Richmond Enquirer

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.

HOUSE OF DELEGATES,

Wednesday, December 20.

A Report embracing various Resolutions, was received from the committee of P. & G.—one of which was, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Orange, praying that all that part of the said county, lying above the Bumping ford, on the Conway River, may be added to and made a part of the county of Madison, by running a straight line due West from the said ford until it intersects with the Swift-run Turnpike road, thence with said road to the Rockingham line, and with that line to the intersection of Madison County line on the Blue Ridge, is reasonable.—Agreed to by the House.

On motion of Mr. Scott, (of York,) Resolved, That the Governor be, and he is hereby requested, to inform this House how far Resolutions adopted by preceding Legislatures, conferring, on our Military or Naval Officers, swords or other marks of respect and approbation, have been executed.

On motion of the same gentleman, Ordered, that the Report of the President & Directors of the Literary Fund be referred to a Select committee.

A variety of petitions was received—among them, one from sundry inhabitants of Charlestown (Brooke County,) praying to be incorporated under the name of the Charlestown Ohio Bridge Company. with a view to erect a permanent toll-bridge across the Ohio river from Charlestown to the opposite shore—Referred to the C. of P. & G.

A petition was presented and read of John Blankenship of the County of Bath, recommending to the consideration of the Legislature certain amendments to the laws, in relation to debts due to and from persons removing out of the Commonwealth and concerning the mode of recovery of money due to labouring men and hirelings of all descriptions—Also another petition from the said person, proposing certain amendments to the laws concerning Grand Juries.

The questions, being severally put upon the reference thereof, were determined in the negative. The said petitions were consequently rejected.

Thursday, December 21.

Engrossed Bills—" Authorising the sale of a tract of land belonging to the heirs of Stephen J. Compton, deceased;" " Authorising the sale of a tract of land belonging to the heirs of Doctor David Dick ;" " Vesting in Mary Alexander the Commonwealth's right to the real estate of which David Alexander died seised :" " Authorising the sale of a tract of land, belonging to the heirs of Dr. John Weems, deceased :" " Divorcing Sophia McCaughey from her husband Charles McCaughey :" " Concerning Alexander Walker :"—were severally read a third time and passed.

A Communication was received from the Governor, enclosing a letter from the Adjutant-General, with the Annual Return of the Militia of the Commonwealth.

On motion of Mr. King, leave was given to bring in a bill, " To amend the Penal Laws of this Commonwealth."

Mr. Rutherford, from the Select Committee, to which sundry Petitions praying the call of a Convention to amend the Constitution were referred, presented a Bill, " Requiring the Sheriffs of the different counties and corporations, within this Commonwealth, to take the sense of the People upon the propriety of calling a Convention." —Received, and laid upon the table.

Various private petitions were received and referred—among others, one of a novel nature, viz : of Solomon Pasley, junior, an offender convicted before the Superior Court of law for the county of Henrico, upon several indictments for receiving stolen goods, knowing them to be stolen, and sentenced to three years' confinement in the common jail; praying the Legislature, for reasons stated in the petition, to remit him the remainder of his confinement, or so far to curtail it as may seem meet.—Referred to the C. for C. of J.

A petition was received and referred from a number of the citizens of the town of Manchester, and many others on the South side of James River, praying the passage of a law, incorporating a Company for the purpose of improving the navigation of James River, adjoining the Falls, on the Chesterfield shore, on such principles as may appear most conducive to general utility—Also—one from sundry citizens of Richmond, Petersburg, &c. praying a law to straitcn and turnpike a road from Richmond to Petersburg.

Friday, December 22.

Mr. Rutherford's Bill, " requiring the Sheriffs of the different counties and corporations within this Commonwealth, to take the sense of the people upon the propriety of calling a Convention," was read the first and second time, and ordered to be committed to a committee of the whole House on the state of the Commonwealth, and 250 copies to be printed.

On Mr. Wooding's motion, leave was given to bring in a Bill to amend the last Act on the subject of Taxes on lands.

A number of petitions, heretofore laid on the table, were read and referred.