Martinsburgh Gazette

Virginia Legislature.

Friday January 16.

On motion of Mr. Colston, the House resolved itself into a committee of the Whole--Mr. Mallory in the chair, and took into consideration the bill concerning the University of Virginia:--The amendment offered by Mr. Monroe of Fairfax, on the day before, proposing to free the annuity of the University, from the payment of interest on the loans made to that Institution, until the 1st March 1824, being still under consideration. The debate on this, as on the preceding day, took a wide range, involving the various measures which had been adopted, from time to time, in relation to it--its great utility and importance--and the measures proper to be adopted to carry it into effect. Some of the speakers discussed the merits of the proposed amendment: But the debate seemed to be on the general principles of the bill, rather than the specific proposition before the committee. The speakers against the bill were Messrs. Christian, Colston, Morgan, Graves, and Watkins of Prince Edward; those in favor of it, were Messrs. Gordon, Taylor of Botetourt, Blackburn, and Harvie of the city of Richmond. The debate continued more than three hours, and produced a display of eloquence and of feeling, which but few subjects excite in that House. We have not room or even an abbreviation of the views of the speakers--if we were to attempt it as to one, it would be equally due as to all.

Mr. Dromgoole suggested that there were several other gentlemen, who wished to address the Committee, and moved that it rise, report and ask leave to sit again.--In this motion, he was supported by Messrs. Patteson of B., Taylor and Morris of H. The Committee accordingly rose--Mr. Mallory reported, and obtained leave to sit again on the next day: And the House then adjourned.

Saturday, Jan. 17.--No other business was transacted this day, than an execution in part of the joint order for the election of two members of the executive council. About two hours were employed in the nomination of candidates; and nearly three to the taking of ballots. One member only (Dr. Samuel Colton, one of the delegates from Elizabeth City.) was elected--and the further execution of the joint order was consequently postponed till another day.

Monday, Jan. 19.--The House proceeded jointly with the Senate to the election of a Second Auditor for one year from the 25th of February next. James Brown, Jr. the present incumbent, was nominated by Mr. Jones of York, and re-elected without opposition.

On motion of Mr. Parker, the House resolved to proceed jointly with the Senate to the election of a member of the Privy Council, in the place of Wm. Selden, Esq. removed. In this resolution the Senate concurred; and, on motion of Mr. Mason, of Stafford, the joint resolution was executed. On the 5th ballot, it appeared that Nash Legrand, Esq. a delegate from Alleghany county, was elected.

Tuesday, Jan. 20.--On motion of Mr. Moore, of F. the bill incorporating the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Company was taken up.

Mr. Loyal moved to lay the bill on the table, on the ground that many gentlemen on that floor had not examined the bill with sufficient care to understand all its provisions. After some conversation in which Messrs. Colston, Chilton, Spooner, Moore, of F. and Harvie, took part; Mr. Harvie suggested that he had made the motion under an impression that there was a clause in the bill conceding the constitutional right of Congress to legislate on the subject of internal improvement. The bill was laid on the table.

Mr. Harvie, of R. obtained leave to bring in a bill concerning the Arm Insurance Company of the city of Richmond.

On Mr. Kincheloe's motion, leave was given to bring in a bill, to incorporate a Company to erect a toll-bridge across the Tygart's Valley River at or near where the state road crosses the same leading from Winchester to Clarksburg.

The engrossed bill concerning the University of Virginia, was upon Mr. Parker's motion, laid upon the table.

Wednesday, Jan. 21.--The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor of this state, accompanying the copy of a preamble and resolution entered into by the Legislature of Alabama, stating "the belief of the Legislature that it is the ardent wish of a large majority of their constituents, that Gen. Andrew Jackson should succeed Mr. Monroe, as President of the United States of America; and that they have no doubt that he will receive the undivided support of the state of Alabama."

On motion of Mr. Moore, of F. the Governor's communication, with the accompanying documents, were laid on the table.