The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1829-10-15
Prom .ae Richmond va Enquiries o.
Tuesday.
CONVENTION OF VIRGINIA.

The Gallery the Lobby, and part OF the
/ Hall was crowded with anxious spectators.
The spectacle of so many distinguished
men convened together for so solemn ana
/ important purpose, produced sensation
which battles description. =,
Ara little after twelve o'clock mr.. MAD
ison rose and addressed the Convention
lie stated the proprety OF organizing me
BODY. by the appointment Of President;
that he therefore nominatedJames Monroe |
as qualified to FIJI the Chair; and one whose
character and long public services render
ed it unnecessary for him to say more''han
present him res pectfully to the notice ol
the House.
No other candidate being put in nomina' !
ton the question was put on the nomination
Of Nh. Monroe; and lie was elected mem. /,
con.
Messrs. Madison and Marshall having
conducted him to the chair, he addressed
the Convention nearly in the following
words:
Tlaving served my country from very
early life, in all its highest trusts and most
difficult emergencies. from the most lnpor.
tant Of which trusts have lately retired,
cannot otherwise than feel with great sen
sibility, this proof OF the high confidence OF
this very enlightened and respectable As
sembly. 1t was my earnest hope and de-
sire, that very distinguished citizen and
friend. who has preceded me in several of
these high trusts, and who had just claim
to that precedence. should have taken this
station; and deeply regret the consldera'
tions which have induced himto dcclineit.
The proofs Of his very important services,
and the purity of his life, will 90 down 70
our latest posterity ;and his example, aid
ed by that of others,whom need not men
= ton, will give a strong prop to our free sys'
TEN Of government.
regret my appointment from another
, considerations fear that shall not be a.
BILE to discharge the duties of the trust with
advantage TO my country. ! have never
before held such station and am igno-
, rant Of the rules of the House. ! have also
been afflicted Of late with infirmliy, which
still exists TO n degree TO form serious OBJ
= staclc. Being placed, however, here, ]
will exert my best faculties physical as we'll
as mental such as they are,at every hazard
to discharge its duties to the satisfaction OF
this Assembly, and Of my country.
This assembly is called for the most i'm.
J, tuition, and thereby give new support 10
our system office republican governments
. our constitution was the first that was form
: ed in the Union, and it has been in opera.
: ton since.-We had at that period, the cX-
J, ampies only ofthe ancient republics before
: us-we have now the experience Of more
s than half a century Of this orr own Con.
P stitulion, and Of those Of all our sister
o states. If it has defects, as think it has
r. experience will have pointed them out, &
G the ability and integrity Of this enlighten
e cd body, will recommend such alterations
u as it deems proper 10 our constituents. in
: whom the power Of adopting or rejecting
is exclusively vested.
l. Al other republics have failed. Those
V. Of Rome and Greece exist only in History.
s In the territories which they ruled, we see
y the ruins Of ancient buildings, only--the
= governments have pcrisheGand the inhab
itonts exhibit a state of decrepitudc and
< wretchrdness, which is frightfnl to those
Is who visit them.
y On the subject Of order and the method
Il ofproceeding, | need not say any thing to
IL this assembly The importance ofthe cal
-, and manner Of election, give ample assur.
Ut ance that no danger need be appre ehended
Is on that subject.-Our fellow citizens, in the
'e election they have made, have looked tc
G the great cause at issue ,and selected those
VI whom they thought most competent to its
. duties. They have not devoted themselves
l. to individuals, but have regarded principle
and sought to secure it. In this | SOC
re strong ground to conhde in the stability &
'e success of our system. II inspires me
III with equal confidence that he result o
y. your labors will correspond with the mos
Ks sangune hopes"
&c During he delivery Of this feeling ant
le impressive address, the scene was pecu-
liarly touching;-there was many a we
s. eye in the Hall.
y The following highly complimentary let
ter was addressed TO commodore DaviC
Porter. by the President of Mexico, on hi.
- leaving that country.
% Seignor Don Ddrid Porter.
in Ny Dear Sir-By your attentive note,
q. am informed of the determination You have
,e come to. to retire to the United States. ant
lf to the the bosom Of your family-convnc
he ed as yon are this moment, that your can
Id not be of service to the Republic.
in give YOU thanks, in the name Of m
n. country. for the very important service
or you have rendered il during your conman
at in our Marine; and do rot doubt. wha,ey
of er events may occur vou'will show the sam
IN generosity as Your have done before, tc
he wards county in which your may cour
n. on many and tue friends.
". remain with the highest consideration
,h your friend who kisses your hand.
ne G. GUERRERO.
i'd Mexico, August ii,h, 1899.