Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1828-1831, 1830-03-16

tnoogn ne preferred the basis Of representation.
the Two houses OF the general assembly for which he
contended sooner than the Convention should dis
persc, without coming to any agreement on the sub
jcct, he would vote for that basis in the two houses
which We (the MINORITY sought to establish MY in
ference from this declaration Of Mr. Marshals which
have not literally perhaps, but substantially quoted,
was, that by pcrseyerng in against the basis
which did prevail, we would be enabled ultimately to
carry our purpose.
The basis Of the minority, need not inform you,
was the number Of free white population in the house
Of delegates. and federal numbers the senate with
provision for such periodical re-apportionmenis as
the changes ofpopulation might require.
As Mr.. Madison was known to concur in the rcso-
luton Of Mr.. Marshall. well many other gentle
men, who had not publicly avowed any opinion on the
subject, the minority, believed, ould relation to
this much agitated question, become the majority,
provided the amended constitution were rejected:
which, however, contrary to my expectation, and to
tnat OF many other gentlemen, received the sanction
OF the convention.
The expectation Of its rejection was derived from
the knowledge Of the fact, that large minority of the
friends ofreorm determined to vote against il;
and the belief that part at least of those members
who had been opposed to any convention, whatever,
would also against it,. as several of them lad
openly declared It TO be their intention.
Such was the purport eff the conversations I have
had with several Of my constituents. to whom have
expressedmy determination vote for the constifu-
ION, submitted by the late convention the people;
and, IN stating the motives which actuaed my conduct
IN the convention, my intention has been to mani
Test It's consistency, with the vote which design to
give.
need not again repeat that never heard Mr.. Mar
snail speak with dis,espect of any member of the
conventions and far from my having, at any time I'M
pugned the motives Of those intimate friends, with
whom, having so long strenuously abored procure
reform OF our political system, Ideemedit msfor-
tune to differ IN opinion, as my votes have shewn.
have on oil occasions wherein have heard their mo-
ves assalled by others, felt it my duty to vindcate
them.
have written this letter in the earnest hope that
It will leave me at liberty to devote my whole at
tention to the public dutics which have, yet, to
fulfil.
The convention has passed away and with it i hope
all the angry feelings which its discussions awakened
the amended constitution is with the people, who, az
ter all that has been said and written concerning
with much ability by Others are prepared without
any aid that could Afford TO pronounce fna judg-
ment on its merits.
Tothat judgment, as of the people, need not
say, shall cheerfuy submit, though in the earnest
hope, that the constitution be ratified time will here
after supply its defects and if rejected the kind pro-
violence which has hitherto watched over beloved
country, VIII continue TO guard her peace from every
danger. am, gentlemen, respectfully,
Sr. obt serv't. T.. u. MERCER.
Eve the subscribers being called upon by the editors of the
ton occurrud about the month between Col Me
and cheerfy comry with the request, on
part, has denied; and in addition
our veracy mpusned in communication published in the
last Genns of Liberty under signature Of Mr. Henderson
| "yoHN THOMAS.
tcpCo Mercer said such an one as he liked nus
he better than the old one and the people he thought
had better adopt t-aonroe REPLIED ate himself would not
vote for hai he would take Mr. Henderson at his frat pro
Poston-He was for the white basis and nothing ese-Co
Mercer then Observed that he believed that tes had
held ous they would have gotten what they wantcd-CoL
,er also saia not he hed had conversation reith Judge
hare got trat they asked Jor-No was mentioned by
either OF the parties, except as above related"
the of Mr. Monroe We insert the last preceding
Thomas appear TO labour under very impression
These gentlemen mus, infer any essen
copied paper week. and the statement which
they made TO ITS editors copy OF which appears above and
GERS instance They consider Mr. Henderson as having i'm
Pusned their veracty by calling in question correctness OF
themselves very different from contained in the Washing
onan This seems 10 us very much like reasoning upon
statement Of the Washingonan is not our s,aemen-NIr
Henderson calls in question its correctness-ErsofIe i'm.
speskAir Mercer denies the truth statenrn, in the
Washing'onan more positively than Dir Henderson could
another coumn admits the statement IF ssr, Monroe and
IhoIla, to be "substantaly corec-I, true when Mr.
February, he then thought he had msapprellendcd by
those that reported the he acer
tanned that the misrepresentation of which he complains was
charscabe upon the editors, end NOT tie repOrterG
ltien. Of Liberty.
The Westinghouse n, replies to Col. Mercer as
follows:
Tutors TeJndrkS.
This letter of Col MERGERS viewed in no other LIGHT
than denial Of certain information dvuged in paragraph
published by the 18th Of las. month, embracing the sub
stance Of the above certificate From this letter would also
appear that Col Mercer had the paragraph pub
hcd EDITORIAL is the case the paragraph was
transmitted by him. aud received requesting
the publication OF this letter without any alteration The
paragraph alluded did the names of Mess
Cooke and Henderson, notwithstanding bi Henderson has
taken all himself aud his friend The simple amount and
sbsane of was that Col Mercer had tina, Judge
Marshall informed him that il the Hest had been firm she
would have got what she was conending for.
regard standing for integrity induced take this
step prove that Col Mercer did this fact and the
dence above Of dsnresd Gentlemen stand as high
for respectsby and veracy any man. believe will be
satisfactory.
In addition 10 this the reader be forcby struck the
equvoeaon exhibited In this letie, every other
question bot the IN this fact Alone
conclusive that the fact stated the paragraph
ated by M ~ In the last Winchester Republican appea
editorial statement denying that any such conversation as
referred in the paragraph took placehs rather too
much the point eonrsdcts that part Of letter
which admits conversation IN relation this matter .tT
H,ndcrson Rinchfsisr dnns prcrlnnt