A considerable portion of the volunteeer companies of this city consists of gallant young men from the country. Coming to this city with the patriotic purpose of joining in the expedition in which they have engaged, but some of them without the means of supporting themselves until mustered into the service of the United States, I felt myself bound to make a soldier's provision for them. I accordingly directed the captain of the public guard to furnish such as might need it, the best accommodations in his power. I am gratified to believe that this arrangement afforded much relief, and helped to spread the fine feeling that has been manifested. I have also felt myself bound to take some responsibility in providing uniforms and other clothing for our regiment. It is the only plan by which it could be made to present a uniform appearance, or be furnished with good and substantial clothing for any thing like the sum allowed by the federal government. I would also suggest, that a sum of money not exceeding $6000 be appropriated for the purpose of supplying any deficiency in the full and complete equipment and comfort of our regiment. I think that this burden should be borne by the state alone. Other states have promptly assumed it, and you, gentlemen, will, I am sure, cheerfully do likewise.

Some of the finest spirits in our state are labouring under the disabilities of our anti-duelling law. Already, I believe, some of them have been elected officers of our volunteer force; and others are panting to enter the service of their country. Although I am fully convinced that this law has been productive of the finest results, I most respectfully recommend the passage of a law exempting all those who may be engaged as volunteers in our regiment, from the disabilities which they may have heretofore incurred.

I am opposed to an aggressive war. Our growth will be more effectually promoted by the arts of peace than by the force of arms. But compelled, as we have been, into our existing war "by the act of the Republic of Mexico," and necessarily involved in a heavy expenditure in its prosecution, peace should not be made except upon concessions of territory by the offending power. This mode of ending the war, so unnecessarily brought upon us by Mexico, is so obviously just, that I am satisfied it will receive the decided approval of a free and enlightened people. I am not one of those who entertain fears for our institutions from accessions of territory. Happiness and prosperity, not misery and calamity; strength, not weakness, followed the noble acquisition of the territory of Louisiana. Texas has naturally and happily taken her position in our political brotherhood. And, so far, the elevation and enlargement of the arch of our Union has not been found to weaken the noble edifice. So far, then, from regarding our probable accessions of territory as dangerous to our republic, I consider its extension as indispensable to the preservation and maintenance of the pure principles of our Federal Union.

The last legislature, by act passed February 3rd, 1846, having agreed to accept the recession of the town and county of Alexandria, so soon as the congress of the United States shall by law give their assent thereto,—and it appearing that the congress of the United States has given such assent, and that every preliminary condition and formality has been strictly observed, nothing now remains to effectuate the retrocession of the said county, but for you to provide by law for the extension of our jurisdiction over it. I herewith communicate the official papers connected with this important acquisition, consisting of the letter of the commissioners to me, under date of the 3rd September 1846, communicating certain documents in relation thereto; also upon the same subject, a letter from the president of the United States, under date of the 7th September 1846, with a list of accompanying papers, numbered 1 to 8, inclusive.

Since your last session the imposts of the federal government have been modified and reduced. This reduction of our taxes will afford a very sensible relief to our fellow-citizens; and taken in connexion with the demand abroad for our breadstuffs, and especially for our Indian corn, a demand which may be regarded as permanent, gives us a strong assurance of solid and permanent prosperity. I deem it of the greatest consequence to our interests, that we should cultivate a liberal policy with foreign nations. Such a policy is the true road to wealth, and

is especially important to the grain growing and planting states.

I have now performed my duty in the best manner in my power under the circumstances which surround me, But I cannot conclude without a hope, a hope earnest and profound, that you will commence that great system of improvements, without delay, which is so essential to the wealth and greatness of our state, and which would give to you, gentlemen, a noble immortality. And now may God, to whose love we owe our manifold blessings. enlighten your councils, and teach you the true way to advance the happiness and glory of our beloved common wealth.

WM. SMITH.

On motion of Mr. LANIER, the said communication and accompanying documents were laid upon the table, and 1000 copies of the communication and 200 of the said documents were ordered to be printed. [Doc. No. 1.] The SPEAKER Submitted a communication from James E. Heath, auditor of public accounts, enclosing his annual official report on the public finances, which on motion of Mr. BANKS, was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed. [Doc. No. 2.]

The SPEAKER also presented a communication from Fabius M. Lawson, the treasurer, enclosing his report on the state of the public treasury for the fiscal year ending the 30th September 1846, which on motion of Mr. CARSON, was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed. [Doc. No. 3.]

The SPEAKER further submitted a communication from James Brown, second auditor, enclosing his report on the state of the Literary fund for the year 1846, and the proceedings of the school commissioners in the different counties for the year ending September 30th, 1845, which on motion of Mr. STOVALL, was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed. [Doc. No. 4.]

The SPEAKER laid before the house the following communication from Robert G. Scott, Esq., which was read, and on motion of Mr. BANKS, ordered to be laid upon the table, viz:

To the Speaker of the House of Delegates of Virginia.

RICHMOND, DECEMBER 7th, 1846.

SIR, The revision and digest of the criminal code of the state, has been completed by me, pursuant to the provisions of the act passed on the 20th day of February 1846, entitled "an act to provide for the revision of the criminal code. "

Three hundred copies of the work have been printed, and a copy thereof will be furnished to each member of the legislature.

A more full and detailed report has been prepared, and will be communicated to the general assembly so soon. as it can be copied. This I trust may produce no delay in the action of the legislature on this interesting and important subject.

I am, with high consideration and respect, your obedient servant,

ROBERT G. SCOTT.

The SPEAKER also submitted the following communication from Charles Dimmock, captain and superintendent of public edifices, which was read, and on motion of Mr. STOVALL, ordered to be laid upon the table, viz: ARMORY, RICHMOND, Dec. 7th, 1846.

Honourable the Speaker of House Delegates.
SIR,-Having obtained two state flags to be displayed over the capitol, (the large one in good weather, the
small one in stormy weather,) I beg leave to suggest that they be placed under the charge of your sergeant at arms.
Very respectfully, yours,

CHARLES DIMMOCK, Captain, Superintendent Public Edifices.

Mr. HART presented a petition of citizens of the counties of Albemarle and Augusta, asking for an increase of the capital stock of the Staunton and James river turnpike company, which was ordered to be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation, so soon as the same shall be announced.

On motion of Mr. STOVALL, Ordered, That the hour of meeting shall be 12 o'clock, until otherwise ordered. And then, on his motion, the house adjourned until to-morrow.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 8, 1846.

In conformity with the rules of the house, the SPEAKER announced the following standing committees, viz: A Committee of Privileges and Elections-Messrs. Daniel, Davis, Strother, Stovall, Oliver, Hiett, Wallace, Godwin and M'Intyre.

A Committee for Courts of Justice-Messrs. Bocock, Scott, Jones of Chesterfield, Anderson, Holladay, Irving, Tunstall, Lacy, Floyd, Mosby, Mayo, Daniel and Poindexter.

A Committee of Schools and Colleges-Messrs. Anderson, Burwell, Tate, Howard, Edmundson of Montgomery, Patrick, Dickinson, Bambrick, Harrison of Loudoun, Goodwin, Hart, Williams and Sheffey.

A Committee of Propositions and Grievances-Messrs. Banks, Bare, Cocke, Nelms, Brown of Matthews and Middlesex, Lanier, Robinson, Fox, Smith, Darracott, Sturm, Happer and Harper.

A Committee of Finance-Messrs. Jones of Chesterfield, Harvie, Strother, Leake, Brown of Albemarle, Tyler, Cook, Cocke and Johnson.

A Committee of Claims-Messrs. Holladay, Gaines, Hunter, Street, M'Dearmon, Gresham, Stovall, Stone, Powell, Godwin, Boak, Slaughter and Oldham.

A Committee on the Militia Laws-Messrs. Watts, Dorman, M'Pherson, Banks, Street, Newton and Fairfax. A Committee to Examine the Penitentiary Institution-Messrs. Layne, Gillespie, Yerby, Hargrave, Stillman, Newman and M'Elhenney.

A Committee to Examine the Armory-Messrs. Goodson, Brown of Rockingham, Freeman, Custis, Kelly, Harper, Carroll, Duncan, M'Intyre, Tyler, Tatum, Small and Lancaster.

A Committee to Examine the Executive Expenditures for the current year-Messrs. Carson, Powell, Chandler, Evans, Perrow, Walker and Oliver.

On motion of Mr. GOODSON, Resolved, That so much of the governor's message as relates to the Southwestern road, be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation.

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

Resolved, That so much of the governor's message as recommends an appropriation for the equipment of Virginia's regiment of volunteers now ordered for service in the Mexican war, and advises some legislation in regard to the appointment of its officers, be referred to the committee on the militia laws.

A motion was made by Mr. M'PHERSON, to amend the same by substituting therefor the following: Resolved, That leave be given to bring in a bill to provide for the raising and organizing of the regiment of volunteer infantry, for which the president of the United States has made his requisition on this commonwealth for service in the war against Mexico.

And the question being put upon the said amendment, was determined in the negative, and the resolution was agreed to.

On motion of Mr. SCOTT, Resolved, That the committee for courts of justice be instructed to report bill No. 40, on the journal of the last session, with such amendments if any, as the said committee may deem proper.

On motion of Mr. DORMAN, Resolved, That the chairmen of the several committees for courts of justice, roads and internal navigation, schools and colleges, finance, propositions and grievances, claims, privileges and elections, banks, agriculture and manufactures, militia laws, and trade and mechanic arts, be instructed to enquire anterior to the appointment of their several clerks, into the expediency of reorganizing the duties of clerks of committees, diminishing the number, and amending the several laws in relation thereto.

The SPEAKER laid before the house a communication from the governor, transmitting a memorial of a portion of the citizens of the county of Alexandria, protesting against its retrocession to the state of Virginia, which together with the said memorial, was ordered to be referred to the committee for courts of justice; and on motion of Mr. YERBY, the said memorial was ordered to be printed. [Doc. No. 5.]

Mr. DORMAN presented a petition of a committee of the stockholders of the James river and Kanawha company, asking an extension of the charter of said company, and legislative aid in the prosecution of their work, which was ordered to be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation, when the same shall be announced.

On motion of Mr. DORMAN, Ordered, That the said petition be printed. [Doc. No. 6.]

Mr. STEPHENSON presented several petitions of citizens of the county of Wood, for the passage of an act to incorporate a company to construct a railroad from some point on the Potomac, to some point on the Ohio river, not further south than the mouth of the little Kanawha river.

Mr. PERROW a petition of citizens of the county of Nelson, for a survey of a route for a M'Adamized road from Howardsville to Staunton.

Mr. WALL a petition of the Winchester and Potomac railroad company, for authority to increase the capital stock of the company, and to contract a loan to renew the superstructure of their road.

Mr. HILL of Fayette and Nicholas presented a petition of the Giles, Fayette and Kanawha turnpike company, asking that the Board of public works may be authorized to subscribe for two-fifths of their stock.

Mr. HAYMOND a petition of citizens of the counties of Taylor, Marion and Wetzel, for an appropriation to construct public road from the Northwestern road by the way of Fairmont to New Martinsville on the Ohio river. On motion of Mr. BROWN of Albemarle, leave was given to withdraw the petitions of citizens of the counties of Augusta and Albemarle; of citizens of Albemarle, stockholders in the Staunton and James river turnpike road company; and of citizens of Augusta and of Albemarle separately, each asking for an increase of the capital stock of said company, and for an additional subscription on the part of the state.

Mr. BROWN again presented the said petitions.

Mr. DUNCAN presented two petitions of citizens of the county of Harrison, praying the passage of an act to incorporate a company to construct a railroad from some point on the Potomac, to some point on the Ohio river, not farther south than the mouth of the Little Kanawha river.

Mr. BENNETT presented three similar petitions of citizens of the county of Lewis.

Mr. EDGINGTON a memorial of citizens of the county of Ohio and City of Wheeling, remonstrating against the passage of any law changing the route and terminus prescribed to the Baltimore and Ohio railroad company within this state, either directly by a grant to that company, or indirectly by a charter for that purpose to any other company.

Ordered, That the said petitions and memorial be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation, when the same shall be announced.

On motion of Mr. PATRICK, leave was granted to withdraw the several petitions presented last session, of citizens of the counties of Kanawha, Mason and Cabell, for the formation of a new county out of parts of said counties, and thereupon he again presented the same, together with sundry other petitions of citizens of the same counties, upon the same subject.

Mr. STEPHENSON presented a petition of B. S. Hopkins and others, and a petition of William E. Lockhart and others, each praying the formation of a new county out of parts of the counties of Wood and Jackson. 6

Mr. MORRIS a petition of citizens of the county of Wayne, for the establishment of a separate election at the house of James Ferguson, in said county.

Also a memorial of citizens of the county of Cabell, remonstrating against the formation of a new county out of parts of the counties of Kanawha, Cabell and Mason.

Mr. HAYMOND presented a petition of citizens of the county of Monongalia, asking to be annexed to the county of Marion.

Mr. BENNETT presented several petitions of citizens of the county of Lewis, for an alteration in the boundary lines between the counties of Lewis and Gilmer.

Also a petition of other citizens of said county of Lewis, praying that a portion of the county of Gilmer be added to the county of Lewis.

Ordered, That the said petitions and memorial be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances. Mr. STEPHENSON presented a petition of members of the bar and court of the county of Wetzel, asking the passage of an act to change the time of holding the terms of the county court of said county.

Also a petition of James R. Jones, asking to be divorced from his wife Elizabeth.

Mr. PERROW a petition of Paulina P. Wright, asking to be divorced from her husband Shelton Wright. Mr. STOVALL a petition of sundry citizens of the county of Halifax, asking that Julia Ann, a free woman of colour, may be permitted to remain in the commonwealth.

And a remonstrance of Edward Williams against the same.

Mr. SHEFFEY presented a memorial of A. Waddell, Benjamin M. Smith and Richard Collins, remonstrating against the act of the last session, empowering the directors of the Western lunatic asylum to dispossess private owners of their lands at valuation prices, for the use and benefit of said asylum.

Mr. MAYO presented a petition of Dunlop, Moncure & Co. and others, of the City of Richmond, asking a modification of the pilot laws.

On motion of Mr. CALWELL, leave was granted to withdraw the petition of Amanda Gosling, presented at the last session, asking to be divorced from her husband, and thereupon he again presented the same.

Mr. BURDETT presented a petition of Lucinda Hughes, and sundry citizens of the counties of Marion and Taylor, asking that she may be divorced from her husband Thomas Hughes.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee for courts of justice.

Mr. STEPHENSON presented a petition of James Cook, for the remission of a fine imposed upon Charles Rector, sheriff of the county of Wood, for failing to pay into the treasury the revenue of said county, within the time prescribed by law.

Mr. SYME a petition of Philip Abraham, asking to be refunded a sum of money paid by him as bail for Abraham Rosenheim, charged with theft.

Ordered, That said petitions be referred to the committee of claims.

Mr. SYME also presented a petition of Edwin James and others; and another petition of George Rogers and others, each asking the passage of an act incorporating the directors for an Eclectic medical college, to be located in the town of Petersburg.

Mr. BENNETT presented several petitions of citizens of the county of Lewis, and of the county of Gilmer, each asking for the endowment of the Northwestern Virginia academy.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee of schools and colleges.

Mr. EDGINGTON presented a petition of Robert Patterson and others, asking for the passage of an act to incorporate the Wheeling cotton mills company in the City of Wheeling, which was ordered to be referred to the committee on agriculture and manufactures.

On motion of Mr. STOVALL, leave was granted to withdraw the petition of Stephen Kent, presented at the last session of the general assembly.

Mr. HIETT presented a petition of the Literary society of Romney, for the passage of an act to enable the society to apply its funds in aid of the cause of education, which on his motion, was ordered to be referred to a select committee, which the speaker deferred announcing until to-morrow.

Mr. Cook presented a petition of Ira Jeter, asking to be refunded a portion of his taxes, which he alleges to have been improperly assessed, which was ordered to be referred to the committee of finance. On motion of Mr. Bocock, the house adjourned until to-morrow 12 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1846.

The SPEAKER announced the following as the residue of the standing committees, viz:

A Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation-Messrs. Floyd, Goodson, Syme, Thompson of Botetourt, Edgington, Newton, Mosby, Lee, Dorman, Stephenson, Tunstall, Yerby and Haymond.

A Committee to examine the Office of the Auditor of Public Accounts-Messrs. Stickley, Jones of Gloucester, Lacy, Fairfax, Williams, Wallace and Fitzhugh.

A Committee to examine the Second Auditor's Office-Messrs. Hiett, Hill of Shenandoah, Thompson of Jefferson, Hill of Fayette and Nicholas, Breathed, Maclin and Castleman.

A Committee to examine the Clerk's Office-Messrs. Gaines, Cardwell, Fox, Harrison of Brunswick, Walker, Morris and Morison.

A Committee to examine the Register's Office-Messrs. Stephenson, Bennett, Wall, White, Burdett, Carper and Calwell.

A Committee to examine the Treasurer's Accounts-Messrs. Thompson of Dinwiddie, Brown of Monongalia, Byrd, Thompson of Hampshire, Slaughter, Finney and Richmond.

A Committee to examine the Bonds of Public Officers-Messrs. Strother, Chisman, Lanier, Love, Dillard, Hill of Fayette and Nicholas, and Duncan.

A Committee to examine the Public Library-Messrs. Tunstall, Chisman, Custis, Beirne, Hunter, Calwell, and Thompson of Jefferson.

A Committee on Agriculture and Manufactures-Messrs. Davis, Thompson of Botetourt, Ballard, Maclin, Waggoner, Thompson of Hampshire, Major, Cackley, Scruggs, Edmondson of Lunenburg, Schooley, Richmond and Walker.

A Committee on Enrolled Bills-Messrs. Stillman, Beirne, Horner, Haymond, Castleman, Perrow and Carroll.

A Committee on the Lunatic Asylums of the State-Messrs. Tate, Thompson of Dinwiddie, Howard, Sheffey, Yerby, Roane, Brown of Albemarle, Kelly and Breathed.

A Committee on Banks-Messrs. Leake, Harvie, Syme, Mayo, Edgington, Freeman, Chisman, Poindexter, Mosby, Roane and Stovall.

A Committee on Trade and Mechanic Arts-Messrs. Robinson, Nelms, Gillespie, Haymond, Major, Darracott, Smith, Happer, Waggoner, Edmondson of Lunenburg, and Harrison of Brunswick.

Ordered, That the following be the committee to whom the petition of the Literary society of Romney, presented on yesterday, shall be referred, to wit: Messrs. Hiett, Thompson of Hampshire, Hargrave, Castleman and Wall.

On motion of Mr. LEE, Resolved, That the committee of roads and internal navigation be instructed to enquire into the expediency of amending the act of last session, incorporating the Hardy and Winchester turnpike company, so that the amount of each share shall be fifty instead of one hundred dollars, and the company be authorized to extend their road from Winchester to Moorfield, or any point short of it in Hardy county, and that the state be required to subscribe two-fifths of the capital stock in said company on the usual terms.

On motion of Mr. JONES of Gloucester, Resolved, That the committee of roads and internal navigation enquire into the expediency of passing a law incorporating a company to construct a railroal from the City of Richmond to some point at or near the head of York river.

On motion of Mr. POINDEXTER, Resolved, That so much of the governor's message as has reference to the extension of the Louisa railroad be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation.

On motion of Mr. MORISON, Resolved, That the committee of finance be instructed to enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill to this house imposing taxes for the support of government, based as far as practicable upon the ad valorem principle.

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

No. 1. A bill providing for the pay and subsistence of the Virginia regiment of volunteers, called into the service of the United States, under a requisition of the president of the United States of the 16th of November 1846, which was taken up, read the first, and on motion of Mr. DANIEL, the second time, amended on motion of Mr. TUNSTALL, and as amended, ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

The said bill was forthwith engrossed, and (the rule of the house having been suspended for the purpose, on motion of Mr. WATTS,) was read a third time, and the question being put upon its passage, was determined in the affirmative. Ayes 123-No 1.

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

AYES-Messrs. Goode, (speaker,) Finney, Brown of Albemarle, Hart, Layne, Powell, M'Dearmon, Sheffey, Johnson, Scruggs, Burwell, Boak, Small, Thompson of Botetourt, Bennett, Bambrick, Bocock, Morris, Mosby, Fox, Dickinson, Cardwell, Jones of Chesterfield, Slaughter, Irving, Thompson of Dinwiddie, Roane, Love, Scott, Smith, Hill of Fayette and Nicholas, Evans, Stillman, Carper, Wall, Carson, White, Jones of Gloucester, Leake, Carroll, Cal well, Walker, Major, Stovall, Hiett, Thompson of Hampshire, Darracott, Lee, Lancaster, Dillard, Godwin, Howard, Hunter, Thompson of Jefferson, Patrick, Wallace, Gaines, Robinson, Gresham, Richmond, Ballard, Harrison of Loudoun, Schooley, M'Intyre, Poindexter, Edmondson of Lunenburg, Banks, Haymond, Oldham, Browne of Mathews and Middlesex, Waggoner, Williams, Brown of Monongalia, Beirne, Edmundson of Montgomery and Pulaski, Breathed, Kelly, Perrow, Newton, Watts, Happer, Yerby, Nelms, Edgington, Davis, M'Pherson, Tatum, Newman, Syme, Tunstall, Cackley, Cocke, Fairfax, Stone, Anderson, Daniel, Tyler, Sturm, Strother, Mayo, Cook, Harper, Dorman, Bare, Brown of Rockingham, M'Elhenney, Morison, Hill of Shenandoah, Stickley,