Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-12-22

FROM oUS CORRESPONDENCE
RICHMOND. DC. u. 1881.

FROM OUS CORRESPONDENCE
RICHMOND, DEC. u, 1881.
On Monday, q great variety Of petit.
tons were presented 10 the House Of
Dalegates-amongst them, several from
the owners Of slaves, claiming compen-
sation for negroes "unlawfully put to
death, without trial. in the late insur-
rection." What will be the disposi
ton Of the Legislature in this respect,
il is at present impossible to say-but
that there will be opposition to all such
claims, have not doubt. The com
mittee appointed upon that subject.
will not commence its inves,i cations,
until after the holidays-wsiting, I
suppose, for oil the petitions which
may be presented, and for all projects
which are about to be submitted.
The bill concerning delinquentiands
decidedly the most Important subject
to the people Of Jefferson which has
yet been agitsted,) came up for its
third reading. The time for redcmp
ton, Of those lands which would be
liable TO forfeiture on the lst Of Janua-
~ next, was extended to the Ist of
January, 1884. This extension will
allow persons interested time to trace
their titles, and time to show that they
have been erroneously charged. BY
this bill, the Auditor of Public Ac-
counts is also authorized, upon salts
factory proof, to give credit for srrear-
ages. In all cases, therefore, where
persons have innocently purchased
lands upon which arrearages were due,
and they do not owe 10 the delinquent
any part Of the purchase money, an
exemption can be obtained.
After the passage Of this relief bill,
n proposition will be made, to revise
and simplify the whole system-t to
provide for the certain coIlec ton of
taxes on the premises, and to reduce
the rate Of damages.
On Tuesday, little else was done
besides the presentation Of petitions
and resolutions Of inquiry.
Mr.. Williams, Of Harrison, obtain.
ed leave to bring in q bill requiring
the Executive, within limited time.
TO act upon nominations and recon
mendaiions of county officers. &c
MIR. w. disclaimed any personai hos.
tility to any portion Of the Executive
department. having supported. by his
vote, every member Of that depart.
ment; but he complained strongly of
the delay which had occurred in act
ing upon recommendations Of justice
of the peace for his county. He wish
ed the Governor TO employ some por-
ton OF the time which was now spent
IN speculative. multiplying theories, -
in action OF different sort--in attend
Ing TO the Affairs Of the counties, sc.
Ii may seem q little out Of place
bere-this being communication
principally intended TO notice leRisia
tive matters-but feel il due to can
dour to state, that I have found the
Governor easy Of access, frank, com
municative, and prompt in his aiten
ton to any business, which, in the
discharge Of my duty, I have had oc.
casion to present to his consideration. I
On Uednesday, the House Of Dele.
gates we're eDgrossed principally with
the consideration Of three subjects.
AZ the opening Of the house, Mr..
hoane, OF Hanover, presented two pc
titIons on the subject Of slaves, free
negroes, &c. -one Of them from siaye
holders, aud the other from the Society
lot Friends, in. that county. MIR. Il
requested both To be read in the house.
which was done; and on the question
OF their reference, q debate OF more
than two hours occurred. Some gen.
tlemen were for rejecting the petitions
at once, even without a reference. on
the ground that the people Of Virgins
were not prepared for the subject At
this time, and did not erpeef any leeis-
latIon IN reference to the question of
slavery.
Others contended that il was at
least respectful to refer the petitions,
and that the people did sIpeei this lie.
gIslature to act efficiently upon the sub
Ject. have no room to rive even ar.
outline OF the debate-I can only sav
that many Of the Eastern Rentlen.n
declared themselves ready TO act. and
they should hail with pleasure the ar.
rival Of the period when Virginia should
get rid Of the evil Of slavery.
ihe proposition TO reject the petit
Tons, Was lost by large majority, and
they were accordingly referred.
General JacqurIIne II. iIaryie, Of
Richmond, was elected Major General
~ The 18th division, IN place Of Gen.
o"beri u. Taylor. appointed Judge /;
aud Col. John T.. Crump, Of SufTy.
was eiee.ed Brigadier General. a.
place ct Gen. Richard Eppes, rs signed.
mr. htHMOND, DgC. n.
on /h'uTsday, the Senate was prIn.
llnAIlY nCrnInen a IL al 49,. -