The Virginian

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.

The present session of the Legislature may be expected to be one of considerable length and importance. We shall therefore pay particular attention to its proceedings, and lay before our readers as diffuse an account of them as a due attention to other matters will permit. The first days of the session are generally occupied in the reception and reference of petitions, and in laying the foundation of the more important measures of the session. Such parts of their proceedings, so far, as are in the least interesting, we give below:

Tuesday, November 30.—The Speaker proceeded to appoint the Standing Committees of the House, viz: The Committee for Courts of Justice; the Committee of Privileges and Elections; the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; the Committee of Claims; a Committee to examine the state of the Penitentiary Institution, a Committee to examine the Expenditures of the Executive for the current year; a Committee to examine the condition of the Public Armoury; a Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation: a Committee to examine the Register's Office; a Committee to examine the Clerk's Office; a Committee of Finance; a committee for examining enrolled bills; a Committee of Schools and Colleges; Committee, to examine jointly with a Committee from The Senate, the Treasurer's accounts; a Committee to examine the Auditor's office: a Committee to examine the Bonds of Public Officers; a Committee to examine the laws on the subject of the Militia: Mr. Thomas C. Howard was appointed Clerk to the Committee for Courts of Justice; Mr. Thomas Varneson, Clerk to the Committee of Propositions and Grievances; Mr. Fabius Lawson, Clerk to the Committee of Privileges and Elections; and of Claims; and Mr. Peyton Drew, Clerk to the Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation.

The House were occupied for some time in discussing the contested election between Messrs. Davis and Berkeley, from the county of Hanover—each of whom were on the floor of the House, besides Mr. Morris—Finally, the House came to a resolution, to refer the contest to the Committee of Privileges and Elections, and in the mean time to allow Mr. Berkeley to retain his seat on the floor.

A communication was received a little after 3 o'clock, from Mr. Robert Taylor, President of the Electoral College of Virginia, informing that all the Electors appeared to be present, excepted Gen. John Purnall of Prince Edward.

The House then proceeded in joint ballot with the Senate to supply the vacancy. Mr. Carrington of Charlotte nominated Colonel Joseph Wyatt of the county of Charlotte, now a member of the Senate and in favor of the election of William H. Crawford, as President of the United States.

No other person was put in nomination.

The ballots stood, for Colonel Wyatt 124 scattering. 3.

Wednesday, December 1.—Sundry communications were received from the Clerk to the Literary Fund— which were ordered to be printed for the use of the House.

A motion was made by Mr. Armistead, that the House agree to the following resolution: "Resolved that this House will, on Friday the 3d of the present month, proceed, by joint ballot with the Senate, to the election of a Senator to the Congress of the United States, to supply the vacancy occasioned by the death of Col. John Taylor, esq." On Mr. Patterson's motion, this resolution was laid on the table.

On motion of Mr. Thompson of Fairfax the Committee for Courts of Justice were instructed to enquire into the expediency of amending the act "reducing into one the several acts concerning Wills, the distribution of Intestates' estates, and the duty of Executors and Administrators," so as to provide more effectually for the faithful performance of the duties of Executors and Administrators, security for the faithful account and application of equitable assets, a limitation of time within which they may be sued after the final settlement of their accounts, and such other amendments as to them may appear necessary.

A petition was presented and read of Reuben Johnson, of the county of Giles, complaining of the undue election and return of Wm. Smith as a delegate from that county. Also a petition of Edward Anderson, of the county of Chesterfield, complaining of the undue election and return of Allan McRae, as a delegate from that county:—Both these petitions were referred to the committee of Privileges and Elections.

Various other petitions were presented and referred— among them a petition of Wm. Brent, of the county of Stafford calling the attention of the General Assembly to an investigation of the rights of the people, secured to them in the election of President and Vice President of the United States, and suggesting the propriety of an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, giving to the people themselves the right to vote for the President and Vice President, without the intervention of Electors.

The Richmond Whig says that on Thursday nothing was done but the reception and reference of petitions.

In our next we shall publish several official documents which have been presented to the Legislature—among them a Report from Mr. Jefferson, of much interest, on the present state and future prospects of the University.