 the
sessed value hcreo shall never exceed the proportion
fthe land tax to the assessed value Of lanss by ratio
greater than the least, which has subsscd al any time
within the last ten years between the taxes on tIos,
;btee subjects ofrevenue."
Mr. Cooke al.o submitted certain resolutions on tho
right OF suifrage az substitute tor those previously Of
fered viz: THAT all male citizens of this Common
wealth of The age OF FL years and upwards have the
right OF suf and may rigf0lly exercise the same
except Paupcrs-2. Persons convicted Of any in
famous offence; the enumeration OF such offence 10 be
made by law.-3. Unmarried men; unless thew shah
have lather mother resident within the Common.
wealth Of land and having therein an estate
OF freehold; shall themselves possess land having
therein estate Of ireehod-4. Citizens born within
the limits OF The Commonwealth; unless they shall have
resided within the limits Of the sape for Eve years inn
mediaeiy preceding the election which they shsli
offer TO vote, and two years Immediately sach
election in the county where they shall oger 10 vote;
the mode OF proving such previous residence be pre-
scribed by law.-5 Those who shah have been re-
turned delinquent by the collectors Of any revenue isx,
levy, or other debt due 10 the Commons eah, 10 tho
local authorities established by law for purposes OF i'm
ernal police -6. Soldiers, and marines, (com-
uIsoned officers exceptet IN the service OF the United
States, or OF this Commonwealth"
The Erecuhre Committee were engaged for some
time ou Saturday in discussing the proposition elect
The Governor 10y the people-no quesaon however.
tiken upon u, 1t hene the wish Of gentleman, who
hal been absent from The Committee TO lay the ques-
ton over I'LL Monday morning. The Committee adopted
resouiion {hy Me-. Clayor) that the commissioned off,
cers NJ The militia companies should be nominated 70
the Executive 10y majority Of their respective conPs'
nes "a proposition was submitted bv Mr., Morgan
thai The Governor should exercise The Executive power
OF the government, according TO the laws OF The Com
monwcaih. and see that they be faithfully executed
aso, that he may al his discreon or on application
Of majority OF either House OF the Legislature, con-
vene the General Assembly, and that he have power
grant feptieyes and pardon IN certain speebed cases
The Judiciary Committee took up The following feso
luton, Originally submitted by Mr.. Marshall ne
a