The Daily Advertiser

RICHMOND. (Virginia) Nov. 26.

Extract from the Journal of the House of Delegates

FRIDAY, NOV. 14, 1788.

The house, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole house, on an application to Congress to call a convention of the states, to take into consideration the defects of the constitution, and report the necessary amendments; also on the draft of a letter to Governor Clinton, and to the several states on the same subject; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Bullitt reported, that the committee had, according to order, had the said application and draft of letters under their consideration, and amended the same; and he read the said application and draft of letters, as amended, in his place, and afterwards delivered them in at the clerk's table, where the same were again read and are as followeth:

Resolved, That it is the opinion of this committee, that an application ought to be made, in the name and on behalf of the legislature of this commonwealth, to the Congress of the United States, in the words following, to wit:

"The Good People of this commonwealth, in convention assembled, having ratified the constitution submitted to their consideration, this legislature has, in conformity to that act, and the resolutions of the United States in Congress assembled, to them transmitted, thought proper to make the arrangements that were necessary, for carrying it into effect. Having thus shown themselves obedient to the voice of their constituents, all America will find, that so far as it depended on them, that plan of government will be carried into immediate operation.

"But the sense of the people of Virginia would be but in part complied with, and but little regarded, if we went no further. In the very moment of adoption, and coeval with the ratification of the new plan of government, the general voice of the convention of this state, pointed to objects, no less interesting to the people we represent, and equally entitled to your attention. At the same time that from motives of affection for our sister states, the convention yielded their assent to the ratification, they gave the most unequivocal proofs that they dreaded its operation under the present form.

"In acceding to a government under this impression, painful must have been the prospect, had they not derived consolation from a full expectation of its imperfections being speedily amended. In this resource therefore, they placed their confidence--a confidence that will continue to support them whilst they have reason to believe they have not calculated upon it in vain.

"In making known to you the objections of the people of this commonwealth, to the new plan of government, we deem it necessary to enter into a particular detail of its defects, which they consider as involving all the great and unalienable rights of freemen: For their reasons on this subject, we refer you to the proceedings of their late convention, and the sense of this general assembly, as expressed in their resolutions of the -- day of

"We think proper, however to declare, that in our opinion, as those objections were not founded in speculative theory, but deduced from principles, which have been established by the melancholy example of other nations in different ages--So they never will be removed until the cause itself shall cease to exist. The sooner therefore the public apprehensions are quieted, and the government is possessed of the confidence of the people, the more salutary will be its operations, and the longer its duration.

"The cause of amendments we consider as a common cause, and since concessions have been made from political motives, which we conceive may endanger the republic; we trust that a commendable zeal will be shown for obtaining those provisions, which experience has taught us are necessary to secure from danger the unalienable rights of human nature.

The anxiety with which our countrymen press for the accomplishment of this important end, will ill admit of delay. The slow forms of congressional discussion and recommendation, if indeed they should ever agree to any change, would we fear be less certain of success. Happily for their wishes, the constitution hath presented an alternative, by admitting the submission to a convention of the states. To this therefore we resort, as the source from whence they are to derive relief from their present apprehensions. We do therefore, in behalf of our constituents, in the most earnest and solemn manner make this application to Congress. that a
from the several states, with full power to take into their consideration the defects of this constitution that have been suggested by the state conventions, and report such amendments thereto as they shall find best suited to promote our common interest, and secure to ourselves, and our latest posterity, the great and unalienable rights of mankind."

Draft of a Letter to Governor Clinton on the same Subject.

SIR,

"The letter from the convention of the state of New-York, hath been laid before us since our present session. The subject which it contemplated was taken up, and we have the pleasure to inform you, of the entire concurrence in sentiment between that honorable body, and the representatives in senate and assembly of the freemen of this commonwealth. The propriety of immediately calling a convention of the states, to take into consideration the defects of the constitutions, was admitted, and in consequence thereof, an application agreed to, to be presented to the Congress as soon as it shall be convened, for the accomplishment of that important end. We herewith transmit to your excellency a copy of this application, which we request may be laid before your assembly at their next meeting. We take occasion to express our most earnest wishes that it may obtain the approbation of New-York, and of all our sister states.
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Draft of a Letter to the several States on the Subject.

The freemen of this state in convention assembled, having, at the same time that they ratified the federal constitution, expressed a desire that many parts which they consider as exceptionable should be amended, the general assembly, as well from a sense of duty as a conviction of its defects, have thought proper to take the earliest measures in their power, for the accomplishment of this important object. They have accordingly agreed upon an application to be presented to the Congress as soon as it shall be assembled, requesting that honorable body to call a convention of deputies from the several states to take the same into their consideration, and report such amendments as they shall find best calculated to answer the purpose. As we conceive that all the good people of the United States are equally interested in obtaining those amendments that have been proposed. we trust that there will be an harmony in their sentiments and measures, upon this very interesting subject. We herewith transmit you a copy of this application, and take the liberty to subjoin our earnest wishes that it may have your concurrence.""