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Domestic News
December 16, 1806
The Enquirer
Richmond, Henrico County, Virginia
What is this article about?
Proceedings of the Virginia General Assembly from December 8-10, 1806, covering committee reports on petitions for county divisions and court changes, Lewis Harvie's acceptance of privy council appointment, referrals of documents and resolutions to committees, and orders to introduce various bills on taxes, records, divorce, borough charters, and more.
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General Assembly of Virginia.
MONDAY. Dec. 8th, 1806.
Mr. Harrison (of Amelia) from the committee of propositions and grievances, reported: Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Amherst, praying that a law may pass for a division of their said county, is reasonable.
This 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.
The question being then put upon the resolution as reported, it was agreed to by the house.
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of Mason county, praying that the quarterly courts of the said county may hereafter be held in the months of April, June, September and Nov. instead of those appointed by law for holding the said courts, is reasonable.
This resolution being read a second time, was on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the house.
The Speaker laid before the house a letter from Lewis Harvie, esq. which was read in the following words:
SIR,
The appointment which has been conferred on me by the voice of a majority of the legislature, is accepted by me with a lively sense of my obligation to that honorable body. To have obtained the approbation of gentlemen whose situation has enabled them by personal observation to appreciate justly the motives which have influenced me in the course I have pursued, is a circumstance most truly grateful to my feelings.
It shall be my most anxious study to merit the favor they have bestowed, by an unremitted effort to discharge with propriety the duties assigned to me. An impartial attention to the interests of the several sections of the State, shall be the unchangeable rule of my conduct. A consciousness of my own limited capacity, induces me to apprehend that I may commit many errors; but that those errors will solely proceed from the weakness of my judgment; I may confidently assert, since the highest ambition of which my nature is susceptible, is to promote the happiness of my native country.
As the seat I occupied in the legislature is vacated by my qualifying to the privy council, my duty to my former constituents induces me to request that a writ of election may be ordered to supply the vacancy. In thus taking leave of those gentlemen with whom I had been associated in the office of legislation, I should not do justice to my feelings was I to withhold the expression of those sentiments of esteem and affectionate regard with which their characters have inspired me: I pray you, sir, to tender them my warmest acknowledgments, and accept for yourself the assurance of my high consideration.
LEWIS HARVIE.
On motion, Ordered, that the said letter be laid upon the table.
On motion, Ordered, That the letter of General Alexander Spotswood, together with the two manuscript volumes accompanying the same, be referred to Messrs. Minor (of Spotsylvania) Singleton, C. B. Harrison, Love and Fouchee.
On motion, Ordered, That the resolutions from the state of Kentucky, proposing an amendment to the constitution of the U. States, which were during the last session of the legislature postponed for consideration, be referred to the committee of the whole house on Monday next.
On motion, Ordered, That so much of the Governor's communication as relates to the Manufactory of arms, be referred to Messrs. Baker, Hawes, Davies, Beirne, Robertson, Henderson, Watkins, Chappell, Powell, Lightfoot, Bre, A. S. Hooe and Perry: and that they do report thereon to the house by bill or otherwise.
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill, "To amend an act, entitled an act, more effectually to provide for the payment of taxes upon lands within this commonwealth;" and that Messrs. Kean, Prunty, Jones (of Nottoway) Marieney, Lowther, Nicholls, Moncure, Jouett, Taverner, Graham, Smyth (of Wythe) Strickler and Dyer, do prepare and bring in the same.
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill, "To amend the act, entitled an act, for the relief of persons who have been or may be injured by the destruction of the records of county courts:" and that Messrs. Lindlay, Rozzell, Morris, Mason and Hill, do prepare and bring in the same.
A petition was presented and read from Nathaniel Hart, praying that he may be divorced from his wife Eliza Hart.
Also, a petition from a number of the citizens of Norfolk borough, praying certain alterations in the charter and police of said borough:
Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee for courts of justice;
A petition was presented and read, from a number of the inhabitants of Harrison county, praying for a division of the said county;
Also, a petition from a number of the inhabitants of Ohio county, praying for a division of the said county;
Ordered, that the said petitions be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances.
TUESDAY, December 9, 1806
Mr. Smith (of Wythe) reported from the committee for courts of justice, that the committee had, according to order, had under their consideration several petitions to them referred, and had come to several resolutions thereupon. Which he handed in at the clerk's table, where the same were twice read and agreed to by the house as follows:
1. Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the borough of Norfolk, praying that an act may pass, authorizing the pavement of the streets in the said borough upon the plan in the said petition mentioned, is reasonable.
2. Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the said borough, praying that an act may pass, authorizing the appointment of a mathematical surveyor, and processioners for the said borough, under the regulations in the said petition prescribed; that the common hall of the said borough may be required to procure the necessary instruments and apparatus for the said surveyor, and that he may be compelled to perform certain acts in the said petition mentioned, is reasonable.
3. Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the said borough, praying, for the reasons therein mentioned, that the act entitled "An act concerning the docks and wharves in the borough of Norfolk." may be so amended as to authorize the fixture of flood-gates at the lower bridge on the Back creek, an arm of Elizabeth river, is reasonable.
Ordered, That bills be brought in pursuant to each of the said resolutions, and that the committee for courts of justice do prepare and bring in the same.
Mr. Harrison (of Amelia) presented, from the committee of propositions and grievances, a bill "For dividing the county of Amherst;"
Mr. Smyth (of Wythe) presented, from the committee for courts of justice, a bill "Concerning the attendance of witnesses in the inferior courts:"
Mr. Miller (of Powhatan) presented, according to order, a bill, "Making provision for the payment of such warrants as have been drawn on the treasury, and towards the discharge of which there is no fund appropriated;"
Mr. Smyth (of Wythe) presented, from the committee for courts of justice, a bill, "To amend the act, entitled an act to extend the jurisdiction of justices of the peace:" which was received and read the first time and ordered to be read a second time;
On motion, Ordered, That the said bill be now read a second time; the said bill was accordingly read a second time,—and was, on motion, ordered to be committed to a committee of the whole house on Saturday next.
Ordered, That 250 copies of the said bill be printed for the use of the members of the General Assembly.
On motion, Ordered, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the present state of the public guard; and a committee was appointed of Messrs. Mercer, Hatcher, Storrs, Jones (of Hanover) and Nelson.
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill, "To amend the penal laws of this commonwealth;" and that Messrs. Love, Watson, Brooke, Murdaugh, Jones (of Nottoway) Blakey, Minor (of Orange) Archer, Smyth (of Wythe) Purnall, Newsom, Reynolds and Dillard, do prepare and bring in the same.
WEDNESDAY, December 10th, 1806.
Mr. Harrison (of Amelia) made the following report from the committee of propositions and grievances:
Resolved, As the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the counties of Botetourt, Montgomery, Greenbrier, Monroe, Kanawha, Mason and Giles, praying that the superior court for the judicial district composed of the said counties, heretofore holden at the Sweet Springs in the county of Monroe, may hereafter be held in the town of Lewinsburg, in the county of Greenbrier, is reasonable.
This 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 the proposed amendment, it passed in the negative.
The question being then put upon the resolution as reported, it was agreed to by the house.
Mr. Fouchee from the committee of claims made the following report:
Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of the inspectors of the town of Petersburg, praying for an increase of their salaries, is reasonable.
This resolution being read was on the question put thereupon, disagreed to by the house.
The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, accompanied by several documents, for the consideration of the General Assembly; and the same being in part read;
On motion, Ordered, that so much of the said communication as relates to the turnpike road in the county of Lee, be referred to Messrs. Thompson, C. B. Harrison, M'Kinney, Martin, M'Henry (of Washington) Graham and Hamilton; and that they have leave to report thereupon by bill or otherwise.
On motion, Ordered, that the said communication, with the remainder of the said documents, be laid upon the table.
On motion, Ordered, that so much of the Governor's communication as relates to the commissioning of sheriffs by the Executive, be referred to Messrs. Minor (of Orange) Harmon, Gibson (of Randolph) Garrett and B. Harrison; and that they have leave to report thereupon by bill or otherwise.
Ordered, that leave be given to bring in a bill "Concerning the watermen of James river and its navigable branches above tide water;" and that Messrs. Baker, Garland, Davenport, Leake, Forbes, Patterson, Cheatham, Miller and Wills do prepare and bring in the same.
A petition was presented and read from a number of the magistrates of Harrison county, praying the passage of a law making compensation to sheriffs for carrying money by them collected on account of the revenue taxes to the treasury; and the question being put on the reference of the said petition, it passed in the negative.
Resolved, that the said petition be rejected.
(To be continued.)
MONDAY. Dec. 8th, 1806.
Mr. Harrison (of Amelia) from the committee of propositions and grievances, reported: Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Amherst, praying that a law may pass for a division of their said county, is reasonable.
This 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.
The question being then put upon the resolution as reported, it was agreed to by the house.
Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of Mason county, praying that the quarterly courts of the said county may hereafter be held in the months of April, June, September and Nov. instead of those appointed by law for holding the said courts, is reasonable.
This resolution being read a second time, was on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the house.
The Speaker laid before the house a letter from Lewis Harvie, esq. which was read in the following words:
SIR,
The appointment which has been conferred on me by the voice of a majority of the legislature, is accepted by me with a lively sense of my obligation to that honorable body. To have obtained the approbation of gentlemen whose situation has enabled them by personal observation to appreciate justly the motives which have influenced me in the course I have pursued, is a circumstance most truly grateful to my feelings.
It shall be my most anxious study to merit the favor they have bestowed, by an unremitted effort to discharge with propriety the duties assigned to me. An impartial attention to the interests of the several sections of the State, shall be the unchangeable rule of my conduct. A consciousness of my own limited capacity, induces me to apprehend that I may commit many errors; but that those errors will solely proceed from the weakness of my judgment; I may confidently assert, since the highest ambition of which my nature is susceptible, is to promote the happiness of my native country.
As the seat I occupied in the legislature is vacated by my qualifying to the privy council, my duty to my former constituents induces me to request that a writ of election may be ordered to supply the vacancy. In thus taking leave of those gentlemen with whom I had been associated in the office of legislation, I should not do justice to my feelings was I to withhold the expression of those sentiments of esteem and affectionate regard with which their characters have inspired me: I pray you, sir, to tender them my warmest acknowledgments, and accept for yourself the assurance of my high consideration.
LEWIS HARVIE.
On motion, Ordered, that the said letter be laid upon the table.
On motion, Ordered, That the letter of General Alexander Spotswood, together with the two manuscript volumes accompanying the same, be referred to Messrs. Minor (of Spotsylvania) Singleton, C. B. Harrison, Love and Fouchee.
On motion, Ordered, That the resolutions from the state of Kentucky, proposing an amendment to the constitution of the U. States, which were during the last session of the legislature postponed for consideration, be referred to the committee of the whole house on Monday next.
On motion, Ordered, That so much of the Governor's communication as relates to the Manufactory of arms, be referred to Messrs. Baker, Hawes, Davies, Beirne, Robertson, Henderson, Watkins, Chappell, Powell, Lightfoot, Bre, A. S. Hooe and Perry: and that they do report thereon to the house by bill or otherwise.
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill, "To amend an act, entitled an act, more effectually to provide for the payment of taxes upon lands within this commonwealth;" and that Messrs. Kean, Prunty, Jones (of Nottoway) Marieney, Lowther, Nicholls, Moncure, Jouett, Taverner, Graham, Smyth (of Wythe) Strickler and Dyer, do prepare and bring in the same.
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill, "To amend the act, entitled an act, for the relief of persons who have been or may be injured by the destruction of the records of county courts:" and that Messrs. Lindlay, Rozzell, Morris, Mason and Hill, do prepare and bring in the same.
A petition was presented and read from Nathaniel Hart, praying that he may be divorced from his wife Eliza Hart.
Also, a petition from a number of the citizens of Norfolk borough, praying certain alterations in the charter and police of said borough:
Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee for courts of justice;
A petition was presented and read, from a number of the inhabitants of Harrison county, praying for a division of the said county;
Also, a petition from a number of the inhabitants of Ohio county, praying for a division of the said county;
Ordered, that the said petitions be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances.
TUESDAY, December 9, 1806
Mr. Smith (of Wythe) reported from the committee for courts of justice, that the committee had, according to order, had under their consideration several petitions to them referred, and had come to several resolutions thereupon. Which he handed in at the clerk's table, where the same were twice read and agreed to by the house as follows:
1. Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the borough of Norfolk, praying that an act may pass, authorizing the pavement of the streets in the said borough upon the plan in the said petition mentioned, is reasonable.
2. Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the said borough, praying that an act may pass, authorizing the appointment of a mathematical surveyor, and processioners for the said borough, under the regulations in the said petition prescribed; that the common hall of the said borough may be required to procure the necessary instruments and apparatus for the said surveyor, and that he may be compelled to perform certain acts in the said petition mentioned, is reasonable.
3. Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the said borough, praying, for the reasons therein mentioned, that the act entitled "An act concerning the docks and wharves in the borough of Norfolk." may be so amended as to authorize the fixture of flood-gates at the lower bridge on the Back creek, an arm of Elizabeth river, is reasonable.
Ordered, That bills be brought in pursuant to each of the said resolutions, and that the committee for courts of justice do prepare and bring in the same.
Mr. Harrison (of Amelia) presented, from the committee of propositions and grievances, a bill "For dividing the county of Amherst;"
Mr. Smyth (of Wythe) presented, from the committee for courts of justice, a bill "Concerning the attendance of witnesses in the inferior courts:"
Mr. Miller (of Powhatan) presented, according to order, a bill, "Making provision for the payment of such warrants as have been drawn on the treasury, and towards the discharge of which there is no fund appropriated;"
Mr. Smyth (of Wythe) presented, from the committee for courts of justice, a bill, "To amend the act, entitled an act to extend the jurisdiction of justices of the peace:" which was received and read the first time and ordered to be read a second time;
On motion, Ordered, That the said bill be now read a second time; the said bill was accordingly read a second time,—and was, on motion, ordered to be committed to a committee of the whole house on Saturday next.
Ordered, That 250 copies of the said bill be printed for the use of the members of the General Assembly.
On motion, Ordered, That a committee be appointed to enquire into the present state of the public guard; and a committee was appointed of Messrs. Mercer, Hatcher, Storrs, Jones (of Hanover) and Nelson.
Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill, "To amend the penal laws of this commonwealth;" and that Messrs. Love, Watson, Brooke, Murdaugh, Jones (of Nottoway) Blakey, Minor (of Orange) Archer, Smyth (of Wythe) Purnall, Newsom, Reynolds and Dillard, do prepare and bring in the same.
WEDNESDAY, December 10th, 1806.
Mr. Harrison (of Amelia) made the following report from the committee of propositions and grievances:
Resolved, As the opinion of this committee, that the petition of sundry inhabitants of the counties of Botetourt, Montgomery, Greenbrier, Monroe, Kanawha, Mason and Giles, praying that the superior court for the judicial district composed of the said counties, heretofore holden at the Sweet Springs in the county of Monroe, may hereafter be held in the town of Lewinsburg, in the county of Greenbrier, is reasonable.
This 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 the proposed amendment, it passed in the negative.
The question being then put upon the resolution as reported, it was agreed to by the house.
Mr. Fouchee from the committee of claims made the following report:
Resolved, as the opinion of this committee, that the petition of the inspectors of the town of Petersburg, praying for an increase of their salaries, is reasonable.
This resolution being read was on the question put thereupon, disagreed to by the house.
The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, accompanied by several documents, for the consideration of the General Assembly; and the same being in part read;
On motion, Ordered, that so much of the said communication as relates to the turnpike road in the county of Lee, be referred to Messrs. Thompson, C. B. Harrison, M'Kinney, Martin, M'Henry (of Washington) Graham and Hamilton; and that they have leave to report thereupon by bill or otherwise.
On motion, Ordered, that the said communication, with the remainder of the said documents, be laid upon the table.
On motion, Ordered, that so much of the Governor's communication as relates to the commissioning of sheriffs by the Executive, be referred to Messrs. Minor (of Orange) Harmon, Gibson (of Randolph) Garrett and B. Harrison; and that they have leave to report thereupon by bill or otherwise.
Ordered, that leave be given to bring in a bill "Concerning the watermen of James river and its navigable branches above tide water;" and that Messrs. Baker, Garland, Davenport, Leake, Forbes, Patterson, Cheatham, Miller and Wills do prepare and bring in the same.
A petition was presented and read from a number of the magistrates of Harrison county, praying the passage of a law making compensation to sheriffs for carrying money by them collected on account of the revenue taxes to the treasury; and the question being put on the reference of the said petition, it passed in the negative.
Resolved, that the said petition be rejected.
(To be continued.)
What sub-type of article is it?
Politics
Legal Or Court
What keywords are associated?
Virginia General Assembly
Legislative Proceedings
County Divisions
Petitions
Bills
Committee Reports
Privy Council Appointment
What entities or persons were involved?
Mr. Harrison (Of Amelia)
Lewis Harvie
Mr. Smith (Of Wythe)
Mr. Miller (Of Powhatan)
Mr. Fouchee
Nathaniel Hart
Eliza Hart
Where did it happen?
Virginia
Domestic News Details
Primary Location
Virginia
Event Date
December 8 10, 1806
Key Persons
Mr. Harrison (Of Amelia)
Lewis Harvie
Mr. Smith (Of Wythe)
Mr. Miller (Of Powhatan)
Mr. Fouchee
Nathaniel Hart
Eliza Hart
Outcome
resolutions on petitions for county divisions and court changes agreed to; lewis harvie's appointment accepted and letter tabled; various bills ordered introduced or referred to committees; petition for sheriff compensation rejected; salary increase for petersburg inspectors denied.
Event Details
The Virginia General Assembly considered committee reports on petitions from Amherst, Mason, Harrison, Ohio counties for divisions and court schedule changes, which were deemed reasonable. Lewis Harvie accepted his privy council appointment. Orders issued for bills on taxes, court records, divorce, Norfolk borough alterations, penal laws, watermen, and more. Referrals made on arms manufactory, Kentucky resolutions, turnpike road, sheriff commissioning, public guard. Norfolk petitions on streets, surveyor, flood-gates approved for bills. Amherst division bill presented. Judicial district court location change to Lewinsburg agreed.