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

I
clent to protect all against invios Legislation, az
lhal Then the superior protection, which suneli"
wealth. VIII receive from government. VIII '* :; iA'
equivalent for the difference in its taxes.
D. RsSofred, That tie equality OF sirsinians with "'io
rights mmun!tics and powers, il established, nG Oh:
in virtue of their biri5;, but lh.t when The STATE
viewed in ali her circumstances and relations. ant IL
clements of her strength and property weighed, ever.
citizen receiving due credit Tor his contribution /" ~
support and defence section elias: Of citizens ~!
be found 10 contribute superiority as that other SEC
lions glasses do not contcrbaGcc them by oiisrc con
trbuiios; for although il tay be asserted gene
princ pic, that property is strength, and it is ani'
that our eastern brethren possess more than We: yet IL
equally well KNOWN that large part of their pi"i"f.
is weakness, and they pay IN !'r
of emergency. contribute superior protection FROM Oh
greater strength and thus them full cquvaic:i
FOR all differences i'll taxes. TO make, what AVA,
mus. be an element OF weakness when in corilic WIZ
enemies, Of holding lis in state of oaiuus va,
salage i'll fines OF peace, regnan TO every Hfnclp
of justice, and enormy to which we can no 9i'ge
submit.
6. Rcsoircd, That the foregoing principles require th
basis OF representation be white populations ami Ina
the delegates representing this district, III con:c"'!":'
arc instructed 10 sstau that basis: and III case q" i;!i
urc in having il c!sraltcd III tie constitution, they ar
hereby instructed 10 propose 10 submit The question q
white basis mixed basis 10 the people %. the Stac, 4
DC by them decided Ia become the organic la"
ara should the Convention reject both propositions, Tier
our delegates are hereby Instructed 10 atanoa tie
seats, and withdraw from It's further deliberations.
On motion Of Col. Nathan Saith the secretary IS re-
qcstc II furnish copies OF c proceedings of ibis meet
ng 10 each of oar delegates il the C1nvrnoi ana 10 The
editors oi tho Hic'aoad Enquirer, Weston Sentinel Ia
nawha Republican, Western Frginian. and Parkrishns
Gazette, for publication.
On motion, the G.ccting adjourned
JAAEs NJ. II. BEiLE, chairma
CHARLES CLENpESES, Secretary.
MIR. FURGUSoN. ! shall beg the indulgence Of tn1s
Convention while sayG word, or two i'll regard to ii''
sixth of these resolutions. and shall say it "r the pir
pose Of calling, tho attention OF the whole district wtI
have the honor here 10 represent N part, IT, THIS SUP
icc;. look upon dissolution o this BODY "a ds'o'
luton of the commonwealth. have from the first I'LL!
til the present regarded that c'cnt come whe 1t i-
rs severance of the honl ui Union between eastern ana
western Virginia. THIS topic running ia NJ; mans!
the whole time. wl.cr addressing this COMMITTEE
ON this interesting question =" The basis of rep cScn
| ton had two occasions been irr:ated ~
the remarks Of eastern gentlemen upon this s""ct-l
do not know what remarks western gc:it !cncn may have
made equally irritating-and rr!'ccascd those fee.
! inss and determined TO SAY nothing upon The sun
iect | do not like to talk about il. ] may talk
about it privately, but do not like to max" II Il
theme or topic Of common discussion III this body
J | am opposed 10 dsun on in almost every lorlL Inc
! people of Virginia have | think suffered wrong
! and think the government OF Virginia has many ana
gricvo!.s faults but Virginia witli al her auiS l"tc
her still And if am driven t" take position i'll Ia
vor OF III. dissolution of this commonwealth. shall re-
gret more than position which haze ever ben
compelled to take i'll all Ill" course OF NY Ii!c bb'
the crisis NAV come and when ii t,es co!o. pai!u! -
il NAV be- am pre- pared for ii. have never i:!.e Vi
my niud To Withdraw from this Convention, however,
under the state of things contemplated III the resolution"
and if that is the voice 4" my district de>rct they !ii!
take action al the district, that nay d!':inct
" understand that il Is their voice. i'rr imagined
state Of things when. even although defeated -! t!!-
suffrage basis might moi be willing dissolve i'i-
Convention. | shall moi say at this time wta; iii.i
state of things would lie, hu Acknowledge: t'e rsht
Of Instruction and if my district instructs i" with
draw from this Convention under any stat. al things.
shall c;icerully comply with ;hnsc instructions.
ain acquainted with many Of the gentlemen who tisur"
in lha, meeting. know them to be gentlemen Of The
first re,pectabity III the COUNTY of Mason and believe
that every single one eXccp, one. with whom am ac-
quliurI are slave neutrality-suspicious. who baTc al n!sr'
ct, and direct interest in common with eastern n
gnia, in the ample protection of slave property.
This much | deem j: my duty to say. will not
feet self called npon by the proceeding. .! tn, meet
is in the county OF Maso in The contingency Of tier"
supposed 10 Withdraw from this Convention DO not
say that may do 80. My views, lay change upon
this subject when the time shal! arrive, hut y purpose
;.,o orr. the attention of my district 10 the proceed
ipr, Of thi, BODY II then sa:! T., the pleasure OF my
district 10 instruct me iii .ich form shall perceive
to DC the will Of the majority, will consent to my
withdrawal from this Committee. 10 liz dissolution and
thereby il Inv hr.ui'ic iud4rncn. dissolve the c"'nio
fear that the losing party will he the eastern side
of the Blue Ridge do not believe that western IT.
gi,i will suffer MI in comparison with eastern IT,
rinia but Notwithstanding that in my opinion, "r,
arc assoca, ions connected with the name II Virginia
which | an, una Hing 10 irrai: asl,:dcr is Ii,
land of Washington. of Jefferson "f Madison, and 81
Henry and nothing tit being forced IL Uccupy pos,
ton OF political degradation will "vc: brn; me 10 con
scut TO n clssoiu0,. cf this commonwealth! ;whcn ia,
alternative is presented however: am -.nn::,i i"
the issue.
The proceedings wer. ,lcn laid on The tab.*
TIE BASIS or REPRESENTATION.
The Convention then resumed Ii" consideration. il
Connt;e. of the role. sir SnrrEEY i'll the Chair.
of the report of the Committee the Basis and ror
tioumeut of Representation.
The CHAIR stated the question t" DE- on the pr"po
siiio {: tie gentleman from farquvr, iMr. StoTrl
! Mr. SCOTT, of Caroline. thee: addressed the commit
| tee His remarks hereafter.
Mr. KINNEY have desired IL address the com
mittee; but rs the time is late will not he reparr'
I 10 do so now If the committee will indulge N. l.,
rising would prefer it, and make that motion.
The motion w:.s ~. eed tc ri'H
The commtto" accordingly rose.
The Convention ;Lcn adjourned until 4 o'clock 7. NJ
EVENING SESSION.
The Convention met ut i o'clock, pursuant 10 I'd
ionrnmert. ,.......
THE BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
! The Convention tlcl rcsuH!cd lhr Considerations II
Committee OF the Whole, Mr.. SnFFFEi in The Chair
an the report of the Committee the lass and ppcr
,ionmcnt Of Representation
1Ie CHAIR stated The question 10 be the amend
meut Of the gentleman from FaaIucr Mr.. Scorr)
] Mr. KINNEY then addressed the committee.
On motion of Mr.. MARTIN, of Henry, the committee
rose.
INTERN ~ IMPROVEMENT APPROPRIATIONS.
Tho pr RESIDENT ] have received from the CLERK
Of the House Of Delegates and Keeper Of III" Rolls the
following statement, in reply I" te":on Of conTcn
lion, r;vinr the amount OF internal Improvements anJ
the oFe, Of int rnal Improvement Passed at the las
session OF the lc. stature
CLERKS OFFICE. 4 jrI s. 1851.
Sin: In compliance with the request Of The Conven
ton lnvh the honor to enclose statement showing
the ano.t OF appropriations made By tie last General
Assembly on the part of the STATE to works of internal
improvement in tie four great divisions Of the
wealth.