Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1850-01-15

| II
oil the gentlemen from Spottsyvana and Franklin
W1'ch seemed to convey the impuiation that he (Mr.
VIZ and those with whom he acted, had violated the
WISHES OF their constituents, to say lew words lus
~ hs position He impeached delegate on this floor
before his constituents and he was entirely responsible
10 ms own 1t was well known that, in small mino
rty, he had, last winter opposed the resolutions which
the Legislature then adopted. He opposed them be-
| cause he thought them i-tmed aud uncaed for and
only calculated to endanger the Union. He stood here
now, prepared toreerate word for word and letter for
letter, the whole position which he took last winter. Mr.
w made Acknowledgement OF the kind efforts of ger-le-
nen VINO were In favor the propositions before the
| House, to produce unanimous action. He had been
unable to assent to their views. For himself he required
no time to determine his VOTE but he thought it
aole that other gentlemen who had been members
o. the special committee should have full opportunity
lor elaboration Gentlemen had said that the Union
| depended on this Southern Convention. The resou-
ons did not explain what were to be its precise objects
Possibly might be the first step to Southern Conede
facy, LII was most extraordinary he thought that 100
gentlemen should be called upon fifteen minutes to act
| on so mighty question
Mr. CONWAY discaimed any idea of interfering be-
| tween independent representatives and their consu-
| ents. tie had taken precisely the opposite view He
had believed that the House thoroughly understood the
SUBJECT and was prepared to act at 1t would
er great moral effect it, by the prompt adoption of the
report, Virginia would show herself ready for nme-
diate action
| Mr.. CLAIBORNE explained his views previously ex-
pressed He mad by desired to stand between
any gentleman and his constituents but he was satisfied
| that there were gentlemen who determined not
to sustain the report II there was any chance of anv
members being induced by delay to into its SUD-
| port he was willing to give time.
Mr. HARvIE cited facts to show that every effort had
been made to concate but that several gentlemen had
declared that there no chance OF their asserting to
the report. Ii gentlemen would state that thew asked
farther time, with any expectation Of coming into the
measure, he should give them the opportunity
Mr. FERGUSON explained additional tacts-and said
that ii members forced vote now, and division en-
/ sued, they must take the responsibility.
Mr. PERRow said he was not prepared to say whether
a Southern Convention should now be sanctioned
though he was prepared to stand by the South He was
| tor further time.
| MIR. PANNlLL, though he was for giving time, was in
| favor OF the resolutions reported.
| Mr.. SEGAR said that to accommodate gentlemen he
was disposed to modify his views He desired to have
| unanimlty if possible.
| Mr.. HARvIE then asked if until Thursday next was
time enough Tor members to examine the subect-a &C.
| neral aequleseence in this day seemed to prevail
The motion to print was then agreed to-
| The question then being on Mr.. HARvIEs motion to
make these resolutions the order Of the day for Thurs.
| day next,
| Mr. SHEFFEY moved to amend the motion, so as to
make the resolutions the order of the day for Thursday
week Until he read in the Richmond Enquirer few days
since the proposition to send delegates to the Nashville
Convention and pay the he had read or heard
OF such proposition. Mr.. s. proceeded to affirm that
It the exigency contemplate by the resolutions Of the
last session should ever arise the hardy men whom he
represented would BIZ found shoulder to shoulder with
the oravest in defence OF the South But he asked time
to consult his constituents whether they desired the
sovereignty OF Virginia to be delegated to nineteen per-
sons and 10 surrender the Voice OF Virginia to them for
veal or tor woe. 1t was the most solemn proposition
10 his judgment ever submitted to this General Assem-
bly, 1t might be, the Southern Convention was designed
as gentlemen said to the Union, perhaps TO dis
solve IT. And the House pressed to vote upon such
question when there had been movement of the po-
pular mind, no public meetings, no memorials received
here concerning it. MIR. S. said that although he thought
the resolutions of lS4e9 wrong in some their pn-
clpes, he was prepared to sustain the which they
undertook tor Virginia in case OF aggressive legislation
| by Congress- He read from the resolutions to show
that the Wmot Proviso or other offensive measure
| should be passed by Congress- the Governor was to
convene the Legislature if III session. to consider
"the mode and measure Of redress" Noao it pro-
posed to send delegates to Nashville to consider the
mode and measure OF redress, and consult upon tie
best means OF resistance. Last WATER Virginia resolved
10 wait until her honour was actually assailed now
gentlemen were Tor resorng to threats. There had
been no action OF Congress to call for this change of
policy. Let US, said Mr. S, wait little while He was
perfectly wiling to unite in an admonton to the North
that persisted In measures that deemed inuri-
and insulting by the South, this glorious Union
however cemented by the blood of ancestors must
oppe to fragments. In the of the dignity OF our
State, in the OF all that was involved in the per-
petuty Of the Union, he mplored the House at least to
give him until Thursday week, to consult his 10000
white constituents who he added, owned 5000 slaves,
and therefore, deeply interested in the protection
| of Southern rights.
MIR. CLAIBORNE said that since the proposition had
been published he had not seen of his constituents
that did not cordially sanction the measure. While the
| gentleman from Augusta was for saving the Union hy
praying, he was tor saving it by showing fight The
Wmot Proviso has passed-the mongrel population of
California have excluded the South from that territory
and Southern President has winked aud connived at
IT, He asked If gentlemen had heard the insulting lam
guage OF Vermont, and still hesitated to act.
| Mr.. FERGUSON declared that he could not concur in
the opinion of his friend (Mr Claborne) that the VIII
@ oe paoe OF c ssfa G the s Ga
had done what they had right to do according to prin
cples conceded by all Southern statesmen He was pre-
| ,oraH phroiff fhotrn
He could not therefore, advocate the Southern Conyen-
ton because California had adopted prohibition against
slavery But there was suc ent practical reason in the
course OF the North in regard to fugitive Slaves fully to
Justify the holding Southern Convention. Moreover
! the Wimot Proviso is now before Congress- and may
| pass. For these reasons he should warmly advocate
the Southern Convention. Though he was prepared to
act now he saw reason for the motion to hurry the
vote This was new proposition, and certainly
never spoken OF amongst his constituents when he left
home. L was a matter worthy OF consideration
whether should not instruct the Delegates TO Nash
vile, to do nothing TO break up the Union, unless some
gross aggression should be committed to justify it.
Mr.. HARvIE warned the friends Of the resolutions
against further delayor the longer we put it off, the
opportunities will be afforded to the opposition to
strengthen itself Mr.. H., in reference Mr. Fereusons
remark in regard to nstrnctng the delegates said that
the very object OF the movement preserve the
Union Mr.. fl. did not think that there was any posi-.
billy OF the gentleman from Augusta or his constituents
ever sustaining the resolutions whatever time was al
lowed them Mr.. H. regarded those gentlemen as the
really WIZ were opposed 10 placing Virginia
in union with her sister States OF the South instead Of
forcing her frontier State to meet the aggressons
alone.
| Mr. SYME adverted to what he termed very untor-
tunae remark of the gentleman from Franklin he being
the chairman of the special committee that gentleman
had let fall the expression that Southern President had
winked and connved at the passage of the Wimot
Proviso in California. MIR. S, had hardly expected the
introduction OF party politics on such occasion as this
but the gentleman had thought it proper to make the
allusion, he felt it due TO himself as member OF the
Wing party to take notice of it. The gentlenlans me-
mory said r. s., is not half tenacious enough on this
subject, Had hstorgotten that President Polk sign
ed and approved the Wilmot Prouso?
Mr.. CLAIBORNE. The gentleman and myself are
eren now, and am willing this allusion to politics
should stop here.
Mr. SYME No, we are not even yet, us I will show
you. MOI only did your Democratic President sign the
Wlmot Proyso, but your Democratic candidate, Cen.
Cass, in the Nicholson letter. asserted the very prnci-
pies which you now charge Gen. Taylor with wnking
att although it is not known what he has done in re.
gard 70 California or what he means to do as the in
strncons he gave Gen. Riley have never been pub
| lished. Moreover, said Mr. S. this same CaliEarnia