Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-04-19

ton Of the people of Henrico, Monday, the eth inst.
Accompanying it, he has published, Ct ground
work for his communication, letter from Mr.. George
w. Thomas, addressed himself, in which am spe
cally referred to, by name, in connection with the
ton taken that meeting. Having been thus referred
and having taken active part i'll the proceedings
of the meeting upon which Mr. Eotts has commented,
deem it proper to make very bref statement oil the
facts in relation to the matter, SO far as had agency
therein. .b..
! Rumors had reached me recently, and particularly
during the week before the last County Court of Hem
rico from various sources, that Mr. Bolts intended to
offer, at stage of the proceedings OF the Conven
ton on the Basis question, proposition which would
divide the representation in the Legislature equally be-
tween the two sections OF the State, East and West OF
the Blue Ridge OF mountains and which would contain
some constitutional guarantees, the only protection to
the property OF the East against undue taxation. Dur ng
the course of that week l was informed from many
that such the fact, to leave my mind
reasonable doubt about it; tor, although
quanted with its details yet the general features, above
alluded to, seemed to be well known.
Having voted for Mr. Bolts as delegate to the Con-
venton, and, of his constituents, having the
questionable right to his public acts and being,
moreover the uncompromisng advocate OF the mixed
basis in some form, did not hesitate to express my dis
appreciation OF the proposition to partition powe. equal
y between the East and the West, and stated tn at
should, citizen OF the county, bring the question be-
fore the people al the earliest opportunity that pesen
ted itself. This statement, | we'll remember having
made to two or three leading Wings, on Friday Sa-
turday OF the week before And here is proper
that sho uld say, that made this declaration before
had heard Mr. Scott had any idea either of writing
publishing his card, alluded to by Mr.. Bolts. did not
however, determine definitely to present the question
the people of Henrico at the last court, did de-
eide what would pursue, until my arrival
at the court house on that day. For this reason gave
public notice OF it, Ii had done this, and had cal
led meeting myself, without that full consultation with
gentlemen OF the Wing party of the )unty, tor which
opportunity afforded, it might have given some
color to the suse, that party results were intended to
be accomplished by it, Besides, there was no time for
such notice TO reach the people OF the county, there
being not single Post Office in it out OF the city of
Richmond and such notice, would, therefore, have ef
ected no practical result. l therefore determined
wait until court day, and then to ascertain from gen
emen OF both political parties, whether action on the
subject would meet their concurrence, and to be guided
accordingly
Ihave always considered the question as one too
deeply affecting common rights to be at all connec-
ted with party action. And here declare land for its
sincerity avouch whatever OF character may possess
with those who know mel that any statement or in
preston, matter by whom made how derived,
that in any action OF mine in regard TO that meeting
was influenced in the slightest degree by any conside
ratlons OF political orpary character, or that had
any party purposes in view, is without shadow Of
foundation in fact. Whether MIR. Bolts should or
should not be elected to Congress. however he 9TH
may regard it, consider as oil the smallest posi-
Ole consequence to his constituents, compared with the
great and vital question: whether the East hereafter
to lose all control in thel State Government, either by
the adoption OF the pure white Bass, OF the propo
sition of equpartition which understood Mr.. Bolts
intended to propose. And submit the consideration
of all candid minds, that il Mr.. Bolts has thought pro-
may injure his chances of election to Congress, while
it may be his misfortune it should not be imputed
fault to any OF his constituents that they able
to concur with him 10 opinion.
With these feelings ltook my course. Just before
leaving home in the country Monday onmornng,
skeched preamble and resolutions briefly embodyng
my views. They were the production OF my own
thoughts the SUBJECT and prepared without the
least consultation with any one. True, l saw Mr..
SCOTS card before it sent press tor publication.
My meeting with him was however, purely accidental
me- he Stree pbOut JUhf aa
his card had been written and Just before he carried
it to the Wing for publication. My deermna lion had
him, and before the speech of Mr.. Wise, (which Mr..
Scott then informed gave rise to his card had been
delivered; and that determination cied
with The appearance, SO was not altered or affect
by the appearance Of his card on Monday. On
Monday morning, on my way from my office 10 the
Court House, called Mr.. SCOTS office, stated to
him what l intended to do, and read to him the pre-
amble and resolutions had prepared, in the way
and with the view that read them to others of
my friends of the Wig party before l went 10 the
Court House-to wit to inform my judgment as 10 the
propety OF the sentiments they contained did this OF
my own motion without the least solicitation from him,
and without any expectation on his part far as |
know or believe, thatl would do So Before reaching
the Court House mentioned the subject to many
as two prominent Wings OF the county and consulted
with them as to the proper course to be pursued and
after got there upon suggestions made to me mod
led the preamble and one OF the resolutions OBJ
vate all possible objection; subsequently submitted h
privateyto several gentlemen OF both political parties
all OF whom concurred in their popnety, and IN the pro-
prety OF submitting them 10 The people. And here
may say that should net have advocated the express
sion at that time OF an pinon the proposed sub
sute OF Mr. Bolts, but for the fact that the vote wi
be taken in committee OF the Convention before our
next court
That Mr.. Bolts views have not been laid before his
constituents in time to enable them to express their opn
ions with regard them after he had been fully heard
is certainly no fault OF mine. Those who at last
Henrico Court will recoect that the attendance Of per-
sons was unusually large for monthly term of court
proclamation was mace at the door OF the Court house
that the meeting would be held; large majority OF
those present into the Courthouse, and then tie
proceedings, which are published. took place. What
possible objection thee could be 10 this, confess my
self at loss to imagine. How many meetings of The
people occur Court days of which there have been
notice. Indeed it may well be doubted whe Their any
meeting likely to represent the views of the people
composed OF the citizens of county assembled
at Court from all parts OF the county without any pre-
notification of the subject to be submitted to them.
As for the idea that all the respectable and intelligent
representative for the county, and the distinguished gen.
tleman who acted as Secretary to the meeting were
entrapped by its proceedings, submit, that while it
pays but poor compliment to their understandings, it
imputes TO the Democrats connected with the meeting
degree of adroness in political mannuvring to which,
for one, can claim no title whatever
As for the number OF the meeting, suppose there is
scarcely any point upon which persons apt 10
differ, than upol this | have heard the number pre-
varousy estimated at from so to So 1t con-
siderable, that leading Wing stated, after the meeting
had adjourned that count should have been had in
ordero show, officially, that the meeting was large
Ifthey did not all respond in the affirmative,
when the question put, they only followed the al
most universal practice, when diversity of opinion
was expressed, and no negative votes anticipated -
Upon this point. vii simply add, that ii this meeting
did not uy reflect the sentiments OF the county, moth
ing be easier than for the people to apply the
ton.
There is one statement in Mr.. Bolts communication,
which will here notice because OF the facts con-
nected with the same peculiarly within my know
ledge. Alter stating his belief, that of the cem-
mhtee had nothing to do with the meeting, he ads,
that am happy to say, That the committee have had
boozle me with any such humbuggery." A sentence,
which, unexplained would imply that the committee
had failed to send him copy OF the resolution aecor.
ding to the request of the meeting.
Without nj all intandinn one of Lhal