Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-08-02
CLOSE OF THE CONVENTION.

save the signing OF the amended constitution, en-
rolled on many sheets parchment, by the Presi-
dent and Secretary. About fifty members were
in attendance, and many of them exhibited some
curiosity to see the last stroke given to the work
on which they had been so long engaged.
A largess was granted to the Printer (Mr. Gull
ey) by increasing his compensation from the rates
at which he contracted, to those paid the Publisher
of the Supplement and Register. This and
some other things of petty concern, having been
disposed Of, Mr.. Watts, of Norfolk, moved that
the body adjourn sine die; but Mr. Johnson, of
Harrison, the Governor elected by the last Legis-
laure for small piece of term, rose to hisfeet,
and minated desire that the motion might be
withdrawn, which was of course done with all the
characteristic courtesy of the mover. Some pro.
position was expected from Mr.. Johnson, but in
stead of that it turned out that he only wanted
to 60 down the stream of history, as having made
the closing speech of the Virginia Convention
His remarks were scarcely of Ciceronan excel
lence, but were pretty enough if there had been
any necessity for them. He closed with the same
motion which Mr.. Watts withdrew in his favour
and it was carried So the President pronounced
his ''dlmittmus," and the members, after some in
terchanges ofkind saluatons, gradually dispersed.
The scenes of Thursday night were of more
impressive character. When the Convention came
to the test vote on the engrossment of the amen
ded constitution, the members seemed to feel deep
y the solemnity of the occasion. The instrument
was deemed Objectionable in many of its features
by almost every member, but there seemed to be
much uncertainty how many members these OBJ
jectons would induce to give negative votes. As
the roll was called few members present de-
clined to respond to their names, who afterwards
had their votes recorded; amongst these we OBJ
served Messrs. Garlic and Ferguson. Messrs
Cox, Lyons, Scot. of Caroline, Scott of Fauquer,
Strother and Smith of King and Queen each
announced that they would vote in the mega
tive but for having paired off with members who,
If present, would vote in the affirmative. Others,
as they gave their votes, after the roll had been
called, were allowed briefly to explain their rea-
sons Thus Mr.. Summers said that, as repre-
sentative he felt bound to vote for submitting the
constitution to the people, but he objected SO
strongly to some of its provisions (referrng chief
ly to the restrictions upon the improvement policy
Of the Slate) that, unless his mind should under
go change, he would vote, as citizen, against
it. Mr.. Purkins voted aye, with solemn protest
against the Compromise; Mr.. Bocock in the ne
gatiye, with perfect confidence that he was pro-
perly performing his representative duty and Mr..
Brown of Preston, wished to say one wo I'd
AYE, Mr.. Taylor considered it right to re-
fer the constitution to the people themselves
and so did Mr.. Douglass (who stood alone in
his delegaton) notwithstanding what he called
the "raffie-basis" that was to be established. DR..
Smith OF Norfolk, though differing from all his
colleagues, held himself responsible to his con-
stituents for his negative vote; so also did Mr.
Jasper, who said he had not doubt he truly rep
resented his district. Mr.. M. Garnett approved
because of the guarantees which he held to be
more important than the basis Mr.. Dale Carter,
OF Russell, one OF the most unobtrusive but one
of the firmest members of the body, was the only
Western gentleman who voted no, and he said he
did so because he believed his constituents would
vote the same way. Mr.. Bolts declared that he
had felt much difficulty in determining whether he
should vote for or against the constitution, as it
he disked, and he had no information as to the
wishes of his constituents in this situation he
had resolved to vote for referring the matter to his
constituents themselves that they might decide it
as they chose. Mr.. Flood thought the new con-
st!tution would give the East adequate protection
for fifteen years, by which time power would with
any basis be transferred to the West, and being
willing to let the people decide upon it for them
selves, he would vote aye. Finally, Mr. Wise de-
clared with more energy than even he is wont to
display, that with all his SOUL and mind, and heart
he voted 'aye !"
The following Eastern members, elected as op
ponents of the white basis, voted for the amended
Constitution, viz:
Messrs. Botts Bowden, Chiffon, Douglass,
Edwards, Fnney, Flood, Garland, M. Garnett,
Hill, Hopkins, Lyon, McCand!ish, Martin of H.,
Petty, Purkns, Randolph, Snowden, Southa,
Straughan, Taylor, Watts Of N, Williams of
Fairfax, and Worsham--24.
Mr.. Claiborne would have made the number
20, had he been present We do not know how
Dr. Saunders would have voted.
The remarks made by MIR. Janney, Mr.. Goode,
and the President, after the Constitution was
passed, evinced and produced much feeling. The
dissolution of any body of men is indeed always
olemn thing, but was never before so stronplyin
pressed upon our mind. Each member seemed to |
be rejecting upon the sad circumstance alluded to
by the speakers, that, after their final adjournment,
they could never ell meet each other again in |
life.
President Mason bore very strong testimony
% the character of the body in respect to talent
and propricty of department. In the latter re-
gard we can also say that the Convention is enti-
led TO great commentator, and we retain the
opinion we formerly expressed that it embodied
remarkable number OF able men: but I'VE cannot