The Hillsborough Recorder

Legislature of North Carolina.

SENATE.

Monday, December 11.

On motion of Mr. Wellborn, the committee on internal improvements were instructed to inquire into the expediency of appropriating a part of their fund to the repairing and improving the turnpike road lately owned by Nathan Horton.

Mr. Locke, from the judiciary committee, to whom was referred a resolution on the subject, reported a bill to amend an act concerning the trial of slaves in capital cases, passed in 1818, which passed its first reading.

Mr. Locke, from the judiciary committee, to whom was referred a resolution proposing to modify or change the manner of holding our superior courts, made a detailed report thereon, which was ordered to be printed, and made the order of the day for Wednesday next.

Mr. Connor, from the select committee to whom was referred sundry petitions, praying for a charter to establish a college in the western part of this state, reported a bill for this purpose, which passed its first reading.

Mr. B. Person, from the select committee to whom was referred a resolution directing them to inquire into the expediency of passing a law establishing a sum per diem hereafter to be paid to the members of assembly, clerks and doorkeepers, reported a bill for this purpose, which passed its first reading.

The senate took up the bill to amend an act concerning clerks of courts, passed in 1819; and the bill to limit the time of bringing suits against executors, &c. and passed both bills a third time, and ordered them to be engrossed.

The bill to increase the penalty on sheriffs, &c. neglecting to perform their duty, was rejected.

Mr. Baker introduced a bill in aid of an act passed by the legislature of Virginia incorporating a company to establish a communication between the waters of Roanoke river, and those which fall into Chowan river, and the rivers and water courses intermediate between any of them and the river Potomac, which passed its first reading.

Tuesday, December 12.

On motion of Mr. Owen, the judiciary committee was instructed to inquire into the expediency of altering the mode of selling property under execution, so far as regards time and place.

Mr. Connor from the committee on internal improvements, to whom was referred resolutions proposing to appropriate money for repairing and improving a road leading from Old Fort over the Swannanoa Gap to Asheville, &c. and a road from Jonathan Woody's blacksmith's shop to the Tennessee line, reported against the expediency of such appropriation; which report was disagreed to, and the resolutions and report were recommitted, with instructions to report bills for carrying the propositions into effect.

On motion of Mr. Wellborn, a select joint committee was appointed to examine whether any, and if any, what sum would be necessary to furnish the house set apart for the governor with additional furniture.

Mr. Hill presented the petition of a number of the inhabitants of Chatham county, praying that the seat of justice may be removed to the town of Haywood, with a bill for carrying the prayer into effect. Both were referred to a select committee.

On motion of Mr. Connor, the committee on the militia laws were instructed to inquire into the expediency of passing a law authorising a revision of the militia laws of this state.

Mr. Shober introduced a bill to make affidavits taken before a magistrate, and certified by the clerk of the county court, prima facia evidence in any trial before any justice of the peace in any other county.

Mr. Calloway, a bill to appoint commissioners to view a part of the state road in Ashe county.

Mr. Atkinson, a bill relative to the organization of the militia of this state.

Mr. R. R. Johnson, a bill allowing compensation to jurors in the county of Warren.

All which bills passed their first reading.

The bill appointing commissioners for fixing a suitable place for the public buildings in Hyde county, has passed three readings in both houses.

Wednesday, December 13.

Mr. Wellborn from the select committee, to whom the bill was referred in relation to sales under execution, reported the bill with an amendment, which passed its first reading.

Mr. Hogan introduced a resolution directing the public printer to furnish each captain of militia in the state with a copy of the journals of the legislature, and that he be allowed 50 cents for each copy so furnished.--Passed its first reading.

Mr. Graves, from the committee of claims, to whom was referred the petition of the executor of the late major general Thomas Brown, reported an allowance for his services of 414 dollars. Passed its first reading.

Mr. Owen, from the committee to whom was referred the petition from Chatham for the removal of the seat of justice, reported a bill to remove the same to Haywood, which passed its first reading.

Mr. Black introduced a bill concerning coroners, which passed its first reading.

Thursday, December 14.

A number of bills were introduced from the house of commons, which passed their first reading.

Mr. Walton, from the committee appointed to revise the laws relative to patroilers, reported a bill to amend the patrol laws, which passed its first reading.

Mr. Dudley introduced a bill to incorporate the New river navigation company, which passed its first reading.

Friday, December 15.

The engrossed bill allowing additional compensation to the attorney general and solicitors for the state being read and amended, a motion was made to strike out the first section, which was negatived, 30 to 13. The bill was then ordered to be enrolled.

Mr. Atkinson reported a bill to amend the militia laws which passed its first reading.

On motion of Mr. Leonard, the committee on the militia laws were directed to inquire into the expediency of purchasing copies of the most approved military tactics for the commissioned officers of the state.

Saturday, December 16.

Mr. Black introduced a bill directing fees to be paid to certain estates.--Referred to the judiciary committee.

Mr. Graves, from the committee on the boundary line between this state and Tennessee, reported a bill to amend an act passed in 1819, making provision for running the boundary line between this state and Tennessee, and to repeal a part of the 4th section thereof, which passed its first reading.

The senate resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Owen in the chair, on the revenue bill. After some time the committee rose and reported the bill with amendments.--The house took up the bill, and a motion was made to strike out the tax of 20 dollars on pedlars, and carried, 30 votes to 28. It was then moved to fill the blank with 15 dollars and carried. The bill then passed its third reading.

Monday, December 18.

Mr. Locke, from the judiciary committee, reported a bill directing the county courts to pay fees to certain officers therein named in certain cases, which passed its first reading.

Mr. Shober introduced a bill to amend an act passed at the last session, giving to the county courts power to regulate separate elections; and a bill to revive and continue in force an act concerning military land warrants, passed in 1819.

Mr. M'Leary, a bill authorising certain persons to lay off for sale the property therein mentioned. [This bill was rejected on its second reading.]

Mr. Connor, from the committee on internal improvements, reported a bill for repairing and improving the road leading over the Swannanoa Gap to Asheville, thence to the Haywood line.

Mr. Owen, a bill to amend an act passed in 1734, to prevent the exportation of unmerchantable commodities.

Mr. Baker, from the committee appointed on the subject, reported a bill to establish a medical board.

All which bills passed their first reading.

Mr. Dudley introduced a resolution, stating that the Bank of the United States had been solicited by the general assembly to locate a branch of their bank in this state, from a belief that it would equalize the exchange and introduce a par currency; but from the illiberal policy of the branch established in the state, in running on the state banks for specie, &c. and thereby defeating the views entertained of its usefulness: Resolved therefore, that the said bank be requested to remove said branch as soon as practicable.--Indefinitely postponed.

The report respecting the superior courts was disagreed to.

The bill requiring sheriffs to settle with the wardens of the poor earlier than they now do, was indefinitely postponed.

As was also the bill for the better regulation of sheriffs, coroners and constables.