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"Resolved, That the committee of finance be instructed to enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill defining more clearly the duties of commissioners of the revenue in assessing the amounts of sales of merchants." Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That it is inexpedient to legislate farther on the subject, as the act of the 27th day of March 1843, fully prescribes the mode by which commissioners of the revenue shall assess the amount of the sales of merchants.

The committee of finance have, according to order, taken into consideration the petition of Wesley Wright and Woodson Wright, deputies of Pichigrue Woolfolk, sheriff of the county of Caroline, praying to be refunded certain damages recovered in the general court against said Woolfolk on account of the collection of merchants' licenses, and adopted the following resolution:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petitioners be rejected.

The committee of roads and internal navigation have considered the petition of citizens of Randolph county, praying a change in the location of part of the Staunton and Parkersburg road in said county, together with a remonstrance of other citizens against the proposed change, and the committee have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee of roads and internal navigation have considered the petition to them referred of John A. Garrett and other citizens of Albemarle, asking the passage of a law to make the connexion of the Rivanna river at Columbia with the James river and Kanawha canal, and the committee have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee of roads and internal navigation have considered the petition of the directors of the Salem and New Castle turnpike company, praying that Jacob Price be compelled to change the location of one of his tollgates, and the committee have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved, That the prayer of said petition be rejected for want of the notice required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

The committee on the militia laws have, according to order, had under consideration the resolution to them referred, instructing them "to enquire into the expediency of so amending the 30th and 31st sections of the act passed March 8th, 1834, concerning the militia, as to define more specifically who are exempt from militia duty,' and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

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Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That it is inexpedient so to amend the said sections.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of citizens of the town of New Martinsville in Wetzel county, to them referred, praying that an act may pass incorporating said town, similar to the act by which the town of Middlebourne in Tyler county was incorporated : Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected for want of the notice required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of Samuel C. Williams, representing that there is variance in the description of a certain part of the line dividing the counties of Frederick and Shenandoah, and that the same appears on comparing the county maps made for each county by authority of the act of 1816, amended in 1817; and that such variance and disagreement is of a serious nature, as it might tend to raise the question of jurisdiction between the two counties in matters of great interest and concern; and prays therefore that some law may be enacted to remedy the defects, either by establishing Paddy's run as the division line, (which would be at the same time less expensive and more certain and convenient,) or direct commissioners to run and mark said line or lines: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petition be rejected for want of notice as required in such case by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

The committee of roads and internal navigation have considered the petition of citizens of Monongalia county, praying the revival of an act establishing a ferry in said county on the Monongahela river, opposite the lands of the late Dudley Evans. The county courts are by law invested with authority to establish ferries in cases like the one under consideration, that is where the stream over which the ferry is contemplated lies within the The committee therefore deeming special legislation inexpedient for this particular case, besides that the notice required by the 23d rule of the house does not appear to have been given, have come to the following resolution:

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Resolved, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee of finance have had under consideration the petition of William Browning, and have come to the following resolution:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That it is inexpedient to grant the prayer of the petitioner. The joint committee appointed to examine the armory have performed that duty, and beg leave to report: That they have so far examined the arms, &c. as to be satisfied that those reported to be in good order are in that condition and fit for service.

The committee visited the different apartments, and confined their examinations principally to those arms in boxes which had not been opened for many years, and in every case they were found to be in a good state of preservation. It could not be expected, of course, that the committee would enter upon an inspection of all the arms in the establishment-that duty is assigned to the adjutant general, by whom it is more appropriately performed.

As to the number and description of arms and accoutrements on hand, reference may be had to the report of the superintendent, communicated at the commencement of the present session.

The number of arms of every description, unfit for service and requiring repairs, is believed to be smaller than at any previous period for many years; and from the progress made within the last year, it may be expected that in a short time all those now on hand will be fit for service. A considerable portion of those requiring repairs, are such as have been issued to the volunteer companies, and returned in that condition, with permission to receive new ones. The repairs of these arms constitute a heavy charge upon the armory, and the committee would recommend that more caution be observed in authorizing the issuing and exchanging arms for those companies.

The improvements authorized to be made by late acts of assembly, appear to have been judiciously done, and the whole establishment, with some small exceptions, is in good order. Such repairs as may be required for the ensuing year will be made by the men attached to the public guard, and no appropriation for that purpose is asked for at the present session.

It will be recollected that by the act of February 1846, the Board of public works leased to Charles F. Osborne, Esq. a portion of the armory building and ground, with certain water power, for 10 years, at 700 dollars per annum. In pursuance of that contract, a large iron manufactory is now being erected on the public grounds near the armory. This rent, with $500 for the mill, yields twelve hundred dollars annually to the credit of the armory account.

Your committee feel it but just in closing their report, to say, that every thing connected with this branch of the public service exhibits the appearance of a high order of discipline and efficiency, and that in their opinion it could not have been committed to abler or better hands.

All which is respectfully submitted.

February 10th, 1847.

ASA ROGERS, C. C. Senate.
SAM'L E. GOODSON, C. C. H. D.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration sundry petitions to them referred, and have come to the following resolutions thereupon:

1. Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry citizens of the village at the courthouse of Wayne county, praying the passage of an act establishing as a town the village at the seat of justice of Wayne county, by the name of Waynesville, be rejected, for want of notice required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

2. Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the petition of sundry citizens, residents and freeholders of the town of Saltborough in the county of Kanawha, representing that said town has never been laid off or established by law, and that the streets, alleys, &c. are vested in Levi Welch, Esq., and others, trustees, by virtue of a deed from Col. David Ruffner, the late proprietor of the site of said town, to said trustees for the benefit of the citizens thereof and the public generally; and further representing, that said town contains a population of five or six hundred souls, is compactly built chiefly of wood, and constantly requires some police regulations to secure the inhabitants against accidents by fire, as well as various other purposes, as improving the streets, abating nuisances, &c., and therefore praying that an act may pass incorporating said town according to the draft of a bill for that purpose, herewith enclosed, [Note-the draft of the bill does not accompany the petition,] be rejected for want of notice, as required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

3. Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the petition of William Nelson, a native born resident of Yorktown in the county of York, representing that there is no wharf either public or private for the discharge or shipping of cargoes to or from vessels at Yorktown; that he is the owner of a lot on the river side extending to low water mark, at the corner of the main cross-street leading to the river in said town; asking the privilege of erecting a wharf from said lot, and that an act may pass granting the same, be rejected, for want of notice as required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

4. The said committee have also had under consideration a resolution of the house of delegates, instructing them "to enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill for the establishment of the town of Jacksonville in the county of Lewis," in connection with a paper to them referred on the 11th December last, endorsed, "a memorial praying the establishment of a town in the county of Lewis, by the name of Jacksonville"-but which upon opening it, appeared to be a bill establishing such a town, and no part of a memorial or petition: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That it is inexpedient to report a bill for the establishment of such town, there being no notice as required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of the president and trustees of the corporation of the town of Farmville in the county of Prince Edward, to them referred, representing that by the act of their incorporation, passed February 27, 1833, they are not allowed to tax free male tythes over the sum of 25 cents each, while they are allowed to tax real estate one half of one per cent. on the value thereof. That this power to tax may and does operate injuriously and unequally, as persons not holding real estate and doing large business with large means and enjoying all the advantages of the corporation pay a tax of only 25 cents, while other property holders doing less business and with less means may be taxed from 15 to 20 dollars: for remedy whereof they pray that their charter or act of incorporation, be so amended as to give them authority to tax free male tythes in a sum not exceeding one dollar each. And that the number of trustees for said town be increased from seven, (the present number) to nine; and, to invest three of said trustees with the authority of justices of the peace within the limits of said corporation. The said three trustees so to act as justices, to be appointed by the board of trustees in general meeting, and to be regulated in their duties by the laws and ordinances of the said corporation. That the male tythables of said town, subject to labour on the highways of the commonwealth, be divided equally between the county court of Prince Edward and the corporation of the town of Farmville, and to give the said corporation authority to employ its half on the streets of the said town, with power to appoint over the said hands officers similar to surveyors of highways. And that they ask this with more confidence inasmuch as other corporations, Curdsville for instance, is allowed to employ all the male tythables in the corporation on the streets of the town. And that they would further pray for authority to tax dogs owned in the corporation of said town, to a moderate extent or amount, and to put by ordinance such animals under such other restraints as will mitigate the inconvenience and annoyance incident to an overgrown number of unrestrained animals of this description: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the chairman thereof be, and he is hereby instructed to ask of the house of delegates leave to be discharged from the further consideration of the said petition, for failure to give notice in the manner required by the 23d rule of the said house.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of sundry citizens of the town of Romney in the county of Hampshire, to them referred, representing that said town is greatly in want of some provisions by law for its police and good government; and praying therefore the general assembly to incorporate said town by the name of "the town of Romney," and to confer upon it the same powers and privileges, and require of it the same duties as are conferred upon and required of the town of Weston in the county of Lewis, by an act, entitled "an act to incorporate the town of Weston in Lewis county," passed January 14th 1846: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected for want of notice as required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of sundry citizens residing at Harper's Ferry, and members of St. Thomas's division No. 7 Sons of Temperance, to them referred, asking the passage of an act authorizing them to hold in fee or by lease a hall for their meetings; to sue and be sued, and to take bonds from their officers, desiring no other forms than such as are necessary to give stability to their institution and to extend their usefulness, having no other end in view: Whereupon, Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of "the members of Good Samaritan division No. 21 Sons of Temperance, in the town of Winchester, Frederick county," to them referred, praying the incorporation of said division, in order that they may hold the necessary property, viz: a house in which to transact business and to educate the orphan children, and a lot of land for the purposes of a cemetery for the interment of their deceased members; and also to hold such personal estate as may be necessary for the beneficial purposes of the institution, and that said division be invested with legal authority to elect their officers, to impose and collect fines and to transact all business as laid down in their constitution and by-laws herewith submitted: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration a resolution of the house of delegates, instructing them "to enquire into the expediency of amending the act, entitled 'an act amending the law concerning the formation of new counties,' passed April 5th, 1839, so as to confine the vote required to be taken at the several places appointed for holding precinct elections,' for and against the proposed new county to the several places of holding precinct elections in that part of the county or counties out of which it is proposed to form the new county:" Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the chairman thereof be and is hereby instructed to ask that said committee be discharged from the further consideration of said enquiry.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, again had under consideration a resolution of the house of delegates, instructing them "to enquire into the expediency of authorizing Bartholomew Dodson of the county of Richmond, to celebrate the rites of matrimony or join persons in marriage in the counties of Richmond and Northumberland, upon the production to him of the usual marriage license ;" to them

recommitted, with the petition of sundry citizens of the counties of Richmond and Northumberland, asking the general assembly to authorize said Bartholomew Dodson to celebrate the rites of matrimony in said counties, believing him to be qualified to discharge said duties and every way deserving their wishes; and also in connection therewith a letter from W. W. Forestes of Richmond county, complaining that there is no person to solemnize the rites of matrimony in that section of country for ten miles around, and that a large majority of the people are desirous that said Dodson should be appointed for that purpose: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That it is inexpedient so to authorize the said Bartholomew

Dodson.

The committee for courts of justice have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of George Head, keeper of the jail of Loudoun county, "asking an increase of compensation for keeping and maintaining prisoners chargeable to the state," to them referred, and have come to the following resolution thereupon: Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee for courts of justice have, according to order, enquired into the expediency of giving to the courts discretionary power as to committing the estates of decedents to the hands of sheriffs: Whereupon, Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That it is inexpedient to legislate upon the subject aforesaid. The committee of finance have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of Eliza White, administratrix of James White, deceased, and have come to the following resolution :

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to grant the prayer of the petitioner.

The committee of claims have, according to order, had under consideration "the petition of Samuel Johnson, deputy sheriff of Morgan county, praying the passage of a law refunding to him from the treasury the sum of twenty-five dollars and eighty-three cents, paid by him as damages on a judgment issued against him as security for William Neely, late sheriff of said county," and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved, That the prayer of said petition be rejected.

The committee of claims have, according to order, had nnder consideration "the petition of James A. Price of Preston county, to be released from the obligation of his recognizance bond as security for his son William Price's appearance before the circuit court of law, &c. for Preston county," and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petition be rejected.

The committee for courts of justice have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of Harry Warfield, a free man of colour, "praying for permission to remain in the commonwealth," to them referred, and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee for courts of justice have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of George Scott, a free man of colour, "praying for permission to remain in the commonwealth," to them referred, and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee for courts of justice have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of Thomas Duncan, a free man of colour, "praying for permission to remain in the commonwealth," to them referred, and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee for courts of justice have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of Samuel Nall, a free man of colour, "praying for permission to remain in the commonwealth," to them referred, and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee appointed to examine the auditor's office of public accounts, have performed that duty, and beg leave to submit the following report:

The committee have carefully examined the books and papers of the office, and find the vouchers and disbursements correspond; that the books are neatly and accurately kept, and that the papers are all well arranged.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the memorial of the people of the town of Portsmouth, in the county of Norfolk, through their committee appointed for that purpose, with the accompanying documents, to them referred, complaining of the burdens under which they are labouring, notwithstanding the general growth and enlargement of their town, not only as to territorial extent, the increase in the number and value of its buildings, but also in population and business transactions-for that since the partial downfall of the Portsmouth and Roanoke railroad, the town and people have become greatly embarrassed in financial difficulties, consequent in a great measure upon their exertions to support this railroad establishment, with sundry other grievances: and praying, therefore, that there be granted to them such an act of further incorporation, as will give them a judiciary dependent on the will of the people, and such as is enjoyed by the people of other towns containing a similar amount of population; and also an independent representation in the legislature of the state; and also along with said act of incorporation, the right to a separate and independent ferry to the town, or by such a division of its proceeds as the general assembly may determine as best. The

other joint property, such as the courthouse, jail, &c., belonging to the town and country jointly, to which they call attention, and say, that they feel every confidence in the justice by which such division will be made, or joint occupation directed; and that any act which may be passed in their behalf, may be so framed as to submit the same to the people for their adoption or rejection, as may appear by a poll held for that purpose. And at the same time have also had under consideration the remonstrance of sundry other citizens of the county of Norfolk, to them referred, against the same: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected.

The committee of propositions and grievances having had under consideration the petition of sundry citizens of Frederick county, asking that the separate election now required to be held at the house of George Swier in said county, be removed to the house of John Pugh in the village of Whitehall, and also a remonstrance against said petition, signed by sundry other citizens of said county, have agreed to report the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petitioners be rejected, because it does not appear that they gave notice as required in such cases by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

The committee on the militia laws have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of officers and privates of the 168th regiment of Virginia militia, to them referred, praying that said regiment may be furnished with a stand of colours, a drum and a fife, and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected.

The committee on the militia laws have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of the officers of the 113th regiment of Virginia militia, to them referred, praying for the formation of a new regiment in the county of Wood, and have come to the following resolution thereupon:

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of the said petition be rejected; the executive having authority under the 7th section of the act, entitled "an act to amend an act, entitled 'an act for the better organization of the militia,'" passed March 13th, 1840, so to divide or alter the regimental districts in the several counties, as either to increase or diminish the number of regiments in said counties.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of sundry citizens of the county of Middlesex, to them referred, representing that the general interest of the citizens of said county would be promoted and the public convenience greatly increased by the removal of the seat of justice from Urbanna, its present site, to some more central location, and for sundry other reasons set forth, and amongst them the condition of the public buildings being such as to render it absolutely necessary in a few years either to rebuild or thoroughly repair them, at a cost nearly as much as to rebuild; and while they are not aware of any well founded objection thereto, and regarding it as a question affecting chiefly the rights and interests of the citizens of Middlesex, pray therefore the passage of act requiring the sheriff and other officers conducting elections for said county, to hold a poll for the purpose of taking the sense of the people of said county upon the subject of the proposed removal: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected for want of notice required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration a resolution of the house of delegates, instructing them "to enquire into the expediency of passing an act incorporating the town of Moundsville in the county of Marshall:" Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That it is inexpedient to pass an act incorporating said town.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of sundry citizens of the town of Beverley in the county of Randolph, to them referred, praying that an act may pass incorporating the said town of Beverley, with the same rights and privileges as were granted to the town of Fairmont in the county of Marion, passed February 18th, 1843: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected for want of notice as required by the 23d rule of the house of delegates.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of sundry citizens of the county of Rockbridge, to them referred, praying the general assembly to establish a separate election at Cedar grove mills in said county: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected for want of notice as required by law.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition of sundry citizens of the county of Shenandoah, to them referred, with a copy of notice and affidavit of publication, praying that an act may pass establishing a separate election in the village of Forestville in said county: Whereupon,

Resolved as the opinion of this committee, That the prayer of said petitioners be rejected for insufficiency of notice as required by law.

The committee of propositions and grievances have, according to order, had under consideration the petition. of sundry residents and voters of the lower part of the county of Fluvanna, to them referred, praying that an act

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