Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-17
VIRGINIA LEGISLATURE.
House of Delegates, Tuesday. Dec II.


Mr.. Booker said he rose to call the attention
OF the House to subject Of great importance.-
Statements had been made out Of the House that
the Asiatic Cholera existed in this city to consi
derable extent-and he moved the appointment
of a committee to inquire into The facts. and re-
port them to the Huuse. 1t was not his desire
TO alarm the Huuse-but if the statements to
which he alluded were correct, they ought to
bring their deliberations 10 a speedy close, or
adjourn to some other place. That cases Of Cho
lera had recently occurred here, he had no rea-
son to question-and il it was doubted. there
were other members possessed Of more informa.
tou than himself. He considered it his duty to
move the appointment Of committee on the sub
jrct, whose report would confirm or dispel these
rumOrs. If such course was not taken, a pa
nc would probably exist among the members,
and many Of them would leave the place-a
state Of things, which ought If possible to be
avoided.
NJ Yancey thought that the committee ought
to be- juint one. The Senate were equally in
terested in the subject with the House.
MIR Booker thought it unnecessary to appoint
joint committee. II the Senate saw fit TO ac,
upon the subject, they could do it separately.
Mr.. ROane could not consider IN necessary 20
institute this inquiry at the present time. When
he came to the city at the commencement Of the
session, he had made inquiries ut the most prom
inent phy sicians. upon the subject-and he had
received from them satisfactory assurances that
the Cholera, as an epidemic or An endemic. no
longer existed in this city. He had been inform.
ed by them, that VIII the cholera had existed,
it always went of slowl y-that il died hard, aud
that some cases of a choleric nature fingered for
some time. Whatever reports might he in cir
cula,ion with regard to cholera, they would nat.
urally be much exaggerated, aud their correct.
ness ought to be ascertained before alarm was
spread through the country by any proceeding
OF the House. lie hoped the subject would be
delayed for a few days, that unnecessary appre-
tensions might not br excited.
Mr.. Booker said that his motion had been
made with view to aIay apprehension. lie
would say for himself that he should Sit much ca
sier in his seat if it were reported by commit
tee that there was no reason Tor alarm.
The motion was agreed to. and the following
was appointed on the subject: Messrs.
Patterson Of Chesterfield, Robertson. Collins,
Thornton. McFarIane, Campbell and Randolph.
On motion of Sir. Patterson OF Chesterfield,
the committee bad leave to sit during the session
Of the House.
Dec IL Mr. Campbell said tha, the com.
mttee on the subject Of the Oh olera, had con.
.idered the subject, and examined many Of the
citizens Of Richmond-that the Chairman Of the
Committee was now engaged in drafting re.
port-but as il would not probably be- completed
before the adjournment, he took occasion to
'tate that the result at which the committee had
lrrived, was that there was no cause for alarm.
Some slight cases had occurred, but in all instan.
es brought on BY uncommon imprudence. The
eport would be made to the House in the morn.
ng.
On motion Of Mr.. Cline, the House adjourned,