The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1861-11-29
An Episode In the Virginia Csnventio.


Shortly after the Convention Assem- bled
yesterday, Mr.. Chambliss laid before that
body copy Of the following buttons,
adopted by portion of his constituents in
Sussex and Greenville counties:
lst. That we cordially approve the views
OF Gov. Letcher in his communication TO
the convention on the 18th inst, and join in
his appeal TO that body 10 arrest the extor-
ZION practiced by merchants and spectators
on the citizens and soldiers.
I'd. That we hold the act seq uestrating the
property OF a,ien enemies to be wise aud just,
and justice demands the con1iscauon OF The
pro lerty of 4omesstc eaemies.
Sd. That merchants aud spectators who
mouopolIze sucn articles OF prime necessity
DIS salt, leather, shoe thread, &c, and sell
them. 1t such exOI bitaht prices TO be be-
yond the means OF the soldier, the mechanic,
or any boy but the very rich, DO tnertb,
distress anu cripple the resources VI the coun-
try aud render .tcieut AID 10 our alien enc
mics.
ith. That we hold all such monopolzers
ana speculat RS TO be domestic en- mics, not
enu tied TO the protection OF The laws; but
should De punished either caplt,lly or by
conhscation nu exp uision from The Stale.
5th. Ihat IL Is an Insult and indignity to
the people of Virginia 10 ailow Un4ou
man ana an eStortionaIe moncpolI2er To nuiG
a seat Ill the Convention Tor Altering the
organic law of the State.
6Ln. lhAt should no relief be afforded by
those who have the power, the people woulu
lies from the ABUNDANT stores OF The domestic
eueIR3es IN their Midst.
7Ih. That these resolutions be pu blished in
the Petersburg krpresS, and copy Of them be
sent TO our Delegate The Convention win
request That he lay them before THAT BODY.
Tnese resolutions We're referred to Il select
committee appointed some days ago, gene
Tally called the 4" Salt Committee,' and there
i: was supposed the subject would drop. AT
a subst uent stage OF Lh. proceedings how
ever, MIR. Branch, of Petersburg, rose 30 IL
privileged question, and revealed the fact
that he W $ The person alluded ~ i'll the filth
resolution of the Greensyille meeting, which
he considered most III lstitiable attack
upon his honor ana has PATRIOTISM. To prove
to the Convention that the house OF Thomas
Branch Sons, OF which lie Was The senior
partner, had not engaged in the exturtiona ate
practices ailuGel to, Mr. b. Proceeded 10
state that he purchased Il cargo OF salt, con-
sisting OF 5000 sacks, prev GUS TO the blockade,
IL 81 per sack, and only advanced on the
price as the market advanced, selling some OF
it as high as Si4 3D. He admitted that he
made money on the salt, as any other gentle.
man merchant ought to; but not as an ex-
tortioner. the very name OF which he abomi
mated. Mr.. Branch made a very minute
statement OF the details, closing with sug-
geslion that the Convention, instead of pass
Jag Il law to regulate the price of salt. had
better pass one to prohibit the killing Of hogs
before the 10th of January, "by which
means" The farmers would give weight to
their pork, which the Government wanted
and thereby increase the profit on their sales
to the same extent.