The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-01-07
Tbwlday, Tanuarp 9.


amendments to the bill, {" Concerning mater
commissioners in Chancery," and the fame be-
ing read, were further amended, and agreed to
b. the houfe.
An engrofed bill, 6" Divorcing yres latham
from his wife Tabitha," was read third lime
Rcioi0ed, That the bill do pats, and that the
title be, an ad, Dvorcing Ayres latham
fron, his wife Tabitha."
Mr.. Randolph prefnte,i from the Committee
of Proportions and Grievances,
A. bill, e" e tah!iihing new ferry from TIE
borough of Norfolk acrofs the waters of Eliza
beth river and for other Purpoies," which was
received and readthe frt time and ordered to
be read fecond time.
On motion, Ordered, That the Senate;be in
formed on thu part of this houfe, that Jofeph
EgTieiton- eig. appointed by Joint ballot of the
two houfes Of the General Af:mbIy to iii the
vacancy occafoned by the ref rnation of Major
General J1ieph ToHes-hath declined accepting
the isid appoin bent--and that MIR. Wooding
do inforn tire Senate thereof.
The Speaker laid before the houfe, letter
from William w. Hening, efl. in the following
words -
The HoDOrabs tb: Saesker IF The HOyjs of De-
SIR.
FROM the moment in which the voice of
tive Counril Of this Commonwealth, I have
been placed in ftuation truly .embarraEng.
The rule of the houfe, in exiltence at the time
or my election, having declared that the ap-
pointment of member to an Office in the Ex-
cCutive or Judiciary departments of the govern
! ment, did not difqualify him from fitting and
voting in the Houle Of Dele gates till he is quail
fed TO his appointment had no difficulty in
a'iuripg my friends and conftituents that
lhould not vacate my feat as a representative
| from the county of AlbemarIe, till juft before
the riiing Of the General AGembly, unlefs fome
cafe Mould occur, which would render NV pre-
| fence at the council board abfoluteiy necenary
Ii could not have been forefeen by me, at the
| time THUS committed mylelf, that rule which
had been adopted at very early period of our
government, and in conformity with which,
my predictions in office, elected uader the
fame circumstances with myfelf, bad invariably
ifeid their : 10 iii the Legislature, would have
been deemed violation either Of the letter or
| fplrit OF the contribution.
No i9oDer, however, was the contributions
| lily Of the rule queaioDed, than determined to
fubmit to the dccifon Of the houfe. A MAORI
ty having decided in favour of retaining the
rule, had no difcretion to exercife. NV own
| feelings would have dictated the propriety of
Withdrawing from an Afiembly, in which, even
one member might be found, who believed
was exerciing improper functions; but the in
tereNs Of my confituents having been confded
to me jointly with my colleague, who IL cafe
in which wasconcerned, was their only ~ IAN,
and who arongly re6led every argument of
mine in favour of vacatiDg my feat, was fub-
tfeeed to the painful nee efyof facrificing thofe
feelings to fenfe of public duty.
1t being now iuggeaed that fibieets are .fub-
rnitted 10 the confederation of the Executive,
which call for the attention of all thoie appoint
ed g TO aim in the administration Of the govern
nent," / proceed TO fnlhi th7fe duties inioined
On me by the contribution and laws of my coun-
| try.
| Had been spprized at an earlier period, Ell
J ther by an Official communication, or the de-