Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1827-02-03
VIRGINIA. LEGISLATURES
HOUSE OF DELEG ATES.

We'tc caiieu ior the ayes anu noes Ihe Dial
p Sc.
The Speaker laid before the House. the follow
ing letter from the Governor:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT.,
February LIST. 1927.
SIR: shall be pardoned for bringing under the
notice oil the General Assembly subject which
consider OF much interest and concern; and my
apology for not having done so at am earlier day
is to be found in the fact, of my being unscquan.d
until very recently with The actual condition of
things in regard 10 it. The Journals OF the Lesis-
lature exhibit The most satisfactory materials for
the historian and politician, and their preservation
In such form as that the community at large may
have free access TO them, Is obviously matter CT
the deepest interest. While they serve as the faiil.
fui chr onicles OF the times, they tend to illustrate
the names of our ancestors by furnishing the evil
dences of their devotion 10 the cause of human IL
herty, IN the Development OF our system of law
aud police These considerations should operate
pow eriuly in leading US to adopt such measures
as would be calculated TO place heir safety te-
yond the reach of accident. The most complete
set Is in the custody OF the Keeper Of the Rolls.
anu Is Tor great part in manuscript but even
tins Is detective those of three important sessions
having actually been lost. BY diligent inquiry,
they might now be restored, whereas the lapse of
a lew years may place them entirely beyond our
reach while a loss OF the imperfect series NOW in
| our possession by casualty or otherwise, would
be severely felt by future generations. The want
individuals, is already of deep regret
with some OF our most intelligent and patriotic
ci'iZens The re-printing of such as msy have
gone out OF print, and the distribution of con-
nected and unbroken sets among the public Off
ce' and our most conspicuous literary institutions
would not fail TO be acceptable 10 the publc AZ
large.
avail myself OF the opportunity which this
communication affords, of relieving the General
Assembly from all difficulty in relation TO the cleo.
ton OF my successor in the Office which now
ID, by announcing to you my resignation of the
same from and alter the 4h day OF March next,
WIN he intention OF entering, at tina, time on the
auties oil the highly responsible station recently
conferred upon me. In anticipation of that event
permit me, sir through you, tender to the House
over which you preside, the homage of most sin
cefe thanks Tor its indulgen kindness manifesto ed to-
wards me through the whole period ofmy official SER
VICE II recent occurrences, over which could
| exercise no absolute conrou, without justly sub
Jecing my sell to reproach and censure should have
ailenated any from me, embitered any towards
me, ii will undoubtedly be 10 me source of re-
gre. But my course ofconduct through the future
VIII be nothing varied by this consider atom
The principles which have acted, without
aoandonmen' IN any instance, for the last six
Teen years, ia Congress and The Legislative Hall
oil this state, will be the principles by which will
regulate my future political iife-Keepng them
continually IN view yielding them neither to the
pedency and thereby seeking to pr.mote the last
ing interests OF our beloved country, if DO not
acquire The individual confidence of Virginia I
snail al least have preserved my own consistency
and secured my peace of mind through the days of
my Increasing years and in the hour of my final dis
solution.
have the honour 10 be- with sentiments of hjoh
respect, your most obedIent servant,
JOHN TYLER.
The Hon. She Speaker of the
House of Delegates.
MIR BILLUPS'S CASE
Mr.. Watkins OF z Edward presented the fol-
loving report from the Committee of Privileges
and Elections
The Committee of Privileges and Elections
have, according 10 order, had under consideration
resolution instructing them TO enquire into the
rght OF Humphrey Billups, of the members
ieturned from the county of Matthews to serve in
Ibis present House OF Delegates, il being suggest
ed that he 10 minister of the Gospel; and report
the result OF their enquiry to the House; beg leave
Iespsctiuily to report
1t appears TO your Committee, from the admiss
SION oil Humphrey BIllups and the evidence annex
ed as part of this report, that he received a ii.
cehse from the proper authority of the Methodist
Church to preach, and under said license continued
10 preach until he was appointed Deacon in
said church-that he is still a Descon in said
church, and in that character preached both before
ana since his election = that he obi aimed from the
a
oIate The rites of matrmony, which testimonial he
rellnqui@ted before the election.
III further appears 10 your committee that ac-
cordIng to the dspline of the Methodist Church.
The ordination of Deacon authorises him, as a
prooationer for the Office of Elder, to administer
baptism, bury the dead, and celebrate the rites of
maTImony IN the absence Of an Elder; and 10 as
sist the Elder in the distribution OF the IIoly Com
munion.
u viii be perceived that the committee in their
enquiry into this very delicate subject, have con-
hned their examinat Of testimony, 10 the partic-
uiar grade or standing of MIR. Bilups in the metho
DIST church, Of which he is a member His own
statements have been taken as true BY there
statements 1t appears that he ranks as a Deacon.
and that, as such, he preached and continues to
preach The Gospel, but that he had relinouisbeJ
before bis election, the testimonials by which he
as authorised TO celebrate the rites of mstrimony.
IL VIII be perceived that Deacon has no now
er IN The Methodist Church TO administer the Ho-
~ Ordinance Of the Lords Supper; hence in The
language Of The Methodist Church Deacon -
not Minister, that is, he Is not Minister for that
particular purpose.
But your Committee cannot think. tb,, IL a..
contemplation Of the constitution il was svsr az
tended TO confne the disqualification, 10 those
agents OF church, who are especially aufboyised
10 celebrate the Holy Ordinances but IT, ali ,bos.
whose business u is TO preach or minister the Co.
pei '"' Jus
In constituting all laws, we must look Al The o.,
iicular benefit intended TO be derived and ,I -.
chief intended TO be avoided
IL Is Certain that our civil rights have m L.
pendence on our religious opinions: and /, !. L.
certain 'nat, ouI ancestors knowing this. intended
10 keep SEPARATE church and state No mode vvas