Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1844-03-26
MASSACHUSETTS, AND VIRGINIA.

To the Senate Of Massachusetts,:
have received printed communication, purportng
TO be from the Governor of the State OF Virginia, Tor
wardng a copy of resolutions passed by the General
Assembly Of that State, the 18th of February last
on The subject of resolves passed by the Legislature OF
this Commonwealth the 10Th day OF January, pro-
posing TO amend The Constitution as that rePresen-
atves and direct taxation shall be apporlioned among
the several S,a'es, which may be included with
this Union according TO their respective numbers OF
Tree persons, excluding Indians, not taxed
With the above named resolutions IN obedience 10
the fourth in the series, the resolves OF tins common
wealth with the letter of the Secretary accompanying
them, returned to the Governor Of Massachusetts,
The resolutions of Virginia not authenticated IN
the manner usual IN such communications
These proceedings, on the part of the General AS
semUly Of Virginia, are, so far as know, without a
precedent in the correspondence between the oaes o.
this Union.
The Resolves Of this Commonwealth, above referred
10, with verbal alteration, have been passed by two
successive Legislatures, with great unanmIly. They
propose, in q respectful, but constitutional manner, an
amendment the Constitution of the United States.
The in which they have been treated by the
Government Of Virginia, demands your prompt and
careful consideration.
While | am persuaded, that The Legislature OF Mas
sachuse,:s wi! under circumstances forget or dsre
gard that courtesy and decornm which should always
mark the conduct OF the members OF this coniederucy
towards each other, trust they will, on this occasion,
maintain the ground which they have deliberately ta
ken, with that manl,ness and dignity, which become the
representatives. Of enlightened and independent
people.
herewith transmit, the papers for the further nfor
nation of the Legislature.
GEORGE n. BRIGGS.
Council Chamber, March IA, led4.
MASSACHUSETTS, AND VIRGINIA
Friday March 18Th, in the Massachusetts Senate,
the SPECIAL committee whom the Resolutions OF Viz
slna we're referred reported a Preamble and Resolu-
tons, which, after debate, were unanimously
adopted The preamble sets forth the nature of the
original resolutions for the amendment of the Con-
s,,uon, adopted by Massachusetts, and the facts OF
their transmission Virginia and their being sent
back by that State. accomp panied by its denunc'atory
resolutions. The following are the resolutions ap-
pended 10 the preamble
Now, therefore, Hesoired That the said resolves OF
the Legislature of this Commonwealth do express the
deliberate sentiments OF the people of Massachusetts,
that they DO, in truth and in good faith, propose an
ane ndment of the Constitution of the States; that
80 far from containing proposition virtually 10 DIS
solve The unicn they assert principle which is essen.
ta stability nrd permanence, and to the nsser-
ton and maintenance OF which, in every constitutional
way the people of Massachusetts, will always hereaf-
Ter, as they now do, firmly and conscientiousy ad-
here.
Rcseircd, That the fifth article of the Constitution
of the u States, By which mode is provided for the
amendment Of that instrument, with but single re
s,rc,ior as the subject of such amendment, does
thereby recognize the right of the people, at their plea
sure to alter any or all of the terms and conditions
with The exceptions aforesaid, upon which their Union
was formed; and that the said article, by excepting
the proportion of direct taxes from alteration prior to