Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-01-17

Uy HuVmgW schaFgod UenscIycS from the iurther conud-
GRAFTON, the subject of the resolution was no longer before
the House. How could gentlemen fire at a target which
had been removed The red hot shot of the gentleman from
Prince William had no longer a mark. He therefore, i'm
order to continue the discussion, moved that the House
disagree with the resolution of the Committee, and that
the report be referred back to them with instructions to
oring IN aoiil providing for the gradual emancipation OF
slaves In this Commonwealth.
Mr.: Bryce was not in the habit of being troublesome TO
the House, but he would offer a few words. lie argued
that the position Of the subject was not materially changed
by the Presentation of the Report and his amendment. lie
hoped the resolutions would not be taken from the conside-
ration oil The House: but the first question was on the pre-
amble, and then the resolutions could be decided. AL those
who agreed with him that the Legislature ought to act on
the subject of emancipation, might vote with him: and all
those who wished a bill to be reported might also vote with
him, without the least inconsistency--and Afterwards move
to bring in a bill. In regard TO the remark of the gentle
man from Brunswick, he beicvedhe had been long enough
a member of the House TO understand the rules, nor did
he think he had violated them. He believed all the OBJ
jects oil gentlemen would be answered By considering the
preamble.
Mr.. Campbell of Brooke said that, although he WAC not
very deeply versed in the rules of the House, he believed
all could see the object of the preamble and its effect. The
committee reported that it was inexpedient to act upon the
question OF abolition; and the preamble stated their reasons
Tor arriving at that conclusion. Should those, then, who
desired to reverse the resolution, defer ituntil they should
have adopted the reasons why the committee had report
ed against acting upon the subject The friends of
active measures were not thus to be entrapped.-
The proposition Of the gentleman from Montgomery was
the only correct one. How was 1t possible to 90 on to dis
cuss a resolution TO discharge from further consideration
OF the subject the Committee, who had pre-iudged
the question 1t would be idle to discuss such a pro-
position. He was opposed to laying the Report on the
table, and in favor Of the motion of the gentleman from
Montgomery, because it brought a tangible question be-
FIRE the House.
Mr.. Newton hoped the motion to lay the report and
amendment on the table, would prevail. The gentleman
from Albemarle (Mr. Randolph) had introduced TO the
House a subject OF the most astounding character; and Inc
hoped the House would allow that monstrous proposition 10
be discussed. The gentleman from Albemarle had prepared
the laurel for his brow, and Mr.. N. did not wish to deprive
him of the honor of wearing it. But he wished to be allow
ed to write upon this wall, his solemn conviction that the
gentleman from Albemarleh had proposed a question which
struck at the foundations of a Republican government
He wished TO present his views of this proposition, which
brings us back TO an absolute Democracy. HI hoped that
the question OF Abolition would now be considered and de-
cided.
Mr. Williams putthe que slion TO the gentleman front ooeh
land, w whether the same liberty of debate would be ALLOW edin
discussing the preamble as the original resolutions. He
spoke tothe question oferdcr. He trusted, that alters so many
gentlemen had beenheard-after the question had been de-
batea for severaldays,a anew subjectwas not TO be introduced
TO distract that discnssion.-The west had been spoken of
in inviduous terms in this debate, and remarks that had
been made in adebate on the original question, ought to
be replied TO in continuation ofthe same subject. He he
ieved that, however clear and microscopic the topics
might be, which tho gentleman considered embraced in
this debate, they would expand TO such nm extent that
they could not be embraced by the vision of any man.
He hoped the gentleman from Hanover would be allowed
to proceed.
Mr.. Moore remarked, thatil the gentleman from Gooch-
land pressed the adoption of the preamble at this time, al
though in favor OF it, he (Mr. NJ must vote against it.
Mr.. Miller, of p, rose, not TO debate this question, but
to endeavour TO relieve the House from a parliamentary
difficulty. The resolution of the gentleman from Meek
ADtN, WV wv VNC ~ Nl(l h ~
the committee from the further consideration of the sub
ject of abolition, and the other declaring it incxpedient
now to legislate on the subject. The substitute of the gen.
tleman from Albemarle embraced a specific proposition.
Those propositions had been discussed, and he thought it
better that the debate should be continued upon them
The second proposition of the gentleman from Mecklcn-
burg was the same as that of the resolution of the commit
tee. 1t states that it is not ~expedicnt 10 legislate at all on
.iie subject. while the report declares il not expedient to
legislate on 1t at this time. The former opened the quesuon a
little wider than the latter: otherwise they were the same.
He thought ii therefore, advisable to lay the report on the
table, and allow the debate TO proceed.
Mr. Carter of p. w. rose TO move that the House take
up the whole subject-report and Misunderstanding
and substitute.
Mr.. Bryce expressed his willingness to Withdraw his
amendment, with the understanding, that before the re-
port was finally acted upon, his proposition should be de-
cidcd by The House.
Mr.. Marshall was happy that the preamble was with
drawn. He agreed with the gentleman from Goochland
as TO the %propriety of that preamble; but at present it was
not the subject on which the House could act.
Mr.. Bryce having withdrawn his amendment, the ques-
ton was taken TO lay on the table, and decided in the ne
gative-Ayes 60, Noes 62.
Mr.. Preston moved that the resolution reported from the
Committee, be amended by striking out the words 80 mex
pedient," and Inserting the word "a %expedicnt, so as TO re-
verse the decision of the Committee.
Mr.. Roane then addressed the House at considerable
length, and was followed by Messrs. Wood of Albemarlc,
and Preston.
1.-THE conclusion ofthese speeches,
MIR. Knox said he had been pleased and surprised, and
astounded, at the opinions which he had heard expressed
this day. Such was now the position Of things, that every
man was imperiously called on to stand TO his post. But
percciying that the House was exhausted and the hour q
late one. he moved the adjournment.
The House accordingly adjourned,