Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-21
The Virginia State Convention
TTESTl.EIy7H DAT.

| PERSONAL EXPLANATION.
Dir. FIsn:g-Baiore the debate commences
upon the business regularly before the Con-
vcntion, lrIopose 10 stl myself right not only
before this body, but before tic people of the
ConnonWealih, in respect to tfIe resolutions OF
the gentleman from Monongala, (Mr. " lLLEY)
observe in the Echmomd 'Whig" Of this
morning, that lay remarks upon those resoltl'
tons have been very much misunderstood. i
seems to have been supposed by the editors Of
that paper, thEt made proposition IN my
representative, or aome ether capacity, TO The
Convention. Mr.. President, made no propc.
siiion. On the contrary, stated distinctly that
was not authorized by my constituents to act
upon this question nf taxation iii this CUnyen-
ton. stated distinctly that it was a ques
ton which had not been considered By tneIn
as coming lesitim.teay within the scope OF the
action OF this body at the time Was elected.
e,n very sure Tint if the editor OF the
'Whg" had known my position as stated it
because know that he had no motive 10 lnisre.
present me-he would not have INDUCED in
tho comments which appear in the columns OF
tia. paper oil this morning.
] WAS unfortunate III being misunderstood,
even b" some gentlemen upon this floor. Ny
friend from Richmond (Mr. JonNsoN) vino took
part in the debate while was warming my
icct in the Sccretary's Office, and who /, there
fore, did not hear, find by tie report Of his
remarks, this morning, alluded to Il rcmarli;
from me as a proposition coming from me. He
seems TO suppose that Lad offered a carte
blanche to the West, if they would acccde to
another proposition
Now, cir, as have remarked, made no pro.
position, and deem it due 10 myself to re.statc
The position assumed in regard to tho resolu.
lions of the gentleman from Monongala. re.
lerred without quoting it, 10 IN article which
appeared in the Examiner" of yesterday
morning, and remarked, as / say now, upon
tue 50 No principle which controlled our anecs-
ters in forming the present Federal Constitu-
ton, as an individual, while could not act for
my constituents, say, as an individual, |
would agree that tax should be placed upon
slaves under twelve years Of age, and upon all
slaves according to their value ss upon any
other species Of property, if they would give
me an ordinance Of gccession. My friend,
however supposed that l made the pro
position in my representative character,
which I not only did not attempt to
do, but which expressly disclaimed.-
Sir repeat, that, as an individual, | am ready
to say to tue North West and to every portion
Of Virginia, thut if they will give me I'm ord
nance OF secession which will place the people
Of this Commonwealth, US tie brightest star
in the Southern ConGedcracy, they may have
an adjustment Of this question of taxation.
made that remark as an individual; rciteratc
it now, and, in SO doing, am acting upon the
same principle on which cur ancestors acted III
lhe Convention which framed the Federal Con-
stitutlon, when they consented that three
lilths Of our slaves should enter into the basis
Of representation and taxation. That is my
position as an individual; and if such m ex
preston of opinion by me, is Of sufficient i'm.
portance to meet the consideration OF gentle
men from the Northwest they can have it as
often as they please. The portion Of the arti
Gle in the "Eyamner," 10 which | made alu.
sion is in these words:
The introduction CT these resolutions are
I not, however, to be much regretted Since the
lirst Gay Of this Convention, the proposition Of
Wiley and hts Republican friends has been
held over thg head OF the State as the last and
dire resort oi the SubInissioniSts to reduce her
10 subjeclion. If Virginia will not rest quiet
under Lincoln, and leave off talking OF seces.
sion, resistance and the like, then Monongalia
and the Pan Handle shall be let loose on them,
and high taxation put on the negroes This
party. Now We have their threat before u.s.
this is their coercion. We know the worst
that they can do; and SO far from being fright
eneG at it, VIC are sure that every Shareholder
in the State is ready, If necessary, to make
this bargain with Wiley and his pedlars, that
the East will surrender the basis in the Senate,
and vote for the taxation Of negroes without
protest Or delay, if they, on their side, will
| =.
Virginian stakeholder who is not ready to en-
counter higher taxes on his negroes TO gain
this security, that they will still be his without
the necessity OF M exodus. But to make this
Convention, csl!ed for ths States d=liverance,
The mere Instrument OF u new robbery AMI
oppression without that equivalent, is more
than homes. men, Of my section or my politi
cal persuasion, will support"
Mr.. BRowg-Wil the gentleman frori
Northampton permit me to ask what paper he
| is reading frou.
Sir. FIsnER-Frorn the Examiner"
Mr. BRowS.-At what point is that paper
published?
Mr.. FISHER in tho city Of Richmond
Mr. BRowS.-ls it? Q-aughter)
Mr.. FIsnER-lt is published in the city OF
Richmond, as the gentleman from Preston has
very good reason 70 be well aware Of | re.
ferred to this paragraph, Mr.. President, and
expressed my concurrence in it US an individ-
ua
In regard to another matter. find myself
unfortunately reported in the Enquirer" in
the remarks l submitted yesterday in regard to
the action Of oGe Of the highest officers of our
government, in bringing before this body this
question of taxation. referred to another
portion of this same nrtitlc in tho Examiner"
and in that connexion, rs reported, am made
| to pruise the man whose conduct intended 10
condemn. The paragraph 10 which referred
| is this
"When signer Of the Ruffner pamphlet,
who had through much apparent repentance
gotten 10 be high officer Of the State, and
whose violent propositions had done more than
anything else to produce that re-actionary PAT.
&c and confusion through which that thorough.
ly bad body OF Black and Brown Republicans,
FcderalisS an1 Aboliionisis, who make the
majority of the Convention, crept and climbed
and leaped into their placcs;-whcn this son
Of RuiIntr heard the result Of the election lie
! declared with JOY too triumphan. for conceal
mcnt, that tho Convention, called TO defend the
South against Abolition, would Just 7'Nt up
'a1 ralorsEa taxts on all s}are property,
change the jusis gf representation and then
60 home VI
That sentiment thus expressed BY one of
The chief officers wes what meant to level
my anpthemas III. intended to denounce the
action ola high officer Of this Commonwealth
which had for its object the bringing on of a do.
lnestic as we'll as an international quarrel.
need say nothing in regard to, the editors Of
the Examiner" who made the allegation.
They arc able to yind;cs,te and defend thcnl-
selves.
1t is my purpose no, ~ be offensive to any
gentleman upon this floor and it is for that rea-
son have deemed this explanation necessary
to show that my remarks have been msunder-
stood.
beg now sir, to say in conclusion that
have offered no proposition except Us an iHd-
vidaal. stated distinctly that my people have
! navsr ha.n CALLED l,nnn ia consider the suhiect