Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1850-03-19
For Tie k'nQnlr {
To JOHN b FLOAD d. ESG GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.
NO VI

3irl cannot dismiss the subject of the Revolutionary
Congress without cc!racEg very common mistake in re-
gard that body has suited the purpose Of the advocates OF
federal supremacy, aud o The consequent right OF nun cal
Northern majority plumber and oppress the South 10 Speak
that Congress the regularly constituted public author
its of great Nation embracing all the English Colonies
this Continent Ii may surprise one unacqnnined with
the docmen AIRY history OF the day, to be told that owed '
existence the resolutions copied in my last and 10 others
of the like character from the other Colonies and had
power whatever but what il conveyed BY the words there
authorizing them advise and consult with each other
There was nothing they could do and they did nothing.
they addressed the King the people Of England Canada a-
maca:they addressed their constituents, advising
them adopt their recommendatons' They entered into nm
association among themselves moi 10 trade with the mother
country and urged all others join III and this was all they
did There not moment when they might not have
been recalled and there obligation Except that OF
honor and fidelity a cause binding anv Colony
10 send others IN their atead.
But did they declare Independence Certainly; but
until expressly authorized 10 40 50 by acts OF the several
States which would haze equally ccacios II they had
conferred the authority any set OF men, lhs a@o
given until the time ioraciion came began with
yginI Virginia, the most loyal Colony and perhaps the
most favored had been the last TO acqucsce in the necess
Is revolution She persisted in hoping against nope ha
her King would do his duty BY his Nrgnan subjects and
defend them from the tyranny OF Parliament in which hey
had voice ii was seen that this hope was Ut
erly vain, Virginia took her part She Immediately went
ahead those Colonies whose forward zeal had been more
conspicuous than hers and took the decided step Of decar
Ing and dctnq out her Independence. This was or the
5th O! May l!o and she the same dav Instructed dfr
deputies Congress invite the other States to follow he
the motion made b. Mr. Lee, deputy from Virgnia
none b lie and his colleagues being authorized 10 make IL;
and hence or his declining serve on the Committee, Mr.
Jefferson from Virginia put al his head There was per-
naps no member the body less conspicuous than Mr. JET
ersonHe orator, and never made speech IN ms
te His colleagues probably knew his ability, especially
with his pen and may have selected him from among them
selves There is other way o accounting or the iaet
that so young placed 1T ne he4a OF .onh-
rec on which Benjamin franklin and John Adams were
neniers Ii has doubt often excited the surprise OIL
s,ranrers looking at The famous shin piece in the rounda
10 see standing conspicuous the spokesman o the group
this looking STRIPPING hgnre win FRANKLIN ana ADAMS
Sherman and livingston bringing mp the rear Hence, too,
Tho matter remained undecided Tor more than three weeks
after the minds of members made up 1t was OIL the
10Th June that the House DECIDED that thai oag 70 be
done which not done until the +th ct July. what
were they waiting orl-Authoriiy from home, such rs no
man among them had who had not been expressly nsruc
have gone into this history, TO calm the fears OF those
who frightened the Of Convention are full OF appre-
henson that if this assembly at Nashville take place they
may wake up fine morning in June and Ind the Cni-
on dissolved. So unfounded is this fea that THINK II
must be plain that dissolution can take place until the
Legislature shall have decided the call OF Convention
and until such Convention shall have decided on dlsuoh
Should they SO deci! il will remain or thai body TO deter
mine whether the secession OF the State shall be declared
bv themselves or by persons appointed ana auofiHeu
them confer and with deputies from other STATES and
Jointly with them, 10 declare the secession OF thc "oc TO-
cher Whether tho persons SO 10 be authorized are 10 DC
the members the Nashville Convention, then IN eAis
ence, new appointed for that sGe purpose, VI" oc
matter TO be decided then-not now. ,
Er The relief of anxious and scrupulous minds
n leave To remind all Such that the language Of the Legs
ate to those designated by that body E according 10
my suggestion be the language at request ana mol oil du-
ftory have farther and more important reason fof pre-
errng this phrascoogy There can De no DOUBT ta every
man in the commonwealth will hold himself bound BY the
highest considerations honor and patriotism TO 90 the er
rand of The State this important mission But every man
who understands his rights is perfectly aware that ne
under no legal obligation whatever n do So Inc Leglsia
ture OF Virginia might involve itself in dlsnonoaoe con
test BY putting forth command which mEht De discharged
with impuny Consistency too, demands tha III protest
ing against usrpaon in another quarter the
should be careful to avoid any OF doubtful! authority
For similar reasons have used The word selection mot ec
fon in reference individuals be designated BY the peo
ple The latter word appropriated by usage 10 9ee
knorn The Constitution and Lar, and 10 guard against
nisconsrucon would apply ii 10 any case, where mis-
construction might be possible
The like considerations have led propose that IN
stead of voting fixed compensation 10 the members oil '
Convention they should be requested TO keep an account
their expenses and Law before the next General Asseno
have made this suggestion not because doubt the comPe
iency of the legislature 10 pay Tor any cTrce 10 ,e
Reconnoisances for railroads and canals are iaiil
The The Committee for the Revision oil 'ne La"
is another Ii is that such revision Is necessary ph
of the work of legislation but il is equally true Iha' m
whole of that duty belongs TO the Legislature e' W
has ever blamed them for purchasing the ald oil men ee
in the law To assis, them in l Who censufe5 Inc esisa
lure Of Maryland for engaging the aid OF able counse 70 ae
iend the rights OF the State invaded In the peso VI a
much injured man. who has been robbed OF ms properly y
,he State OF Pcnnsyyania and incarcerated feon to
using the means given By the Constitution OIL .ie oni'c
Statee reclaim il. For myself believe IN te ilel
the Legislature pay the delegates of the >ashSe ION
but there may be the contrary WHICH o