Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1830-02-05

sn"uiu say msfortunc TO differ, mt with INV rcstsb
tao'e colleagues only, but with the wbole ,rcsI,,
delegations on the most Interesting and inonor,,,.
question which we were called on 10 decide 7 d.
IL proper to render you an explicit account or 10Y
conduct, ana OF the motives rcasons and ,ircur,.,
ces, by which my curse was regulated and con,rn,
led am the induced to pursue th;s c,,,.n
because. having zealously supported in tile convn
ton, the amended tuition now subp,;,, ID -.
from deep conviction that it vas emincn,j, c.i'
lated to promote and ensure the iapp,ness md N.
prosperity OF the whole people of Virginia feel II,
~ en So.. o. posthumous duty of the station late-
~ nied, TO do every thing in my power to rccma
mend 1t to your favourable consideration fMfs,-
motives for this address are not wantino. mud 49,
even say, with truth, that it rs scarcely voluntary
act. For, since my return from the Convention +
nave been urgently and repeatedly called on. bv
some of those who have done me the honour to mr.:
prove OF my course there to explain to my cons,itu
ents why was that l. alone, of all the tbi,tvriy
members from the West, voted in f,vonr ~ ths
amended constitution which has been submitted IN
the peCplo of Virginia ''u "
| IT will be perceived, ut a plance tb., tho 81
signed me is one of great delicacy For if succeed
In showing the correctness of my own view of ti,e
one great question which divided me from the wes
tern delegation, must however reluctantlv convic,
some OF my nearest and dearest friends of an errcr
OF judgment IN regard to that one great question:.
To the purity of their motives it we're superuous m
me 20 pear testimony. Fhe gentlemen alluded to-
are TOO strong in the good opinion of their fcinw
citizens to need the tribute of nv praise M,yI 10
permitted to add that estimate their magnanirn;tv
ana thei1 good feeling too highly, to upprchend that
they Will take amiss any thing that shall necessar
~ say, IN indicating my own course and conduct
trust that they know too well to entertain for
single momohti the idea that it is any part of my
purpose TO assam them, OF to acquire popularity M
their expense. Having, myself, no news of pSlti
caI advancement, but enters aiming on the contrnrv
hxed a,d rooted aversion to public life, and firm
conviction that happiness is to be found bv me-
ut least, IN the thorny path of ambitions seek not
acquire that sort OF popularity which might secure
to me sufirages which do not want. seek merely
to shew that, in the course which pursued in the
Convention, was guided by sound and correct views
OF the real interests of my constituents and of the
whole people Of Virgnia, and that the ratification,
by the people, of the amended Constitution which
has boon Submitted to them, will eninently promote
and advance the prosperity of the State.
10 me this proposition seems to be SO clearly in
terrible from the nature and character of ts provs
ions that should consider it waste Of f;r,e ama
abour to attempt to prove it, were l not CONVINCED
oy many circumstances that the provisions then,-
selves are misunderstood and misrepresented. One
OF the circumstances to which alude is of so str-
KING character as TO deserve a brief and passing
notice The editor of the Leesburg Washngtonan,
M fls paper OF the I'd of January commenting on
the proceedings of the Convention In regard to Jep
s1ordons resoutlon, which contained the plan for
opportionng representation since made part of the
amended Constitution, makes the following state.
meut: -e>.
I'VE have already apprsed our readers Of the final
I'settlement of the alabsorbing question:, basis of
representation in Convention, on Saturday the Ieth
'ut on the basis of toite population and federal NUN,
'soers an ptrtn ,oords, negro representation .Tn
publishing this decision last sheet we merely
stated me fact the proceedings in full not having
then arrived: but, having since seen and ero,,1ei
them we find that three or four of the western eleu
alton deserted their ranks, and aided in forcing uuon
the western portion of the State, who are conten-
ding Tor Just and equal rights, this obnoxious.
unequal and aristocrntic state of thinos-ana rea
der will you believe among this number was one
rem Loudoun.p~' Negro representation has pre-
''o1aied, and Mr.. Richard H. Henderson voted y,
ls'suppert of it, &c."-sYhe interest orioinatin,
from this question such to induce us TO pubIiss
the remarks of several members it's passage and
he ur,l 81
'enttguen the reader this singular state of th;nga
> -the desertion from the west of several of the
delegates who we're viewed as Incorporating.
r. phe ayes and are then given shewino that Nv
henderson voted for the resolution of Mr. Gordon
which is not set forth length but which the editor
e1ter an examinatioD of a whole week, understands
ana states to be the basis Of 'ohse population and
federal ntnnbers."-I need scarcely add that the
whole statement is founded a total msconcepton
OF the facs which the editor undertakes to state
thaf General Gordons plan, adeptad on the 10th of
Oecemoer, and voted for by Mr.. Henderson and nv.
seh ON that day vas the successful rsual of the plan
OF white population and federal numbers inst cad o1
beng Ute pfan itseJEthat negro representation"
did not preva--and that Sir Henderson and rovseie
did not vote for it. but against it, on that occasion
have perhaps attributed more Importance to this
particular bunder than deserves bat am conyin-
ced by information received from various ouarters
that the public mind has been much abused, / viii
not say Intentionally, in regard to the distribution of
power made by, and the provisions contained in the
am nn is my purpose 10 address
you on these topics: but, my time is not nav own
5 my communications will perhaps be irregular and
desultory. $3.50 N"'
, One remark, and one only, on the merits of the
subject, will make before close This brief INTRO
f ductory letter. 1t is that whatever NAV be the
merits of the amended Constitution, when compared
With that which the western delegation, as party,
sought to obtain in lieu Of it, II mean an sppof,ion
rnent OF representation according to white popula-
eon' IN the llouse of Delegates and according to
iederai numbers IN the Sennte) there cannot be
doubt about its superiority 10 the old Constitution
presume do not hazard much in saying that not
single delegate to the Convention from sithe Va!gvd
VIII vote for its reection.
! JOHN r. COOKE.
January goth, 1880.
REVOLUTION IN MEXICO. Pine Fr,;,o,s os
the Baltimore American indebted to the kindness
OF commercial house in this city for the annexed