Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1851-04-24
PaDlic HEcatimyin Amherst.


AT a large meeting Of the citizens Of
Amherst county, held pursuant to notice
in the Court House on Monday 2lst April,
that being Court-day, and the court having
adjourned for that purpose-'hc object OF
themeeting was explained by S. Claiborne,
| esq, in aiew clear and sensible remarks
when Il. G.. Morriss was called tothe Chair.
and James Nj. Robertson was appointed
Secretarv.
On motion the chair appointed Jesse
Mundy, Dr.. III. l.. Davies, VIM Kent,
VIM. A. Richcson, DR.. David Patterson,
r. NJ. Brown, Joseph Peityjohn, Elijah
Fletcher, VIM. Hx, Henry Loving, John
billiard, Robt A. Coghill, VIM. S. Clai-
borne, a. G.. Chewing, Thos. Whitehead,
Robert w. Watts, Thos. G. Bell, Edwin
5. Rucker, Robert Ridgeway IT., Whit
ing Davis, Henry w. Quarles, David Ap-
ping, Alexander Mundy. Col John Prior,
Sam'l. p. Coleman, Terisha w. billiard
and John p. Wilson,a committee to prepare
a preamble and resolutions in accordance
with the objects for which themceting was
called and on motion the chairman and Sc
crctary We're added to the committee
The committee having retired short time.
returned and submitted the following ro-
port preamble and resolutions, which We're
unanimously adopted
Your committee approve Of the resolu-
mons adopted BY public meeting ofthc
citizens Of the county Of Albemarle, and in
addition thereto, beg to submit the follow
ing preamble and resolutions
Whereas the question of the BASIS of
Representation. which is now before the
Convention, to form new Constitution for
this State, we believed Of vital importance
% the citizens Of this county and Of East
ern Virginia, we feel it to be duty to
express our opinion on This highly impor-
tant question, particularly as thecitizens Of
many counties in Western Virginia have
expressed opinions adverse to what we
consider our just rights, in denying to us
the representation in the Legislature, switch
we believe we are entitled to injustice and
il equity.
The question Of the basis ofroprescnta-
ton, was perhaps the most difficult and en-
barrassing, which the Conventionfor form
ing the Federal Constitution had to en-
counter, but that convention with spirit
truly national and compromising. adopted
that which is known as federal numbers.
consisting Of all free persons and three
fiths Of slaves; and this compromise a.
dopted BY our fathers in the Constitution
otthe United States, we prefer as the ba-
sls to be adopted in our State Constitution:
but IN spirit ofcompromise and conciIia-
uon we will consent to fair mixed basis.
IN which both persons and taxation shall
be eqUallyreprescnted;in other words, that
one half of the representation in both
branches of the Legislature shall be based
on the white population, and the other
halfon the taxes paid; bnt to a further con
ccssion than this we cannot consent, there
fore
LIST Resolrea, That our representatives. ia
the convention be and they are hereby H.
structcd, as far as the people ofthe county
of Amherst can instruct them, to sustain
the principle ofthe mixed basis. (by which
this meeting understands taxation and
white population equally combined and
to oppose any system Of representation,
which shall surrender in whole or in part
this principle in reference either to the
Senate or House Of Delegates.
2d. Resolred, That copy Of the above
preamble and resolutions be sent to each Of
the representatives in the Convention from
this district to be laid before the Conven-
ton.
Sd. Resoirc9, That the above proceed
lngs be published in the Richmond, Lynch
burg and Charlottesville papers.
r. G.. MORRlSS, CHair'R,
JAMES NJ. ROBERTSON, Scc'ry.