Alexandria gazette & daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1817-1822, 1820-01-20
LEGISLATURE OF VIRGINIA.

1HuJSuuy, VUn"u ~
The House proceeded by joint ballot with
the Senate to the election Of the Register OF
the Land Office for one year. Five candi-
dates were named on the second ballot MIR,
William G. Pendlcton, the present incum-
bent, was -elected-he having lO4 votes:
the next candidate to him Ga.
Tn House also proceeded TO the election
of member of the Priyy Council, in place
of Mr. James E. Heath, elected Auditor
Several candle ates were brought forward.
and after 4 ballots, Mr.. William Smith, one
Of the Delegates OF Greenbrier, was elected.
The Speaker laid before the House let
ter from the Treasurer, which was read as
follows:
Treasury Office, 18Th January, 1920.
Sir--l have the honor TO lay before The Le-
gislature report. prepared in conformity to
The act, " entitled an act changing the fiscal
year of this commonwealth, and tor other
purposes.
1t has been customary, for the last two or
three years. to delay the report from this de-
parment until the annual committee from the
Legislature shall have examined the accounts
tor which it is made. This practice grew out
Of the circumstance of there having been on
one occasion slight variance in the report
Of the Treasurer, which had been presented
early in the SESSION. and the books of the
Treasury after they had been examined by
the committee, which, though of small i'm
portance, and was corrected in the report of
the Treasurer at the succeeding session, in.
duced him, al the suggestion OF the commit
tee. to delay his report thereafter until the
accounts had undergone an examination, so
that there might be perfect agreement and
uniformity in his report and that of the com.
mittee. ! regret this delay the more in the
present instance, because lintendedto com
muncate to the Legislature fact whchre-
cent circumstances induce me much to la.
ment had not been disclosed earlier
Ever since the arduous and responsible STA
lion, with which the sutfIages of the Legisa-
ture have SO repeatedly honored me, have
devoted the best energies of my mind, in
conjunction with the most persevering appl-
cation of my time. to the advancement of
the public interest. In reviewing my con-
duct, whilst in this situation, ii affords me
the highest consolation TO reflect that on some
occasions, and at times, too, when the ext
gencies of the country demanded the eyertion
Of every effort for its preservation-when the
finances of the state were inadequate TO meet
the pressing demands of necesstous credi-
tors--l hazarded my individual credit for The
supply O! such deficiencies, and thereby
successfully combated the evils that would
otherwise have resulted. Happy should be,
if could stop here, with surrendering TO the
Legislature the trust they have confded to
me but truth and justice demand that
should further state that it has been my mis-
fortune, during The late period of unparalleI-
ed commercial distress and pecuniary diff
Guilty, to become involved by individuals then
high in the confidence or the public, but who
have since fallen sacrifices to the unusual
state OF the times; in consequence Of which
a deficit in the public treasury has occurred,
which, as | am now unable to supply, | deem
it proper to communicate the fact to the Le- |
gislature. If there is any thing in this tran
saction from which can CLEAN ray OF salts
faction, ii is from the reflection that the pub
lie treasure has not been diverted from its |