No. 75. An engrossed bill to provide additional capital for the Brandonville, Kingwood and Evansville road, was read a third time, and the question being put upon the passage thereof, was determined in the affirmative. Ayes 59, noes 43.

On motion of Mr. WILLIAMS the vote was recorded as follows:

AYES-Messrs. Brown of Albemarle, Layne, Sheffey, Johnson, Byrd, Boak, Small, Thompson of Botetourt, Bennett, Bambrick, Morris, Mosby, Fox, Love, Scott, Hill of Fayette and Nicholas, Evans, Stillman, Wall, Carson, White, Hiett, Thompson of Hampshire, Lee, Duncan, Lancaster, Hunter, Thompson of Jefferson, Patrick, Ballard, Harrison of Loudoun, Schooley, M'Intyre, Haymond, Oldham, Waggoner, Brown of Monongalia, Beirne, Edmundson of Montgomery and Pulaski, Breathed, Perrow, Newton, M'Pherson, Newman, Syme, Cackley, Fairfax, Sturm, Mayo, Harper, Bare, Brown of Rockingham, Hill of Shenandoah, Stickley, Tate, Burdett, Gillespie, Horner and Floyd-59.

NOES-Messrs. Jones, (speaker,) Finney, Powell, M'Dearmon, Scruggs, Dickinson, Lacy, Slaughter, Thompson of Dinwiddie, Chisman, Street, Jones of Gloucester, Leake, Carroll, Stovall, Dillard, Howard, Wallace, Gaines, Robinson, Gresham, Richmond, Poindexter, Edmondson of Lunenburg, Banks, Williams, Kelly, Watts, Happer, Yerby, Nelms, Oliver, Davis, Tatum, Daniel, Tyler, Strother, M'Elhenney, Morison, Goodwin, Holladay, Fitzhugh and Chandler-43.

Ordered, That the clerk communicate the same to the senate and request their concurrence.

No. 76. An engrossed bill releasing to William S. Griffith a certain fine imposed by the circuit superior court of law and chancery for Harrison county, was read a third time, and the same being under discussion, the house passed to the order of the day; and

No. 63. A bill to incorporate the Potomac and Ohio railroad company, was taken up, and the question being upon the indefinite postponement,

On motion of Mr. SHEFFEY the house adjourned until to-morrow 12 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1847.

On motion of Mr. LAYNE, Resolved, That the committee of propositions and grievances enquire into the expediency of passing a law authorizing the governor of the commonwealth to have the public lot contiguous to the scalehouse paved. And also to require all persons selling beef cattle in the City of Richmond, to have the same weighed on the public scales by the weighmaster appointed by law for that purpose.

On motion of Mr. BANKS the committee of propositions and grievances were discharged from the consideration of the petition of Samuel Freeman, and the same was ordered to be referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. BANKS, from the committee of propositions and grievances, presented a report upon the petition of citizens of the upper or northern end of Fauquier county, for a new county out of said county, with the courthouse at Salem.

Mr. JOHNSON, from the committee of finance, reported with a substitute the following bill:

No. 73. A bill to authorize the auditor to issue a warrant upon the treasury in favour of Peter Moore's administrator.

Mr. HOLLADAY, from the committee of claims, presented a report upon the petition of Robert Anderson and others; and the following bill:

No. 203. A bill concerning Lavinia W. Richardson, administratrix of the late captain John B. Richardson. Mr. Bocock, from the committee for courts of justice, presented a report upon the resolution for amending the act concerning constables and their securities, passed March 8th, 1826; and the following bill:

No. 204. A bill concerning Jane Hailstock.

Mr. SYME presented certain additional charges preferred by R. R. Collier against judge James H. Gholson, which on his motion were ordered to be referred to the committee appointed to investigate the charges against the said judge, and to be printed for the use of the general assembly. [Doc. No. 40.]

Mr. SYME also presented a petition of citizens of the town of Petersburg, for the incorporation of a company to construct a ship canal from said town to deep water on the Appomattox river, which was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed. [Doc. No. 39.]

Mr. DARRACOTT presented a supplement to the memorial of the president and directors of the Louisa railroad company, which was ordered to be referred to the joint committee appointed to investigate the concerns of certain railroad companies and to be printed. [Doc. No. 33.]

Mr. POWELL presented a petition of the president and directors of the Lynchburg and Buffaloe springs turnpike company, asking to be paid the amount of loss sustained by said company in the sale of state scrip, which was ordered to be referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. HART presented a petition of John A. Garrett and other citizens of the county of Albemarle, asking the passage of an act to provide for making the connection of the Rivanna river at the town of Columbia, with the James river and Kanawha canal.

Mr. HUNTER a petition of citizens of the counties of Jefferson and Frederick, asking an amendment of the charter of the Shepherdstown and Smithfield turnpike company, so as to authorize the extension of their road to the town of Winchester.

Mr. SCHOOLEY a petition of citizens of the counties of Loudoun and Fauquier, for the revival and amendment of an act to incorporate a company to establish a turnpike from Manassa's gap in the county of Fauquier to Middleburg in the county of Loudoun.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation.

Mr. MOSBY presented a petition of William H. Ryan and others, for the passage of an act providing that licenses to retail ardent spirits may be inhibited or so modified that every county or corporation where a majority of the people may desire it shall have authority to interdict the sale of ardent spirits, which was ordered to be referred to the committee of finance.

No. 76. An engrossed bill releasing to William S. Griffith a certain fine imposed by the circuit superior court of law and chancery for Harrison county, was read a third time and passed.

Ordered, That the clerk communicate the same to the senate and request their concurrence.

No. 77. An engrossed bill incorporating the Richmond and Pamunkey railroad company was read a third time; thereupon a clause by way of ryder thereto was submitted by Mr. MAYO, which having been twice read and forthwith engrossed and read a third time, the question recurred upon the passage of the bill and ryder, and the same being under discussion, the house passed to the order of the day; and

No. 63. A bill to incorporate the Potomac and Ohio railroad company was taken up, and the question being upon the motion of Mr. EDGINGTON to postpone the same indefinitely, the house on motion of Mr. TUNSTALL ordered that the consideration of said bill hereafter shall take place at half past 12 o'clock until decided; and then On motion of Mr. TUNSTALL the house adjourned until to-morrow 12 o'clock.

THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1847.

A communication was received from the senate by their clerk, which was read as follows:

IN SENATE, FEBRUARY 3, 1847.

The senate have agreed to the preamble and resolution providing for the payment of school quotas to certain counties and corporations whose proceedings under the act amending the primary school system, have been informal or imperfect, or where the duties enjoined have been pretermitted, with an amendment, in which they request the concurrence of the house of delegates.

The said amendment being twice read was agreed to by the house, and it was ordered that the clerk inform the senate thereof.

Mr. DANIEL, from the committee of privileges and elections, presented reports upon the resolutions for requiring sheriff's to furnish to the commissioners of elections, in the several electoral districts, a list of insolvents for the preceding year, and upon the memorial of John Blair preferring certain charges against John Carroll, Esq. the delegate returned from the counties of Grayson and Carroll, and the following bill:

No. 205. A bill amending an act, entitled "an act changing the place of holding a separate election in the county of Mason and for other purposes," passed February 17th, 1845.

Mr. DAVIS, from the committee on agriculture and manufactures, presented the following bills:

No. 206. A bill to incorporate the Ivanhoe manufacturing mills company in the county of Amherst.

No. 207. A bill to incorporate the Virginia state company and for other purposes; and

No. 208. A bill to incorporate the Branch mining and manufacturing company.

A motion was made by Mr. SHEFFEY that the house adopt the following resolution:

Resolved, That leave be given to bring in a bill providing for a change of the prescribed route for the extension of the Baltimore and Ohio railroad through Virginia to the City of Wheeling.

And a motion was made by Mr. HUNTER that the same be laid upon the table, and the said motion being under discussion, the house passed to the consideration of the orders of the day; and

No. 27. A bill to increase the capital stock of the Staunton and James river turnpike company for the purpose of M'Adamizing their road, was taken up, and on motion of Mr. HART the farther consideration thereof was postponed, and it was ordered to be the order of the day for Saturday next.

No. 63. A bill to incorporate the Potomac and Ohio railroad company was taken up, and the question being upon the motion of Mr. EDGINGTON to postpone the same indefinitely, and having been for some time under discussion,

On motion of Mr. STROTHER the house adjourned until to-morrow 12 o'clock.

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 5, 1847.

A communication was received from the senate by their clerk, which was read as follows:

The senate have passed the bills, entitled

IN SENATE, FEBRUARY 4, 1847.

"An act changing the company of Rifle Greys in the county of King William to a company of light infantry and authorizing an exchange of arms." (No. 29.)

"An act authorizing the county courts of counties bordering on the Ohio river to establish ferries across said river." (No. 69.)

"An act authorizing Albright, Sherrard & Co. to construct a railroad in the county of Botetourt," (No. 66;) and

"An act to increase the capital of the Berryville turnpike company and authorizing a state subscription of two fifths of such increased capital." (No. 74.)

They have also passed the bill, entitled

"An act to incorporate the Huguenot academy," (No. 67,) with an amendment, in which they request the concurrence of the house of delegates.

And they have rejected the bill, entitled

"An act to amend an act, entitled 'an act authorizing the transfer of money or property held in trust within this commonwealth to such trustees as shall be appointed by the courts of other states to receive the same.'' (No. 21.)

The said amendment being twice read was agreed to, and the clerk was ordered to inform the senate thereof. The SPEAKER laid before the house a communication from the governor, enclosing resolutions from the state of Vermont upon the subject of the existing war with Mexico, and the subject of slavery; which, on motion of Mr. STOVALL, was ordered to be laid upon the table.

On motion of Mr. BANKS, Resolved, That the committee of propositions and grievances enquire into the propriety of amending the laws concerning the formation of new counties.

On motion of Mr. SCOTT, Resolved, That the committee of propositions and grievances be instructed to enquire into the expediency of incorporating Charity lodge No. 27, of the Independent order of Odd Fellows, with authority to hold a lot and tenement in the town of Warrenton in the county of Fauquier, in which it now holds its meeting, and a lot of ground for a place of burial for the dead.

On motion of Mr. BENNETT, Resolved, That the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of passing an act changing the time of holding the quarterly term of the county court of Gilmer county now held in the month of September, to the fourth Monday in August, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. BENNETT presented the order of the county court of Gilmer upon the same subject, which was ordered to be referred to the committee for courts of justice.

On motion of Mr. STOVALL, Resolved, That the committee of finance enquire into the expediency of repealing the acts of 19th February 1845; 31st January 1846, and 5th March 1846, increasing the allowances to the jailors of Richmond City and Henrico for dieting, committing and releasing prisoners in their respective jails, all such allowances to be hereafter regulated by the act of 23d February 1842.

On motion of Mr. ANDERSON, Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill repealing the act to reduce the pay of members, and that Messrs. Anderson, Irving, Slaughter, Bennett, Richmond, Harper and Layne prepare and bring in the same.

Mr. HIETT submitted the following resolution, which, on motion of Mr. HARVIE, was ordered to be laid upon the table, viz: Resolved, That the debate end on the motion to indefinitely postpone the Potomac and Ohio railroad bill on Saturday the 6th instant at 3 o'clock, and the vote be taken.

Mr. Bocock, from the committee for courts of justice, presented the following bill:

No. 209. A bill changing the laws in relation to pilots.

Mr. BURWELL, from the committee of schools and colleges, presented the following bill:

No. 210. A bill directing the school commissioners of the county of Appomattox to pay to Barbara G. Wright

a sum of money due her for the instruction of poor children in the year 1845.

Mr. BANKS, from the committee of propositions and grievances, presented the following bill:

No. 211. A bill establishing the county of

of parts of the counties of Kanawha, Cabell and Logan.

Mr. HARVIE, from the committee of finance, presented the following bill:

No. 212. A bill authorizing the county court of Preston to divide said county into two revenue districts, and for other purposes.

Mr. STOVALL, from the same committee, presented reports upon the petitions of citizens of the town of Lynchburg; of citizens of the county of Marion, and of citizens of the county of Monongalia, each praying amendments to the laws relative to the grant of licenses for retailing ardent spirits; and a report upon the resolution for letting out the public printing to the lowest bidder.

bill:

Mr. FLOYD, from the committee of roads and internal navigation, reported with amendments the following

No. 65. A bill to amend the act passed 5th March 1846, incorporating the Hardy and Winchester turnpike company.

And presented the following bills:

No. 213. A bill concerning the Rivanna navigation company; and

No. 214. A bill to incorporate the Manassa's gap turnpike company.

Mr. WATTS, from the committee on the militia laws, presented the following bill:

No. 215. A bill to authorize and establish battalion musters in the 41st regiment in Richmond county.

Mr. HUNTER Submitted an amendment, which he intended to propose as a substitute for the bill to incorporate the Potomac and Ohio railroad company, which on his motion was ordered to be printed. [Doc. bill No. 63.] On motion of Mr. FLOYD the communication of the governor this day submitted was taken up and read as follows:

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, FEBRUARY 5, 1847. SIR, I have received from the governor of the state of Vermont, a preamble and resolutions adopted by the senate and house of representatives of that state, which I herewith communicate. Very respectfully your ob't serv't,

To the Speaker of the House of Delegates.

WM. SMITH.

Resolutions relative to Slavery and the Mexican War.

Whereas, in our judgment, the existing war with Mexico was not founded in any imperative necessity, such as may justify or excuse a christian nation for resorting to arms, and has now manifestly become an offensive war, against a neighbouring republic; and whereas we have just grounds for anticipating that the territory which has been or may be occupied or conquered, will become slave territory, and as such, claim admission to the Union; and whereas its admission as such, and with a mixed population, degraded by ignorance and superstition, and allied to us neither in interests, character nor language, will endanger the harmony, welfare and perpetuity of the Union: Therefore be it

Resolved by the senate and house of representatives, That the honour and best interests of the nation will be subserved by a speedy end of the war with Mexico, and a settlement of all matters in dispute by arbitration or negotiation.

Resolved, That Vermont will not give its countenance, aid or assent to the admission into the federal Union of any new state whose constitution tolerates slavery, and does hereby appeal to each of her sister states to concur in its own name in this declaration.

Resolved, That the senators and representatives in congress from Vermont, will conform to the hearty wishes of their constituents, by earnestly supporting the principles set forth in the foregoing preamble and resolutions, and in using all other just, effectual and constitutional means to avert the tremendous evils of slavery, and resist its encroachments upon the rights and interests of the nonslaveholding states.

Resolved, That his excellency the governor be requested to forward a copy of these resolutions to the governor of each state in the Union, and to our senators and representatives in congress, under the seal of the state, and with his signature of approval.

Approved, November 3, 1846.

HORACE EATON, [Seal.]

On motion of Mr. FLOYD, Resolved unanimously by the general assembly of Virginia, That the executive of this commonwealth be instructed to return forthwith the resolutions of the state of Vermont upon the subject of slavery, this day communicated by him to this body.

Ordered, That Mr. STOVALL carry the same to the senate and request their concurrence.

Mr. EDGINGTON presented a petition of citizens of the City of Wheeling and county of Ohio, for the passage of an act to amend the various acts heretofore passed relating to the Wheeling and Belmont bridge company, and authorizing said company to construct a wire suspension bridge from the east side of Zane's island, to connect with the public landings in said city.

Mr. SHEFFEY presented certain affidavits respecting the navigation of the Shenandoah river.

Mr. BENNETT a petition of citizens of the county of Gilmer for an appropriation, and for legislative aid for the improvement of the navigation of the Little Kanawha river.

Ordered, That the said petitions and affidavits be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation.

Mr. BROWN of Albemarle presented a petition of the officers of the 47th and 88th regiments of militia in the county of Albemarle, asking for the restoration of the office and pay of brigade inspectors, which was ordered to be referred to the committee on the militia laws.

Mr. HUNTER presented a petition of George B. Stephenson and others, Sons of Temperance of St. Thomas division No. 7, at Harper's Ferry; and another petition of John T. Henkle and others, Sons of Temperance of Phoenix division No. 13, in the county of Jefferson, each asking permission to hold a limited amount of property. Mr. WATTS a petition of the trustees of the town of Portsmouth praying the passage of an act to extend the remedy for the collection of town taxes.

Mr. CARSON a petition of Joseph G. Gray and others, for the passage of an act changing the separate election from the house of George Swhier to the house of John Pugh in the county of Frederick.

Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances.

Mr. SHEFFEY presented a petition of John H. Gilmer praying to be relieved from the penalties of the antiduelling law, which was ordered to be referred to the committee for courts of justice.

Mr. CARSON presented a petition of William D. Engle and others, asking a repeal or modification of the present common school system, which was ordered to be referred to the committee of schools and colleges.

Mr. BENNETT presented a petition of citizens of the county of Gilmer for the incorporation of a company to construct a railroad from some point on the Potomac river to some point on the Ohio river not further south than the mouth of the Little Kanawha, which was ordered to be laid upon the table.

Mr. EDGINGTON presented a memorial of citizens of the county of Marion, and another of citizens of Northwestern Virginia, each remonstrating against the right of way through the state asked for by the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company, which were severally ordered to be laid upon the table,

Mr. HARPER presented a petition of Samuel Patterson asking to be allowed the hire of a slave confined in fail as a witness to effectuate public justice, which was ordered to be referred to the committee of claims.

No. 63. A bill to incorporate the Potomac and Ohio railroad company was taken up, and the motion of Mr. EDGINGTON to postpone the same indefinitely being under discussion,

On motion of Mr. TUNSTALL the house adjourned until to-morrow 12 o'clock.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 6, 1847.

The SPEAKER laid before the house a letter from John M. Patton and Conway Robinson, Esqs. which was read as follows:

TO JOHN W. JONES, Esq. Speaker of the House of Delegates.

-

SIR, We here with transmit a report to the general assembly, pursuant to the act passed on the 20th of February 1846, to provide for the revisal of the Civil Code of this commonwealth.

Respectfully yours,

JNO. M. PATTON,
CONWAY ROBINSON.

February 6th, 1847.

On motion of Mr. Bocock, the said report was ordered to be referred to the committee for courts of justice. On motion of Mr. LEAKE, Resolved, That the committee on agriculture and manufactures be instructed to enquire by what right the authorities of the City of Richmond impose and collect a tax upon every bale of hay raised by the farmers of this state and sent to this city for sale, and that they report by bill or otherwise.

On motion of Mr. HORNER, Resolved, That the committee to examine the register's office enquire into the expediency of increasing the salary of the second clerk of said office.

On motion of Mr. SCOTT, Resolved, That the committee for courts of justice be instructed to enquire into the expediency of amending the laws in relation to fees of county surveyors.

On motion of Mr. THOMPSON of Jefferson, Resolved, That the committee on the militia laws be instructed to enquire into the additional duties which have devolved upon the adjutant general under the requisitions of the president of May and November last, for volunteers from this state, and to report what, if any additional compensation should be made for such additional duties, and that they have leave to report by bill or otherwise.

On motion of Mr. PERROW, Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill incorporating a company to construct a turnpike road from Lovington to the canal at or near New Market in Nelson county, and to authorize the county court of Nelson county to subscribe stock in said company, and to raise funds for that purpose.

The SPEAKER deferred announcing the committee to bring in said bill until Monday.

On motion of Mr. MOSBY, Resolved, That the committee on the militia laws be instructed to enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill authorizing the troop of cavalry in the county of Campbell, attached to the 53d regiment, to make enlistments from either of the regiments in said county.