MESSRS. ROBINSON, MACFARLAND, MORSON
AND PATTON.

IN REPLY TO

A COMMUNICATION FROM MANY CITIZENS OF THE

RICHMOND DISTRICT.

THE

PREFACE.

No sooner was it proclaimed that a majority of the votes given by the people of Virginia in April 1850, was cast in favour of a convention to amend the constitution, than in different parts of the state many persons were brought forward or proposed themselves as delegates to the convention, who seemed to vie with each other in plans not to amend but to destroy the constitution.

Although the people generally had before been accustomed to think that they were in "the enjoyment of life and liberty, with the means of obtaining happiness and safety," many were now often surprised to hear that their government was inadequate, or contrary to these purposes, and still more surprised at some of the schemes from time to time suggested in lieu of that form of government so long in advantageous operation "for the common benefit, protection and security of the people."

More than "One of the People" in each revolving year regard with increased admiration the wisdom and patriotism of the Virginia statesmen of "76-as many look back with pride on those who were in the convention of 1829, and are pleased to see their wisdom recalled to the mind of the present generation.

In the Richmond Whig and Richmond Enquirer, a series of numbers appeared in June and July 1850, under the signature of "One of the People," developing such sound and rational views as in the opinion of many citizens to recommend them to the calm consideration of every Virginian.

To preserve them both for present perusal and future reference, they have thought it well to embody them in this form, and to publish with them the accompanying letters, from Messrs. Robinson, Macfarland, Morson and Patton, in reply to an application from many citizens of the Richmond convention district.

Richmond, July 1850.

VIEWS OF THE CONSTITUTION.

No. I.

THE EXECUTIVE.-PATRONAGE.

At a time when there seems to be an increasing disposition to extend the powers of the governor of the state, it may be well to recur to the views of a former chief magistrate who stood high in the estimation of the republican party.

In the Virginia convention of 1829, Mr. Giles, adverting to the disposition to imitate British systems, said:

"An example of this spirit of imitation may be seen in the organization of the executive of the United States. There we have exhibited the anomaly of an executive, attached to a republican legislature, having more monarchical than republican tendencies. We have thrown so much power and patronage into the hands of the federal executive that we must see the danger which threatens us from its organization. Yet that executive is now held up to us for our imitation. How this happened, he could not perceive, if gentlemen had the same views of the organization of the executive of the federal government that he had, and the same views of the peculiar fitness of the executive government of Virginia, as it is now established, to a republican form of government. So far from abandoning the old system and falling into the gulf of imitation, the strongest of the natural propensities of men, we should call on those who may hereafter aid in amending the federal constitution to follow the example of Virginia. If the Virginia system were transferred to the United States, it would be the best improvement that could be adopted."

After some other remarks, he said, "as to want of power in the executive, so far as his experience had gone, although he had been often accused of an inordinate love of power, he then had as much power as he wished to have, or ought to have, or as any other human being should have. Executive patronage and power were the sure causes of all political mischief. The demoralizing influence which we have seen throughout the whole United States, arose mainly from giving too much patronage to the federal executive."