Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1851-05-02

Equivalent 10Y The difference III It's taxes.
.. ResOlred That the equality Of Eirsinans, with c'!a:
rights, mmunitcs and powers is established, not OH;
In virtue of their birtrght, but that when the Stale
viewed i'll ali her circumstances and relations. and III
clements of her strength and property weighed, ever
citizen receiving due credit Tor his contributions TO n,
support and defence, section elias; OF citizens vi!
be found TO contribute superiority as that other sec
lions or classes do not cotcrhalancc them By other c"l
ribuons; for although il may be asserted gene
principle, that property is strength, and it is adnl'
that our eastern brethren possess more than We: yet IL
equally well known, that large part Of their rro"T
is weakness, and if they pay in t:Er
OF emergency contribute superior protection from OH
greater strength and thus them full! cqu!yalcI
Tor all differences i'll taxes. To make, what AWAY
must be element OF weakness when in conflict VIII
enemies, means Of holding in state of odios vas
saage III times OF peace SO rcpugna TO every principe
of JUSTICE and all enormily to which We can no onge
submit.
g. Hcscrcd, That the foregoing principles require liz
basis Of representation to be white populations and Tia
the delegates representing this district, in convention
instructed 70 sustain that basis; and III case nj !i
rrc in having it cngrafted in the constitution, they a:
hereby instructed TO propose TO submit the question
white basis OF mixed basis TO The people O! The state L
bc BY them decided as 10 become the organic ia'
and should the Convention reject both propositions, Tier
our delegates hereby instructed 10 abandon iici
seats, and withdraw from its further deliberations.
On motion of Col Nathan Smith, the secretary is re
quesel II furnish copies of tc proceedings of Ibis meet
editors Of the Richmond Enquirer, Weston Sentinel. IA
nawha Republican, Western Frginian, and ParkcrapuF
Gazette, for publication.
On motion, the meeting adjourned.
JAMEs NJ. "A. BEALE, Chairman!
CHARLES CLENpENES, Secretary.
Mr.. FURGU SuN. shall be5 the indulgence ol tn''
Convention, while say words two in regard to t''
sixth Of these resolutions. and shall say il for the pn
pose of calling the attention OF the whole district wht'
have the honor here represent IN part to TINS SUI
cc look upon dissolution OF t!; body as i u's'o
luton of tile commonwealth. have from the rSt u'i
til the present regarded that event come wicll l@A
rs severance of the bouI OF union between eastern '%
western Virginia This topic was running II my nil'''
the whole time when was addressing this COMMITTEE
ON this interesting question ot the basis OF represents,
tiun. had TWO occasions been !rrI.;'cu .,
the remarks of eastern gentlemen upon this SUBJECT
do not know what remarks western gentlemen may have
made equally irritnting-and reprtsSco those iee
incs and determined to suy nothing upon the sub
ject, do not like to talk about 1t. may taih
about it privately, but ] do not like to MAKE II !;
theme or topic of common discussion III tins hn!y
| am opposed to dsun on in almost every iornL The
people of Virginia have | think suffered wrong
and think the government of Virginia has many anu
cr;eyo,s faults; but Virginia. with al her faults love
her still And if am dri~en t" take position IN IA
vr OF the dissolution of this commonwealth shall r."
greet it more than any position which have ever o"e
compelled to take in all the course OF my life but
the crisis nav come and when it does come, painful as
it NAV be- am pre- pared for ii. have never made III
nv mind to withdraw from this Convention, however
under the state of things contemplated III the resolution
aud if that is the voice of my district desire they Snail
take action all the district, that may d!s.&t
ly understand that it is their voice. have imagined
state Of things when, even although defeated on this
suffrage basis might not be willing I" dissolve ihi-
Convention. shall not say at this time villa! that
state of things would bc, brt acknowledge the right
of Instruction and if my district instructs to with
,i.o, al
shall cheerfully comply with those Instructions.
am acquainted with many Of the gentlemen who figure
in that meeting know them to be gentlemen Of the
first rcepectabty in the county of Mason and believe
that cvcrv single one, eXcep; one, with whom am &c
quaiuted are olders-persons who have ~! inter
ct and direct interest i'll common with eastern lr
gina, in the ample protection OF slave property.
This much | deem il my duty to say. will not
feel myself called npon by the proceedings of this meet
ing in the county OF iason in the contingency Of there
supposed, 10 Withdraw from this Convention 90 not
say that may not do so Ny views, liay change upon
this subject when the time shall arrive but y purpose
;sto or, tue attention of my district TO the proceed
inrs of this BODY II henit SHAH inc pleasure OF my
district to instruct me in such form shall perceive
to be the will Of the majority, will CONSENT TO my
withdrawal from this Committee, to its dissolution and
thereby in INV humble judgment dissolve the common
wealth itself When that time shall come, great
fear that the losing party will be on the eastern side
of the Blue Ridge. | do not believe that western Nlr
GINA will suffer Mt all in comparison with eastern Nr
rnia but notwithstanding that III my opinion, there
ARE associations connected with the name ut Virgins!
which l am unwilling to break asulider. Is til,
land of Washington Of Jefferson, of Madison, and q
Henry and nothing but being forced to occupy posi-
ton Of political degradation will ever bring Inc to con
sent to llssoiutiU: " this commonwealth when tn
alternative is presented, however, ai prepared FOL
| the issue.
The proceedings were then laid on the tab!.
TIE BASIS OF REPRESENTATION
The Convention then resumed the consideration il
Committee of the Whole Sir. SHrFrEY in the Chair,
of the report Of the Committee the Basis and Appor
tionmcnt Of Representation.
The CHAIR stated the question To ba on the propo
sitioi C tie gentleman from ftuquer, Mr.. SLorr)
Mr.. SCOTT of Caroline then addressed the commit
tee. His remarks hereafter.
Mr. KINNEY. have desired to address the com
mtec but rs the time is late, will not be prepare
to do so now If the committee will indulge me b,
rising, would prefer it, and make that motion.
Tho motion agreed to ;l'd
The committee accordingly rose.
The Convention tkcn adjourned until o'clock p NJ.
EVENING SESSION
The Convention met at 4 o'clock, pursuant, To ad
ionrnment
THE BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
Tho Convention then resumed the considerations il
Committee of the Whole, Mr.. SrEFFET in the Char
/
tionmcnt OF Representation
TIE CHAIR stated the question to be the amend
mont of the gentleman from Fauquicr Mr.. Scorr)
! Mr.. KINNEY then addressed the committee.
:! On motion Of Mr. MARTIN, Of Henry, the committee
rOsc
INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATIONS.
The PRESIDENT. have received from the Clerh
of the House Of Delegates and Keeper of the Rolls the
following statement in reply to re.Gl:::cn of Conven
ton. giyny the amount of internal improvements ant
the objects oi internal improvement, passed at the las
session of the legislature:
CLERKS OFFICE, AprH S, 1851.
Sin: In compliance with the request Of the Conycn
ton lnrh tie honor to enclose statement showing
the amount Of appropriations made by the last General
Assembly on the part of the State to works of internal
improvement in tie four great divisions Of the
wealth
AS some Of the improvements are in parts Of several
divisions, have stated them separately.
With great respect, am yours, &c.j
GEO. ". MryFoEn. C. II. n
Hon. JSo Y Mason President of the Convention.
| The document was read at the coll Of members.
Messrs FERGUSON and DENEALE pointed ou
some erroneous statements i'll the document which the,
desired to have corrected before it was printed.
| Mr.. NJ GARNETT moved the printing; Of an extr;
! number of copies, OF not less than 5000.
After some conversation, the document was laid OF
the table, with view TO sn examination Of its correc