Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1836-01-23
&.E HURD.F n,
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURES.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES -Jpednesdav. Dec.

passage of the resolution under discussion he did
not anticipate that any circumstances would arise rem
derng il necessary for him trespass agan on the tins
and patience of the House, But his remarks had been
somewhat msconceived by gentlemen in DEBATE he
Thought IT his duty 10 make explanations in order
that lac might be distinctly understood by portion of
the public as might take nterestin knowing his views
and by his constituents, who had right a full know
ledge OF them He hoped, therefore the House would
indulge him whilst he attempted in a concise manner
10 deveiope his sentiments on this subject and 10 notice
some OF the remarks which had fallen, the course Of
the debate from the gentlemen who support the resou-
ton: And in the commencement said Mr. d. il may
not be Improper give brief history of the resolution
IL will be recoleced said he) that on the motion of
the gentleman from Necklenburg on the third day
after the commencement of the session n commit
tee was rnsed, 10 whom was referred $50 much of
" the Governors Message as relates to the dsor-
gansng, seditious and incendiary doctrines of
" tam associations created in the Northern and East
ern states Tor The purpose of producing direct inter-
ference with the slave property of the South and
winch assert right in the United States interfere
WIN our property IN various other modes" And that
SAID committee instructed take into considera-
on the sniciency Of the several acts of Assembly
tended to prevent punish any threatened disturbance
oil the public peace within this common wealth the
committee having leave to report by bill otherwise
When the Speaker in the Of announcing the re-
solution to the House, with u view of taking the vote
some member suggested the proprety of separating The
two branches of the resolution SO as To refr the rs,
part to select committee and the latter to the commit
tee OF Courts Of justceargung that the subjects of re-
ference were entirely distinct and the committee of
courts oil Justice, was, from its organizations better
adapted to enquirng into the expedeney of cvisng al
terng or amending any ofthe general laws of the Com
monWeallil Inns change in the resolu
by the gentleman from Abemarle upon the ground that
the subjects were insepaaby connected that the evil
and the remedy ought TO be at the time before tie
same committee, aud whilst IT nquiring the ex-
tent OF the evil it might enquire also into the nature
and extent of the remedy to be adopted The views of
the gentleman from Albemarle prevailed and tho who'll
subject was thus referred to the Select Committee In
few days after this disposition the subject and the
committee had held one meeting, when it understood
that the members of the committee were enga0ed in nm
examination OF the proceedings of the different mecnqs
OF the people on this subject throughout the State when
the House was engaged in the Transaction of ordinary
matters oil leglsiaon and in the absence ola large num-
Der OF Its members the gentleman from Albemarle rose
IN his place, and submitted the resolution under
discussion motion was Immediately ia.e Sy tie
gentleman from Amelia TO lay the resolution on the la
BILE 1t prevailed Not satisfied with this evidence of
the disposition of the House towards the resolution
the gentleman from Albemare Immediately made
motion TO take it up, and insisted the mme-
aate action OF the House, notwithstanding several
pers appealed 10 the courtesy of the gentleman allow
them I'll the next morning TO reflect upon it, success
n nouon to adjourn, cut short any further action of the
House at that tme and the resolution was of course
postponed lil me next morning; when it was taken up
ana the debate, IN which have since that been
engaged, commenced.
This, said Mr.. d. is succinct history of the resolu
uoi' have adveried TO ii, that may have con-
neeted view OF the circumstances under which this de-
bate commenced. If, gentlemen have Anticipated
important consequences flow from this discussion
II may not be unimporant those who have engaued in
it, that it should be understood by The public how il or
ghated III was my lot continued Mr. d., at an early
stage OF the debate to offer the House few hastv re-
marks, possessing other merit than that of express
I, '.~"NSN
by any other motive than the preservation of the public
peace and the promotion Of the public good have had
occasion to review those remarks during the progress of
ihe debate and hasty and imperfect they were and
totally devoid as they of the studied rraces and or
naments OF dcton cannot perceive that they express
uy hg calling Tor such severe structures, they have
ehceu from gentlemen, who have followed me in the
Iepaie not my purpose to repeat the remarks which
then made, but express some views that have nro
scented themselves TO since, in confederation and
briefly to notice of the arguments used by gentle
me On 'e other side SO lar as they may to mill
slated when was up before, that whilst was dis
Poseu TO adopt all prudent for the suppression
Oh the Abolonsts and their incendary publications.
OBJECTED 70 me passage OF the resolution; because il
sought To take from the committee an important branch
OF lhe SUBJECT referred TO it; because it did spe-
cy ana name the different States, within whose IL
mits the Objectionable associations had been formed
thereby clothing the Governor with an unnecessary dis
erection; because the information sought m,uht be OBJ
famed more readily by other means than by those
which the resolution pointed out and by other agents
man by the one 1t sought TO appoint; and because
not CONCEIVE that Virginia was yet prepared upon
an TIE possible results of such a correspondence With
the permission Of the House, will now proceed to pre-
SEM some considerations which have occurred to me u
| ing inc debate IN support of these objections
! IL IS unusual l think, when special committee is
raised 70 whom Is referred subject Of general interest
WIN All e documents and means of information useful
10 them ia forming and making report by any resou.
ton OF the House, TO take the subject out Of their control
and give 1T different direction. WHY raise committee
at an ii II be competent and proper for the House TO
ADOPT resolution taking from item an important branch
OF 'he SUBJECT reiered with view collect from other
/
lore they have reported thus fore salng the report or TO
be presented after they have reported with view of
eVeTslngh f But gentlemen say they have no wish il
not er purpose to disturb the Of the com
Whtiee. why not await then its action Perhaps the
correspondence is asked, the information is sought for
."e purpose oil enabling the committee report. ask
Is this respectful TO the Committed Have they mi.
mated any desire TO seek this informaton Have they
lntnated belief that such correspondeuce would "a
cihtatc their proceedings? They have not I revard
he Iesoiuion then, as conveying indirect cepsure
OH ue communicates ntimatng plainly, that they have
not the sagacy 10 know what information il is necessa-
| ry or useful Tor them to have or that kuo0ine ito
necessity they have the disposition TO ASH for =
Gentlemen have animaGverted most severely on those
VINO nave vcnured TO that they did not believe the
Governor 10 DC The best agent that could be ectd for
the purpose OF obtaining the information sought they
nave treated the mere expression Of doubt as 10 bis dis
cIcoh h tus aecate matter, high ndigDity offered
to the Cblei Magistrate Of the State and vet seem per-
iecty wiling by their vote, to offer a much higher in
uIgny 10 the talented representatives. Of the people
/ who compose the committee Ii the Committee really
wanted Tue information sought they would call for IL If
they considered that the correspondence was necessary
70 the Iight understanding Of, proper action upon
| TINS SUBJECT they would doubtless recommend IT, II
IS understood that they are engaged i'm the nc.
tive prosecution Of the enquiries growing out Of The sub
Jeci ana 10 the dgent examination Of Tie sources Of
information within their reach Is il RIGHT fs 10 oier
ere with their action Is il proper thus by our vote 10
cast npuaton upon their motives or 90 condemn their
conduct before they have had time fully 10 consider of
tie subject, aud before fOrn any idea Of ,shat
course 'hcy VIII ultimately recommend ~ their report?
However desirable or necessary therefore, the inG,ro
on sought by the proposed correspondence might be-
should object 10 the adoption Of such rceylnii0n unt
the committee had bad iul time for the adoption and in
dicatiOn Of their course.
stated, when was up before that objected TO the