Herald Of The Valley

Virginia Legislature.
H. of Delegates.
Dec. 18.
An engrossed bill for "extending the limits of the town of Buchanan, and for other purposes"--was read a third time, & passed.
Mr. Bowyer, from the C. of Propositions and Grievances, presented a resolution rejecting the petition from Bath county, that this county might be transferred from the Lewisburg to the Staunton chancery-district court:--Agreed to by the House
Dec. 19
Mr. Barbour, from the C. of Courts of Justice, reported a resolution rejecting the petition of Archibald Murray, who prays the Commonwealth to release to him its right to the property of John Gofard, deceased: Agreed to by the House.
The order of the day, referring to the consideration of the committee of the whole, sundry petitions for the removal of the Seat of Government, being read,
Mr. Bowyer moved to postpone the same until the 19th of January. He said, it would be recollected, that the 13th inst. was the time first named for the discussion of the subject, and that the 19th was agreed upon, under the impression that the time for the reception of petitions would then have expired. But as that time had, in fact, not expired, he thought it proper further to postpone the subject. Actuated that the decision of the House upon so important a question should not be hurried, and that the petitioners would have just cause of complaint, if the house acted precipitately upon it. He appealed to the liberality of the House for the indulgence asked. It was consistent with parliamentary rules to permit the friends of a measure, to make that measure as perfect as possible, and to prepare themselves to support it. If the 19th January should not be thought suitable, he would agree to any other day which might be named.
He disclaimed any wish for an advantage, &c.
Mr. Madison opposed the postponement upon the ground, that there was at present a very full House; and, as the question was one of great importance, he thought it essential that a full and fair expression of the sense of the House should be had.
Mr. Sheffy had never known in the course of twenty-two years of legislative experience, a proposition like the present, resisted: Why, he asked, resist it? Are not the petitioners entitled to have their case decided in such a manner as to assure them that it had received that calm and deliberate investigation which they had a right to expect? Freemen, he said, were not so to be put down in this way--it would but increase their complaints, and, ultimately, they would be heard. He contended, it was the duty of the House to give the time asked for; and concurred with the member from Rockbridge in disclaiming any wish on the part of the friends of removal, for an advantage. Mr. S. was willing to allow gentlemen time to return from their homes after the Christmas holidays. For his part, he said, he had not had time to investigate the facts connected with the subject. He considered it important to shew where the centre of population was, and in what direction it was progressing; and had expected to be able to procure in this place, the census of 1790, of 1800 and 1810. The census of 1820 was not even before the House.
Mr. Foot thought the house was as adequate to decide at this, as it possibly could be at any future time. The question had been much agitated among the people, and the minds of members were no doubt made up on it. Some members had already gone home, and others residing within a convenient distance of Richmond, might be expected to be absent from their seats. He considered the postponement of the subject would be an aggrandizement of the power of the west.
Mr. Watkins, of Prince Edward, expressed himself in favor of the motion, and said if gentlemen could prove that the seat of government ought to be removed, his duty would compel him to vote for it, whatever might be his private feelings on the subject. As it appeared that many of the people felt a deep interest on the question, he thought it ought to be fully and calmly decided, that the decision might be satisfactory to the people.
The motion to postpone prevailed.
Ayes 110, Noes 90.
(This being the last day of receiving petitions)
On Mr. Madison's motion, "such petitions as are this day to be presented, were now received and laid upon the table"--in consequence of which resolution, thirty petitions were received, and without being read, laid upon the table.
Dec. 20.
On Mr. Gilmour's motion, the C. for Courts of Justice were instructed to enquire into the expediency of introducing the tread or stepping mill into the Penitentiary, or the punishment and suppression of crimes.
Mr. Garland from the Committee of Finance, made a report in favor of so modifying the act imposing taxes on houses of private entertainment in the western parts of the state, as to make the tax more equitable and just. Agreed to by the House.
Engrossed bills incorporating the Fincastle Library Company; authorizing separate elections in the counties of Monongalia and Tyler; were severally read a 3d time and passed.
Petitions were taken up, from the counties of Hardy, Greenbrier, Grayson and Wythe, for a removal of the seat of government. Referred to the Committee of the whole house.
Dec. 23.
A communication from the Senate, that they had passed the bills extending the limits of the town of Buchanan, and for other purposes; to continue the inspection of tobacco at Blackwater warehouse on the land of George Cabell, near Lynchburg.
The Speaker laid before the House a communication from the president of the Literary Fund, respecting the lottery drawn by Joseph Vannini, for the purpose of establishing an Academy at Blacksburg in Montgomery county. [Among the documents is the bond of Vannini, with James P. Preston and John Talaferro as his securities, in the sum of $3000 binding him to pay over a premium of 5 per cent. on the nett sum to be raised by lottery; the privilege given to him being to raise by lottery the sum of $30,000, the time for this operation being limited to 18 months. The bond bears date 18th February, 1819. On the 27th June 1820, the board of the Literary Fund passed a resolution to call upon Vannini for a detailed account of the nett sum so raised. The Secretary to the board did call more than once. Vannini apologised for not complying at the time, in consequence (as he said) of not having received returns from agents employed to sell his lottery tickets; and soon afterwards he privately left the city of Richmond.] These documents were referred to the C. of S. and C. and ordered to be printed.
An engrossed bill, appointing Commissioners for the purpose of opening a road from the line dividing the states of Virginia and Kentucky, on the Louisa fork of Sandy river, to the rich lands of Clinch river, was read the 3d time, several blanks filled and on Mr. Sheffey's motion, laid upon the table.
Dec. 24.
The resolution for enquiring into the advantages of the Tread Mill, was transferred, on Mr. Barbour's motion, from the C. for Courts of Justice to the Penitentiary Committee.