Alexandria Gazette, Commercial And Political

VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
House of Delegates,
Saturday, Dec. 16.
Various reports were received from the committee for courts of justice.
Also, from the committee of propositions and grievances—among them a resolution in favor of a petition from sundry inhabitants of the counties of Berkeley, Frederick and Jefferson, praying that an act may pass, incorporating a company to establish a turnpike road from Shepherd's-Town, on the Potomac to the town of Winchester, in the county of Frederick.
Various reports also from the committee of claims; amongst which was a resolution rejecting the prayer of the deputy-sheriffs of Berkeley county, to authorize the treasurer to receive of that amount, for the year 1814 (except £500) in notes of the chartered banks of Baltimore and district of Columbia, and instruct the auditor to allow them the usual commission. Also resolution in favor of allowing Joseph Myers, of the city of Richmond, his expences amounting to $234, and also a reasonable compensation for his services as commissioner of the revenue in the year 1815. Agreed to by the house.
On motion of Mr. Graves, leave was given to bring in a bill "to repeal an act, entitled "An act to prevent the destruction of sheep." And a committee was accordingly appointed.
Various petitions from emancipated negroes.
A petition was received from Andrew Alexander, and others, stating that has long been the practice with many, if not all the surveyors in the western part of the state, to inclusive surveys, to include entries with patent land—that the court of appeals have decided that the act authorising inclusive surveys, does not extend to lands claimed by entry only; if patents of this description are liable to be called in question, it would lead to an endless litigation: praying, therefore, the legislature to pass a law quieting all claims held under patents and surveys of this description. Referred to the committee for courts of justice.
Also, one from the president and managers of the Charlestown manufacturing and exporting company—praying to be incorporated as a bank. Referred to the select committee.
Also, a petition from the counties of Culpeper, Fauquier, Prince William and Fairfax, praying that a permanent road be opened from those counties to Washington and Alexandria. Referred to the committee of R. and I. N.
Monday, Dec. 18.
A very interesting communication from the governor was read, on the subject of the difficulty of obtaining prosecutors for the commonwealth in the superior courts of many counties, for the small compensation now allowed by law, accompanied with important letters from judges Semple and Dade in relation thereto, and several presentments of Grand Juries, presenting, as a public grievance, the impunity of offenders against the penal laws arising from the want of prosecutors—This communication, (with the documents,) was referred to the committee of courts of justice.
Mr. Rutherford's Bill, to amend the law concerning the emancipation of slaves, was reported, with an amendment by the committee to which it was re-committed, and ordered, as amended, to be engrossed and read a third time.
Many petitions of various descriptions were read and referred.