Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-01

Henderson, and opposed by Mc.srs. Giles, p. p Bar.
bour, johnson and Leigh of C.-The Committee ad-
journed without coming to any decision.
But all these questions yield to tho paramount
Importance OF the Basis OF ationWe
ole predict the result Both parties are claiming the
white basis in the House OF Deieg atesor some Of the
gentlemen OF the East Offering average apporon
for the present, and basis of future
ton not entirely drawn from the white population. We
still hope that arrang may be made; though
our hopes have become fainter from the spirit whic,
begins TO be displayed both sides But the interes,
OF the State is ob, ously concerned in conciatine
,hese differences, that scarcely believe the Con-
venton break up without cffscting the object OF
their meeting. We should consider that man as a
blind politician who wishes them TO do nothing
These questions press themselves irresstibly upes
us--wha will be the effect Of dissolution p
Mr. Cooke painted them in his speech yesterday
in the most impressive colours-Mutual crimina-
ton and recr mina ton, di,cord and animo.ity Aud
where they to stop! How are they to s,op.-
Will another Conv sn,ion arrest them? How is il 10
be called! viii the Legislature call another? IL the
people the West call one, will the IS, attend il? ii
they do not and another Constitution is proposed by the
West what will be the RESULT We turn from those anti.
cipations others which might couture up with the
greatest pain No friend Of Va. look them w,hou,
the deepest II the ship DO saved II ON shin
wreck it is high time for all the crew TO bes,ir
selvcs.-lhose men who will the ship upon the
brcakers; those who from selfish feelings, or from
hasiy temper, from spirit of rivalry or ambition,
from wish to show Off or from want Of courage to
risk themselves little Tor their country, meet the
temporary ccnsures OF their assocatesthose who from
any such considerations, will pursue course calculated
10 dc feat every plan OF compromise hasten the dsolu
ton OF the Convention have fearful responsibility to en-.
counter in the eyes other constituents. Now is the time
far, O, IL,
90 for Virginia, and indivsibe, Or who is there
that il prepared to meet the excitement which is 10 fol-
low the dissolution of the Convention! and the conse.
qusnces that may spring from tina, excitement.
SKETCH OF THE PRocEEDINGs OF Convention
SATURDAY, November %.
The Convention met at III o'clock, and was opened
terrain Church.
The House then went again into Committee of the
Whole, Mr. u. II. BARBOUR in the Chair-and the
question being the 9th Resolution of the Execuv.
Committee, which is in the words following:
ResO!ued, That the Commissioned Officers Of Milili,
Companies be nominated 10 the Executive, by MAORI.
ty OF their respective Companies.
MIR. MERCER moved that it be passed by for the pre-
sent.
Tie Committee then passed 10 the 3rd Resolution
which is = follows:
Resolrcd, That the Execvtivo Council at present
organized, ought to be abolished aud that it is inc rpe.
diem, 10 provide any Other Executive Council
MIR. MASON, observing the absence of MIR. NIcHo-
LAS, who had moved an amendment TO this resolution
moved that it be passed over for the present
The 4th, 5th 9th and 7th Resolutions. having been
passed over yesterday,
The Committee took up the Sth Resolution which
reads follows:
RESOLVED, That no pardon shall be granted in any
case, until after conviction or Judgment.
MIR. DoDDRIDGE having called for an explanation Of
the reasons on which this resolution founded,
Mr. MORGAN OF Monongalia, briefly explained il TO
be, TO prevent the interference OF the Executive in this
puni'hment OF crimes, by interpreting pardon before
trial and conviction lie referred TO tho cases so fro
quent in the state trials o! gland where tho Crown
had thrown in the pardonins prerogative TO shield the
accused before prosecution and Judgment Some in
stances had also occurred in this country he did not
sire to trammel the preroy of pardon, but only
have crime proved before IL forgiven.
Mr.. DoDDRIDGE thoughtthe reasons not satisfactory
In OF riot extensive combinations resist the
law pardon might be necessary means OF obtaining
testimony. There not the danger Of abus.
here in England because the officer having the par
donng power, is responsible for all his acts. The Exc
cuiive is not first estate" in Europe. He moved
10 strike out the word "Resolved," In effect destroy
the resolution }
Mr.. MORGAN insisted on his former ground and stat.
ed the case where Governor (Dshs) had pardoncd
his son without conviction or trial He saw danger
OF sao combinations onspiracies, the gentleman
had mentioned. He thought less danger would result
from The adoption OF the resou ion tban its rejection
No man ought TO be pardoned without judicial enquiry
into his offence.
Mr. DoDDRIDoE admitted this a, general rule; bu,
insisted that the public good nigh 10 extraordinary
cases, require departure from il. He nstanced the
whi'key instruction in PenDsyvauia, and enquired
what must have been the esu if the hands oftbe Ex.
ccutiye had been tied by such article in the Con-
stituton? The Attorney Genei al would have had file
bile OF Indictment against whole community. sup
pose civil warto he queled by the OF til govern.
ment, how the country to be .etled if such an OBJ
s.acle this stood IN the way?
The question was then taken on striking out, and car
ried without a count.
Mr.. NICHOLAS having during tie above debate, ap,
peared and took his seat,
Mr.. MASON moved that the Committee take up now
the 3rd rc slution.
II was taken up accordingly, and again read fol-
low:
ReSOiped, That The Executive Council "a at present
organized, ought TO be abolished, and that it is nexpe
dent to provide any other Executive Council.
MIR. HENDERSON moved that the question adopt
ing the two members Of the Resolution he divided.
The CHAIR reminded him that no question would be
taken the Resolution, unless amendment should
be offered.
Mr.. NICHOLAS moved the following amend
nen
"RcsOiUei, That the 9th and 10th sections Of the pre-
sent Constitution be retained and that the Ith sub.
stituted by the folio wing resolution:
Privy Council or Council of Site, consisting of
four members, shall be chosen by both Houses of As
semby either from their mbers, or the people
at large, TO assist in the adnnisra ton oil Government
Leuienen Governor, who, in the of the death,
inability, necessary absence Of the Governor. from
the Government. shall act ~ Governor. The Cover.
shall be the President Of the Council and shall in
all cases OF decision have the casting vote. Two mem
hers with the Governor Lieutenant Governor, as
the case may be, shall be sufficient 10 act and their adj
vre and proceedings shall be entered Of record and
signed by the members present. TO any part whereof
any member may enter his disseD 10 he laid before
| the General Assembly. when called for by them
The members Of the Council shall he elected by both
Houses OF the General Assembly for four years. At