Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-10-24

Alter advertug 10 tho experience Of other states or
This subject Mr. B. concluded by stating, 90 curiou.
Fact. that all the emigrants from Virginia, though the,
had become great the ctp
wrote back to their FRIENDS this sion above
,hings.to avoid universal suffrage & the balIo, box.
Mr. Mercer conceded In the views which hal been e r.
presse but could not votc by implication that the le.
sature Of Va should have the power of electing auy
officers but those Of their own body He therefore,
asked division OF the question l,was divided accord
ingly, and by two separate votes adopted: ayes
Mr. Brodnax then called up the re solutions he had
before offered on the subject Of religion, as foows
Resolved, .hat no man shall be compelled TO fire
quent or support any religious worship place. or mi
nistry whatsoever nor shall be enforced restrained
molcsed. or hurdened, in his body goods, nor sha
otherwise suffer account OF his gous opinions or
belief but that all shall be free to profess and bv
argument to maintain their opinions in matters Of rel
Gon and that the same shall in wise diinin,h en-.
large, or affect their civil capacities
s That the Legislature shall have no power to pre
scribe any religious test whaever;nor 10 establish bv
law any subordin alton preference between different
ioges or advantages any sect or denomination
over others; pass any law requiring or authorize
Ing, any religious sociey. the people Of any district
within this commonwealth, to levy on themselves or
others any for the erection or repair of any
for public worship, or the support of any church. or
ministry. but that il be left free every person to Sc
lsct whom he pleases his religious and 10
make for his support such private as he
Provided, however, that the foregoing clauses shall
not be so construed as TO permit any minister the
Gospel or priest OF any denomination to be eligible 10
either house OF the General Assembly, or capable of
holding any military Office within this state
Nor shall they De so construed as to deprive the
Legislature OF the power OF Incorporating by law the
trustees or directors Of any theological Seminary or
other religious society, or body Of men, united for
charitable purposes, or inc advancement of pety and
learning SO a. TO protect them in the enjoyment OF their
property and ipmunes. in such cases. and under such
reguia,ionsas the Legislature may deem expedent and
proper
He thon moved to add 10 the proyi.o which accom-
panies the last resolution, farther provision to the fol-
lowing effect:
AN Al.
Ia all future time, 10 aer model or repeal the said
charters whenever they shall deem proper: and shall
IN no case endow any theological Seminary, or other
funds or land whatsoever." =
The resolutions taken up in order and a.lopted
Without discussion until the Committee came to the
phrase shail not be affected in his civil capacy''
when Mr. Leigh suggested that the adoption OF that
phrrsc would admit witnesses in court of ;ustice
persons denying the existence Of Col, and future
state OF rewards and punishments.
Ar. bfodnax disciamed any desire to produce such
an effect; BUTT was agreed that raining clause
on this subject, might be added in Convention: and
fhereupen the clause was adopted.
The second clause, forbidding a religious test Sc
was passed without opposition.
The third going TO exclude Minister'S Of the Cosnel
from in the Legislature and from military an
pon'meuts, gave rise TO some debate; in which IL
seemed generally agreed, that although no danger was
to be apprehened TO the State, in former times from
clerical influence, and though all confidence wa. ex
pressed in the personal integrity and virtue of the
m.,ican Clergy generslly.-yet thait was inconsistent
IN
take an active part in the heats and turmos of political
controversy.
The debate resulted in the adoption OF so much CT
the clause as prohibited their election 10 seat i'm the
legislature, and the rejection of that part of it, which
iorbids their receiving military observation-disclosures 10
motion to adjourn having been made and rejected
Mr.. Mercer renewed the motion he made Yesterday
that the Committee ask leave during the setting
OF the Convention; which, having been agreed TO- the
Committee adjourned.
In the Convention, Mr.. Madison asked and oh, tanned
such permission and thereupon the Committee retrn
cd to their room aud resumed their sitting.
The discussion continued on the remaining clause
ot the Proviso, 10 Mr. Brodnaxs las, resouiion when
after remarks from him, on the injurious policy of
driving from the State, all young men seeking Theo-
oxca' oy refusing to incorporate Semnarie,
within the State for their instruction, and reference
being made to the OF two such institutions which
had been lately located within the district of Columbia
from this cause, the question was taken-when the
Committee were equally divided. The votes being 10
dor and 10 againstit: of course it not adopted
Mr. Summers then laid on the table the two follow
ing resolutions which ordered be printed viz
The fund heretofore provided aud set apart for the
internal Improvement OF the Commonw ealih, with all
future increase thereof, and sha be
exclusively devoted 10 the objects and purposes of its
original creaon and no oher appropriation shall ever
ne made oil the same unless in time Of war, the safety
OF me commonwealth may, in the opinion of the Cen
era, Assembly, require its application, part thereof
TO the purposes OF deence: And whenever any part
the fund shall be applied it shall be the dnty of the
General Assembly, as early afer the return of peace
me pubic exigences will permit, 10 restore 10 the
interest thereon 80
The Prrpe'uaion os the Literary Fund and its faith
fu application TO the purposes OF are essen
uay connected with the preservation Of our instiiu
ons and The rights and liberties Of the good people of
the Commonwealth: That Fund IL therefore ecIsred
iuyiolabIr, and the General Assembly are enioned to
pass such laws from time to time, for the augmenia
lion AMI administration thereof will in aid of local
taxation and contributions efectually, and gen.
eraiy secure the proper education OF the youth OF the
country.
MIR. Chapman offered the following, which took the
eam~ course, viz:
Hesofned. That the members Of the Lcgi.Iaure shall
receive Tor their services compensation, be ascer-
tained by law, and paid the public treaury hut
no law increasing the compensation Of members OF the
Legislature shall take effect unit, the end Of the ne XII
session alter the sal law may have been enacted.
Res0fped That no Senator or Delegate shall during
the Term Tor which he shall have been elected APP
pointed 10 any civil Office Of profit under this S,acs
when SHAH have been created, the eolurnents OF
winch shall rave been increased during such term ex
ceP such Offices as may be filed by elections by the
people.
On motion Of Mr. Mercer, the Chairman was request
ed 10 arrange and revise the various solutions wic
mad been adopted, and report them the Committee
,onorow morning. preparatory to final report the
Convention.
Mr. Tazewell threw out a suggestion, that IL would
be proper TO decide whether as at present mere pn
Iu"y, or WHISTLER majority Of the votes In any coun-
or nislrct was 10 he considered constituting val
~ eiecuon u the former should be continued as tise
RUE tue practical result weuId be, that while GO
verhtnent was adopted expressly the principle, tina
we majority shall govern, miserable minority would
sn isc', appont,he Legislature and thereby rule the
The Committee then adjourned till 10 o'clock to