Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1830-02-02
DOMMSTI9e
To the people Of Frederick and Jefferson counties m
prginia.

Pirginia
FELLOW CITIZENS: You conferred on ms. f. ~
months snce the honorable distinction OF
YOU In part, in Convention for the amenmen OF our
State Constitution. Having performed TO the best Of
my ability, the duty which you imposed on me- and
having had the singular fortune (perhaps should saw
msioriune) todier not with respectable cole
ohiy, but with he whole western dele alton on the
most interesting and important question which w.
were CARED on 10 decde.-l deem it proper 10 render
you an explicit account OF my conduct, and of the mo-
ves, reasons and circumstances by which nv course
was reguiAtetl and controlled am the more induced
10 pursue ths course because, having Zealousy sup
ported IN the Convention, the Amended Constitution
now submitted TO you, 10 ON a deep conviction tina, il
was eminently calculated to promote and ensure the
happiness and the prosperity Of the whole people OF
virginia. iee II to be sort Of posthumou, duty of
tie station lately hled TO do every thing in nv sow
er TO recommend IL 10 your favorable consideration
o'her motives for this address not wanting; and
may even say, with truth, that il il scarcely youn,-
ry act. For since my return from tie Convention /
have been urgently and repeatedly called on by some
OF hose who have done the honor approve of my
course there, 10 explain my constituents WHY II was
that L. alone, OF all the thirty six members from the
West, voedn favor OF the Amended Constitution which
has been submitted to the people Of Virginia.
IL will be perceived, at glance that the task as
signed me is one Of great delicscy. For if succeed
in showing the correctness Of my own view of the one
great question which divided from the western de
legation m,tSf, however Reluctantly convict some Of
my nearest and dearest friends OF Of Judgment
in regard 10 that great question To the purity of
their motives il super1uous in TO bear test
mony. The gentlemen alluded 10, too strong in
The good opinion Of their fellow citizens TO need the
tribute Of my praise. May be permitted TO add, that
estimate their magnanmity and their good feeling
100 highly 10 apprehend that they will take amss an
thing that shall ssariy say, in vindicating my
own course and conduct? | trust that thew know me
loo well to entertan for single moment the idea that
any part OF my purpose 10 sail them acquire
popularity al their expense. Having, myself no views
OF political Advancement but entertaining on the con
trary, fixed and rooted aversion to public life and
hrm conviction that happiness is TO he found by M
at least in the thorny path Of ambition, | seek not to
acquire that sort OF popularity which might secure TO
me suffrages which do not want seek merely 10
shew that, in the course which pursued in In, Con
vention, guided by sound and correct vie vs nj
the real Interests OF my constituents and Of the whole
people OF virginia. and that the ratification by the peo.
Pile, OF the amended Constitution which has been sub
med to them, vii! eminenUy promots and advance
the property of the State.
10 me this proposition 10 be so clearly infera
PIE ron the nature and cfarater OF lie provisions that
should consider 1t waste Of time and labour to al.
tempt TO prove II, were not convinced by many cir
eumSahces That the provisions themselves are misun.
derstood and misrepresented. ORe OF the crcumsan.
ces TO which aude, IL Of so striking character az 10
Deserve brIef and passing notice The editor Of the
Leesburg Washing ionian In his paper of the End Of
January, commenting the proceedings of the con-
veniion IN regard TO Cen Gordon's resolution, which
contained the plan for appotoning since
made part OF The amended constitution makes the fol.
lowing statement:
owe have already apprised our readers Of the final
settlement Of the 'aii-ahsorbng question basis Of re-
presentation in convention, on Saturday the lo,h nil
on the basis Of tohite population and federal numbers
in plain toords negro representation "-'' In pus ins
th' decision IN our last sheet we merrly stated the fact
the proces diDgs in full having en arrived but
having since seen and examined them we find that three
or four OF the western delegation deserted their ranks
aud aided IN forcing upon the portion Of the
stale, who are conteDdng for just aud equal righs th
obnoxious unequal, and arstocrshc state Of fhings-
and reader will yon believe, among This number wa
one from LoudonD," &c --"NegrO representation hds
prevailed, and Mr.. Richard ~. Henderson voted in
support OF it," &c"The interest originating from this
question s such TO induce TO publish the ronsrks
Of several members on lie passage, and the eyes and