Martinsburgh Gazette

Copy of a letter from Archibald Magill, Esq
one of the representatives for Frederick
County in the General Assembly, to the edi-
tor of the Republican Constellation, dated
Richmond, 4th January,
1812.

DEAR SIR,

I did intend to have addressed you at an
earlier period of the session, but wishing for
something interesting to communicate, I have
delayed my intention to the present time. The
papers from this city afford you a correct de-
tail of the proceedings of the Legislature. Se-
veral bills of a local nature have passed thro'
the House of Delegates, and but few that
concern the people in general; of the latter
description is the laws concerning the tax on
lands. This all important subject received as
it ought, our best consideration, which result-
ed in reporting a bill containing such provi-
sions as were thought applicable to the exist-
ing situation of this increasing country ; a-
mendments offered and approved of, sent it
from our house in a shape calculated to reme-
dy in some degree the evils that would of ne-
cessity result from permitting the former law
to go into full operation. The prominent fea-
tures are, that until the first day of August
next is allowed to enter land. and no forfeit-
ure to be incurred previous to the first day of
November, after that period a sale may take
place (protected against speculation and in-
justice) for the use of the literary fund, but
should the taxes due, with ten per centum in-
terest thereon, be paid prior to the day fixed
on for the sale. the land is saved to the pro-
prietor: How the senate will modify or change
this course, it is not for me to say: I am sa-
tisfied that body will pursue a system of pro-
priety.
Numberless petitions are presented praying
leave to bring slaves into this state, as well
by persons now actual residents as by those
who are desirous to become so ; their fate, so
far as we have acted on them, with a very few
exceptions, has been unfortunate, some have
prevailed where the applicant agreed to re-
move from the state the same number that he
proposed bringing in. Free Negroes asking
permission to remain here, generally fail. To
save the public money which must be expend-
ed in deliberating on each case, a general law
is on the table allowing those who reside in
Virginia within a limited time, to bring slaves
they now own into the Commonwealth ; also,
persons removing from other parts of the U.
ion to pursue the same modes. I fear this
will fail; the latter part certainly must. Al-
tho' we have not progressed far in the dis-
charge of the delicate duties imposed on us, a
charge of idleness cannot with propriety be
made.
On yesterday the house went into commit-
tee on the chancery bill. The chairman and
myself urged and invited discussion. A mo-
tion was made that the committee rise: this
I thought it my duty to oppose, but failed.
On Tuesday we reassumed the consideration;
a gentleman from Wood wished to offer an
amendment not then prepared. I shall sup-
port the plan, yet believe a better could be
adopted, and am prepared to avail myself.
should a favorable opportunity be presented
of trying the sense of the house on the course
to my mind best adapted to the existing state
of things ; however, I will carefully guard a-
gainst any measure that may produce disuni-
on, or if the propriety of reform be once es-
tablished, it is easy at a future day to form a
more perfect system, and my project will on-
ly appear when the other fails. Much has
already been said on the bank.--I hope it will
pass to the senate. That the capital of this
country should be increased, is evident; and
there being a deficiency of specie, the neces-
sity of creating a currency representing the
precious metals, is evident. It is in vain to
say banks are injurious; they are sanctioned
by our sister states, and our country now ex-
periences all the evils flowing from that source.
without drawing any of the benefits. The in-
terest of the state in the Winchester bank will
be nearly the same with that it holds in the
present establishment, excepting this, it may
be called independent, but the state should,
and in my opinion must, have a control. This
will give a consequence and stability to the
institution. Knowing the great opposition
that will arise in the senate, I am not sanguine
as to the final success in that body; our sena-
tor will watch for our welfare.
Col. James Barbour is the governor elect.
without opposition, and Andrew Stephenson,
Esq. of this place, the speaker of the House
of Delegates; Dr. Hair and Payton Randolph,
Esqrs. are removed from the council of state,
and on Tuesday we are to elect five counsel-
lors; there are many candidates. I did not
at first intend to have written so much. The
melancholy state of the sufferers at the thea-
tre cannot be too sincerely deplored: it was
an awful scene. I wish to forget the whole,
but that is impossible. The papers detail the
melancholy event. Even now we mourn; the
feelings this digression has produced are too
distressing ; combining worth with youth,beau-
ty and accomplishments, and their possessors
in a few moments torn from society! But we
are consoled by the reflection that they are
called to the bosom of a good and merciful
God.

This session will be a long one.

Your ob't serv't,
A. MAGILL.

P. S: Our turnpike laws will pass. Mr.
Mercer and all the back members, with the
exception of one, are favorable to the chancery
change. I have just been informed that the
senate have rejected the bill forbidding the
sale of spirituous liquor within one mile of a
place of worship, sent from our house.