Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-03-20

To the Editors of the Enou,rer


To the Editors Of the Enquirer.
In your paper of the l7th inst. observe n eo,,.
mnnieation signed :" Many Freeholders Of The
County OF Louisa" requesting that I, amous.t
others, would answer the following questions
=" Are you in favour Of altering the Constit,,.
ton; and II so, what alterations and amendment.
would you propose!
Are you willing to serve on the Convention n
De assembled in October next to alter our Consti-
tuition, il elccted.'
mot doubling that the communication proeee6.
in truth from Freehoiders, and from the reason,
assigned, hasten TO answer the call by an avowal
OF my opinions upon the points indicated. do
ms with great diiidence; and only because have
been required to do so; and not with desire ~
ootrnding upon the notice Of the public, my own
theories. inexperienced and u,,skiued az [ ann in
the science OF Government, If left to myself had
rather ask information, than attempt to impart h.
and certainly from choice, would leave the task
OF enhghtening the public mind to older and SCUM
der heads. have ever admired openness and Dc.
ctsson, as high characteristics, both in the man
and the politician, and have endeavoured through
Lille to act accordingly. My opinions, (such a
they are) have never been, ever shall be. with.
ne IL on proper occasions; and moreover will
shrink from no responsibility, and am ready To
stand or fall by the Judgment of the Sovereign
People.
In the first place, then, will cay that am now
and ever have been, (since the commencement Of
my political life) decidedly in favour of amending
the Constitution, in each of the Departments Of
1--WE. Ii Is not. l presume, Omitted as l am to the
columns oil newspapero expected that should
enter infinitely into the character Of the amend.
ments desire to see effected; nor could be 40
arrogant, as to presume 70 sketch Constitution:
shall, therefore, merely glance at the great prin.
clpes, which, in my humble opinion should go
uern the Convention; belle wing, il then are agreed
upon, there would he but little difficulty in ,nodi-
lying and adjusting the details by the virtuous en-
lIghtened and patriotic men, whom the intelligence
OF the people, will cali preside in Convention.
hold sacred the principles of Governments as Dr..
clared in the Bill of Rights; the present Cons,itu
ton does not respond to. the Bill Of Rights and
wish to see 1t so amended, substantially 10 rive
practical effect, TO those principles so far as the
condition OF the country will admit of it,
am ~ favour of altering the Legislative De-
Psrtment, by reducing the number Of the House
OF Delegates; whereby the transaction of business
would be fastened, and the cxpence of Icyi.ia-
ton, (Which is now ont Of all proportion, to other
expences OF the civil list,) diminished.
am Tor equalising representation upon the ba.
| SIS OF free white population.
| am for cleo ting members to the General Az.
semblyb by Districts, and against electng oy coun-
| Ties. -
Legislative body should be sufficiently mn.
merons to bring the representative Lear enough 10
the people to partake Of their feelings and become
| acquainted with their sentiments and interests.
nut net so large as 10 endanger that harmony and.
good order, so essential for mature deliberation
WIN reference TO our present population, and
years, the House of Delegates should not consist
| Oh more than l20 members; the Senate of thirty;
and Tor the purpose Of election, the State shouM
De iad oil into thirty DISTRICTS from each of which
shouin DE chosen annually four Delegates, and BIZ
enniaiiy one Senator, the Senators to be clsssed
anu 20 out oil Office az at present arranged
am for alb olishing landed qualification to vote,
as being a relic OF the Feujs System aristocratic
odlous In the sight OF Democratic Republicans, and
inappicable to the condition Of the free sovereien
and enlightened people of Virginia.
am opposed 10 universal suffrage; but in favor
OF extending the right Of suffrage to every free
white male citizen, who has resided in the
District. where offering to vote. for two wears
next preceding the time of voting. and m,
paid tax or levy, which should be shown by refe-
! renee to the Books Of the Collector of the Reve.
nue.. In support OF this opinion I take leave 10
quote the 9th Article Of the Bill of Rights which
reads thus, verbatim :-'' That all elections NJ
members, TO serve as representatives OF the peopIs
IN Assembly, ought TO be frce-and that ali mep,
having sufficient evidence Of permanent COM
mon interest with, and attachment to the Commu-
nity' mare the right Of suffrage mark tie word
haveo and cannot be fdrcd. or dcprired of their
property for public uses, without their ozpn CON-
sent, or that Of their representatives so elected.
nor oo'tnd by any Law, to which they have not
In IKE manner assented for the public good"
am IN favor of reform in the judiciary. am
sa,isned with the present mode of eIecting the
l'uuges' out anxious TO see them made more ac-
couhtable, and more responsible; and, with view
70 'his. would have them, at all times, removable
from Office, by joint Of both branches of the
GENERAL Assembly Indeed, [ am inclined to have
them elected, at stated periods, (say every 10
years;)-of this latter idea however, / am not yo.
ry tenacious. My main object is TO make them:
IN Jdcf, what they now nominaliv, tangible
and dm@na6ie servants and trustees of the peo.
pie' preserving to them, at the same time, suffi-
cient power and independence, for the free AMI
unbiased exercise Of their judgment.
am Tor aboishing Chancery Courts az a sepa-
rate establishment; and placing the whole merits
oil case before any court where Il NAV apnear.
! am Tor aboshing the Privy Council, and con-
shutting the Executive Department, by a Gov
,Io. Gnu Lieutenant Governor, to be chosen by
sucn persons as are qualified TO vote for members
OF the General Assembly; TO hold office for four
years, subject to be impeachod before the Su-
preme Court, and removed from office for ,na-fea-
sance or non-feasance Of office. The Governor
should have the right Of requiring the opinion or
advice OF the Attorney General the Treasurer,
the Auditors, the Register Of the Land Office. or
the Ahjuant General; or such officers az MIGHT bc
appointed by Law, to preside over the interest of
The Commonwealth, now committed 10 tbose
Agents, without being bound by the opinion or
advice thus required. | would relieve the Exe-
curve Department OF many of the labors now
cohflded TO 1t, by transferring them TO subordinate
finciionates.
am in favor Of Introducing an article into the
new Constitution, providing for future amend.
mems; by which would, probably, be prevented
ihat nigh degree OF political Excitement ,vbich
usuaiiy attends resort TO the great bodv Of the
feop'e' iof reformation in Government The suc
cess anu stability Of free representative Cavern.
IIen' uePehds' 10 10Y opinion, more upon the 81.
eeu observance oil written rule of action. lin
other words Consiituion) than nnon The necn.
r. p-eel'enos oil lie structure Of overnment-
III WIS written rule OF action. which governs fj,s
Po'Pe AZ wen az the agents Of the people is 10 be