Richmond Enquirer

This motion prevailed--but some difficulty arose on the main question whether the resolution should be laid on the table and made the order of the day for Monday next--a desire being expressed to divide the question--To rid the House of this difficulty, Mr. Leavells moved a reconsideration of the question, which was carried.

Some conversation then ensued between various gentlemen on the best mode of proceeding. Mr. Baldy, though disposed to think there were some defects in the Constitution which required amendment, yet was satisfied that such a proposition could not be carried at this session, and at this period of the session. The subject had now been brought to the consideration of the people--and he recommended it to the gentleman to withdraw the resolution.

The question was taken on laying the resolution on the table, and carried without a division.

The question then came up for making it the order of the day on Monday next; when Mr. May moved to make it the order of the day for Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. This gave rise to a desultory debate, in which Mr. May's motion was opposed by Messrs. Stephenson of Tyler, Brown of Preston, Chapman, and Cowan, and supported by Mr. Keen.

Mr. Riley declared himself opposed to fixing any day, or hour of any day, for taking up the resolution at all--for he contended, that the minds of the people were not made up, nor even turned to the subject.

Mr. May's proposition was rejected--and various days were then suggested for the order of the day. The motion of Mr. Stephenson of Tyler, fixing the 20th instant as the day for taking it up, prevailed, by a vote of 59 to 42.

LITERARY FUND.

Mr. Tunstall submitted the following resolutions, which he prefaced with some remarks:

Resolved, That the Committee on Finance be instructed to report a bill which shall authorize that so much of Virginia 5 per cent stock as is held by the Literary Fund to the amount of $24,039 17, as well as Virginia 7 per cent. stock, amounting to $319,000, be cancelled, and the certificates of obligation dissolved.

Resolved, That the Committee of Finance inquire into the expediency of dissolving the Literary Fund, (and the fund to Internal Improvement, on motion of Mr. Goode,) and authorize that all monies which by law are now payable into those funds, be made directly into the Treasury.

Mr. McPherson moved to amend the first resolution by making it an inquiry, instead of a positive instruction. Agreed to.

The resolution was then adopted.

Mr. Goode moved to amend the second resolution, so as to include the Internal Improvement fund. Agreed to.

The resolution was then adopted by ayes and noes--ayes 104, noes 10.

PETITIONS.

Petitions were presented by Mr. Lee, of Preston, from M. Adams and 30 others, for the survey of a route for a road from Clarksburg to some point on the Guyandotte Turnpike.

By Mr. Smith of R., of B. Fleming, asking the establishment of a Ferry across the Ohio River in Ohio county.

The SPEAKER announced the following Select Committee to investigate the management and condition of the Penitentiary:

Messrs. Dorman, Goode, Brown of Nelson, Chapman, Tunstall, Lee, Fulton, Coles, Smith of I. of W., Gregory, Williams, Buffington and Taylor of N. B.

On motion of Mr. Donnan, the Delegate from Kanawha had leave of absence for the remainder of the session.

Mr. Beard presented bills from Committee on Internal Improvement.

On motion of Mr. Stuart,

Resolved, That the Committee of Schools and Colleges be instructed to inquire into the expediency of making some provision by law for relieving the annuity of the "Virginia Institution for the education of the Deaf and Dumb and the Blind," from the burthen imposed on it by the purchase of the necessary furniture, books, musical instruments and other necessary apparatus for the outfit of the schools.

On motion of Mr. Donnan the revenue bill was taken up and read.

Mr. Strother stated that he wished to offer an important amendment to tax stocks, &c., which he was not now prepared to submit.

Several other gentlemen gave notice of amendments which they wished to offer, as soon as they could be reduced to form. The bill then, on motion of Mr. Fulton, was laid on the table, and made the order of the day for to-morrow.

The bill authorizing the removal of causes from the Court of Appeals in Richmond to Lewisburg, coming up on engrossment, Mr. Donnan moved to restrict the authority to parties residing within the jurisdiction of the Western Court; agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Williams, the House adjourned.

Friday, February 12.

The revenue bill was taken up and discussed during the day. Mr. Smith of I. of W. moved to amend the bill by striking out twelve and a half cents for every hundred dollars worth of land, and inserting ten cents.

This raised the question of an increase of taxation to meet the public engagements and the current expenses of the Government. Mr. Donnan, Mr. Gregory, Mr. Stephenson of T., Mr. Lee, Mr. Robertson and Mr. Williams opposed the motion to amend, and urged the wisdom and policy of increased taxation, in the present

The motion to amend was lost by a large majority.

Mr. May moved a farther amendment to impose the same tax on town property as is imposed upon the same species of property in the country; but before any vote was taken, the hour being late, the House adjourned.