The Enquirer

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
Extracts From the Journals of The House Of Delegates.
Thursday, Dec. 21st.

An engrossed clause, by way of rider, to the bill "concerning certificates," was read a third time and passed.

A report from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances (which lay on the table,) was taken up and read in the following words:

The committee of Propositions and Grievances have, according to order, had under their consideration sundry petitions to them referred, and have come to the following resolutions thereupon:

1. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry inhabitants of the counties of Loudoun and Frederick, praying that a law may pass incorporating a company for the purpose of constructing a turnpike road from the western extremity of the Little River Turnpike, by the most direct practicable route, to some point on the Shenandoah river next beyond Snicker's gap, and in the most direct route from the top of the Blue Ridge in that gap towards Winchester, is reasonable.

2. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry inhabitants of the counties of Loudoun and Fauquier, praying that an act may pass incorporating a company to establish a turnpike road from the western extremity of the Little River Turnpike Road to Shenandoah river, through Ashby's Gap of the Blue Ridge Mountain, and to erect a Toll Bridge across Goose Creek, over which the said road will pass, is reasonable.

3. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Loudoun, praying that an act may pass establishing a town on the land of Charles F. Mercer, at the western extremity of the Little River Turnpike Road, is reasonable.

4. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the County of Pittsylvania, praying that an act may pass for preventing obstructions to the passage of fish in Pig river, is reasonable.

5. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of Charles Yancey, William Watkins and William Womack, Executors of Nicholas Cabell, praying that an act may pass, for reviving an inspection of Tobacco at Swann Creek Ware-House, on the land of Charles Yancey, in the county of Buckingham, is reasonable.

6. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that so much of the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Charlotte, as prays that certain amendments may be made to the penal laws, as they respect free negroes and mulattoes, be rejected.

7. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that such other parts of the said petition as prays that certain amendments to the laws, as they respect runaway slaves, be rejected.

8. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that such other parts of the said petition as prays that certain amendments may be made to the laws as they respect public roads, is reasonable.

The said resolutions being severally read a second time, were agreed to by the house.

A report from the Committee of Propositions and Grievances (which lay on the table) was taken up, and read in the following words:

The committee of Propositions and Grievances have, according to order, had under their consideration the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Loudoun to them referred, have agreed upon a report, and come to a resolution thereupon, as follows:

It appears to your committee, that at all times, but more especially in disastrous times like the present, it becomes the duty of the Legislature to give every practicable encouragement to home manufactures, consequently to encourage the increase and improvement of our flocks of sheep is of the utmost importance, as thereby one of the most important materials for manufacturing is produced.

It further appears that the progress in so desirable a pursuit is greatly impeded by the daily depredations committed upon that useful animal, by useless dogs, wolves and foxes.

It is therefore the opinion of your committee, that it would be good policy to impose a tax on dogs conformable with the prayer of the said petitioners, and the money arising therefrom to be first applied as a bounty or reward for killing wolves and foxes, and the balance if any, to the purchase of Merino sheep for each county where the tax exists.

Resolved therefore, as the opinion of this committee, that the said petition of the inhabitants of the county of Loudoun, praying that a law may pass imposing a tax on dogs is reasonable.

The said resolution being read a second time, was, on the question put thereupon, disagreed to by the House.

Mr. Madison, from the committee of Propositions and Grievances, made the following report:

The Committee of Propositions and Grievances have, according to order, had under their consideration sundry petitions to them referred, and have come to the following resolutions thereupon:

1. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Harrison, praying that the said county may be divided by a line running from the mouth of Peck's run, including the waters thereof, down Hacker's creek, to the mouth, including its waters, thence down the west fork to the mouth of Isaac's creek, then up the same, including the waters thereof to its head, from thence to the Wood county line the nearest point thence with the same to Mason county line, thence with the lines of Kanawha and Randolph counties to the head of Buckhannon river, and down to the beginning, is reasonable.

2. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of Joseph Eggleston, Richard N. Venable and Edmund Harrison, managers for the Upper Appomattox Company, praying that their individual responsibility for the money already drawn from the Treasury, on account of the said company, may be taken off, and the company alone be bound for the said money; and that such indulgence may be given as to the time of payment, for money already drawn, and for such additional sums as may enable the company, with their other funds, to complete their undertaking, is reasonable.

3. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Cabell, praying that the seat of justice for the said county, as fixed by the commissioners appointed for that purpose, at the mouth of Guyandotte, may be removed to the land of Thomas Ward, be rejected.

4. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry other inhabitants of the county of Cabell in opposition thereto, is reasonable.

The first resolution being read a second time, a motion was made to amend the same, by striking out at the end thereof the words "is reasonable." and inserting in lieu of them the words "be rejected;" and the question being put on the proposed amendment, it passed in the negative.—Ayes 70 -Noes 97.

The second resolution being read a second time, was agreed to by the House.

The third resolution being read a second time, a motion was made to amend the same by striking out at the end thereof the words "be rejected," and inserting in place of them the words "is reasonable;" and the question being put on the proposed amendment, it passed in the negative—The question being then put on the resolution as reported, it was agreed to by the House.

The fourth resolution being read a second time, was agreed to by the House:

A petition was presented and read from Robert R. Livingston and Robert Fulton, native citizens of the United States, and residing in the State of New-York (presented by N. J. Roosevelt, their agent and attorney) stating that they have discovered a certain method of propelling boats by steam; for the use of which, agreeable to certain principles stated in the petition, they have received the patronage of the state of New York, & praying that to encourage the immediate use of steam boats in the waters of this state, and particularly on the Ohio and Mississippi, the legislature would grant them the exclusive right of this state with boats moved by steam or fire, on the following conditions;—First, that within three years from the time of passing the law, the petitioners will build a boat, on the Ohio or Mississippi river, to move by the force of steam, which shall be capable of carrying seventy tons of merchandize, produce or materials, and move at the rate of at least three and one half miles an hour, in still water; if they do not comply with these conditions, the law to be null—Second. that in all cases they will not charge more than three-fourths which is now usually paid for carrying merchandize or materials of any kind on said river, to any given or equal distance which the boats now transport them.—Third, that they will perform the voyage in less than three-fourths of the time which is now usually required by the mercantile boats, to navigate the rivers to any given point where steam boats can go with safety—Fourth, that on establishing the first boat, the governor will appoint a committee of three persons to report on the performance of the boat, and if they find that the petitioners have complied with the terms of the contract, the law to be confirmed in favor of the said Livingston & Fulton;

Ordered, that the said petition be referred to Messrs. Stevenson, Johnson (of Isle of Wight) Brent (of Stafford) Noland, Huirston, Young, Wilson, Laidley, Beeson, Peachy, Meriwether, Archer (of Powhatan) and Pendleton.

Friday, Dec. 22.

Mr. M'Farlane, from the Committee of Claims, made the following report:

The Committee of Claims have, according to order, had under their consideration several petitions to them referred, and come to the following resolutions thereupon:

1. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of Henry Savane, praying that he may be allowed compensation for his services as a jailor for the Sweet Springs district court, from October 1808, until the operation of the act abolishing district courts, is reasonable.

2. Resolved also, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of Andrew Lewis, stating that while acting as sheriff for the county of Montgomery, for the years 1801 and 1802, executions came into his hands against Anthony Harden, collector of a revenue due from the county of Botetourt, for the year 1783; that he made a return of the process by post, which lay in the post-office, at Richmond, until after he received notice for not returning the executions, and was fined in two sums amounting to upward of 150 dollars; and praying the legislature would remit to him the fines aforesaid, he having paid all costs, is reasonable.

3. Resolved also, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of William Powell, of the county of King William, praying the legislature would authorise the auditor to grant him a warrant on the treasury for the sum of twenty dollars, on account of repairs done at Aylett's warehouse, be rejected.

The first and third resolutions being read a second time, were agreed to by the house.

The second resolution being read a second time, a motion was made to amend the same by striking out at the end thereof, the words "is reasonable," and inserting in their stead the words "be rejected;" and the question being put upon agreeing to the said amendment, it passed in the negative;

Mr. M'Farlane, from the Committee of Claims, made the following report:

The committee of Claims have, according to order, had under their consideration several petitions to them referred, and have come to the following resolutions thereupon:

It appears to your committee, from the petition of Augustine Slaughter, that he purchased a small part, supposed to be forty-two and a half acres, of the estate called Gosport, belonging to Andrew Sprowle, a British loyalist, for twenty four shillings and six pence the acre, which was confiscated and ordered to be sold under an act of assembly, passed in December 1779; that shortly after his purchase, he sold the said land to George Kelly, deceased, for twenty eight shillings the acre, and guaranteed the title; that twenty-eight of the said forty-two and a half acres were claimed and taken possession of by Thomas Edwards,—that colonel Thomas Newton, deceased, in his lifetime, as guardian to the heirs of George Kelly, deceased, instituted a suit in the district court of Suffolk, for the purpose of dispossessing the said Edwards, which suit was decided in favor of him, the said Edwards, and that in consequence thereof, the said Slaughter has paid to the heirs of George Kelly, deceased, the sum of 273 dollars 70 cents principal and interest on the purchase money, besides costs of suit;

Resolved therefore, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of Augustine Slaughter, praying the legislature would reimburse him, at least the first cost of the land with interest, if not what he sold it to George Kelly, dec'd, for, be rejected.

2. Resolved also, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of Benjamin Edwards Browne, praying the legislature would allow him the sum of 422 dollars 87 cents, expended by him in defraying the expences of certain negroes, supposed to be runaways, who were placed in his care as jailor of Surry County, by order of a magistrate, be rejected.

The first resolution being read a second time, a motion was made to amend the same by striking out at the end of it, the words "be rejected," and inserting in their stead the words "is reasonable;" and the question being put on the proposed amendment, it passed in the affirmative;

The question being then put on the resolution as amended, it was agreed to by the House.

The second resolution being read a second time, was agreed to by the House.

Mr. Madison, from the committee of Propositions and Grievances, made the following report:

The committee of Propositions and Grievances have, according to order, had under their consideration sundry petitions, to them referred, and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

1. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Dinwiddie, praying that that part of the said county lying within the town of Petersburg, may be within the jurisdiction of the superior court for the said county of Dinwiddie, be rejected.

2. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the remonstrance of the mayor, aldermen, and others, of the town of Petersburg, in opposition thereto, is reasonable.

3. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of Samuel Poindexter and Lodowick McDaniel, inspectors at Black Water warehouse, near the town of Lynchburg, praying that a law may pass increasing their salaries to an amount equal to those of the other inspectors in the said town, is reasonable.

4. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry inhabitants of the Parish of Southwark, in the county of Surry, praying that an act may pass, authorising the sale of the church plate in the said parish, and directing the proceeds thereof to be applied to the use of the poor in the said Parish, is reasonable.

The said resolutions being read a second time, were agreed to by the House.

Mr. Cabell from the Committee for Courts of Justice, made the following report:

The committee for Courts of Justice have, according to order, had under their consideration, several petitions to them referred, and have come to the following resolutions thereupon:
Resolved, as the Opinion of this committee, that so much of the petition of Benjamin Winslow, as prays that the damages on judgment recovered on behalf of the commonwealth, against Winslow Parker and the petitioner, as Securities or Row-land Thomas, a former sheriff of Orange county, for the balance of taxes due therein for the year 1784, may be released, the principal of the said judgment having been paid by the petitioner, is reasonable.

2. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That so much of the said petition as prays that the interest recovered by the judgment aforesaid, may be released, is reasonable.

3. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That so much of the said petition, as prays that some provision may be made by law, whereby the petitioner may be enabled to collect or recover the arrearages of taxes due in the said county of Orange for the year 1784, aforesaid, be rejected.

4. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the residue of the aforesaid petition, praying that the petitioner may be allowed for delinquents and insolvents for the said year, is reasonable; and that he ought to be allowed therefor at the rate of five per cent, on the amount of taxes accounted for by him for the said year 1784.

5. Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of Henry St. John Dixon, George W. Dixon and John Richard, who intermarried with Polly Dixon, in his own behalf and as the guardian of Geo. Dixon and Rosauna Dixon, infants and children of John Dixon, deceased, praying that an act may pass, authorizing the sale of a certain tract of land lying in Hanover county, to which the petitioners, and the children of the aforesaid John Dixon, have become entitled by the death of Samuel Dixon, deceased, and directing the proceeds of such sale to be divided amongst the petitioners and the said children, in such proportions as is directed by the law of descents, be rejected.

The first, third and fourth resolutions being read a second time, were agreed to by the House.

The second resolution being read a second time, a motion was made to amend the same, by striking out at the end thereof, the words "is reasonable," and inserting in lieu thereof the words "be rejected;" and the question being put on agreeing to the proposed amendment, it passed in the negative.

The fifth resolution being read a second time, a motion was made to amend the same, by striking out at the end thereof, the words "be rejected," and inserting in lieu of them the words "is reasonable;" and the question being put on the proposed amendment, it passed in the affirmative.