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■ igpmuijy . —»——mmmmmmmtmmmm——m i.'nntinurd from \stftaee. Itsx'drrd. That the Judges «»f the court of am>- ;is out] of the inferior courts shall receive fixed ami adequate salaries, which shull not be diminished during their continuance in ollice. The Mh resolution winch is as follows, was next considered. "iicaohn-d, That on the crcaliuu of uny new coun ty, justices of the peace shall be appointed in the first instance ns may be prescribed by law. When va cniicios shall occur in uny county, or it shall, for any cause, lie deemed necessary to increase their number, appointments shall bo made by the Governor, by and with the advice and consent of the Se. ate on the reconmicudaticn of their respective county courts. Mr. C \wmkm. proposed the following amendment. o5; a substitute tor the 5th resolution. Hetolvetl. That the counties, cities und boroughs shall be divided into wards for the apportionment of justices of the peace among the people; and the per tains authorized to vote for members of the General Assembly in each ward shall eject the justices of the peace therein, who shall be continued in office for the term of years, hut removable fur any bribery, eorrruption, or other high crime or misdemeanor, by indictment or informa>ion, in any court holding juris diction thereof. x’. Ilesohed, That the constables shall m like man ner bo elected annually in said wards. Mr. Lkiuii enquired whether that proposition was not before decided upon. Mr. Fitzmugh said it was rejected, but it might be offered as a substitute. Mr. O ymcukm. suid it was not submitted in proper form to the Committee at any time. He stated his indithrence m deciding on the resolution till the ba sis of representation is settled The amendment was uegut ived. Mr. Ct. wTofi propound to amend by striking out too following clause, “When vacancies shull occur in any county.or if. shall, for uny cause, be deemed necessary to increase their number, appointments tdiuU be made by the Governor, by and with the ad v it-'ti and consent of the Senate, on the rcconimcudu tion of their respective Comity Courts" Mr. Leigh said, this was a proposition to leave the appointment of the most important officers to the discretion of the Legislature. Mr. Ct.a Y-ron replied in the affirmative,and pro ceeded to make some n marks, of which wc could not hear a word. Mr. r rr/JK'GH would vote to strike out tho lest clause, but not to fill up with tho proposition of Air. Clay tor. lie was opposed to the present mode ol c Iiicting. Ho hoped a better mod * would be devised. Air. Lkioii said, lie despaired of devising a better mode. The question now is, will you leave the up pointing power to a future legislature or not. There would bo no necessity for striking out this clause* The question on striking out was carried ill the ne gative, ayes 44, nocs 48. Air. AIaush vi.l said, that the' vote which has bet:n given manifests the preference of the Commit tpe for filling up vacancies from nominations made by the County (Joints. >i( appeared to him better to make the Semite and Executive act upon the whole nomination of the County Courts. The Magistrates being dispersed ever the country, were better adapted to furnish pro per nominations or instructions to the Executive_ Suppose the Executive retains some and rejects o flier of the nominations. It was impossible that his knowledge would enable him to select those must competent und who were nominated to him. He must have some information, and from whom can he better receive it than the MagEt rates? There muy be some exception to a particular individual; in tiiut rase, let the nomination go back to the County Courts. This is better than any other mode; unless gentlemen prefer elections by the people. That question was not now before us. The Senate must receive its information from the member who repre fj'.nts the district in the Satiate. The Senate must have information, and who can they derive it from butt the member? Considerations may influence that member which would not ioflicacc the Magistrates rjftlie County Courts. He proposed to amend the 5th resolution by insert the following:—‘ but the whole number recoin irtendcd nt. any limu shall be appointed or rejected.” Mr. Email made some observations in opposition r$ tho amendment,und entered ut length into the in conveniences which would result in the details, lbr ♦ lie adoption of the mode proposed. lie preferred (he present plun. Mr. Camimiei.l said the amendment proposed by Mr. M aushall, and the remarks of the gentleman from Chesterfield convinced him that the Senate and Executive should have nothing to do with themattor. Mr. Giles doubted the propriety of adopting the n mendinent of the gentleman from Richmond, (Mr. Marshall.) lie said the County Courts iu general, recommended well, and for the very reason stated by Mr. Marshall, tliat they had the best information on the matter. The proposition will hive a material bearing on the Executive, not as regards principle but practise. He commended the present system. He was inclined to vote for the proposition to make it im perative on the Executive to nominate or reject the whole. tie expressed ins concurrence in the sentiment of Mr. Marsham. that tiie Magistrates could furnish the best information— they had the best means of pro curing it lie said that the majority of tho Council differed with him in politics yet he never found any inconve nience arising from it. Mr. Marshai.l wished the gentleman had moved fo strikeout the wonda“by and with the advice and consent of the‘Senate.’ If lie had any doubts upon it, the arguments urged, convinced lnm of the impro priety ofit. He wished to withdraw ht3 former a rnendinent, and to strike out the words referred to. Mr. Co \t.-ri:ii suggested to Mr. Mahsuam. to strike out only the word “Senate,” so that it may read “by and with tho advice and eonset of" and that if an advisory Council be established it may be inserted ih the blank. The motion to strike out on Mr. M. proposed, was earned in the affirmative. Mr. Macrac approved of giving to the Governor more extensive negative power, over tho reoomue-u dution of the County Courts lie moved the followduo amendment; “Provided however, that if'uny person so recornmended to fill any su h vacancy nr new ap pointment, shnll be disapproved by tho Governor_ hjcIi person Khali not ho again recommended to till the same vacancy or new appointment. Mr. Markham, said this proviso would disqualify a mail forever,for the most trivial accusation Mr Macrae captained, that his intention was not to dis qualify them forever Tho question on the amendment to the amendment was u^itivcd. The question on Mr Marshall's amendment was carried in the negative. Mr. M arsiiaLL moved a verbal amendment—10 insert the uorrl*, “in such manner,” after the word instance. The amendment was agreed In Mr Macrae moved the following amendment lo lire 5th ffSnlution: fO>*olned, That on the creation of any new County, justices of the peace shall he appointed in the first instance, as mav be prescribed by law. When vacancies shall occur in any county, or it shall, for any cause, he deemed neccsary lo increase tin ir number, appointments shall be made by the Governor, on (]>e trcotTiniendation of their respective county courts: provided, however, that if any perron so recommended to fill any such vacancy, or new appointment, shall he disapproved by the Governor, by air! with the advice and consent of the Senate, such person shall not be again recommended to fill the rame vacancy, or new appointment Justices of the Peace shall lie commissioned during good behavior, bid may be removed in the manner which shall he prescribed by Jaw. for misbehavior iir office, crime, neglect of duty, removal from their respective CAiunties, or >molrrurt/. fto remarked on the necessity of making insolvency a d •. qualification of a man for a seat mi the judicial bench Mr Dopprjdoc said, all the other causes of removal specified tn the resolution, are at present in operation, exr«-pt insol I vency. Mr. Jov«tF.i moved to amend the amendment by striking out tho words “or insolvency ’’ The amendment tithe amendmen*. %* a*. A in •» - f Mr Ci vmw tnovwl «u aturntf by Riding the words, “or in-j ; > disr.haige the duties of thtor office ” • -n<liin-nl lo the amendment, was in-.'ativcil. • - cgmal amendment was al-o negatived '!«i«* (ith resolution was read and agreed to It is as fell )-' -: . t>. Jtcsolved, That the clerks of the seve.-l courts sh.>‘l t*c 1 appointed by their respective courts, and then tcuuic ol office ' be prescribed by law. i The 7ih resolution was read and agreed to, and is as follows: | 7. fitsulcid, That the nidges of the court of appeals and ! of the inferior courts, offending against the State, either liy o'al-iidininistiatiuii, corruption, or ncglcr.t of duty, or liy any other high crime or misdemeanor, shall he impeachable bv the House ol Delegates; such impeachment lo lit prosecuted be fore the Senate II found guilty by two thirds of the whole Senate, such persons shall he removed front office And any judge so impeached shall he suspended from exercising the . functions of his office until his acquittal, or until the impeach i incut shall he discontinued or withdrawn The Hth resolution was read, and was also agreed to. It is as follows: H Itcsclvtd, That Judges may he removed from office by a vote of the (lateral Assembly; but two-thirds ol the whole nundier of each House must concur in such vote, and the cause of removal shall be eutered on the journals of each. The judge against whom tin: Legislature is uhout to proceed, shall receive notice thereof, accompanied with a coprof the causes alleged fur his removal, at least twenty days before the day on which either House of the (icnt ral Assembly shall act thereupon. : On tkemotinuof Mr Ca strut ll, the Committee rose. Thu Cont ention then adjourned, to meet at 11 o’clock to j morrow, at the old Baptist Church. DEBATE 0NT THE BASIS OF REPRESEN TATION. WV.nNKSn iY. Nov. 11. SUBSTANCE OF JUr. CH.1PMAA' JOILY SOJYS SPEECH. \ Mr. Chuirraan: Tho question under consideration, ; has occupied much time, in the discussion, and no ; doubt much more, in the d< op deliberations of the j committee. It’s grout import unco and exceeding dc j licacy, entitle it verily, to all the aid, which temper, i forbearance, conciliation, free, frank and full in’t-r change of opinion, laborious investigation and candid i argument, can at}brd. It has on the one hand on ■ conraged the most animated hopes, and, on the other, | alarmed the most anxious fears- The whole country looks to it, with intent-e interest,—convinced that on its issue depends much of weal or woe. We are engaged, Mr. C , in ti contest for power;— j disguise it as you will,—rail it a discussion of the rights of man, natural or -octal,—call it au enquiry into political expediency.—imagine yourt-clf. if yon please, presiding over a school of phi osophy, dtscour sing on the doctrines of political law, for the instruc tion of mankind, and the improvement of all human institutions;—bring iLc question lo tint test of prin ciple, or ol practical utility,—still sir, all our meta physical reasoning uud our practical rules, all our scholastic learning and political wisdom, are hut the i arras employed in a contest, which involves the .great I and agitating question, whether the sceptre shall I pass away Irotn Judah, or a law giver lrorn between his ft ut. i In tiiio contest.% l feel a peculiar interest l-^becai2sc j ^ staiu! towards the parties in ti relation of some d*-!i j cacy—\\ ith tlie? one, are my pr*'-ent residence, the | land oi toy nativity, almost nil the friends of ruy | youth, .Mid most of those to whom my affections are ! bound, b the lies of affinity and blood;—with the Jollier are my property and my constituents,—i.hosc i who are endeared to me, by a residence among them jot more than twenty yearn, by many a proof of rc j col!ecto»l kindness and friendship, by gratitude for j eariy patronage, and lor political confidence, bestow I ud befo.e it and born earned, aud continued ailcr | every claim I could have protended to it. had been j lost by my removal from them. In this state of di \ vitied allegiance 1 ought perhaps to have taken coun sel from prudence, and have chosen the part of I neutrality. But I had been long in the habit of con ' sideriug both parlies to this conUoversy as children | of the same family, constituent &. inseparable parts of [ Uie same community,—.somevvliut diversified, it ist i *;c, in their possessions, their pursuits, their manners and | t.iu ir character, having minor interests perhaps not altogether in accordance.—nevertheless identified in the leading characteristics of a plain ngriculfurah re publican people—having the same great interests, and one common object, the integrity, ficedom. hap pine-s, and glory of a common country_1 hud long too, cherished the fond, perhaps the delusive hope,— that it was possible to reconcile all differences, to ap pease all angry feelings, to remove ail causes of jea lousy, and to unite all parts of the community in harmonious action, in common labor for the common weal;—aud to realise this hope, I had often exerted to t!ie uttermost my humble power.——\ could not therefore, at this most interesting cri.ns in public affairs, when heated if not angry controversy was expee’ed by all, when serious, if nor final di-sention was feared, by many, when all might be lost by mut teufion or imprudence, or all might be saved by cure and pains,—I could not decline the honorable cull to duty, from iny old constituents,—J could not. refuse the trust, when, well knowing my opinion, they con tided thoir <?real interests here in part to me. and left tne at full liberty, without pledge and without in struction, to profit by the experience and wisdom of those around me, and following the dictates of my own judgment, to shape iny course,, with a single view to the public good. a 4*._i:_»_:_i ... . j .wivvuiii^ iv i«/ rvtiy uiinjj tijuL nas been said,—and much has be-u abfy and eloquently said, I am satisfied, tiiat by advocating the resolution of the select committee, and resisting the proposed amendment, I shall best discharge u7y duty to my constituents, and iny country. ! Mr. Chairman: 1 urn no friend to change,—I have ■ been no advocate for the call of this Convention;_ True, I have thought the old Constitution, in some respects, imperfect, in theory, and defective in prac tice. I have thought its principal delect, that very inequality in representation, which the resolution o’f the select committee proposes in part to remedy. I thought it also a.defect in the Constitution, that it contained no provision, for a jest apportionment of | taxes, or just, distribution of the burthens of the Go vernment among the people of the Commonwealth | I bad been, for some years a member of that brunch ; of the Legislature, in which the inequality of repre sentation was most glaring. I represented, in the onn.ite, a district composed of six counties, m the Valley, containing then perhaps, about one eighth of i Mie white population of the Htnto, and 1 with only ; others, represented the whole country West of the Blue Ridge, containing about one third of the white population. I thought I perceived the injuri ; un!! °PC* a,'°" of this inequality. On questions ofiocal j concern, I had often seen the interests of llic Ea.-t ur | raved again those of tlie West, and controversies i Uleucc urising, attended with much excitement, and sometimes with great asperity and angry feeling. It had occasionally been my good fortune to interpose between the contending purties, and reconcile their differences. But I was satisfied that a settled j,s. content was arising, that jealousies were daily increa j sing, which threatened to foment discord, to alienate j brother from broth r, and t..< ountr-nancc the opinimi, I that there were important difference* of interest in' ■ the different parts ot the t>fii!e, winch the same Gy. ; vernineut would not equally protect. When the Western people complained that they had not a just , participation in tlie power ol the government, tliev ! W,:T(: fftfn reproached with their poverty, and alrno4 always reminded, that they did nut contribute then IjH^t proportion of its revenue. The art of 1732, made | t»r equalizing the land tax, had thrown the State into | four great districts, the counties into fy0r classes, and had fixed a standard, in each class, of the overage value of i ho land p r acre. The first class comprised all the tide water counties, with si vend of the lap" midland counties, and the standard value of its lands per acre, was ten shillings; the second Hass com prised the ofluT midland counties, except Pittsylva nia am! Henry,and embraced the two Valley counties i of Frederick and Berkeley, and its standard per arrr j was 7.,. Gd ;—the third con'nmel Pittsylvania! and Ii-ury, with t.'ir \ alley cotnejes. not included' :n the second, and the standard value of its lauds was Gd.,—to the fourth b-longed the I runs AM. ghanv r .unties, fated at the standard value at 3s per tori', i (us standard probably just and fair at »hc time w hen it v. a*. 3'J p- 1 a ’ j- ?70':cte c-f tiro-' t. -no un;:jsr and operated u jnri**uily. The relative \uiue of land in the several districts hud essentially changed, those of the \Vt stern districts having risen, and approuchi <1 much more m arly to equality with those of the Kh-> torn. l>«t the taxes continued to bo imposed accor ding to the same standard; in consequence whereof, the tide water district was unduly burthened, and the j ot her districts, especially the third and fourth, paid] les.' than they ought. These inequalities, in the im- • position «»Ftaxes, and in the representation, in the I Senate, had hecn the; subject of frequent discussion.; and 1 was informed that several ineffectual attempts • had been made to correct them, Lv an ordinary act of j legislation. These fruitless efforts served only to j increase the genera! discontent, to inflame imunosi i ties, mid by giving to the discontented a solid rea ] son for objecting to the organization of the govern ment, enabled them with mure success to seize «»n ull j occasions of public distress, or popular excitement, &. ; turn them toihe purpose of musing a spirit of heedless j reform. Thus it happened, that in lt>16, tho people of the large districts being disappointed in some favo rite measure, and much dissatisfied with the proceed I mgs of tho Legislature, they were persuaded that I they had been grossly injured, that the cause of their j wrongs was to bo found in the unequal distribution ! of the power of the government, and that their rerae | dv was to besought in a general Convention to re form this, and munv other fancied or real defects of {the Constitution. Under the excitement of i his occa sion, that meeting in Staunton was held, which has been denominated the Stannlon Convention. The county of Augusta did not participate in the feverish excitement w hich thou prevailed, and while it was willing to seek by temperate and prudent measures, ; substantial relief from acknowledged evils, it was un I willing to encounter the hazards of general reform. | It therefore deputed to the meeting two members, of whom I was one, and charged them with the duty of endeavoring to inlin e into the proceedings .as much of temper and prudence as possible,and to restrain lliein to a respectful memorial, asking of the Legislature that proper measures might bcudopted lor organizing u Convention to amend the Constitution oftlm Stated but wi.h powers limited to the objects of equalizing tiie representation and taxes, and of providing under proper cautions, for future amendments. The do liberations of this mooting roeuitid in a memo rial to the Legislature, asking a general Convention; and I in a protest by a small minority, to which th<* i Augusta deputies belonged, the "object whereof was, to limit the powers of tin* Convention to the ; khiee subjects which I have mentioned. Tim memo rial a«d protest were laid before the legislature at | i-cssMti ol and n bill passed tlio House of j Delegates, providing that the voice of the people j should be taken, on the question, whether a Conven j tion should l>e called, with powers limited to those | throe objects und otto other only, the extension of the i right of suffrage. This bill was amended in the Se nate, fo ns tu limit .he powers of tlio Convention t<> taxes and representation only, nnd was laid on the ta ble to await the coining of a bill ih“n in prepress, for refdtmmg the Senatorial Districts, ami tor a rc-as sL*ssm»*nt ot the lands. This lull cunc to the Senate, and passed by n majority, I think, of cm?; the bill thr the Con vent inn having been rejected by a majority of two—Both were verv obnoxious to the western mem bers, and wore opposed by them;—both were accept able to me, and advocated hymn I preferred the | Convention bill, because I thought it would give more adequate u.vd more permanent relief; but when it was lost, I espoused the other, though its operation was incon\eiiient and harsh, and its relict temporary.— 1 he Convention bill was in truth prclerrcd to iis ri val. by a large majority of thcScnuic, and would have passed, but for one of those amusing incidents in le gislation, by which false calculations of majorities | sometimes cheat us of our votes. [Here Mr. J. re I latcd an anecdote, shewing that one of tlio Senators, being deceived in his calculations, hud been induced to give a vole, which secured the passage of the bill, which he most desired to defeat.] ° i iiis bill reforming the districts upon the basis of white population ns ascertained, by the census of 1810. gave to the counlry beyond (he Blue Ridge, nine Se nators. That country had then about its due share in the representation of the House ot Delegates, upon t he same busts;—and an adequate provision was made, for a just apportionment of the taxes. Believing that the Legislature would follow this precedent, would preserve something like a. practi cal equality of representation,in both Houses, by oc eusionnl reforms of the Districts, and by the oivisior. ot Counties,I was qontcutto submit to the remaining imperfections, in the Constitution, rathor than put to hazard every thing valuable that it contained. I ciid think there was much in it. worth preserving I thought it suited to our genius and character*, cal culated to protect our rights, and promote our inte rests taking it “all in all,” comparing it witli every constitution of which I had any knowledge, and espe ciaily with those which our extensive confederacy af fords, I preferred it to any of them;—and I venerated it, because it was the work of our wise and virtuous ancestors,- a child of the Revolution, horn with the State, and consecrated by all the associations, which make us proud of our Country—I have therefore ever since the s ssion of 1816, opposed the call of a Convention, whether limited or general, nnd have la bored much to prevent it. Step by step have I fol lowed the march of my friend from Chesterfield, in the campaigns -ic has made, m defence of the Consti tution. and though I have not emulated the gallantry or prowess of my leader, he will bear me witness that I have been a faithful soldier, nnd lha I never laid down my arms, till the victory was fairly won from us. It was not till a decided majority of the free holders had dc.ired the call of a Convention, that my opposition to it ceased. Brom that tirno, my friend from Chesterfield, and all our other wise men, I be lieve, united in opinion, that the will of the people should be obeyed, that the Convention should be or ganized, without delay, und that nil the subjects of complaint should bo considered, and as fur as'possible I adjusted. r J liavc detained you Mr. Chairman, with those ex planations, because I thought them due to myself, if they were not strictly due to the Committee. I nei ther expert nor desire, that they should recommend to your favorable attention, the poor remarks I have to offer, on the great question in debate These re marks I shall submit, with a consciousness, that they are but little worth, though with an humble trust, I that, if they have any valuo.it will not be lost on the i candor and intelligence of the Committee. The first duty, perhaps, which I owe to the Com mittee, is to acknowledge an error, into which it | seems I had fallen, at nn.early stage of your proccd t mgs, in not approving the order of debate which was I proposed by the gentleman from Norfolk. (Mr. Tav ■ i.oh,) who no longer holds a seat among us. I hail bc»n weak enough to suppose, that we had Already | learned the rudiment** of political science —that we j I had not come here to i*o tuugiit the horn book of pel- j |itic-. to lie schooled and lectured on the elements of I government ,—tha: a great proportion of this Conven- 1 tion, at least, had been selected for their presumed knowledge of ns doctrines, and their long experience in public aff.ns But rnv friends tell me I w„» wrong and I am compelled to ack* owledgc it. by the course • •f argune-nt, which some of our adversaries have pur sucrl It was the nmfortune of rny friend from Fre derick, (Mr. Cooler.) tailing into a similar error,_t> supp le tlmt there Were setiled principles, in our go vernment at least,—tha: they were clearly and fully enunciated, in our d.-cUiulion of rights, and that he i bad succeeded in proving all that was necessary ! 'v/icn he had shewn that the proposition which he j advocated was sustained by their principles, and that! they condemned tha t wh.eh he opp >, cd. This opm- I ton and the argument founded upon it,J,ad furnished I the apology for a uiscursiv enquiry into the natural I nglifsof man. I lie very eloquent gentleman from Noriliamp'on, (Mr. Lpshur) condemning ab tract doctrines and m-tnnhjvical rcoFomng, aa misapplied j hero, has indulged himself, in a very Hahoratc e!o„r.,c ! O. me,apuysical reasoning,;1 ud r-fined abstraction, has cast his eye through ajj tune, appealed To all his- | tor*, vii.-Jy r ’. vavured to imagine unimaginable j Lhingr, conjectured a state of nature, which he sop poses never to have twisted, endeavoured to ascor tam its laws, and fouling not wen light enough respecting them, to guide him in a simple eminre nit ion ol whole numbers, or in conn’ing a ma jority, has at last arrived at the hold conclusion_ bold lie himself seemed to consider it,_that there were no principles in government. Wo cannot Mr. Chairmuu, understand the gentleman from North ampton according to the literal import of his phrase. Ilis own principles are too well seitledr—bis churac ti-r mul talents are too well known, and too highly esteemed, to allow us for a moment to believe, tha’i he would deny to the science of government those elementary truths, which constitute its principles, without which all reasoning concerning it i*.- desti tute ot foundation, and incapable ot conducting iis to any conclusions. He was bctiavcd into the lau guuge ho has used, bv an over anxiety to withdraw from his tuiversaries the aid of those se'tled doc trines, on which they have rested their argument, to persuade us that those doctrines are m re absirac tions, and to bring the que-uon in discussion to the test of expediency. Indeed he has told us. that eve ry quosthn of government, is a question of exp.-di ency—and that every government should be con strum ed, not with reference to original principles, but with h sole view to the character and circum stances of the people, for whom it is or.l uned. Ad mit this doctrine of expediency, admit the propriety of conforming the governor nt'io the character and circumstances ol the people,—— and no one admits it more readily than I do,—ve.t. it does not follow that there u'C no principles, by which to decide the ques tion of expediency, none to aid in constructing the govemmeut—so as to make it desirable to ilie peo ple—Tin: plan of every building for the use ot man, presents a question of expediency, on which the purposes for which it is destined, ami the circum stances of the tenant, nre to be duiv considered;_ bu no wise man would disregard ’in its structure those principles of architecture, which belong to the humblest cottage, as well as to the loftiest temple. Is it more wise, by representing the principles of our government os ni ’tapliysicuI abstractions, furnishing no nid to the deliberations of the .-talesman, no safe guards to his conduct, to disparage’ those principles in our estim 'ion, endanger disloyalty to the govern ment which revts upon them, and confound ull our political reasoning? Tins has not be m the wisdom of ancient or of modern times Fr-oi the days of Plato, down to the period of tin* last Southern review, wise nun have labored to establish the principles of «*ov < mmoMt, to inciucatc political truths to rocomm lid them to the respect of mankind, and to place them in llie hands ot statesmen as guides to direct their ra' asurt-s.and as weapons t*< defend the.n. The auti>or of Publicus, who had profoundly studied tli principles and understood these truths, Commences his 31st num ber with the-postulates, that “In disquisitions of every kind, there arc certain primary truths, or first princi ples, on which all subsequent reasonings must de pend.” cor me primary truths, which b lornr to this disco Sion we can look no where, with so o uch propriety, as. that solemn act, which announces the doc trines of our revolution—that -‘declaration of rights,” which proclams the principles pertaining to the gov ernment of a free people, and is made the ‘-basis and foundation of our own—This declaration .Mr Cha.rm.rn, laitiifuliy embodies thedoclrn.es, which gav. to Al gernon Sydney his cr.wn of tnartrydom. and to John Loclte unperishnb e fame. These distinguished men. inspired by the spirit of freedom, which tue history of the English Government had infused into the people, and emboldened by the accessions which the lights ot >iie peopie had gradually gained from the power ot the crown, openly assaiied the slavish doctrines by which the parasites of power had endeavoured to defend the tyrranyufthe Stuarts, discerned and con futed the dogma of Sir Robert Tilmer, which asser ted the divine right oi fvings, and traced the origin of government to its legitimate foundation, the will of the people, guided bv the experience of their own government, enlightened by the history of all others, and above all, examining, with the sagacity of wise men, the natural und unvarying relations, between the Governors urid the governed—they maintained those doctrines, which the Wings in England par tially recognised in their constitution, at ihe revolu tion of Ifiyu, and which the American Statesmen made the basis ot heir Government, at the revolu lion of 177G.—Ought these doctrines to be treated as vain abstractions, metaphysical subtleties, vision ary theories? Ought they not to be acknowledged a solemn truths, confessed as the ai tides of our polit ical faith—made the standard of our political con duct —Ought we not. as wc regard the permanency ot our institutions, to recommend them to ihe res p.-et and deference of the present generation, io the love and veneration of posterity? “To recall men to origins maxims is generally rocullmg them to vir tue;”—this is the language of a distinguished politi eal orator, and is the language of truth, which dues not require the support of authority —The advocates for liberty, the friends of good government in all time, have endeavored to inculcate re.-pcct and rev erence forprincipics. and have thought, it wise to hold up high s’undurds of excellence fur the emulation of the people.—Plato’s republic was not written with the vain hope that its perfection would be realised; but with a view to inspire n love of excell -nee, and cre ate emulation, Ciceros work De fZrjiubticn was written for the purpose of recalling the Roman peo mc to the fundamental principles of their govern ment, and of recommending them to their affections and their reverence- Bui it came too late to reform the deg' nerney of the age, or to preserve the freedom or the glorv of Rome. The celebrated E mund Burke, who dreaded the contagion of French prin ' iplcs. ant! the 1» v^linir hand <>f French equality quite | as much a* any good r publ-can here can d - wh n i with ho much eloquence and ability and prophetic ■talent, he traced the causes of the French revolu tion, deplored its unnecessary excesses, pointed out its i errors, and indicated its dangeroua tendencies, when ■ l,e endeavored to lay the ovil spirit of reform w hich ; was rising in-England, apd to warn njs country-men against tho ruinous example which they seem dis posed to imitate,—what thd be appeal to, B3 most dear to Englishmen?—he appealed to ‘ the word and spirit ot that immortal law,’ the Engl eh -declaration of right It is to tho word t.nd spirit of our dec laration of rights, to lhat law, which we should desire to make immortal, tils' in my bumble judgment we should, «t all times not only appeal, not only to guide U3 against the danger of heedless reform, but to guard us in making a holesome amendments, W e have been taught Mr. Chairman, that tbp educa tion of a people should alwHigbe conducted with ref erence to the principles >tf their government, in order that sentiments of loyaltv m iy be sown in their early affections.—The same wisdom instructs U9 to mould the subordinate lawn, in conformity to the fundament al law of tb country. It is in the spirit of these les sons, that having adopted the republican form of gov ernment we have constantly inculcated the love of'hb erty, of virtue, of simple, unoatrntatinus manners, and that, to prevent an injur.ous inequwhty in the fortunes and conditions of men, the laws have be* n passed which abolish entails, and the rights of primogeniture. —The act abolishing entails, which is coeval with our government, and that prescribing the law of des ent, which very quickly succeeded the war of the revolution, were not founded on any supposed injur tiCe or intrinsic impropriety, in limiting the estate „f the parent to his remotest descendants, or making the first born son, the exclusive heir, but were founded on reasons purely politi al, reasons which induced our ancestors to believe that however wise, however rr*-- j cessary in England, for the preservation of their gov ernment it might be, to preserve family distinctions I and perpetual family w alt It, such distinctions anil such •vealth were uustnt r! to a republican government, and that he laws for promoting them, would bo, \t, not Irss impracticable than unwise. It is submitted to this con mine whether ail these cons.derations do not recommend to their most re-! sped(ul attention, the principles which lie at the foun dation of our government.— If they think So, it j*! hoped they will not deem the time misspent, which shall! be employed inuirther const icration of the bill of rights, where these principles ore declared.--In performing ( Uuadu.v 1 anuUnol foliow the example of the \v ho condemned Zsdiy todcath, upon .ho evidence of the nrn ragments of his manus.;r.p.;_t Siia!, dec th d.fler. ... parts of U.e same ms.,u,no,.., Icxl from t.iecnntemporaue.mscommentary, thedechn --io.i ot rights, from the const,«ut. based'i.pnn it a he same time, and by the same hands. __ fro nr* tiintim r i>.l i mow* _LtailAY MORNING, l)KC. 11 .P^T *i he Convention met yesterday ut the usual h(.TiT >nu\ after having resolved on chLgiug ^“1^ 7'1"Z or *»*« future to the Old Baptist church wem nno a committee of Die whole, Mr. Gordon n the chair, i he report of the committee on the iudi* mary was taken under consideration, and the reso ; ^ off re i dkrr"soriatiw w. re off red which were rejected und some were ac. cepted, ns will be seen by a reference to the condone, ed report we publish of7 the proceedings. Thus the t .gi-I.ituo.executive and judicial reports have been so .ir disposed «t. Nothing now remains fur considera tion but the report ot the committee on the bill «f* righto, the discussion of which,, it is expected wiP not be much protracted—except the all absrtrbii.g question ot ihe basis of representation. Until this question shall have been settled, any thing suid cm t > the termination ot the proceedings of the Couvcuttuti is mere speculation. J&7V;e ***“"*«,his riay’ *,fter a suspension of nearly three V ciks. (which has been unavoidable.) the Debate on the It: ? i of Representation. Mr. Johnson’s speech will be concluded « soon as possible, and followed by Mi. Slat,ant’s and M t A letter received in this town yesterday, from Luut. John Whitk, ut the Charlestown Navv \ urd contains the following gratifying intelligence: I hasten to inform you, that I ha\e just r^eived a newspaper and slip from Mr. Green, editor of the New-London Gazette, in which he says he hus iu-t !nnCh^ ia, el,p fr0m,ljis SO" Charles, a midshipman "x? uJ ,lle.Ieacnck at Pensaco’a, which says— I The Peacock is going immediately to Tampico, ‘to relieve the Hornet dismasted.”—Ball. Rep. V is of withstanding the above information, we mndti . ThJ16. °/"et and her gallant crew have been lest. he last information from her, according to our rr> | collection, informed of her being dismasted in a .rah> • of wind, while lying off the bar of Tampico, and of her having been seen afteiwards in Tampico Lav erecting jury masts, and declining assistance. S'he | , ad specie on board, and was expected to proceed ; to I ensaeda or Norf.dk. On her passage there him j most probably foundered. Up to the 6th Nov.', the date Ot the latest advices from Vera Cruz, no intel ligence had been received from her. Tno packet ship Manchester arrived nt New York on feunday from Liverpool, whence she sailed on the | morning of the 3d ult. bringing Liverpool papers of I i,f° 2d; a,,d London of tbc 1st.-only a few hour* j later than previously received. They contain tin XI nS’ V °"-v *a,er intelligence from the Continent, j The sales ot Cotton at Liverpool continued to bn , nrge and the imports small, and some advance had I taken place on the Corn Exchange. ° I _ Richard Harrison, the patriarch of the New lurk Bar, died on Monday morning at his reaidcoc.-i near Greenwich. Ulrt The Kentucky Gazette announces that the Ifon. l noM.is B. Rep.d, Senator from the State of Mts hissqvpi.dmd m Lexington on the morning of tbo ?6th November. e Two hundred and twenty five tfunisand dollars in .-pccic, were received on the 6th inst. ut the U ’S Bunk in Philadelphia, from New York. The Mail—The transportetiuij of the Mail m ; coaches, OH this time, amounts to 6,507.818 miles ; in one year; and on the 1st of January next it will j be increased to 6,785,810 miles. The whole yearly ; transportation of the mail, in coaches, sulkies, ned j on horsback, amounts to about 13,700.000 miles. Pensions.—A statement from the Pension Office presents the number of 12,201 Revolutionary Pen sioners, and 3.794 invalid Pensioners. Of the j former 401, and of the latter 41, have died durini? the year.—vVat. Jour. b Pensacola, Nor. 21. t lie IJ. S. Sloop Florida arrived in this port oq Wednesday afternoon. The Florida is employed under the eammamlof Lt. Tattnall in surveying the Tnrtugas Islands. The Florida has been d'riven by stress of weather among the Chandelier Islands, and has been nchore four different times. The officer* and crew have all been sick. 018 Jirrival of the Shark.-*-The U S. Schooner Shark. Lt Commandant, Thomas T. Webb; arrived at this port yesterday from a cruize on the South side of Cuba. The Shark sailed hence on the 23d of August, and has been engaged in giving convey betweeu Capo Cruz and Cape Antonin. They have heard of no piracies. The Officers au^ crew ate ail ucl', Baltwobe, Drr ft, The President's Message reached this city yester day, by express, inn much shorter time than ever the route between the two cities lias been travelled. The express rider of our enterprising Mail Contrac tors, Messrs Stockton and Stokes, despatched uilb the copies of the Message transmitted by the I'ost Master General, left VVar-hington precisely at twen ty-five minutes before one o’clock P. M. yesterday, and nf five minutes after two o’clock ihesame rider was before the Ctty Hole! in Tinltimorc, having per formed 'he distance over a heavy road, ip the ip credibly short.penod of only ONE HOUR. AND A HALF, or nt the rate of twenty four mi fen an hour:' In order to accomplish this most extreordinarv speed, eight horses were stationed nt intervals along the r-ad, and successively used as the rider came to them. ANOTHER MAIL ROBBERY. Baltimore, Dec. 0—The Cumberland Ad vocato states that the stage containing the U S mail was at tacked on Tuesday night ln-t,near Frosiburgh, in Al leghany C unty, Md. the mail was taken therefrom and carried into the woods some distance f'ronr* the road, where it was found next morning by same gentlemen who went in pursuit of the cobbers. There WOT a large hole cut in the leather hag, but. th" canvass which contained the packuccs was iru injured. _ r|1^E Steamer POCAIIONTAN, Captain Jno. IVitoro on. fv-n’r, will in future arrive here on Friday Evening, and depart on Sunday Morning at the usual hour, for Baltimore, via Norfolk. The Steamer NORFOLK, Captain IIemierson. will arrive ♦ very Tuesday Evening, and leave the following Morning. nov 21-gnwfttjf J . TAJDLAM. Agent - AL I'—bOi) \ ry- large and ch an sacks, on board "Vr s'hr Ariadne, in the Do« if. for sob- bv dee V- i: • 1». TIAIBEBLAKE