Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-01-15
RICHMOND ENQUIRER.
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IMPORTANT PROCEEDINGS.

the subject was of moncntous interest and the speeches
made strong impressive solemn. In the first place
was read the brief but eloquent manly and admirable spe-
cial message of Gov Floyd enclosing tho aocous eso-
tons of Vermont The House fully responded that por
ton of Gov Foyds message and with perfect and most
commondable unanimity and dsnited of tho in
su requested him to return them Vermont with the de-
claraton that Virginia knew her constitutional rights and
would maintain them.
Immediately following the heels of the Governor
age in the report of the select committee roconmen
ding the Nashville Convention and the sending of dele
gates hither, with appropriation for their expenses
Between these views and another portion of Gov Foyds
Message the subject there perfect coincidence
very long and animated debate took place the dispo-
ston of the committees procin the Of which op
position manifested from quarter that surprised us not
little We had expected resistance from another quarter
because informed that every effort had been previ-
ously made there but in van for Cancellation and unanmi-
w Though believed that delay would secure the
acqucscencc of gentlemen who had fully examined the sub
ect and had made up positive opinion the subec-yet
the proposition comparatively new, we regret that
the report had not been laid for certain ea
day, allow the other members examine il in all
its bearings
Tho course of proceedings Saturday may indicate an
appearance Of wavcrng this vital subject which the acu
The final the resolutions will utterly disprove. We
convinced that this proposition the Legislature will
exhibit determination and unanmy similar 10 what was
shown the resolutions OF last Winter We see gentle
who last Winter resisted action now admitting that the
people Virginia have endorsed and will carry that
ton and when members shall have studied the whole matter
and shall reflect public opinion they hesitate
which solemy regard less conservative o
tho Union than yndcatory of the plainly recorded rights
OF the South, against which heavy blow has already been
levellcd-wc mean the acts of Northern States nul-
lfying the provisions Of the Constitution for tho
coyery of fugitive slaves. Virginia is already pleds
| ed 10 defend her rights 'at all hazards, and 10 the
last extremity. Can she do this well alone, if united
with her States of tho South! The union Of the South
will convince the North that earnest and
with Mr. Harvie, it is the only thing that will the
North 10 do simple justice the only thing that will save
tho Unon devotion which, in all its simplicity, force
| and beauty, one is more ardent than ourselves
| But we have for comments. The conservative
value and importance Of the Nashville Convention
strongly presented by Messrs Claiborne Conway, Ferguson
and Harvie, and il fail Thursday week CON-
mand the unqualified approval and support of the General
| Assembly
The Speaker laid before the House the following commu
ncaon from the Governor:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, JAS. l2th, 1850
| To the General assembly Of Iircinjd:
Gentlemen have received the Governor OF
resolutions passed by the Legislature of that
State upon the subject of slavery wits request that
should transmit them 10 you. comply with the request
because think proper should know the temper and
spirit manifested towards Virginia and the South by Yer
mont If could believe the sentiments contained in these
resolutions confined the State from which they
naic they would excite in me, am they would in
every citizen of Virginia. feeling Of pity merely But
ire constrained believe from evidences and
clear admit OF doubt that these resolutions cbody The
opinions and the feelings too of large majority of the free
I States.
In this respect they present question OF momcnous
Importance and drive consider how vndcac
our character and maintain constitutional rights. The
provisions of the constitution uphoding sustaining and pro-
ecng slavery by these resolutions abroga,cd and dse
garded The opinion of the North susains this action
The time has already passed for the discussion of the ques
ons between us; human eloquence stop
the headlong career OF injury and wrong which the North is
pursuing towards u.s. They rample upon the Constitution
md rights, whilst they meet with scorn and contempt
al emonstrance against their course of aggression
We take Of ourselves; let sit idly down
| until the foot of the destroyer comes.
would recommend the passage OF the resolutions adopted
last session. and the passage of law providing for the at,
tendance of representatives in the Southern Convention
assemble Nashville in June next and that money ap-
propaed to deay all their necessary incurred by
| such attendance. JOHN b. FLOYD
/ 1.-THE infamous Vermont resolutions now the subject of
discussion in the United States Senate published in
| last Fridays Enquirer
On motion of Mr. STovALL, the communication was or.
iercd be referred the Select Committee on the Wmo,
| Provso and other kindred measures
Mr.. SYME moved to send the resolutions back to Yer
/ mont and advocated the motion NJ some length.
| Mr.. FERGUSON warmly sustained Mr. Syme's resolution
md declared that he ready stand by the attitude
Virginia all hazards and to the last extremity Rather
than submit these constant aggessons Of the Northern IA
| nacs, he ready TO dissolve the ties of Union
I'VE did not reach the Hail. till tho conclusion Of Mr.
Mr.. TOWNEs advocated the motion of Mr. Symc with
amendments that the Governor in sending the resolution:
back accompany them with declaration that Legislature o
Virginia understand their Constitutional rights and mean to
maintain them.
Mr. SYME accepted the amendment of Mr.. Towncs
Mr. PERROW prepared for dissolution Of the Union
# Southern rights were to be assied-bu ne wished t.
place the North in the wrong. Mr. p though there
anger present of the passage of any law aboshing sa
yery in the District of Columbia or infringing the rights
tho South-as it would be met with the veto OF the Execu
tive. Mr. p. continued at some length TO show the uttc
dependence of the North upon the South and the complete
ower of the South defend herself against aggressions
any quarter. He regarded the Vermont resolutions as
IN insult Offered and thought should send them back.
Mr.. WICkHAM had hoped the motion Of MIR. SyIne
would have prevailed without discussionas he was unwl
m that should appear that attached any importance
20 the resoutonsAr W. suggested an amendment so ns to
ecarc that the Governor should send tho resolutions back
| Mr. BURWELL denounced the resolutions most in
lting and infamous He trusted that the motion OF Mr.
Syme with Mr.. Townes' amendment, would prevail. Mr.
g. gave history of the Vermont Resolutions depicted IN
he L. S. Senate. He also showed how dependent the
North upon the Southhe South being in the ruthl
md eloquent language of Gov Mcdowell the great whale
whose spcrmace lighted up the whole Unon Mr. b. urged
that this eternal strife to end Great Britain had
ey;scd her unjust taxes on this country build palace for
ne of her princes 1t not the amount OF taxes on tea
&c that our people fought for-is own county, Bedford
ayfng sent the first company meet Arnold and having
os, several officers and Guiord bu il was for the
oricple that we contcnded Mr. b. history of the
manner in which slavery introduced into this country
~ ,he free citizens of Holland and of the origin of the abo
ion The Northern people not aware Of the true
,tae of things herethcr patriotism bounded by tie cir
miencc of a dollar and be embraced on the surface
If rargcd ono dollar The true pan said Mr. b., was
to touch their inereststo stop intercourse with thcno
refuse to nav them five millions Of dollars which we now
Mr.. b. read an amendment carrying out his views See
below.
Mr. kIvES briefly sustained the motion TO send tho res
olutons back.
Mr. SYME called the ayes and noes.
Mr. SHEFFEY suggested that the word peorlc be sub
.ttucd for the word Legislaurcin Mr.. Townes amend
mcnt. ,~-- ,:
Mr. WATSON opposed the resolution on the ground thai
Gov Flovd had them in, his own authoy-Sut on
afterwards being informed that they came from vermont 10
be laid before our Legislature he withdrew his objections
Mr SYME'S resolution then carried unanimously;
ave. l2l noes none 1t is follows:
Resolved by the General Assembly OF Virginia. mar 'o
resolutions from the State of Vermont on the subject o
slavery be returned to the Governor of this Commonwealth
with REQUEST that they be returned to the Governor OF YER
mont and that tho Governor of Vermont be informed that
the egsature of Virginia understand their constitutional
rights and mean maintain them. 49,.