Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-12-26
ne Richmond yvEalgo
JOURNAL AND PROCEEDINGS OF TIE
LEWISBURG CONVENTION,


Al a meeting of Delegates from various counties
o. the western division OF the Commonwealth,
assembled ut Lcwisburg the 3lst of October
1851, Tor tho purposes of celebrating upon the
most eligible means of opening and improving the
commercial intercourse OF the State between the
several parts thereof, and Of forming lines Of in
ter-commumicatinm with the states and cities on
her Western and Northern borders.
Tho Convention called to order by Mr..
Cary, and on motion of Mr. Lewis Summers
Charles ~. Stewart, Esq. of Augusta, unan-
'sously chosen President, who being conducted to
the Chair in few appropriate remarks, returned
his thanks to the body whose deliberations he
had been called to preside
On motion Of Mr. Smith of Grccubrier, Jno. a.
North was unanimously chosen Secretary.
The following gentlemen appeared and took
their seats as Delegates to the Convention, viz:
ANeghaRy.-George H. Pauc, Saml. Merry.
dWgUsta.-Charles \. Stewart, John McCuc.
CdJclU.-Jom Everett, +. G. l. Buhrng.
observation-disclosures Withrow William Smith,
Cyrus Carey, Sum'l McClung, Jos. +. Dangericld,
Jas. b. Bowlin.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Summers James c. McFar-
land, George w. Summers, Benz H. Smith, Ezra
Walker.
Logan,-William McComas.
MaSOH-James Craik.
Monroe-Henry Alexander, Isaac Caruthers,
Henry III. Vawtcr, Jno. w. Kelly.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Alexander VIM. Stevens.
On motion of MIR. McCoraas,
ReS0Lred That the standing rules of order of the
House of Delegates of Virginia. lar appca-
Dlcs govern the proceedings OF TINS Convention.
On motion of Mr.. Lewis Summers,
RcsOiCcd, That Committee appointed to
consider and report whether any, and what mca-
surcs ought to be adopted by this Convention in
relation to the opening of line of commercial
intercourse between the Ohio river and the Ches;I-
peake Bay, through the central sections Of tho
state.
On motion of Mr.. Lewis Summers.
Resolcod That said Committee do consist Of
members.
Whcreupon, the President announced the fol.
lowing members composing the Committee i'm
pursuance of said resolution: Mr. Lewis Summers
Mr. Cary, Mr.. Craik, Mr.. Alexander of Monroe
Mr. McComas, Mr.. Alexander ofRockbridgc, ana
Mr. Everett.
On motion of Mr.. Smith Of Grocnbror
ReSoiced, That the clergy of this place be re-
quested TO open the daily sessions of this Conven-
ton with prayer; and that the Secretary inform them
OF the adoption of This resolution.
On motion Of MIR. McComas,
ReSoired, That when the Convention odiourr
1t ADJOURN to meet ut ten o'clock tomorrow.
On motion OF Mr. Everett, the Convention then
adjourned.
The Convention met at ten o'clock agrecably
to adjournment and was opened with PRAYER nv tho
Rev. John McElhenncy
The following Delegates in addition reported
themselves:
fayettc.-Gcorge Anderson
AHes hdny.-Jesse Davis.
Inc Committee appointed yesterday made the
following report:
"The Committee onnointod In co,,s;lor ,,,,l -,
port, whether any and what measures OUGHT to he
adopted by this Convention in relation TO The OMEN
ing of lines OF Commerce al intercourse between the
OHIO river and Chesapeake Bay, through the central
sections Of the Statc,-
Have given to the highly important subject re-
fcrrcd to their considerations an examination in the
various aspects, in which IT presents itself and rn
spectlully recommend that the Convention como ia
the following resolutions:
Isl, That III the opinion OF his assembly the best
intcrests OF the Commonwealth demand the early
ron f11p .,,f l,..,r..
raj and enlarged system of internal Improvement
and for which purpose the resources of the State
ought to be called forth to adequate extent
I'd, That the people OF Virginia owe it to
themselves, and to their postcritv, TO embark with
out delay III the great and long contemplated work
OF opening avenues of commercial intercourse he
tween the Western States and Chesapcakc Rov
and that in the opinion of this Assembly, the dos
TIMES of the Commonwealth are intimeiy connect
cd with the construction of such lines tlrouph the
central divisions of her territory and population
81, That IN the opinion of this assembly tho !
government of Virginia ought to provide for tIc |
early rccommcnCemcnt, and steady execution oCI
The work on the central line, upon which il has On
long deiberated, and that the plan and cyccut;o,
thereof, ought to embrace the deepening the pre-
sent James River CanaI the extension of ib,,
mode of INSTRUMENTATION TO I,yuchburr or 70
vngton, and the construction Of n permanent limo
oil rail ways from the western end Of tho Canal IN
to OhIo River, unless 1t should be found more eli
glbIc to unite the rail road to the great Kannyyho
AIvcr, and improve The navigation of that stream
so as to render it safe and convenient for steam.
boats at all seasons of the year.
9TH, That should the General AsscmII v decline
the commencement and execution Of this ,vorl,
with the resources Of the State, and as State pro-
pcrty, then in the opinion of this meeting laws
ought to be passed yielding the entire line to the
capital and enterprise OF individuals, bv orantino
an adequate charter with suitable advantages TO
the citizens who may embark in tic work rcser
wing 20 the State much Of the stock as NAV
nmount to the actual value o. the improvements
already made 20 be taken as part Of her subscJip
= on OF two-titths Of Tie entire capital which NAV
De necessary for the completion OF the whole work
3th, mat IN the opinion Of this Assembly il is |
obviously and greatly to the interests Of Virrrir |
10 attract az far as practicable the commerce Of the
West through her territory, and TO concentrate
within the waters of the Chesapeake. an increased
portion Of the foreign commerce OF the nations.
That to obtain these desirable and important objects
the law authorizing the formation OF the Stanton
and Potomac rail road company ought 10 be modi.
iHd or different law passed for JIic creation Of
company TO construct a line Of rail r5.d Of fl,c
mos permanent and approved character from the
d "''H"" 20 Covingtou, or to some other convent
en-. point ON the central limo Of Improvement
b. SOB power II the James River councyjo1 with
To- west shall not be formed within reasonable
N.' 10 be fixed by a.-, to continue tic rail road
from the Potomac 10 tho Ohio and chat the or, ,
coafdgomcn! and patronage Of the State 20 50 i'm
PoTtant an enterprise ought TO be manifested by q
pledge III thc bill to take part Of the stock.
Cih, That n memorial on the part Of this Con.
vcutiOn ard Of the good people here represented
cgght 70 be prepared and presented TO tho next
General Assembly, urging the adoption Of an en-
Iargcd end liberal application Of the funds Of the
State TO the important Improvements demanded
by tho condition Of the different parts Of the com