Martinsburgh gazette. [volume] (Martinsburgh, Va. [W. Va.]) 1810-1825, 1812-01-24


concern the people in general; of the latter
description Is the laws concerning the tax ON
lands. This all important subject received as
1t ought, our best consideration, which result
ed in reporting bill containing such provi-
sions as were thought applicable to the exist
ing situation of this INCREASING country; a
amendments offered and approved of, sent it
from our house in shape calculated to RENE
dy IN some degree the evils that would of ne
cessity result from permitting the former law
to go into full operation. The prominent fea-
lures are, that until the first day of August
next is allowed to enter land, and no forfeit
ure to be incurred previous to the first day of
November, after that period sale may take
place protected against speculation and in
Justee) for the use of the literary fund, but
should the taxes due, with ten per centum in.
terest thereon, be paid prior to the day fixed
ON for the sale, the land is saved to the pro.
prietor: How tbs senate will modify or change
TINS course, 1t Is not FOR me to say; am sa-
ushed that body will pursue system of pro-
priety.
Namberlsss petitions are presented praying
leave to bring slaves into this state, as well
by persons now actual residents as by those
who are DESTROYS to become SO their fate. SO
exceptions, has been unfortunate, some have
prevailed where the applicant agreed to re-
move from the state the same number that he
proposed bringing in. Free Negroes asking
permlssionto remain here, generally fail To
save the pubic money which must be cxpend-
ed In celebrating or each case, general law
is on the table allowing those who reside in
Virginia within limited time, to bring slaves
.,.f., -
persons removing from other parts of the u
mon to pursue the same modes. | fear this
will fail the latter part certainly must. AL
tho we have not progressed far in the dis
charge OF the delicate duties imposed ON US
charge OF idleness cannot with propriety be
made.
On yesterday the house went into commit
tee on the chancery bill The chairman and
| myself urged and invited discussion. A mo-
ton was made that the committee rise; this
| thought it my duty to oppose, but failed
On Tuesday we reassumed the consideration !;
gentleman from Wood wished to offer am
amendment not then prepared. / shall sup
port the plan, yet believe better could be
adopted, and am prepared to avail myself,
should a favorable opportunity be presented
of trying the sense of the house on the course
to my mind best adapted to the existing state
of things however. will carefully guard a.
gainst any measure that may produce disuni-
on, for if the propriety of reform be once es-
tablished, it is easy at future day to form a
more perfect system, and my project will on
| ly appear when the other fails. Much has
already been said on the bank--s hope 1t will
| pass to the senate. That the capital of thi.
country should be INCREASED, is evident; and
there being deficiency of specie, the neces.
| sity of creating currency representing the
precious metals, is evident. 1t is in vain to
say banks are injurious they are sanctioned
by our sister states, and our country now ex-
periences all the evils flowing from that source,
without drawing any Of the benefits The in
terest of the state in the Winchester bank will
| be nearly the same with that it holds in the
present establishment, excepting this, il may
| be called Independent, but the state should,
and in my opinion must, have control. This
will give consequence and stability to the
! institution. Knowing the great opposition
| that will arise in the senate, am not sanguine
as to the final success in that body; our sena-
| tor will watch for our welfare
Col James Barbour is the governor elect,
without opposition, and Andrew Stephenson,
Esq of this place, the speaker OF the House
of Delegates DIR. Hair and Payton Randolph,
Esqrs are removed from the council Of state,
and on Tuesday we are to elect five counsel
lors there arc many candidates | did not
at first intend TO have written so much. The
melancholy state of the sufferers at the thea
tire cannot be too sincerely deplored: it was
am awful scene wish to forget the whole,
but that is impossible The papers detail the
melancholy event. Even now we mourn the
feelings this DEPRESSION has produced are too
distressing; combining worth with youth, beau
ty and accomplishments, and their possessors
in few moments torn from society! But we
are consoed by the reflection that they are