Constitutional Whig. [volume], December 16, 1831, Image 1

About Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832

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I’LEASAMTS A ABESOTT.
RIUB.MAE), Va. FRIDAY, 15ECEJBBBER
-^•vr ' umiar :i^K<u.y3msa^sm
VAII-Re* EGO
Wft gongtittttfonal zz\wq.
Tuesday Evening, Dvr. S3.
SLAVES, FREE NEGROES, &.c.
havo on file, numerous communications on
4he subject of this class of our population; gome
suggesting moans of ridding tho country of
•Iotss, others pointing out the best mode of send jng
pfF the freo negroes, others again, treating both
questions. With every wish to «blige our corres
pondents, to throw all possible light on the ques
tions involved, and to render every facility towards
p. successful and fortunate disposition of them, we
have deemed it most prudent to permit this corres
pondence to remain for tho present, on our files.
The Select Committee of the House of Dele
gates, have under investigation the wholo subject,
0nd Public will look with tho highest interest,
4o the result of their labors—the extent to which
Jhey will propose to go, and the inode of accoiu
yiishing it—whether they will confine their views
f.o free negroes, or whether they will embrace
pome scheme for beginning tho giadual abolition
pf slavery itself. 1‘rom what wo hear, we believe
that this last will not enter into ths deliberations
fit the Select Committee.
Somo of the petitions invoke the aid of Congress
to send off tho freo negroes, an amendment of the
Constitution giving Congress tho power of ap
propriating money to that object, being first ob
tained! Do those scrupulous peoplo holieve that
puch an amendment can ever be had? Do they
•zpect the majority which has ovor claimed and ea
preisod tho right of appropriation in analogous
eases, to acknowledge by consenting to such an
amendment, that they have been in tho habit of vi
olating the Constitution perpetually? it is the mer
est fantasy, to hope for any such consequence, Le^
them lay aside scruples so untimely, if well founded,
eo injurious, if honest. Let tbom boldly appeal to
Congross in language to this purport: “We bestow
ed an empire upon the Peoplo of the United States
stipulating that it should be pledged to the payment
of tho Public Dobt. Vear after year, you havo as
sumed tho privilege of diverting that Domain from
ks original destination, and have bestowed large
portions upon every asker. We, the People of Vir
ginia, believing that from the terms of the Compact,
you had not this right, have scrupulously refrainod
from asking you to do what we believed wrong.—
^Ve who bestowed all have neither received nor
.••ked any thing in return. But circumstances
have changed. The Public Debt is nearly discharg
ed, and tho intont of the donation fulfilled. We
are placed in a condition, from which to bo rolieved,
.demands an extent of means which wo cannot
command. Wo apply to you, not as mendicants,
•but as those having a moral right to what they ask,
not in tho spirit of favor, but of justice, that a part
of tho public domain for which tho nation lias no
•longer any uso, shall bo appropriated to defray the
jgreat charges imposed upon us by the necessities of
•ur situation. You, who have distributed that do
main so liberally to those having no claim upon it,
cannot reject an application fortified by justice,
gratitude and humanity.”
Why should not this language be held to Con.
gross? Why should Virginia porsevero in scruples
which, instead of procuring for her respect, cam
nothing but ridicule? Which, in place of inducing
nthers to reverence the Constitution, only euable
them to got larger slices of Congressional bounty?
Is it not timo to eschow this Quixotism? To de
scend from the elevated heights of purism and self
righteousness, to-tho region of eonunon senso and
jWordly habitudes?
Wo wish, therefore, that the Petitioners, who
,desiro an amendment of the Constitution before
they will consent to ask for what is their own, had
instructed their Delegates in the General Assombly
,to appeal without delay, fox tho aid of tho General
•Government. S'
VIRGINIENSIS—MR. CALHOUN, &c.
jin giving place to tho article of Virginiensis
■from tho U. S. Telegraph, a few observations may'
not bo deemed out of season.
We did flatly deny the identity between Mr.
^Webster’s doctrines in regard to secession, and those
put forth by the Richmond Enquirer. We had
just declared Mr. Ritchie's nullification to be worse
than Mr. Calhoun’s—how thon could we admit their
identity with Mr. Webster’s principles which all
acknowledge?
Whit are Mr. Webster’s views? That all Slates
have tho great, ultimato revolutionary right, of
throwing off tho Government to which they had
owed allegiance, oppression having become intole
rable, and hope of redress from any less decisive
means, desperate. Who objects to this? Nobody—
no Republican at least—only the advocates of di
.vine right and passive obedience.
What is the programme) set forth in No. 4 of
the "Gleanings” referred to by Virginiensis—and
.which may bo considered the present standard)
..(since the blow up between Messrs. Calhoun and
Jackson and the resolution of our political school
masters to side with the latter against the former)
of orthodoxy in this quarter? We have not the
article at hand—but if our recollection serves us,
pit is substantially this. That in case of a danger
ous, doliberato, and palpable infraction of the
.^Constitution, (tho State claiming tho right to
judge what is such infraction) such State for reme
’ dj, has a right, (and its exercise is expedient) to
withdraw from the Union. At that point when
Jtlr. Calhoun would suspend the unconstitutional
•law, and seek redress through a Convention of
fthe States—whon Mr. Webster would seek it
through appeals and remonstrances to Congress,
and by endeavoring to indtico a char.go of popular
opinion and of representation at that precise lime,
wo understand "Gleanings No. 4” aright, Mr
.Ritchie would look for redress in socossion. Mr
•Webster would socede foo—but in the last extro’
mity—in the utter desperation ,pf any thing bet
.ler—when blood nnd revolution axe proforablo to
existing calamities. Mr. Ritchio wqyld secede
^ when no man’s person is touched—whep no man’s
property is invaded—when the evils complained of,
if not absolutely chimerical, are shadowy, intangi.
ble and incapable of demonstration—nay, when
.many people think them no evils at all, hut bene,
fits. For example, he would secede according to
. "Gleanings” No. 4, if the tariff of 182H were
persisted in.
Let us enquire of Virginiensis, in a spirit of can.
f dor, if there is no difference in the creeds of the
Massachusetts Statesman .and the Virginia Sage,
thus expounded—and supposing always, that we
have been so fortunate as to understand the latter”
Were we not justifiable in expressing a preference
for Mr. Calhoun’s Nullification over the,xemcdy o:
tho venerable Oracle of Virginia—seeing that Mr
Calhoun, as Virginiensis himself remarked, gave
the Union one more, (though a forlorn) chance, bj
x suspending tho obnoxious faw, and appealing te a
' - . i '“’ a V ;1 1
Conynntipn, while Mr. Ritchie at the same point of
oppression, would appeal at onco to accession and
disunion? Wore wo not warranted in putting a ••flat
denial” upon his conclusion as to the identity of
Mr. Webster’s admissions and the doctrines of the
4th No. of the “Gleanings?”
'J lie inconsistency of the support of Mr. Van Bti
rpn hy those who threaten a secession if the Tariff
ol 1S2H is persisted in—that very measure which
ho was so instrumental in enacting—is glaring ns
the Sun. But what ot that? He is leagued with a
certain party in this Slate hy tho closest ties—ho
is Jackson’s favorite, and the Heir Apparent of his
fortunes—if chosen, tho distribution of the loaves
and jfishes can bo strongly influenced from this
For the United States Telegraph.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE RICHMOND
WHIG.
In your notice of my review of Mr. Ritchie’s
present course, and his abandonment of those doc.
trines which lie once ardently supported, you “do
not hesitate to prefer” tho principles developed bv
the Vice President, to the disunion advocated by
the editor of the Enquirer. This I am pleased to
hear—but you, at the same time, deny “the identity
ot Mr. Webster’s and our (your) eotemporary’s”
doctrine. In the short review alluded to, I under
took to show that there was no difference between
the doctrine of States rights contended for by Mr.
R. in MGIeanings No. 4," and that granted by Mr.
Webster in his speech on Foote’s resolution. I
think, that if, instead of giving a flat denm/ to my
conclusion, you had pointed out tho errors of fact
or argument by which I was led to it, you would
i 1,avo evinced greater respect for the intellect of
your readers; besides such a course on your part
would have comported with that logical acumen
which have always marked your contests with your
consistent neighbor.
\ ou admit that “Mr. W. grants the right to
secede but when no other hope, or chance, or
possibility of redress, is left.” The extract which I
quoted from the Vice President’s exposition shows
that no one could be more highly gratified than that
distinguished patriot, to see the “redress” come,
voluntarily, from the source of injury. All must
admit, that it is only when the last ray of hope of
relief from the General Government is extinguish
ed, that it has been recommended to suspend the
law until tho power that created tho government
shall have decided its constitutionality. The State
suspends, but the other is the power that either
nullifies or declares the oppressive law to be con
stitutional. ^ ou may recollect that your corres
pondent last summer remonstrated with you against
exposing the intrigues of Mr. Van Buren, inform
ing you that there was only a shade of difference
between his principles and those of the National
Republicans. It is well known, that Mr. R.
despises the President, and supports his administra
tion only to subserve the “ulterior views” of Mr.
Van Buren, who voted for the very law which, if
not repealed, Mr. R. declares will drive the South
to secede. Mr. Ritchie, is therefore driven to the
necessity of acting the part of the cuttle fish, to
betray Virginia in the arms of one, between
whoso political doctrines and those of the chain,
pion of consolidation—the very antipode of those
principles which arc known in Virginia as State
rights—there is only “n shade of difference.” In
order to get within the great penumbra of Mr. Van
Burcn’s doctrines, your venerable neighbor would
sacrifice every consideration of principle and pat
riotism. It was to expose his pitiable imbecility,
his degrading tergiversation, and contemptible
quackery, that I have alluded to “Gleanings No.
4.” A correspondent in your paper, under the
signature of “Roane,1'demonstrated his inconsis
tency, and proved from his former movements
that Mr. R had basely abandoned the doctrine of
State rights, for which lie once so successfully con
tended. I have only tracked the apostate to his
hiding place, and “traced effects to their causes.”
The bright vision of a foreign ombassy under Mr.
■Van Buren, has intoxicated his passion, perverted
his judgment and shaken his patriotism.
VIRGINIENSTS.
Trial by Jury.—The following- important recom
mendation appears in the Third Report the Eng
lish Law Commissioners, which has been just print
ed. It refers to civil causes:—“Jury not to he kept
in deliberation longer than twelve hours, unless at
the end of that period they unanimously apply for
further time—at the end of that time the concur
rence of Nine to be a verdict; and Nine not con
curring, tho case to be a remand.
Gen. Barnard, of Pennsylvania, .has resigned
his seat in the Senate ofthe United States. His
letter of resignation, was communicated by the Go.
vernor to tho Speaker of the H. R. and by him laid
before that body on Wednesday last. Gen. McKean,
and Geo. M. Dallas, are spoken of as candidates
for the seat thus vacated.—Balt. Pat.
We regret to learn from the Elizabethtown Jour
nal that the lion. Theodore Frclinghuysen, member
ofthe Senate, is detained from the councils ofthe
nation by sickness. His lady ip also afflicted with
serious illness. Advices as late as Friday evening
state that Mr. F. was then considered as convales
cent but Mr8- F. continued quite ill. [Ib.
The Chameleon, of the 5th inst. contains the
proceedings “of a large number of Students” at
a meeting held on the 23th alt. in the Rotunda, in
anticipation of Mr. Clay’s arrival in Cha'rlottesvillp,
on his way from Kentucky to Washington. Reso
lutions, highly flattering to Mr. Clay wore adopted,
and it was further resolved to tender him a dinner,
as a testimony of their “gratitude for his services
to his country," and their “high opinion of h'uj su
perior talents and exalted virtues.”
The Treasurer ofthe Pennsylvania Colonization
Society acknowledges the receipt of 300 pounds
sterling, collected in England and remitted by El
liott Cresson, of Philadelphia.
O" The feeling of t'no following Impromptu is
divine. -It inspires tho samo sensations as my Un
cle Toby’s holy tenderness for misfortune and help
lessness.
From the United States' Telegraph.
IMPROMPTU.
[On presenting tho petition of Daniel Palmer,
praying to be appointed to tho ofTice of Principal or
Assistant Doorkeeper, in the House of Represent
atives, Jlr. —r—*“ stated that tho petitioner had
“lost one of his legs in the service of his country ”
In allusion to this circumstance, Mr.—-said,
that ho had to propose nnethcr candidate, who was
at least qualified in one respect—“he had two legs."
A burst of laughter followed at the expense of the
maimed patriot, who had put in his humble claims
to a slight recomponso for a great loss sustained in
tho service of his country.]
I cannot join that heartless laugh—
Nor yield that wit applause,
^Yhoee object is—a sufferer
In frcoriom’8 holy cause'.
Think on the hour, when from his wound
The crimson current ran—
And look upon the~patriot now—
He is a crippled man!
Then i* it wsjl, when such a ono
A tr fling boon would beg,
To inoct him with a jest—a laugh —
“Oh, sir! you’ve but ono leg *
Ili* humble suit, ii was your light
'' To grant Or to reject—
But was it juet, thus to deny
’ The patriot’s due—respect. W.
Dec. 7. 1831.
Falser. /so the U. States-—In the lust debates ii
the French (.’handier of Deputies, on the question of atiol
i«bing sn hereditary peeiagri, M. Jay, (lormeily one of tin
' editors of “I/C Conslitntionnel,”) who advocated the do
ra’ion of that law, replied in the following language ti
fjtlt, Lafayette, who had held up the United Stgtea as ai
example of the inutility of hereditary honours.
> “No one is bette* acquainted than the illusirioti* Gene
ral, With that free and hospitable r.ou.itry where he ac
qutrfd sb much glory, where a more splendid tiiump
ua* m him than ever « citizen wairior obtained
a more glorum. triumph (ban ever awaited Paolos Kiniliu
or the ocipios, for on capive* in chains followed him
liut a world made Iree, gr/ot^rt linn with benedictions I
i* true, as he has said, that democracy i* powerful and St a
tie in the U Stales, bin it m because their institutions an
in aet-nidaiice not onlv with their opinions, but iv.tlt tlieii
feelings and character. Their character is plain, crave
austere, impirssed with a kind of sadness or rather reserv*
which is perceptihle even in tlnur public solemnities,
or social meetings A religious f eling reigns there tin
• er various forms; they neither lear ridicule or calum
ny—these arms of envy have long since proved in
noxious. I leisures they are rare; no happiness it
common to all tljat country, every thing is sacrificed
to Utility; the arts of imitation And their no genial soil,
ml respect lor the laws, for property, the line social
principles, prevail and produce the most admirable ef
forts I here is there, perfect harmony hetwren their
instimtions, their chaiactcr, tiieir morals, their habits,
even their prejudices and the la vs.
I ark of you, is it possible to transplant the severity
ol republican manners and institut inns to a nation like
ours, fond to rdnlatty of the arts; of the enjoyments of
the imagination, to a people, martial by instinct, passion
ately devilled to the false ghuy which follows in the tiack
of the coiupieror, and who pass so lightly from eothusi
asm to iwliflercf.ce.”
1 Evening Dec. 11.
THE GOLD REGION.
A Bill is in progress in the Scnato of Georgia,
(says iho Recorder,) to lay out tho Gold Region in
the lands at present occupied by the CherokcOs, in
to small lots, and to dispose of the same by a sepa
rate Lottery. Every white male of the ago of
18 years and upwards, who has been a citizen of
the State-yours, and all widows and families
of orphans of like residence, to bo entitled to n
Wo may understand from this bill, the excellent
reasons Georgia had for expelling the Oherokces._
Another bill has passed the Houso of Representa
tives, and is expected to pass the Senate of Geor
gia, for the immediate survey and occupancy of the
Cherokee Territory. A doubt is expressed whether
Gov. Lumpkin will approve this measure of “feur
ful responsibility.”
It is pretty plain from the first hill, why and
wherefore, Gov. Gilmer lost his election. He was
disposed to reserve the Gold Minos as State pro
perty.
SOUTH CA ROLINA.—FANATICS.
Gov. Hamilton has transmitted an interesting
Message to the General Assembly of S. Carolina,
from which we quote the material extracts. Can
it lie necessary to go to work in the circuitous way
he proposes—by amending the Constitution of the
I nited States, and enabling that Government to
coerce obedience—to prevail with the Legislatures
of the non-slave-holding States to pass laws pro
hibiting the publication in their respective limits,
of the incendiary tracts, which bare the throats of
the women and children of the South to the knife
of the lanatic? \V ill New York, Massachusetts and
Pennsylvania, in whose capitals aro elaborated
those hollish appeals to negro fanaticism, require to
bo coerced by the arm of Federal power, into the j
enactment of laws neeossary to save from butchery j
the women and children of the South? It is a harsh 1
reflection upon them to suppose it. The supposi
tion is contradicted by the whole development of
public opinion in those Stato3. They solemnly
professed their readiness to fly to our assistance,
had it been (as it never will bo) necessary, with
money, arms and men. The organs of public sen
timent in the North, have teemed with sympathetic
expressions for the massacro of Southampton, and
with thoughts liberal, just, enlightened and frater
nal. They do not require to be forced,put un
dot the ban of the law, those mortal enemies of the
slaves themselves and their masters, those blind
and wretched fanatics, who, in pursuit of a mista
ken and impertinent Philanthropy, arc doing all
they can to deluge our land in blood, and to call
down on tho heads of those they have undertaken
to patronise, vengeance dire and indiscriminate.—
We are perfectly convinced, that nothing is neces
sary to ensure the immediate interference of the
Legislatures of Pennsylvania, New York and
Massachusetts, but to bring the subject to their at
tention, and show them how we are put in jeopardy
by incendiaries among them.
Such a Correspondence, we understand, has been
opened by Gov. Floyd with the Executives of one
or more Stales at the Notth, and wo do not doubt
tho success of the application.
Felloio Citizens of the
Senate and House of Representatives:
t,. n»..rnrn.a.. n.„ ..1 • «_ r _
you in tlie first communication I had the honor of
making at the commencement of the present ses
sion, I now beg leave to present for your conside
ration, some views connected with tbo security of
our State, in a particular in which we can only he
vulnerable from a criminal apathy and neglect of
our duties to the people whom we represent.
You arc aware, that at the close of.the last sum
mer, great excitement prevailed in certain parts of
our State, in conserpicnce of an imputed spirit of
revolt in a portion of our slave population in the
Districts counlcrminious to North Carolina, or re
ceiving its impulse from that quarter, in conse
quence of the atrocities which had been perpetra
ted in Southampton County, Virginia.
Before I left the City of Charleston on my Re
views in the interior. I took the proper precautions,
by authorizing the Senior Officer of that Division
(Major General llayne) to act promptly and effici
ently in my absence, and placed under his order
the public arms and munitions, for instantaneous
distribution in any quarter of the State where they
might ho required, without the delay of communi
cating with mo. I am happy to nssuro you, that
after a careful investigation of all the circumstan
ces attending this excitcmont, I have arrived at
the undoubting conviction, that, as far as tho dis
positions of our coloured population were concern
ed, the excitement was without just foundation.
The most that can possibly bn predicated of snv
appearances, authorising a contrary conclusion, is,
that in one or two of the Districts wheio the be
lief was prevalent that large bodies of slaves were
about, to in>adethe State from the States of North
Carolina and Virginia, in some instances language
was held indicative of what part, in such an evotu,
snincof the slaves would take in theso movements.
In Laurens District two or three slaves have been
tried and convicted, for efforts which they actually
made; and in one case, one has been convicted to
meet by combination, with others in such a contin
gency.
The i. element, howeve- which prevailed, and
to a great ektent (as it has bean proven; without
adequate cause, was of a character calculated to
inflict serious injury on our security and interests.
Whether some corrective may not ho applied to
prevent, by proper penalties, cither the weak or
wi'-ked circulation of such groundless and injuri.
ous rumors, is a question which I submit to youi
legislative discretion.
After the termination of this excitement T
communicated with the Governors of Virginia and
.’’forth Carolina with a view, not only ofascertain
ing the extent of the peril to which their respective
States had been exposed, but. also to learn whethei
they could, in order to give greater sccfr.ty to the
interests of the Southern Stales, sugger.t any men
suros that, we might jointly adopt for thin purpose
i Their replies, marked A. and B. are herewith
■ communicated. Tl will be perceived that the cXeifo
1 ment in N. Carolina resulted, in a great degree,
from the insurrectionary movements in Southamp
’ ton County, Virginia, and that, even in the lattei
* State, the spirit of revolt was confined to the
. County.
The lettor of the Governor of Virginia leaves m
■* doubt that the epirit of insubordination in tbi.
State wns excited by incendiary newspaper* and
other publications, put forth in the none-slive
holding Stales, and freely circulated within the
unit* of \ irginia. That such engine* are at work
, ni our own State and throughtout tiic Southern
5 tales, if not extensively at least progressively,
can admit ol no question. In proof of this i trails,
•nil you a letter which I received, amongst others
written at that period, enclosing an Address dcliv.
ered in 1 hiludelphia and New York during the
last summer; also sundry copies of a newspaper
termed the Liberator which were sent to mo as
Governor of the Statu of South Carolina. I also
transmit to you a memorial from the American
j Convention tor promoting the abolition of Slavery
j and improving the condition of the African Race,
. issued by William Rawle, President, requesting
I you to instruct your Senators and request your
Representatives to use all their effort* for the
gradual abolition of Slavery in the District of Co.
hinibia. After this event shall huye been consum
mated, what tho ulterior views of the meitioralisls
are, will sufficiently appear from the Document it.
sell; you are aware that in a complaint tnado hy the
public authorities of the City of Savannah, rosocct
ing tho publication and distribution of the incendi
ary productions to whioh'l have, in tho first
instance, referred, as inconsistent with a just
regard to the obligations of the Union, and call
ing tor suitable punishments, for their suppres
sion, it was answered by tho constituted author
ities ot Boston, from which those publications
emanated, that they bad no power to interfere,
however justly they might reprehend tho mis
chievous tendency of thesd publications. With,
out stopping to enquire whether this decision was
corrector tho reverse, it presents the extraordinary
luct, that in a peaceful and united confederacy of
States, wo may have to submit to acts of hostility
and annoyance, from tho citizens of ono of its
members, without a remedy, which if we wore sepa
rate and nistinct States would justifv a suspension
of pacific relations, if on coinplaint made, tlicv
were unredressed, according to every principle of
international law.
However just ly the obligation might seam to
ar.se on tho part of the Federal Government, to
ariest, hy penal legislation, act? and doings, in
oi;c or more States, inconsistent with that spirit
ot amity and justice duo to tho members of the
confederacy, which must form the bond of our Un
ion, we will not, 1 am sure, seek this mode of re.
dress, without an amendment to the Constitution of
tke United States, clearly conferring that power
v o have suffered too much from the usurpation of
undelegated power on the part of Congress, to
(urchatio our security a', such a price, even if it
could be thus obtained. As 1 believe the evil to be
a growing and a pernicious one, it might be expedi
ent that you should authorise mo to communicate
villi the Governor of the Stato of Massachusetts,
calling the attention of the Legislature of that State
to this wrong, of which wo liavo such just occasion
to complain; should you consider it unnecessary to
oass some declaratory Resolutions for tho concur
rence and co-operation of tho other States in the
Union, as it regards our internal security, depond.
ing on such measures as are fully within our own
control. 1 have reflected on the subject with much
deliberation, and am satisfied that, by a small addi
tion to our annual expenditure, in connexion with
our present military resources, every sort of peril
may oc obviated, and the most perfect security giv
en to the domestic peace and good order of ouri
Stato.
DR. COOPER.
The Union and State Right Party, have made an
effort in the Legislature of S. Carolina, to remove
this highly talented, but restless agitator, political
and religious, from the Presidency of Columbia
College. The alleged grounds of this attempt
were his religious tenets—we may imagine that tho
real grounds, was his actual and cogent agenev in
urging Nullification. The proposition was argued
foi two days, and resulted in the reference of the
question of removal to tha Trustees of tho Col
lege. This was a triumph for tho Doctor, as his
friends suggested that disposition of the question.
A Correspondent of the Charleston Gazette, thus
speaks of the transaction:
“Columbia, Dae. 6.
“Tho House is now engaged in the discussion of j
a Resolution submitted by .Mr. Pressley, of Abbe -
yille, which requests the Trustees of the College to
remove Dr. Cooper. Asubstilutc lor this resoluti
on has been proposed, which refers tho whole inves
tigation to the Board of Trustees. Upon this last
proposition, the friends of Dr. Cooper seem to have
rallied, and many think that its chief object is to
evade the main point of enquiry, which is, whether
Dr. Cooper has not been guilty of publishing
phamphlets and opinions tending to subvert the
Christian Religion. Mr. Petig.ru, of Charleston,
has just delivered an able and eloquent speech, in
which ho portrayed in vivid colors the evils which
have arisen from the publications of Dr. Cooper—
publications which seek to bury in one common
rum, the whole Christian Clergy and the instituti
ons of religion. He contended that although men
are by tho Constitution protected in their reli
gious opinions, yet the clause of the Constitution
certainly could not he construed to mean, that
we should employ as the Teacher of our
children, a man who zealously sought to over
throw the fabrics of Religion. Dr. Cooper, he
said; was at liberty to go elsewhere and propagate
his doctrines, but he * rusted, that the South Caro.
Jina College should not he permitted to be the spot
upon which was to ho fixed the lover with which to
tear up tho foundations of the Christian World.
Mr. Player, of Fairfield, is now ppeaking on the
other side, and it is not apparent what conrso the
Lhing will take.”
Take notice, all whom it may concern!
Mr. F. H. Pettis was tricil on a charge of per
jury in the District of Columbia, found guilty by a
•jury, sentenced to five years’ imprisonment by the
Circuit Court of the U. States; but pardoned by
the President. Mr. Pettis has writtou a long de
fence in pamphlet form, and forwarded us a copy for
publication. We cannot find room for the entire
pamplot, but it may be useful to the public to learn
Mr. Pettis’ intention, thus disclosed:
“Before I take leave of you, fellow citizons, I
deem it my duly to publicly caution the world
in relation to this matter, by issuing the following
Edict, for my own future rule and Government:
“Whereas, I have clearly proved and shown my
innocence in tbs transaction 'o every unprejudiced
. mind; Now, therefore, be it henceforward known
i unto all, that if any man shall speak of this un
happy affair, to my knowledge, either in my pro
senee, or out of it,'to either the prejudice of my
self or family, I am determined 'without form or
ceremony, sword in hand, to avenge I ho injustice
thereby done me, with the crimson blood of the
prostituted offender, whether he be jud^e or juror,
or any other person whom I shall deem worthy of
my notice. F. fl. PETTIS.
“Washivotow Crrr, Nov. Sit, 1831.”
Nasuvij.j r, 'j enn No^. 30.
Tha .1 directors of the Bank efi' the. Stat- have
made some interesting reports to the legislatnrc
and have furnished a list of tho ovcrchcckers with
the amounts overdrawn by them respectively,
which list they have very properly recommended
not to ho published. The report which we publish
to-day, of flic cr mmittae appointed to examine the
condition of the institution, w 11 show, that not.
withstanding all its losses, it is not only solvent,
hut is one of tho safest and most substantial
banking establishments in the U. Stales.
. Bw.TivionF., Dec. 13.
National Hcpvbliean Conrrntinn.— At 12 o’clock
yesterday tho members of the Convonti' n assent
| b cd in the Saloon of the Alhemenm, to the mini
tier of about one hundred and thirty. On motioi
of Mr. I.ivingston, of New York, General Abno
I .acock, of Pennsylvania, was called to the Chair
and on motion of .las. Barbour, Esq, of Virginia
’ Thomas P. Ray, F.sq. of Va. was appointed Scrre
1 tarvi
<y E 3 K 5£.r*.3. JB B3 3s Y.
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.
Tuesday, Doc. 13.
Mr. Preston presented the petition of Tho
Shannon of Giles, relating to a tract of land.
Mr. Spurlock presented tho following Resolu
tion, which was adopted:
That the James River Company he instructed
to enquire into tho expediency of subscribing foi
2-ullis of the Stock of the Guynndoltc Turnpike
Company, or of subscribing for 11st? whole of that
Stock, and annexing tho said road to the Kenawlia
Turnpike as a part thereof, and report thoir opinion
thereupon to this House.
On motion of Mr. KEt.LT, ttio Committeo of
Roads, <ltc. were instructed to enquire into the ex
pediency of raising a sum of money by Lottery,
for the purpose of constructing a Turnpike Road
ftpin Covington in Alleghany, to the Red Sulphur
Springs in Monroe.
On motion of Mr. Bookish, tho Committeo of
Finance were instructed to enquire into the expe
diency of embodying in pamphlet form, all the
laws roJating to the duties of Overseers of lh .
Poor, and all laws relating to the Poor.
Mr. Sruiti.uccc presented the petition of Patrick
Keenan, praying the passage of a law authorisin''
certain lands claimed by him, now in suit in the
Court of Chancery when dacidod in his favor, to
be reassessed according to tiieir true value ut the
time the taxes severally became due
Mr. Sn rlocke promoted the petition ofkfacob
and William llttc, asking to have refunded monev
paid for bind sold as escheated land, by the Es
cliealor of Cabell County, which land they claim.
Mr. Frrznumi presented a petition of tho Mayor,
fitc. of Wheeling, for nn act authorising them to
pledge the revenues of the corporation, as security
for re.payment of money borrowed for tho use of
the Corporation.
Bills passed- -1, to amend the act entitled “an
act. t.. incorporate the Winchester and Potomac
Rail Road Company;” 2, authorising Win. Steen
to erect a Dain from his lands in Bedford, to his
Island in James River; 3, to establish three Sepa
rate Elections in the County of Fayotto.
Resolutions from the Committee of Propositions
and Grievances—1, for a Separate Election in
Hampshire; 2, Declaring reasonable a Petition
from Rockbridge, lot u Toll Bridge—wore ro ad and
concurred in.
On motion of Mr. Marshall, the Committee
of Privileges and Elections, hsd leave to ait du
ring tho sitting of the House.
On motion of Mr. Cai.dwei.l,
Resolved, That the Committee of Schools and
Colleges be instructed to enquire into tho expedi
ency of so amending the several laws now in force,
concerning Primary Schools, as to empower any
monthly coutt to supply vacancies which may oc
cur in the hoard of commissioners.
Resolved, That tho said Committee further en
quire into the expediency of so regulating the
bonds ot Treasurers as to on-ure a more spoedv
method of coi!ecti:>j in cases of delinquency or
insolvency—.and of defining more fully the du
ties and responsibilities of School Commissioners,
and of enquiring whether it would not he advisa
ble to allow' said Commissioners a reasonable com
pensation for attending the annual meetings of thoir
respective Boards. •*
\Ir „ir._i .. __i..,: _,?_
Committee of Ronds, &,e. to cnquiro into the expe
diency of exempt ill}; sta&o passengers from toll
on Gauloy bridge—and on motion of Mr. Stzi*ih:n
son, the enquiry was extended to persons {.mug to
church and mill.
Mr. Brod.nax moved to lay t.hc resolution for
tlio present on jjtlio table, and expressed varied*
objections to it.
Mr. Erskini* expressing hi a willingness Uiis
course, the motion was adopted.
Mr. Harvey presented the petition of Mary
Ball and James Iv. Ball, praying to bs refunded an
excess of land tu x paid by thorn.
On motion of .Mr. Williams oi liarrison, laave
was given to bring in a hill requiring tho Exocu
live to act upon nominations and recommendations
of County Officers, within a limited time. Refer
red to Messrs. Williams, Morris, Johnson, Gilli
i»d, i’alteson of BucIi iogham, Oartcr of Richmond,
Smil h of .Mason, Webb, Broadus, Gravolv, Davis,
and Jordan.
On motion of Mr. Buodnav, the Executive wore
requested to furnish a copy of the- journal of their
proceedings.
On motion of Mr. Smith of Mason, the Commit
tee on the Militia Laws wore instructed to enquire
into the expediency of organizing by law, a sepi rate
regiment in each of the counties; of Jackson and
Fayette.
Mr. Gallaiizr submiUed tho following resolu
tion:
Resolved, That the Committee of Co,, rts of
Justice ho instruct; d to enquira into the expediency'
of so amending the laws concerning insolvent
debtors as to provide that the insolvent bo allowed
!o retain certain articles necessary for tho support
ot his family—such as a bed for every two perrons,
and a cow; and to make some further provision for
tho punishment of frauds in iho convc3'aneo of
properly.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr. Patteson of Buckingham, presented various
documents touching the contested election from
the county of Monroe.
On motion of Mr. Fitziiigii, the Ilouso adjourn
corvids ess.
From the U. S. Telegraph o f Yesterday.
In the Senate yesterday, the Hon: John U. Cal
houn, Vice President of the United States, took
his scat as presiding officer of the Senate. Messrs.
Tazewell of Virg’nio, Bibb of Kcnttickj, Forsvth
of Georgia, Brown of North Carolina, and Bu:k
ner of Missouri, also appeared and took their seats.
Petitions were presented by Messrs. Prentiss, Rug
gler, Grundy, Smith, Kane, Wilkins and Dudley;
and resolutions were s-ubmited by Messrs. Marry,
flaync and Chambers.* 'I'lie election of the offi
cers of the Senate was, on motion of Mr. Cham
bers, postponed to Monday next. After the con
sideration of Executive business the Scnato ad
journed.
Numerous petitions and memorials were present-,
od in the House of Representatives yesterday, the
second Monday of the session being the first peti
tion day. Among them wero l.r> flout citizens of
j the society of Friends in Pennsylvania, praying
| for the consideration of the question of slaycry,
! with a view to its abolition, end for the ftboli
; tion of the traffic in slaves within the District of
Columbia. The p.-t ilions wero presented by Mr.
John Carney Adams, and w re referred to thy Com-.
\ nntt< e on the District. 'Flie Speaker laid before the
I House n communication from the Searetnry of the
I Treasury, transmitting the annual estimates for
j Ici3t2, together with several other public documents,
i which were disposed of in the customary manner.
The es"il Standing Committees were announced,
and will ho found in another column. The
House, afterwards, on motion of Mr. Wayne,
went info a. .Committee of flic Whole on the state
of the Union, Mr. Adair in the Chair. A series
of resolutions npporfinning ti.e subjects discussed
in the President’s Mc>sage among the respective
committees to which their nature refers, was intro,
duccd hy Mr. Wayne. A short, but animated
discussion arose on a proposition of that gentleman
to refer the subject of the Bank of the United
Stales to a select committee. Mr. McDuffie pro
poser! an ameodmont, which finally prevailed, re
ferring it to the Standing Committee of’ Ways ami
Means. The resolutions we.e - .!• pted, with vi-i.
ousmodification.- nd additions, the most, important
of which were resolutions for the appointment of
scleei committees on the subject of i*ii«- patent la.-s
and of imprisonment for debt; and, at .» o clock,
the House adjourned.
ST AM INC COMMITTEES.
A Committee of Elections was appointed, rr,-!
sist.ing of-—Messrs. ( l i.horne, Randolph, Holland.
Griffin, B-thune, <’oilier, ami Arnold.
Of Ways an<l Meins—Messrs. McDuffie. Ver
p’anek, Ingersoll, Gilmore, Alexander, Wilde, am
1 Gaither.
Of Claims—M-s-rs. Whittlesey, Barber of Con.
• Mclntire, Pa*ton, Ihric, Hcgan, and Rencher.
• Of Commerce—Messrs. Cambreleng, Howard
Sutherland, Eamar, Newton. Davis, of Mass., tin
Jar fli - t ' •
On lit* Public Linds—Messrs. WieJilille, Dun -
can, Hunt, Irvin, Clay, Doom, and Plummer.
On'lhc OfLco and Post Kinds—Messrs.
.Johnson of I»en.,.C tnnor, Russell, Pearce, Jewett,
Johnston of Va., and Now than.
On tlio District of Coluinhia—Messrs. Dod
dridge, AVasliington, Soimnos, Armstrong, Tliointm
of Aid., McCoy of Pa., and Chinn.
On the Judiciary—Messrs. Davis of S. Carolina,
Ellsworth, Daniel, White of Lou., Foster, Cortlou;
and Beardsley.
On Revolutionary Claims—Messrs. Muhlenhorg,
Nuckolls, Boitldin, Crane, Dates of Maps., Ii.uii*
1110ns, and Dtandcfcr,
On Public Expenditures—Alcssrs. Hall of N. C-,
Davenport, I .yon, '1’honison of Ohio, Coulter;
Pierson, Henry, and H. King.
On Private Lund Claims—Messrs. Johnson ofj
Tenn. Coke, Stanborry, Alardis, Marshall, Carr
of Indiana, and Dullard.
<*Jn Manufactures—Messrs. Adams, Condict,
Findlay, Horn, Pcyan, Worthington, and Bari
hour, of Va.
On Agriculture—Messrs. Root, McCoy of Va.,
! truth of Pa., Chandler, Jenifer, Wheeler, and
I Tompkins.
On Indian Affairs—Messrs. Bell, Lewis, Thomp
son, of (,'eo., Angel, Storrs, Mason, and Lecompte.
On Military Affairs—Messrs, Drayton, Vanco,
Hlair, of S. C., Mitchell of Aid., Speight, Adair, and
Ward.
On Naval Affairs—Messrs. Hoffman, Caraon,
White, of N. Y., Anderson, Branch, Milligan, and
Wat mo ugh.
On Foreign Affairs—Messrs. Archer, Evorott,
Mass,, Taylor, Polk, Crawford, Barnwell, and
Wayne.
On the Territories.—Aiossrs. Kerr, of Mil.
Creighton, Win. B. Shepard, Williams, of N. C.,
Huntington, Allen, of Kv., slid Roane.
On Revolutionary Pensions—Mosers. Huh!,aid,
\ Hacks, Mitchell, of S. C., Denny, l'cndietcrii
| Doul.leaay, and *favan*ugh.
On Invalid Poi.. ions.— Messrs. Buigcus, Ford,
I'.vans, of Maine, Used, of N. Fork; Appleton,
Lansing, and .Sou!hard.
Oi Rcvisal and Unfinished Business.—T.Icssrs.
Rood, of .Mass. Kiunon, and Soule.
• It Accounts.— Meters. Allen, of Va., Burd and
Bergen.
1 On Expenditures in the Department of Stale.—
Messrs. Lent, Evans, of P»., and McKay.
On Expenditures in the Department of the Trca
sury.—Messrs. Stephens, Wardwcll, and Fitzge
rald,
On Expenditures in the Department of War.—
Messrs. Aug. H. Sheppard, Al.inn, and Felder.
On Expenditures in the Department of the
Navy.— .Messrs. Maxwell Hal! ofTcn , and Harper:
On Expenditures in tire f)eparlment of the Post
Office—Alcssrr. Hawes, Datc.-i of Alaiiio, ancf
Broadhead of N. A’.
On expenditures on the Public Buildings.—
AIvssi. Young, Spcncsr, and Tracy.
IX THE COURT or APPEALS.
Monday, Dkctmuf.r 5th, Dill.
Mortal! rs. Mortal/ ar.d others.— 1 pop an appeal
from a judgment ot' tho Superior Court <»f Law <>T
Berkeley county—Dismissed, record not being
brought within the linn? limited by law.
Allen's cx'ors vs. Carr, tje.—Upon nn appeal
from a dccrco pronounced by the Superior Court
of Chancery held in Staunton.—Arguments com
tinued.
Adjourned till to-morrow 1 o’clock.
Tens day, j):*c. (Jib, Id31.
Uollingsicorih rs. Milieu.—Upon «n appeal from
a judgment of the Superior Court of Law of Fred’
orick county-—On motion of the appellants’ coum
ac-l this an:>eal was ordered to he docketed.
Kelso vs. ti>icklmni.—Upon an appeal from a
decree prop«un«ed* by ilio Superior Court of Chn*.
cory hub* in Staunton.—l.*oe<e . reversed and bill
disunited with costs.
Alim's cx'on. vs. Carr, c.— Arguments con
tinued.
Adjourned till to-morrow. 1 o’clock.
WEDNESDAY, Dec. 7th.
Stokes Smith vs. The Upper Appomattox
Company.—Upon an appeal from a judgment of
the Superior Court of Law ot Henrico county.—
Judgment affirmed with costs.
J\ insoleirrg vs. Kinsolvinp nnd others—Upon an
appeal fiom a judgment of the Superior Court of
Law of Albemarle county.—I- ew writ, of superse
deas awarded upon the appellant's motion.
Allen's cx'ors vs. Carr tjV.— Arguments conclu
ded by C. Johnson and •>. W. Leigh tor appellant
and R. Stanard for appellee.
Adjourned till to-morrow 1 o’clock.
Thursday, Due. Stli.
Kemper vs. James-— Upon an appeal from a do
cree pronounced by the Superior l ourt of C banco
rv held in Fredericksburg.— Partly argued by R
Stanard for appellee.
Adjourned till to-morrow 1 o’clock.
Friday, Dec. Dll*.
Kemper vs. James —Arguments concluded by
D. Jlriggs and F. Harrison for appellants.
Adjourned till to-morrow, 1 o’clock.
Saturday, Dec. 10th.
Harwell's cx'ors vs. StitU's cx'ors.—Upon an ap
peal from a decree pronounced by tho ^Su pc riot
Court of Chancory l.e’.d in Richmond. 1 lie i re
sident delivered the opinion of the Court in this
cause, reversing the decree <>1 the Chancellor,
and remanding the cause back to the said t hnneury
j Court, and from thence to one ot its commission
ers.
i Doswell vs. jt tt chart nan9 3 rr'ors, and Doswell vn.
livchannnn's ex'ors urnl other*.—Upon an appeal
from a decree pronounced by the, Superior ( onrt o|
Chancery held in Richmond.—Judge Carr delivered
the opinion of the Court in these cause*, reversing
the decree with courts, am{ rbmanding the causo
back with directions.
IhrrutbrougU's ex'ors vs. Tlurm's ex'ors.—Upon
an appeal from a jun gmcnt of the Shiperi
or ( ourt of Law of Culpeper county.—Judg
ment of the Supe.ior Court of Law' affirmed witli
damages am! costs.
Trent vs. Ilollmcui/'s ml'r, rf-c.— Upon nn apponl
from a decree prsnounend by tiic Superior Court of
Chancery held in Richmond.—Argued by P. V.
Daniel, Esq for appellant, and It. (»• Scott and O.
Robinson for appellees.
Trumbull's cx'or vs. Claiborne, —Upon is
writ of supersedeas to a judgment of the Superior
( ourt of Law of Dirtwiddin county.— Argued hv
I?. W. Leigh and J. Allison for appellants, and C,
Johnson, Esq. for appellees. t
Ilec'or Davis, Esq. qualified as Counsel.
Adjourned till .Monday next ! o’cloek.
The Maw Vork Mercantile Advertiser stntea
that the U. H. ship St. Louis, ( apt. Slottt, arrived
I in the lower Ray on Finlay, f.om a eruis r»f 3 years
J and 2 months in the Pacific; having visited near
I Iv nil the ports from Capo llori to the (iulf of
i California, and sailed, per log. net.rly 60,000 miles.
The health of the crew has, herhaps, been unpar
alleled, a. during this long Ciiliv.o, sho has lost but
one man by i.is use and that of a ctironic nature.
v*y>r ••’—•rr w -.””-1 «
m \'«»ir:?>.
F>r» tiie Uith n’t., Iiy the Rev. .1.tines Dotighen
! Mr. TifoMAS P. Haruino. of Powhatan, to Miss
! Marv E. TiMiir.RLAKff, of Louisa. 1
i>5 i:i>.
In Philadelphia, on Frui ty l ist, in the 03) year
of ht£ &ge, Mr. .Tanks 1/owst.i, for many yearn s
resifle’hi of tliis City. a
I n* *\«rn t. »i( a * t. Wion i« ruihliVhtd t vibe a wee'*
( I utps'! i 9 an I f ildey?,) at h » VL dollars per aunuot,
pnvatdn i i ady a«ig ».
For advrrtoo'i 75 .cut- a oar* for i««c) for the fir
insertion, and u0 *«v!- or «*" h c' utisoatir# —The imrrt
j nrr of insertions m o-S bs -1:4.1 on the MS orherwiss
tlte Aikwiimusiiii vih ha msiiim.fd and charged accord
Frevieus to x aisre.r.tinnanee nf the paper, all a:rear>
u*.r« n.1 : paid "n. A 1 1 1I1 •>,’ who ir-,iv wish f.u His
I ••.Wilt w ill inlifv the P'litOf* in tl,.,t i‘{rn SI loa^
o.ven v >»< h-h ie the |«tkh e: p ros lor v/'.ith ;hr/
«ufc w il rd. r<
Note sf rlia Vte ! *1 'ff pavir/ Hanks or a.iy of th
Siai-’s will he rprpi e,| tn pavm- nt for *nh*rription t»
■S iS' Whig, though \ 1 •• >u or IJ States fiaetc Noios wouli
M 06 pieferrerl, an 1 remitsaure.r .-an be mads >»sua jt*.
1 rcsiOficsai therilk'f *'•« t lilci* * • ir -V