Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 182?-183?, 1831-12-23
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
no USE OF DELEGATES.
Thursday, Dec. 9.

Thursday, Dec. 9.
Yesterday, the Speaker took the Chair
at IL o clock.
Mr.. Jones rose to state, that he was a
bout presenting petition, which though
he did not think it subject proper for
the consideration ofthc House, inasmuch
as it touched upon the subject of reli-
gion, yet, as it was the right ofindividu-
ais TO petition the Legislature, and he
had been requested 70 present it, he felt
it his duty to do so. Mr.. ]. then pre-
scented petition from Robert Anderson.
stating that Burton Parish Church is
the property ofthe Commonwealth, and
ought TO be free for the reception of ev-
cry denomination ofchristians, and com
plains that lately the church has been
usurped by the Episcopalians-and ask
ing that the Legislature would take the
subject into consideration. MIR. J. NOV
ed the reference of the petition to the
committee of Propositions and Grievan-
ces-but the proposition, was negatiycd
and the petition rejected.
TO the Speaker Of The II. of Delegates.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, J
December Sth, 1881.
To The House Of Delegates:
have received from Charles A. Stew
art, esq. President of the Lewisburg
Convention, the Memorial Of that body,
upon the important and interesting sub
ject OF Internal Improvement, with a
request to cause it to be laid before YOU.
The high character Of the citizens com
posing that Convention, their talent and
standing, entities the Memorial TO the
earnest attention of the House,
JOHN FLOYD.
Referred, on Mr. McDowell's motion,
to the Committee Of Roads and Internal
Navigation.
Mr.. McCue moved that 500 copies be
printed he considered the Memorial
as highly important. and entitled to the
greatest attention. Mr.. Witcher thought
that $50 copies (the usual number)
would be sufIicient-and accordingly
moved the printing of that number
which motion prevailed.
Mr.. Robertson presented a petition of
sundry inhabitants of Page county, ask
ing that speedy measures NAV be taken
to procure an amendment of the Consti-
tuition of the u. States to invest Congress
with the power Of appropriatjng money
TO remove free persons Of colour TO the
coast Of Africa, and to purchase slaves
and remove them also
Mr.. Newton-a petition Of the in
habitants of estmoreland asking the re-
moval ofiree negroes beyond the limits
OF the Commonwealth.
"Wednesday, Dee. Ii.
SLAVERY.
The petition of sundry citizens of
Hanover on the subject Of Free Ne
groes, and of the Society of Friends rela-
tive TO the gradual emancipation of
Slaves, having been read and motion
of Mr. Good to refer the same being I'M
der consideration
Mr.. Moore said, (in reply to a re-
mark ofMr. Witcher,) that he could not
see why the petition of the Society of
Friends should not be referred. Threat
ed upon a subject on which all sects and
denominations of people ought to be
heard. 1t came from respectable class
Of individuals, aud was expressed in re-
spectful and decorous language. lfgen-
tlemen who opposed the reference, sup
posed that the refusal TO refer it would
prevent the consideration Of the subject,
they we're in error. 1t was a subject
which the people ofVirgiDia would con
slider seriously and deeply. lie hoped
the petition would be referred.
Mr.. Carter of p. W, troubled the
House reluctantly on this subject, the
discussion Of the merits Of which was
premature at this time. lie agreed en-
tirely with the gentlemen from Pitt
syIvania, that the subject Of cmancipa-
ton could not be properly submitted to
the deliberations of the Committee
But as there seemed to be doubts on that
point, he thought the question could
better be settled now than hereafter,
whether the Committee was appointed
to consider the subject Of emancipation
or not. For his own part, he believed
il would confuse and render complicat
ed subject already sufficiently so. He
believed, also, that the minds Of men,
ben were made up on the subject Of e.