Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1829-11-14

Csc;cd TO scat in this Convention was with full
knowledge of the opinions entertained by hi. cous,i
lIeps tho subject of the reforms contemplate cd in
u, Constitution. He came TO this Convention IN
Dor no pledges, either expressed or implied. He
came here with n distinct evowal of his opinions,
which he had openly promulg gated on the last dav Of
tito election. In relation to the subject which is N,
present under considerations he had not then formed
any opinion, had h. the least reason 10 believe
TINT his constituents bad frmcd any opinion. Ii they
had formed any opinion respecting Il DreyolIs TO his
coming here, he had not heard of il. The opinions
which he entertained were indicated by the resolu-
ton he had the honor 10 submit, which underwent n
partial CONSIDERATION and which now-sopt on the ia
bic he bclievcd-hc still believed that tho ,,rono-
sion contained.in the amendment offered by The rem
tleman from CuPePcr was inconsistent with the free
institutions of our courtry--pstilc TO those equal
rSlts-whlch- he conteniled should prevail amongst
QrHtHcdvoters, and Introductory of an o.rarchv IL
tai o the free institutions of our country.
1t was hisntention, if the Committee should rise to
move an amendment to the report of the Legislative
Committee. Tie amendment, he proposed to make
was to strike on; the words "Niite population cycu
svely, and in lieu thereof nscr, the words qua
lined voters of the state, without regard their dis
patty of fortune" He meant 10 abuit the amend
ment IN thai FORM not oEy because II was more PHI
IosopMcal 10 put the principle that way, but lie had
another reasOn-because it WIS important 10 himself
and to his coasiitucns-in consequence Of the deem
interest which this question has excited that the pub
lie et large should understand t-rcclcly whether
majority OF aIhed voters Or minority should have
the control In relation this prnci2, he was pre-
pared to stand o. fall. I; was no, his purpose now
TO enter mo the debate these iopicS-Inany con-
siderafi0ns prevented hiEl-cons derstIons pecular
10 himself especially. H would ask therefore that
the Commit IN order 20 postpone al, decision
OF the question He learned a!ihoug Oh 10 ai7j.
had been formed by the people Of his district when
he came here, opinion existed, and he had r.
ceved direct Instructions from his coHstIt,lents
ne believed their sentiments correspondent with vast
majority oi MS cons fuents--,O support the prOpo-
elton Of the gentleman from Culpepcr. J. was the
50 mo nj ms Ea
only means OF nsccrtalnT and expressing the senii
uen,s If the constituent body. lie should not by
any sc Of his impair that connection. But there Il
"cr limits to obedience. Had his constituents AS;
ed ann TO do what they have now asked in matters of
expedlcncy, he would take pleasure 20 sncw Ibis obc
aencs to their desires, and would chcerfly give ey
pfesslon to their sentiments But what ilev now
asked, 1t impossible for HIN TO comply With
Ihey asked him To violate his feelings OF conscience
and his sacred allegiance 10 or free insitutions-to
olsnonor himself as a and cover himself with |
shame as a patriot. No circumstances no tcrnpta-
ton could induce him TO be guilty Of such an act Of
moral treason If he 10 fall he should meet ms
tate with dignity and frmHess, and his onl regret
"ouid De that the victim not more worthy of the
god But as man Of integrity knows how TO recon
Gle all things with his dutv, he communicated VII n
Ihe nrst member OF his delegation (AlR. TAzEwEI l.
and informed him that he would not under any cir.
cumstances vote as he had been instructed lie an
priced that gentleman that he considered TO be lis
duty as 1t was his intention, resign his situation
and in order to give him time to consult with the other
members OF the delegation he then requested him Ia
consult with them and select some individual whose
sentiments would be reconcieabe with those OF his
thR' TAYLoRs constituents. He referred with con-
hdence to the gentleman from NOrfoI1-the first of
the delegation, 20 apprize him what would be a Git
OCCASION whnt Tune would be necessary TO couimuni-
cate his wishes to hIsconsituents He toldmc there
was no necessity yeserday--for there was no proba
"ihy OF the questions being decided for some DAVIS
rs ne expected there would be more discussion.-
lHoeT THESE circumstances he threw himself upon
ne generosity AND indulgence of the Committee and
t5t IL no gentlein1n was ready to speak IL vculd
now rise, and relieve him from the necessity of doug
mat which HE conscience forbid him 10 do on the one
SIDE ard hlo duty TO his constituents on The other An
opportunity woudthus be off Tded TO his constituents
70 nave their sentiments expressed here He en-
treated the Committee sustain his moion Tint M
gentlemen might appoint another representative of
his people, who would be more Fortunate in sunno-t
avg 'her views but none more jealous than he wos
O5e word more. He hoped Il world not no
criminal ~ hin 10 repeat what had fallen fron
lht eloquent lips Of tho gentleman from North.
ampton. He came rs n Vireinian.-to advo
ta.e she interests OF Notwithstanding not the
Pe,.y t.nPorary interests Of his district with those
" nc state But still he was not unfnindG,l of Tho
ehec' which the principle Of the proposed cbp nGca
Womd produce. Ills district was composed of Tho
CYuu.teS OF Norok' N2nsemond, Princess Anne &,
Noriok Borough. On Norfolk county The whit, mo-
puiailon 10 SO59. In Princess Anne 53o2 In Nm
semond sob; and IN Norfolk blrouGh 1Gig. Or
,he pan proposed M the original proposition Of tic
b'''"'FN Ce"iiitpse5 10 MIKE uufubpra tho hpe
If representation, his county (Norfolk cnn,sin;nn
double the population Of tho borough of Norfolt
would be entitled to twice the number Of Rep-o-er
tatives. The county Of Princess innc would be ON
titled to representation in he proportion Of 25 10
the borough Of Norfolk. The county uf Nansemond
would also, having higher number Of qualified vo-
ters have greater representation than Norfolk
Adopt the other basis which is proposed, OF white
population and taxation combined. Let US looi; 10
tho amount Of taxation IN the borough Of Norfolk
and what DO we find ~ It's taxation Is $4,000 "a
which add It's population and we have result ol
5000. The amount Of taxalion in the county Of
Norfolk is $1,000, 10 which add tho amount OF no.
pulat0n, and the result VIII b. - OOO-w{,jch falls
short Of tho borough. The result would BE- that
the county which now exceeds rho borough IN he
proportion Of 10 one, being entitled ~ two Ec-
presenatiycs, VIII, even according 10 i,e combined
bass. be still entitled to larger roprc ,cni atom
thar tbe borough. 10 the county of Princes, Anne
Ie representation on the basis q white population
would not exceed the borough Of Norfolk but ON
The compound basis, Noris, inferior IN numbers TO
Pnnccss AuBc will havp representation in the pro-