Weekly national intelligencer., 1851-05-17
VIRGINIA CONVENTION.

In this Convention, on Friday, all debate on the
pending propositions relative to the Basis of Repre-
sentation was ordered to cease and the Convention,
in committee of the whole, proceeded 10 vote first
upon the motion of Mr.. SUMMERS, referring the
subject back again to the people for their decision
This was rejected, ayes go, noes 81. The next
moucn was upon inserting an amendment estab-
lishing the n,ired basis, without any apportion-
ment. This was also rejected, ayes SO, noes 60.
Inc next motion was to strike cut proposition
A" which is the mixed basis Wifh an apportion-
nlent-which can be altered, however, when the
plan Is reported from the committee to the Con-
vention. The vote stood ayes SO, noes 90; SO the
n,'red basis, with an apportionment was adopted.
An amendment was then offered for restricting
the representation of the cities. This raised quite
warm discussion, after which the motion was re-
Jected-36 to rs Before taking another vote the
Convention adjourned for the day.
Immediately on the re-assembling of the Con-
vention on Saturday motion was made to adjourn
till Monday, in order to allow the members time
Tor deliberation, and to endeavor to arrange the
matter satisfactorily. This motion prevailed d-yeas
80, nays 90.
FROM THE ALEXANDRIA GAZETTE OF TUESDAY.
Considerable excitement prevailed at Richmond, at our
last accounts among the members Of the Convention in
sequence Of runored design the pat Of the Western
bers resign their seats and retire their constituencies
is also umorcd that committees Of conference appointed
by Eastern and Western members at meetings held BY them
Saturday night last and that the East proposed various
terms Of compromise, which rejected by the West such
giving the West majority in the House Of Delegates
giving representation in house the white basis and in
the other taxation, &c. But the West ii is said, would
yield renquish their demand for the white basis
tsro 1t understood that the committees Of
ference could make arrangements therefore, and report
ed to their different sections If these correct and
the Western members do secede facous
be justified and will excite strong feeling throughout the
entire East and in many portions Of the Valley against their
conduct The East having the clear majority, and able
the mixed basis have yet offered to compromise, and
proposed liberal The responsibility Of an agitation Of
the State and the evils that may flow from it. will not there
fore rest upon this section.
PROM THE RICHMOND TIMES OF TUESDAY.
OnMonday morning the Basis question assumed still another
phase in the Convention Soon after the body met, Mr..
MAErs, of Henry who had heretofore acted fully with the
Eastern members offered motion for committee, composed
equally Of members chosen from the East and the West
consider and report fair adjustment Of the question of repre-
sentation In the long discussion which followed frequent
illusions made to what occurred Saturday night be-
tween the Of the parties It be mpro-
per- therefore, to state the general fact that the committees Of
conference appointed either sde after receiving and
sdeng various propositions, unable agree upon
and the negotiations ended by unanimous declaration
the part Of the Western members, after rejecting several
liberal propositions from the Eastern members that they
would accept settlement which did provide for the
ablishmen Of the suffrage basis in fifteen years
in both Houses of the Legislature.
It under these circumstances that the Convention
sembed yesterday. Mr. MARTINS motion sustained by
the votes Of all the whtebasis members and sufficient
Der Of Eastern votes to give decided msjoiy There
several divisions and in every instance the friends of the
white basis prevailed, in the single point Of eectng the
members Of the committee vOa When the Convention
make the four selections from the East, such Eastern
nssbsrs chosen known 70 be ready gofar-
thest in compromising. What the end win be, cannot
yet say. .