Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-05
lkEfOh7Ep TOR TIE whIG.J
VIRGINIA COW ENTION,s~
TUESDAY. Die. l.,

VAh.SlNiA COsS ENs.H1QNsse..a.
TUESDAY, Dec l..
Mr.. CoALrrn said from wha, he had heard else
where, and what had been the Yesterday in
the C0IIcn oif, Tie induced to trouble the House
for some eight ar ten minutes
Mr. CoALrEn then read the following speech:
have been week in this Convent ION and but with
i'll the last two or three days have been furnished
with copy ofthe Reports of the various Committees
winch have been under discussion; and some Reports
OF the Auditor.
ocean; AMI not being accustomed to such Il VOYAGE
. am getting some what seas'ck. WISH if possible to
see land to my family aud to my friends aud
constituents who arc looking out for the good old
snip, Constitution, with no little anxiety; and m,-
ny ofwhonr. know, would be willing to obtain
policy of insurance for her safety ut almost any pre-
MUM y, too, have been thinking fla plan by which
we mIy perhaps get again into harbor. or leas, into
saltwater. have consulted man about it, for
wish no one 10 be implicated with me in what NAV
b. considered so visionary scheme. Besides, may
be wrong III the extent to which | am at present
prepared to go IN making a compromise, or may not
be willing to go far enough.
know nothing OF the order and forms to be plr-
sued for the purpose OF laying before this BODY the
PAN winch has suggested Itself to my mind in order
TO BRING OFF iaJours IL close.
"earc pretty equally divided, 1t seems, on great
variety 81 i7ss important subjects. 1t may be thought
that II those great subjects tr llipcd oprther
and presented 20 lis Ill single tanpble shane
containing in the whole instrument those tbinps
which be ncreded either side: and also ind.
o
agreement
find, looking over the table furnished by the
Ahdtar thut the whole number OF freeholdcrs i'll the
STATE may amount say to 92,8
hy adding together the whole number non, resi-
Vest of the Blue Ridge, and incu dents and
ding herewith tho counties of Lou all
donn and iairiuE, Supposed to have
an Identity OF opinion feeling and
interest many of these great Gues-
tons the whole number amounts
say to AZ 9oe
Which deducted, leaves 1926
1t Is supposed however, that certain other coun
ties below the Ridge, are also identified with them
not IN interest, at least in opinion and feeling Us to
some OF these questions. This thourh, is doubted;
and is said that the signs ofe times nthose coun-
ties shew that there is reality no such serious dis
union in the rest of lower Virginia. Taking his O
DC So tic comparative strength Is as 1890 to
1926
1886
1t probable this majority would he lcsscncd by
estimating the number of non residents.
Bat whether am in the aiory of frce!loldcrs or
IN the minority, whether from instructions or 9TH
er convictions operating on the delegation from that
section OF the State above alluded TO, as to the o.
plnlons OF their constituents, may hereafter find my
self IN majority on this floor, Is not the question
The question with me is, whether should be in
such majority against such minority as would
then be on THIS floor and in the country am pre,ar
ed to adopt amendment to the Constitution m
tanning the mixed basis of Representations or the Fed
eral number IN both branches Of the I,arisaturo,
NOW, though most sincerely and religi0usv think
that this latter Is what all ought to gree to and
were itpropcr now, should it become proper I
trust can shcw reasons enough to induce bclef at
teaS' that am sincere IN that opinion those are
VINO entertain contrary one, yet could not eycr-
else that powcr-no-l am not that rnnn-I have
Scotch Irish blood III it true. OF that old blo,G
winch winch do not come here to enjoy land already
blessed with every thing that land can be blessed
with but to snbdue the Wilderness and to nal,a
country fir themsevs-who came over about tho
time when the solemn League and Covenant was
still talked OF, and which recullect TO have hoard
talked OF as far back as can recol!ect any thinp
1t is blood that am proud, of and hope 1 don't
disgrace 1t when say | would rem 5Ie and shyiuk
Reluctant as [ would be for this Convention to
rise without doing any thing would rather do that
ON this great question of basis of representation -
The power OF reason, it to me- is rone6rero,.
gone perhaps on both sIdes-We must cou,Dror,;.o
or do nothing.
But will |, if have the power to do go establish
the Mixed Basis, or the Federal Number 70. the
most numerous BrnnchP-No, Sir-I would not even
do this against such minority in this Houen md
probable majority in this Country, although the major
ity here be with me- tviH rather. adjourn md 6o
noating--l would rather call on the magnanritv of
such majority, to say. whether ought not adj
1ourn, rather than do this thng2 But as il is an
Emporium! that we should not so adjourn then 7 n
gam call on them to say whether, if other great inter
csts, IN which they, with me- feel most deeply con-
cerned, can be saved, least for the present md nv
til more time and reflection canbe bestowed on them
TINS troubled Ocean ought not to be at rcs,o
hether this ought not to be done, even at the ey-
pence Of considerable Sncrifces2
Ana call upon the other side to say, whether the
storm Is to continue to rage; whether they vii, be
satisfied with ample redress Of reok grievance,
leaving something for poscrity to reject ur1n ana to
do, II they think proper trust [ will be met in
that spirit of candonr and open heartedness by which
4 feel myself acuated.--As to the manner in which
we shall come together, aud many minor points
am nose 9F acar, to be fashioned as gentlemen
choose-As to great and essential p01ts if then can't
be compromised, am rock of granic; or what is
nearly the same thinga .ScoM L3stmqa--I am will