Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
House of Delegates,
Monday, January 8

A bill was passed authorising the appointment and fixing the pay for prosecutor of the commonwealth ($500 for all the counties in each circuit, and in proportion for any number of counties.)

The house having gone into a committee of the whole, Mr Banks in the chair--a report, and certain resolutions on the subject of internal improvements were taken up, and agreed to with amendments, and a bill or bills directed to be brought in. The amendments chiefly regarded the improvement of the navigation of rivers not named in the report, such as the Dan, &c.

Tuesday, January 9.

The house of Delegates went into a committee of the whole on the state of the commonwealth-Mr. Magill in the chair---

The subject of a general convention for the purpose of amending the constitution, was discussed. The 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, being taken up, Mr. Scott, of York. moved to amend the preamble by substituting for

" Whereas it is represented to the present general assembly of Virginia that the good people of this commonwealth, desire various amendments, &c."-

.. Whereas &c. that part of the good people, &c. After some discussion the amendment was lost. Mr. King of Norfolk, then proposed to insert instead of the good people---six thousand of the good people, &c. This occasioned some debate. and Mr, King ultimately withdrew his amendment; so that the preamble was preserved in its original state.

Mr. Doddridge then moved to strike out the first section of the bill, directing the sheriffs to ascertain, at the time of the ensuing elections, the opinion of

votes for and against the call of a convention. The motion having been seconded, an animated debate commenced. Mr. Banks opposed the motion; he was answered by Mr. Selden. Much eloquence, by which we mean abundance of solid argument, clothed in conspicuous, strong, and eloquent language, was displayed in this interesting prelude to a debate fraught with vital importance to the people at large. The day being far advanced, & other gentlemen wishing to enter the lists of argument on the subject, reported progress, and asked leave to sit again.

Wednesday, January 10.

The bill for the convention of the people, which was yesterday discussed in the committee of the whole house, was, not taken up to-day, principally because it was deemed most proper to wait the fate of the bill which Mr. Doddridge has obtained leave to bring in for the purpose of arranging the senatorial districts, in a manner which it is supposed will cure the most striking defects in the senate : the branch of the legislature which is generally supposed to be most objectionable.

The report of the committee, to whom was referred the petitions for branches of the existing banks, and the incorporation of independent banks, was to-day taken up, and after several amendments for the most part amendments of form more than of the subject matter) proposed. by Mr. Mercer, were agreed to, was read, and is now on its progress through the house.

Mr. Barbour moved the following resolution, which was adopted, & a committee accordingly appointed :

Resolved, That a committee be appointed to enquire how far it is expedient, to give legislative relief to the people of this commonwealth, until the period at which the banks of this state will probably resume specie payments.

A variety of local business, not of much concern to the public.