Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1861-03-28
The Virginia State Convention.
TRIRTEFIFTH DAY.
~ D

morning, that the animals so graphically de-
scribed in the columns Of the Examiner 3
few days since, don't pull well on a colo CUT
lar and that we may see which OF tLeu,
wants tickling, and that their constituents
INV sce who IS chargeable with delay IN 'ur
}ns;nass Of this Convention, | move q call o'
the House. &c ~.
uo,sa proceeded with, but before it was nm
The PRESIDENT announced that there WAS
o quorum present.
On motion, all further proceedings under
the call were then dispensed with.
Mr.. EcuoLs. | am requested by o very re-
spectacle number Of gentlemen from the coun'
ty of Monroe to present Il petition in their
asking this Convention to concur IN the
suggestions contained in the substitute offered
by the senior Delegate from Bedford county
(Mr. GoGGIS) for the report of the majority
committee. move that it be received and
laid on the table.
The petition was laid on the table.
PROCEEDINGS OF A PUBLIC MEETING IN boIk'
TouRr COUNTY.
Mr.. Muller presented the following pro-
ceedings Of a public meeting in Botetour'
county:
At an unusually large meeting Of the people
of Botetourt county, on Monday, the ll'h Oh
March, 1851, it being Court day,
On motion Of Col George W. Wilson, ilenry,
NJ. Bower, Esq, was called to the Char, and
WIN. Robinson appointed Secretary.
The Chairman said he understood the oo)cct
Of the meeting was, to give expression to Inc
views of the people Of this county in the pre-
sent condition OF public affairs.
On motion Of Robert r. Douthat, 4 Commit
tee of seven, consisting of the following gen
ticmen, viz: T. Henry Johnston, Major John
r. Wilson, Joseph w. Anderson, Fletcher u:
Mayo, Robert r. Douthst, John &. Rudese!l
and David G. Houston, Jr, were appointed oy
he Chair, to prepare business for the meeting.
Major Wilson asked to be excused from
serving on the Committee, only on the ground
that he had bu: recently returned 10 the coun.
ty after a long absence; whcreupon Ruius Pit
yer was appointed in his place. ,
The Committee then retired, when loud and
repeated calls were made. upon Vim. Watts,
ESQ, of Roanoke county, who was present, to
address the meeting. After some hesitation,
Mr.. Watts responded 10 the unexpected cell,
and in an able and lucid speech Of about half
an hour rapidly sketchea the past and present
condition Of the countryside he had, until
recently, hoped that matters could have been
amicably arranged between the opposing sec
tons, but now he had given up all hopes, and
concluded q strong secession speech by de-
clarin. that others might do as they pleased
people might enlist under the Black Republi-
can banner who chose to Go so-for himself,
he would 60 with no party that holds their
principles. If Virginia went North he would
20 South. (Chcers.) He was for u Southern
banner, upon whose folds was clnblazoncd
'eoual rights" Continued checring.)
The committee having now returned, pre-
sented 10 the meeting, through I. Henry
Johnston, Esq, its Chairman, the following
preamble and resolutions, which he read, and
said had been unanimously agreed upon by
the committee.
Whereas, All means Of preserving the
Union, consistent with the equal rights and
equal honor Of all the States, have been cx'
hausted; therefore, be it
Resolved, That we, the people OF Botetorrt,
in general meeting assembled, arc in favor OF
immediate secession Of the State Of Virginia
from the Confectionery of the United States.
Resolved, That our delegates in the State Con
TentlOE De, anu tuCJ ~ HeiSpJ ~
vote for an ordinance Of secession.
The Chairman then read the preamble and
resolutions, and put the question, and they
were adopted by a large majority.
Capt Jacob G. Sperry here came forward,
and said, that he believed a large majority Of
those present were opposed TO the adoption OF
that preamble and resolutions, and charged
that there was a~rtitice, cunning. and unfair
ness, used in voting, &c.
Capt. Andrew L.. Pitzer desired the gentle
man to state in what particular way the char
ces made by him had been ~resortcd to.
,u,a1S Ga R,ss; Sp 81 5S:is sgd R Fl; 'p SGtsd NJ ~ Pa sSs 1usoia:
ton had repeated their 9o,e Ssvera! times.
T. Henry johnson, Esq, wished TO know il
so many were opposed 10 their adoption, why
they did not vote against them.
DR.. S. Meredith called for a division, in order
to test the matter; whereup0n Capt Jacob q.
Sperry and Rufus pitzer were appointed ~telleEs,
and took their stations ut the door, and as each
person passed out, he voted for or against the
preamble and resolutions. \ considerable
number remained in the Court. House, and did
not vote ut all. OF the number who went out
and voted, the tellers reported for the rcso'
!utions 900; against them Is.
On motion that the Chairman and Secretary
are entitled to vote, they both voted for the
preamble and resolutions.
On motion Of Col. Wilson,
Resolved, That the Secretary furnish copies
of these proceedings to the Fincastle and Rich
mond papers for publication, and that he also
forward copies thereof to each Of our delegates
in the Convention and in the General Assem-
bly,.
The meeting then adjourned.
HENRY VI. BOWER, Chairman.
WIN. ROBINSON, Scc'y.
The PRESIDENT announced the pending ques-
ton to be the resolution offered by the gentle
man from Monongalia (Mr. WMLEY.) upon
which the gentleman from Jackson (Mr. TrR-
NER,) was entitled to the floor.
CHANGE OF HOUR OF MEETING.
Mr.. TURNER, Of Jackson-As the call Of the
House and other matters have taken up seven
minutes of time, | shall not now have time to
present the views I desire to submit during the
few minutes left before we 60 into Committee
Of the Whole. In order that gentlemen may
have time in the morning to. discuss this aud
other questions before going into Committee of
the Whole, l submit the following resolution
for the adoption Of the Convention. 1t is per-
fectly apparent that this early hour Of assem-.
bling does no good. am perfectly willing 10
meet in this Convention at any hour gentlemen
nay please, or the Convention may select, and
attend to the business that may come before
US. 1t is impossible to get a full attendance at
10 o'clock.
The resolution was then read as follows by
the Clerk:
Resolved, That after to-day and until 9TH
erwise ordered, tho Convention will assemble
It IL o'clock A. NJ; ct y NJ, to 60 into Com
OF the Whole; to continue in session
until 3 o'clock P. NJ, At which time II recess
hall be taken until 8 P. NJ, when the Ccnvcn'
ion will again meet in Comitmtee Of the
Mr.. TrKNEE.-Therc is no loss Of time in
'oived by the proposition which submit. If
gentlemen do not desire night sessions, as sug-
the question may be divided. | ain
to get as much time as possible for the
that can be actually used proftably;
- L . - A.. .-. r : - L.,