Daily Richmond Whig

HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 13.

Mr. Garland of Nelson, offered the following resolution:

Resolved That the Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation, be instructed to enquire into the expediency of making an appropriation, or providing for the improvement of the navigation of James River, on what parts of the River, improvement is necessary; what will be the best and most practicable mode of improvement, and what will be the probable expense.

Mr. Garland explained the motives which urged him to present this resolution, which being one of enquiry, he hoped the courtesy of the House would induce it to pass. The inconvenience and danger of the navigation—the necessity of doing something to render the improvement already made, available—and of advancing in the great work of improvement so much neglected by Virginia, were considerations which forcibly addressed themselves to the attention of the Legislature.

Mr. Gilmer moved to amend the resolution, by referring, so much of the Governor's Message as relates to James River, to the Committee of Roads and Navigation.

Mr. Anderson of Botetourt, suggested the propriety of referring to the committee of Roads, all that part of the Governor's Message relating to internal improvement.

Mr. Gilmer did not concur in the suggestion. To refer the whole subject of improvement would be to embarrass the committee. He was as warm a friend to internal improvement as the gentleman from Botetourt, and to improvements in all parts of the State; but he thought it wiser to refer one scheme at a time.

Mr. Garland accepted Mr. Gilmer's amendment; and Mr. Anderson then moved further to amend, by referring the whole subject of improvement: avowing his object to be, to disarm the jealousy entertained of the James River improvement, by placing all schemes at once, and impartially before the committee.

Mr. Williams of Harrison advocated this course as the fairest, and as best calculated to reconcile and harmonize the Legislative action on internal improvement.

It was opposed by Messrs. McFarland, Gilmer and Wilson of Cumberland—supported by Messrs. Anderson and Jackson, on the grounds respectively, disclosed above—and carried in the affirmative.

Mr. Terrill to give time for the friends of internal improvement to agree upon the best course among themselves, moved to lay the resolution for the present, on the table—but the motion was negatived.

After which the resolution as amended, was adopted.

On motion of Mr. Newman, the committee of Propositions and Grievances was instructed to enquire into the expediency of establishing a separate election at the house of James George, in the lower end of Mason County.

On motion of Mr. Rives of Campbell, the committee of Agriculture had leave to send for persons and papers in the investigation of the resolution, relative to the inspection of flour.

Mr. McFarland offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That the committee of Roads and Navigation enquire into the expediency of directing the Board of Internal Improvement to subscribe in behalf of the commonwealth, to the stock of the Petersburg rail road company.

Mr. McFarland stated the claims of the Rail Road to the regards of the State—the unprecedented subscription to it, exceeding any example known in Virginia, of subscription to a public work—and the certainty of the great value of the rail road when completed.

The resolution was passed:

Mr. Newton offered the following resolution which was adopted nem con.

Resolved, That the committee for Courts of Justice be instructed to enquire if any and what amendment of the existing laws concerning Juries are necessary, and whether it be expedient or not, to allow Jurors compensation for their services.

Petitions were presented by Messrs. Spurlock, Pollard of King and Queen, Kinney, Murdaugh, Booker and Kilgore.

Reports were made by Messrs. Goode, Rives of Campbell, Eppes and Leigh, from different standing committees.

Mr. McFarland, adverting to his situation as President of a Branch of the Bank of Virginia, asked to be excused from serving on the joint committee to examine the condition of the Bank of Virginia and Farmers' Bank—and was excused accordingly by the House.