Constitutional Whig

In pursuance of public notice, a large and respectable meeting of the young men of Richmond convened at the Capitol, on Wednesday evening, the 15th February inst., for the purpose of forming a Junior Colonization Society, auxiliary to the Colonization Society of Virginia.

The meeting being called to order, Mr. Gustavus A. Myers was invited to take the Chair, and Thomas S. Taylor appointed Secretary.

On motion, Resolved, That the Chairman be requested to invite any gentlemen present, who may feel disposed, (whether they intend connecting themselves with the Society that may now be formed, or not,) to take a part in the proceedings of this meeting.

On motion, the following preamble and resolution were adopted:

Whereas, it is expedient now to form a Junior Colonization Society, Resolved, That a Committee of five be now appointed to prepare and report a Constitution forthwith.

Whereupon, the following gentlemen were appointed to compose said Committee—Thomas M. Alfriend, Charles Holt, jr. David N. Wiley, Geo. W. Hundley, and David M. Branch.

The Committee having retired a short time, returned with the following Constitution, which was unanimously adopted:

Art. 1. This Society shall be denominated the Richmond Junior Colonization Society, and shall be auxiliary to the Colonization Society of Virginia.

Art. 2. Any person who shall contribute one dollar, or more, annually, to the funds of this Society, shall be a member, and the payment, at any one time, of not less than ten dollars, shall constitute membership for life.

Art. 3. The officers of the Society shall be, a President, two Vice Presidents, Corresponding Secretary, Recording Secretary, and Treasurer, who with nine other members chosen for that purpose, shall compose a Board of Managers.— They shall be elected annually, and shall be competent to fill any vacancies that may occur in their own body. Five members shall constitute a quorum for business.

Art. 4. It shall be the special object of this Society, to raise funds, to be appropriated for the benefit of those free colored persons who shall emigrate from the State of Virginia to Liberia, under the patronage of the State Society, or American Colonization Society.

Art. 5. Annual meetings of this Society shall be held in the month of December, at such time and place as the Board of Managers may appoint.

Art. 6. This Constitution may be altered only at a regular meeting of the Society, and by a vote of a majority of the members present.

The Chairman having invited all those present, who felt disposed to connect themselves with this Society, to come forward and do so, sixty-five gentlemen signed their names to the Constitution of the Society.

The Society then proceeded to the election of Officers and Managers for the ensuing year—and the following gentlemen were duly elected:

Gustavus A. Myers, President.

Francis J. Smith, and Raleigh T. Daniel, Vice Presidents.

James C. Crane, Corresponding Secretary.

Thomas S. Taylor, Recording Secretary.

James B. Macmurdo, Treasurer.

Thomas M. Alfriend, Saml. J. Rutherford, Dr. Wm. S. Scott, Charles Holt, jr. Efford B. Bentley, Wm. F. Watson, John S. Myers, Geo. W. Hundley, and David M. Branch, other Managers.

On motion, Resolved, That a committee of five be appointed to prepare an address, setting forth the objects of this Society, and requesting the co-operation of the young men of our State, for publication.

On motion, Resolved, That the young men throughout this State be requested to organize similar Auxiliary Societies; and that this Society will, with pleasure, aid them as far as is practicable, in extending any information which they may receive on the subject; which from their location may be available to them.

On motion, Resolved, That the Board of Managers be authorised to adopt such measures as they may deem expedient, for the admission of new members to this Society.

On motion, Resolved, That the thanks of this meeting be presented to those members of the Legislature who have favored us with their presence this evening; and especially to such of them as have addressed us.

On motion, Resolved, That the Chairman and Secretary, prepare the proceedings of this meeting for publication, and request the Editors of newspapers in this City to publish the same in their respective papers.

On motion, Resolved, That this meeting do now adjourn.

GUSTAVUS A. MYERS, Chairman.

THOMAS S. TAYLOR, Secretary.

The meeting was briefly but eloquently addressed by General Brodnax, Mr. Campbell of Brooke, Mr. Summers of Kanawha, and Mr. Wm. F. Watson of this City.