Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-09-05

For the purpose Of explaining origin and object of the
annexed proceedings those citizens OF the county who
were not present. the meeting which adopted them deem
1t necessary TO make the following statement:
feocomico Is OF the old churches erected under the
colonial government, long before the Revolution: il was
out IN 'u6 and ia probably the Oldest church in this sec
uon OF county IL has been generally ii not universally
conceded, that II erected by means of general ,ox
ON the cltzens o; the parish IN which it is situated This
Tue aduonary account Of its origin and such being the
ac would seem night for those who deny IT, 10 exhibit
some evidence 10 the contrary. For many years mast, n,o
badly ever since the death the incumbent who oeated
IN It, immediately after the Revolution but certainly ever
since 'he law OF lSO2 has been used by all religious de-
nominations, without Distinction on terms of perfect eono
N.Y. as lar IA the question Of right was concerned Ii IA
"ue' me Hiehods denomination had the almost exclusive
u Tue ehureh Tor many year, simply because that de.
oauoh OF christians embraced very large majority of
the people IN that of the county in which the church
situated But that sect asserted nor does IL now
clam, any exclusive night occupy it, On the contrary
mat denomination, together with every other in the conn
y, except the Episcopalian, with the meeting
adopted the following proceedings in the opinion that
e ehuTch ~ common property, reserved from SALE under
o 70" OF ioU Tor the general OF all religious demo.
minaOns IN the Satcha no one sect has any exclusive
hshts Or privileges herein-but that all religious densmi
"a'Ds nave an equal right 10 occupy the house IN which
our ides worshpped and the yard in hich their bones r.
pose. within the last six years, however the
EPscopaians have asserted eresre night the church
winch has been considered common property for the ,
hlii century and deny, other denominations any right
Whatever, to occupy IT. IL Is they express perfect
miuiugheSs 10 permit other denominations tD II
hou courtesy provided other appointments do not come
III conflict with theirs They found their claim TO right on
construction OF the very Law which large majority of
the people OF the county, have always construed as con,
ring equal rights and privileges on all relrious ero,,
uons-he law Of lsO2 explanatory of those of I7s5
and lI99 Not satisfied, however with this consfiefir
nue. but by way OF making assurance doubly sure as
they suppose they have adopted the singular resolution 1
applying at the Land Office for warrant 10 t,ke nm ne
"dste land church and churchyard which have been oc
cuped by the people OF the parish for the last hundred wears
In TINS state OF things, meeting the citizens of the u,
rlsh generally, without religious oninons y
caeu LOT ue purpose oi adopting such might
reconcile All parues Believing, the members of this
meeting did, that, under the law Of 1902 all churches
oher han ihose built 10y subscription private donations
were reserved IRON sale, for the general OF all peo
PIE anu not Tor any particular denominations and that all
are entitled to equal rights and privileges therein they
win proper respect for the opinions OF their Epsron
friends and without pretending censure them for an no.
nest difference OF opinion, adopted the following resolu
lions, with view OF calling the subject M before the nv
Legislature, aud OF taking preliminary steps 10 obtain
proper construction OF the law OF lSO2, relative church
Is, &C.
AZ large and respectable meeting Of the Citizens Of Co
pie Parish, IN the County OF Wesmoeland convened AT
lcocOmico Church, according 10 preynus notice VV,r
BOWIE, Esq was called TO the Chair and Hannibal Chan
der appointed Secretary The object of the meeting bov
ng been explained by r. L. T. Beae in an approprinte
address, the following proceedings were 49,
ted 0F
On motion Committee of eleven gentlemen was appoint
Cd or tue purpose OF preparing memorial for the sigma
lures OF the people Of the County be presented 10 tho
next Legislature praying for construction of the Law of
leg2, in relation to "Glebc lands and Churches"
ne io''o"Ins gentlemen were selected t compose the
committee; Orson lngTdham, John b. Murphy Dr. los
WheeIwright, Henry Beale, Jr. Thomas Rice Robe,t
Chownlng, David b. Taylor, L. B. Omohundro CAPTAIN
VIM Holiday VIM. II. Benson and K. l.. T. Beaie 10
"hlc on mouon, the Chairman and Secretary added
Ordered, That the proceedings Of this meeting be for
warded TO the Richmond Wing for publication and thu,
Tue Editors OF the Richmond Enquirer Alexandria Ga
zette and Fredericksburg Arena be requested 10 copv the
WALTER BOWIE. Chairman