The southern press. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1850-1852, 1851-10-13

ing as her reason an absence of such COMMUNE
ty Of interest with the others, made 1t desirA-
bic.
About this period one of her governors, re-
sentful of her stern action, just detailed, sent
a memorial TO the council Of l. AIDE, in which he
speaks of the growing republican feeling in Vir-
GINA, and recommen . the reduction of all the
English colonies under government and one
viceroy--a proposition which fortunately did
not succeed, but is important TO show their poll
ticaI diStinctheSS at that periods
From this time TO the French war, Virginia
continued as free from any control external to
herself, and every connection with others, as
any power in the world except in the respects
alre dy mentioned
In the year 1854, Dr. franklin proposed a
plan OF union between the colonies, resembling
in some respects the subsequent articles OF con.
federation lt was adopted by meet NO of
commissioners from the several colonies but
upon being submitted to each separately for its
ratification, il was rejectedt
In 1854, began that series of measures already
alluded to, so important in our history. In the
year succeeding, Virginia, by resolutions, de-
CARED her exclusive rights, even as Against Great
Britain, which she reiterated ia 1881
A General Congress having been recommend
ed by Massachusetts, assembled from nine States
10 l775, and asserted the exclusive rights OF the
respective colonies, each within itself as a dis
tnct organism
In l772, Virginia appointed a committee of
correspondence and enquiry, whose duty it was
to keep her informed upon the acts and resou-
tons of Parliament, or other matters affecting
colonies. and to correspond with them. But it
was not until l774 that their more intimate coz
operation became essential to their separate free
dom and security. The Burgesses of Virginia
hay been dissolved for their protest against
the Boston Port Bill, and meeting in the Ra-
leigh Tavern at Williamsburg, declared that he
Invasion Of the rights OF sister colony threat
ened ruin to the residue, and recommended
general Congress- to deliberate on the measures
rendered N cessary by the interests of the colo
MES
A general convention of the people of Vir-
ginia assembled in august, l77I, sanctioned the
previous recommendation of general Con-
gress, and agreed to be bound by such If us &C
hon as should be assented to by their own depu-
lies.
That Congress met in October. Twelve col
ones were represented. The declarations and
resolutions adopted by it are most important in
this connection
They declare that the several colonies repre-.
scented, each by its own deputies, elected by and
for itself, "are entitled to free and erciuSiue
power Of legislation in their several prouinciol
legislatures. where their right of representation
can ALONE be preserved, in all cases of taxation
and internal Polisy, subject only to the negative
of their sopereign;" that the power OF Parlia-
ment to regulate in general the external com
merce of the colonies, by restrai ITS Z" bona fde,"
made to secure the commerc al advantages OF
the empire to the mother colnry, and the com
merclal benefits of its respective members, is
" that the respective colonies are en-
titled to the com non law Of England" and to
the benefit of such of the English statutes as
existed at the time of their colonization; that
their privileges are defined by their charters, or
" secured by their several codes of provincial
la,os y and that to keep al army in any colony
without the consent of the legislature of that
colony, is against law ; that the legislatures of
the several colonies are, under the English con
independent bran cheS Of the Legislative
power; that the deputies in Congress Of each
State claim these several rights for their res pee.
tive constituents, which cannot be legally taken
from them, altered or abridged, by any power
whatever, without their own consent by their
representatives, in their several provincial legis-
lat,veS'T
During the year l775, he Virginia convention
ness, and still asserting for the dominion of Vir
GINA separate existence. In the early part Of
th year l776, various articles were published in
a leading public journal, in one of which adj
dressed to the people of Virginia, the writer
urges them to declare themselves free and in
dependent people.
Obedent to the spirit which filled the hear.
of her people, her convention met in May, l776;
and comm tee appointed May 18th, l776, to
organize her government having reported to the
convention, it, on the 29.h of June, 1776, fue
days bef1re The Declaration of Ind pendence, con-
summated her will in announcing her to the
world as free and sovereign commonwealth,
with self imposed syst, m of government or
constitution.
During this long period in which have fol-
lowed the history of Virginia, the other colonies
were likewise manifesting the principle of their
entire separateness. Among the most remarka-
BILE instances of this, may be mentioned the
New England confederation. existing prior to,
but as late, at least as the year 1864 confed-
GRAFTON defensive in its character, and stpu ating
that each should remain separate and distinct,
and have exclusive jurisdiction in its own terri
tory. 1t was first formed more than century
before**
Previously to the action of Virginia, before
body virtually declared herself free State
declaration only in accorda CO with u similar one
made a year before by the people of Mecklen-
burg county, rendered famous from its connec.
ton with the general Declaration of July, l776
If further confirmation were wanted of the
position seek to establish, it will be found in
valuable material collected in the American
archives. especially refer to letter said, and
| presume upon good cotemporaneous authority,
to have been written by Edmund Burke, fully
establishing the fact of the existence of each
colony MS distinct political society.-(May 10,
l774)+t
In this letter. Mr. Burke allude4 to the treaty
in 1861, between England and Virginia, before
referred to; maintains the proposition that the
colonies were separate ciriL States, with all the
powers of distinct legislation and government :"
Z" that they were really and Intentionally created
distinct Safes" that during the history of Vir-
ginia, subsequent to the restoration, consider
ing herself distinct State" she was recognized
by the crown as such, with supreme legislative
authority, subject to its negative; and that such
was the case with the other colonies.
These cotemporansous facts and declarations