Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1846-12-10
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 2, s O'Clock, p. M.

The Convention met pursuant to adjournment.
Messrs. William H. Morrison and Fayette Nc
Mullen from Scott county, and Messrs. r. p. Kin
ney and William Whitmore from Augusta reported
themselves members of the Convention.
On motion Of Mr.. Shelley, it was resolved that
Col. 5. E. Goodson, of Washington, DR.. Thomas
M. Tate, Of Smyth, and William Richmond Of
Lee county, he invited to take seats in this Conyen-
ton and to participate in its deliberations
Tho CvuuIiittec appointed for TIL purpose, re-
ported the following gentlemen officers of the
Convention:
MIR. HUNTER, of Berkeley, for President
Dr. Brown, Of Rockingham, and Mr. McMUr.-
LEN, of Scott, for Vice Presidents
MIR. OLDHAM, Of Marshall, Mr. SHErFEy, of
Gimer, and Mr.. STRIBLING, Of Augusta, for Secre-
taries.
And these gentlemen were severally elected to
fill the offices for which they were nominated.
Inc COMMITTEE appointed to prepare business for
the consideration Of the Convention, reported
through their Chairman, Mr. Moore, the following
preamble and resolutions:
PREAMBLE AND RESOLUTIONS.
The members Of this Convention, assembled for
the purpose Of considering, and determining what
course it may be most expedient under existing cir
cumsances, for the advocates of Reform in our
state Constitution to pursue, In order to ensure the
call OF Convention, in which the people of all
portions Of the Commonwealth shall be fairly and
equally represented-have, after due deberation
their opinions, upon the important subjects therein
referred to, which they beg leave to submit to the
candid consideration of their fellow citizens through
out the State of Virginia =
LIST. Resotued, That the White People of this
Commonwealth are the only parties to the social
compact, to which the Government under which
we live owes its origin, i'm whom sail power is
vested, and from whom all power is consequently
derived, and that they, and they Alone constitute
the community" for whose benefit our form of Go
vernment instituted, and a majority of whom
have, in the language of the Bill Of Rights can in
dubiable, and unalienable, and ndefeasibe right to
reform, alter, OF abolish, (their form of Govern
ment in such manner shall be judged most con-
ducive to the public weal.'
I'd. Resoiped,-That whenever the people deem,
it proper, from moives Of convenience, to transact
their business either in organizing government or
In administering 1T afterwards, every portion of
them ought to be fairly and equally represented in
the body to whose hands such agency is committed.
Sd. ReSotced,-Ihat the white population is
the only basis OF Representation in the General As
sembly, which ever ought to be recognized by the
people of Virginia.
4th. RESOLVED, That whilst we hold every CT
viiized community, TO be bound by the most sacred
obligations to protect IFS citizens in the full and
interrupted enjoyment of their property, we cannot
acknowledge amere unfounded apprehension that a
change In the Constitution may render the posses
sion of property less secure furnishes any apology
much less justification, TO those who endeavor To
hold power. accidentally unjustly acquired, in
opposition to the wishes, and in violation of the
rights of a majority Of their fellow citizens, and of
the principles OF Justice.
9Th. Resolued,-That the allegation that proper
ty would be rendered less secure, by re-appor-
tionment of the representation in the General As
semby upon the basis Of white population is utter
ly unfounded in fact and grossly unjust 10 the ma
jority Of the people of this Commonwealth. -
9th. Resoloed,-T'hat the existing Constitution
Of this State, is in many respects imperfect and de-
fectve, unequal and unjust in its operations and in
consistent with the great fundamental principles Of
free government as set forth in our Bill Of Rights.
9TH. ReSotced, THAT notwithstanding MAORI
" OF the representatives of the people in the Gen
eTal Assembly, have repeatedly refused, either to
call Convention, organized on fair or sound Repub
llcan principles, OF TO submit the question of call
ing one, to the people Themselves we still feel too
much confidence in the integrity, patriotism and
good sense Of that portion of fellow citizens who
have more than their Just proportion Of representa-
ton in the General Assembly, to believe that they
will peisist in the vain effort to retain it, when the
inequality Of that representation shall become, Gas
it soon will,) too palpable to escape their own oh
servaion and TOO fragrant 10 be longer submitted to
he