Martinsburg gazette and public advertiser. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1826-1833, 1830-04-15
JOHN r. COOKIES
SECOND LETTER TO HIS CONSTITUENTS.
TO the People Of Frederick S-Jcgerso,. co,s.tie

10 the People Of Frederick S-Ic6erso,4 counties.
[coNrINUED FROM LAST WEEK.
In conformity with the views expressed in
tins extract, the whole western delegation
determined 10 accept reasonable comp, ON
ise basis, II such could be obtained in lieu OF
the ''"liiie basis In both branches of the
legislature Twill not repeat here, the histo-
ry have given elsewhere, of the events OF
the three weeks which followed this re.olu-
ton. Suffice If to say, that all tie coInprom-
Use plans, and there were several, were sue :
cesslvely Withdrawn or rejected--that it
soon became obvious that the choice must be
made between the plan recommended. in
the first instance, by Gov. Peasants, which
made white population the basis of repre-
sehtatIon IN the house OF delegates and fed
eral numbers the basis IN the senate. and
that recommended by Gen. Gordon. and
forming at present part of the ameaded
conshtution-fhat there was at first. consid-
cradle difference of opinion among the foytg,-
nu!e, as TO the relative merits of those plans
that, Oh the 2sth OF November, all the mem
bers OF the forty nine, residing east Of the
Blue Ridge, Except Col. Monroe, whose
opinion was not known concurred in formal
ly recommending TO the thirty six western
members plan ut representation essentially
western members generally rcjeC tod the re-
commendation, and expressed their prefer
ence Tor Gov. Peasants plan--that the
greater part oil the eastern members, of the
Jo1iy ssine, thereupon expressed their willing
ness to unite with the west in support of that
plan--that Mr.. Henderson and myself ex-
pressed our preference for the plan recon-
mended by the eastern members, or General
Cordon's, but promised to vote for the other,
as compromise plan which we hoped would
unite all parties-that the western plan was
four times offered to the house, in one shape
or other, from the 30th of November to the
18th December inclusive--that it was each
time rejected, though Mr Henderson and
myself each time voted for it-and lastly.
that On the 10th December, Immediately az
ter its fourth rejection, Mr.. Henderson and
myself, Gen. Gordon's plan being then under
consideration, slgnified ia the house our in
divIdual preference to the last mentioned
plan, explained the reasons which had tlli
that time induced US 10 vote against it, and
voted for 1T. 1t was carried by vote Of 50
TO Al, and finally part of the constitution
| now submitted to your consideration. From
the 18th OF December tiiI the final vote on
the i4th OF January, Izealously supported as
/, | have already told you, the constitution con-
| st''s"b as' iipion'toO pan Vi representa-
| ton. |, alone, of the thirty six members
west of the Ridge, voted for its final adoption:
MIR. Johnson, who had, on the 18th Decem-
Der, signiied his intention TO give reluctant
vote in ITS favor, having been finally driven
from that determination by his disapproba-
ton, as it was said, OF the article respecting
the right of suffrage.
My reason for zealously supporting, and
finally voting for, the amended constitution.
may be stated in few words Finding that
the true principle of representation could not
be obtained, voted for, and supported, the
plan OF representation now Submitted to you,
bscause thought it the nearest approximation,
to the white basis" which could possibly be
obtained, and 50 GEAR all approximation as &c
be equivalent to it, for the present, in proeti-
cal results.
| shal! attempt to shewysu, fellow citizens