Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-02-13
Virginia Legislature.
From the Richmond Compiler, Feb. 4.
THE NEW JERSEY CASE.

The case Of the election Of five Of the for
mally returned Delegates from New Jersey
to the House of Representatives of Congress,
was yesterday introduced into our Legisla-
ture through message from Gov. Campbell,
enclosing communication from Governor
Pennington of New Jersey, transmitting the
Protest Of the Legislature of that State a.
gainst the act Of Congress by which it has
been deprived of the weight of representation
in that body, to which it is consttutionally
entitled. This document was referred to a
Select Committee or our Legislature, Of
which Mr.. Southall is chairman. five mis-
take not, the sub ject will draw forth an anima-
ted discussion. Virginia has ever been the
vigilant sentinel Of State Rights-she has
even sounded the alarm when no enemy was
in view, as it would seem to let the enemy
know that she had not fallen asleep on her
post. Now that she is appealed to by sister
State to stand to her guns in defence of what
she holds so sacred, and what she has hereto
fore regarded it her peculiar duty to protect
we cannot but anticipate some manifestations
of uneasiness at least under what is consider
ed, by so large portion of the republic, as
well an invasion of State Rights as an insult
and indignity offered to State sovereignty.
The following is the Protest of the New
Jersey Legislature:
Whereas, it appears from a report made by
J. il. Aycrigg, j. p. Il. Maxwell, VIM: Hal
sted, Chas. Stratten and Thomas }. orke,
five of the persons duly commissioned as
Representatives of the people Of New Jer-
sey, in the Goth Congress of the United
States, to the Governor of this State, and by
him communicated to the Legislature, that at
the time and place prescribed by Law for the
meeting of that Congress, they appeared and
produced their commissions as such Repre-
sentatives, and claimed the right to unite with
the Representatives from the other states of
the Union, in forming and organizing House
of Representatives, but by the acts of por-
ton of those Representatives, were prevent
cd from exercising that right, and are still
excluded from any.partlcipation in their pro-
ceedings and deliberations, by which acts the
people of New Jersey are deprived of their
just voice in the councils of the nation, at a
time when measures of great public impor-
tgnce, and deeply affecting their feelings and
interests are TO be acted upon: their state di!-
thoritics and their seal are treated with indig-
nifty; and a precedent is sought to be estab-
lished, which if not promptly and successful
ly resisted, may hereafter be used to justify
the rejection of electoral votes, or the cxclu-
sion of any number of duly commissioned
! Representatives, that designing and unprin-
cipled faction may deem necessary to secure
to itself the control Of the national Legislature.
And Whereas, in this unprecedented emer-
gency, it becomes the solemn duty of New
Jersey, firmly TO oppose this attemptto subvert
the fundamental principle of free represen-
| tative government, and to call upon her Sis
ter states to disavow and redress the wrong
which has been perpetrated by portion OF
their representatives.
Resolved, That the State of New jersey
became party to the Union upon the express
condition embodied in the constitution, that
in common with her sister States she should be
at all times entitled to a number ofmembers OF