Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-04-01
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
HOUSE or DELEGATES.

Ver anu the country adjacent thereto, and the south
branch OF the Potomac; 4, Requiring returns ossales
mace under execution to be made to the Clerks VI
nee. 1.-TWO last with amcndments
ihey have rejected an act to provide Tor opening
and repairing the public roads in this Common
wealth.
The bill concerning :hc appointment Of agents for
the kenawha Road and River and the Blue Ridge
canal, returned from the Senate with an amend
ment restricting the number of agents 10 two, and
their Joint compensation to S800-was taken up, and
alter some discussion anon. Messrs Mayse, Terrill,
Anderson, of Bot. Summers and Dyer, the House
refused to postpone the BILL and then agreed to the
Senatc's amendment
DELINQUENT LANDS.
MIR Leigh adverting to the amendments made in
the Senate to the delinquent land bill, and the Imper
feet and incongruous state IN which 1t was left by
those amendments-and stating that parliamentary
rules lett no other course TO pursue-mo'ed to ask
simple conference with the Senate that subject
Mr. Witcher was opposed 10 going into conference
at this late perod-and moved 10 postpone the bill
ndeinitely-wth the purpose of bringing in after
wards. short bill allowing further time to redeem
forfeited ands.
The Chair informed Mr. Witchcr, that the notion
was to ask conference, and that his motion could
not be entertaned-tte bill not being first before the
House.
Mr Leigh proceeding to reply to Mr. Witcher,
and reminded him that this conference would be con-
Quoted by committees and would not occasion delay
MIR Witcher withdrew his opposition to the course
MIR Leigh then briefly and energeticay. expatia
ted upon the grievances felt in Western Virginia
and the absolute necessity of this measure of re-
dress For pepper corn, the policy of the Common
wealth had depopuated that part of the Common
weaha policy witnessed before since the earth
began. Those people would not submit to it-they
ought not TO submit to -they would fight for their
lands-and he wouid fight Nth them.
MIR Witcher replied and indicated the policy he
was willing to adopt in regard TO delinquent lands
which was in brief, TO rub out and begin again
when after some conversation among Messrs Wcher,
Leigh and Goode, the proposition of Nh Leigh was
oil nd fhn
manage the conference, viz.
Messrs Leigh, Jackson, Campbell of Brooke, Da-
vsson, Preston, Summers, Mason of Erred. and
Williams of Shenandoah.
AIR Bryce moved to DISCHARGE the Committee of
Finance from the further consideration of the resolu-
ton provide against fraudulent speculaons on Re,
volutonary Officers.
MIR. Atkinson said the part he had taken in this
matter would ne hoped be sufficient apology for sub
hitting at this time few remarks, not intended to be
personal TO any one, much less dsrespectul to the
Committee. True it is that he had differed from the
majority as to the proprety of the pursued;
yet he was lar from Supposing that other gentlemen
are less correct than himself At an early period of
the session. he felt it his duty submit the resolu-
ton OF enquiry which is the subject of this dis
CUSTOM; al thai time, he was unacquanted with any
person suspected of specializing the claims of Re
voutonary officers; cannot therefore be supuosed
that be had, lurking within his BOSOM any secret
passion OF hatred, malice Ill will vet he did feel
the highest contempt Tor such could speculate
the descendants of those brave and valiant patriots
wiio IN the darkest days of the Revolution entered
into the service of their country The most of
them have gone ''that undiscovered country from
whose bourne 20 traveller reiurns they have carried
with them the benedlctons of grateful people and
1t was his purpose to lend his feeble aid in the SUD-
port and protection of the just rights of their off
spring. The laws. dictated by the wisest policy.
nave made provision in the way of bountes for the
soldier and his descendants; but he would tell tins
House, that what was intended os reward to the
SOLDIER serves ont too en as food for the specuator
ana pecuator. That contracts have been entered
into, extending IN many cases to one half of the
amount to be recovered, was not only in evidence
before the Committee, but has been admitted; and
part Of them have been made at n time and
nader circumstances which enttle them to no favour
able consideration IN the opinion of lust and gene
rouS public; and hch he was sure were tho claims
now to be paid would induce this General Assembly
to use every proper effort to guard the interest of
the claimants. Some days since the Committee de-
tefmIned TO advise the House that was inerDeeut
to mako appropriation to meet Judgments which NAV
ne thereafter rendered ga!nst the nv the
Court of Appeals behalf of the officers of the Vir
gina line In the Revolution it was therefore proper
tnat no legislative act should be passed in relation tn
them, but that the whole should be it to our
successors, who, If these demands obtain their favor
VIII doubtless cause them to be paid TO the 7,goner
persons anu under proper restrictions lie differed
WIN Tue majority OF the Committee as to the report
70 De made. He was Of opinion that the reasons
should be given why the Committee should no dis
charged; they prepared motion, merely to be dis
charged, without assigning any reasons lie had
no0, no objection to the course indicated bv the
worthy chairman, as the organ Of the COMMITTEES.
lie sad ne was done with this subject perhans far
ever; but If 1t should be his fortune again TO pass
upon these claims of Revolutionary officers and
should they gain the appreciation of the House, he
hoped he should be found to be the advocate of Gli
dealings, integrity and justice.
MI Bryce said the Committee of Finance had not
thought 1t proper to act upon the subject matter of
Inc resolution TOR variety of reasons: first OWING
10 the situation of the Revolutionary caims-second
because II frauds in speculation had been or should be
committed on Revolutionary claimants it would rive
10 room for the interference ofthe Legislature The
'onrs were open for the ascertainment and the cor
ectlon Of the fraud, fraud had been committed: the
contract if sound, would abide investigation, other
wise 1t would be set aside. Mr.. d. said that in rela
ION to the speculalioDs made upon the Revolutionary
lalms, had seen nothing to convince his mind that
my frauds had been committed, although perhaps he
himself would not have engaged III such speculationg
g some of them were.
The Committee then discharged.
Bills passed. Authorizing LOTTERY to construct
Turnpike from the Brooke Turnpike rear Rich
nond, to Madison Court House.
II. On lpd tbn oil n