Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1832-01-19


the delinquent land law, was offered
BY Mr.. Randolph, OF Albemarlr. and
referred 10 the committee Of finance.
The committee on roads, and that or
the subject of negroes, SC. are the ali
ons Of the day" The Rad committee
have decided that the inierests Of the
State "demand the immediate CON.
tnsncement and vigorous prosec ution
Of line Of Communication, uniting the
navigsble waters Of the Ohio with the
tide water Of Ja~cs River )" that il is
go Sfofe work; and that !unds ought 10
be provided upon the faith and credit
Of the commonwealth"
The committee on the negro cues
ton, will probably report. on Monday,
. series Of resolutions, testing the sense
Of the house upon the various PROPOSE.
tons for the removal of free negroes.
We may expect an earnest and anima-
ted debate-not perhaps upon the main
question Of removal, but as to The spe-
eiss Of property which is to be fared for
the purpose. The people, themselves.
by public meetings. should express
their views upon the subject, SO that
their delegates might truly represent
their views and feelings. AZ at pre-
sent advised, many, if not most Of the
Western delegates. will, | think, 60
against any increase Of the far on lands.
The slavery question has not yet been
considered by the committee.
RICHMOND. JAN. ~
The business Of the week has been
Of a deeply interesting Character
Subjects peculiarly exciting have been
under discussion, and crowds have been
present TO listen TO the debates.
On Monday. Mr. Mcdowell, from
the committee Of roads. &c. reported
the resolutions mentioned in my last
letter. declaring that the interests Of
the state demanded the prosecution of
certain internal improvements, con-
meeting the tide water of James River
with the head waters Of the Ohio; and
that, being state work, the funds
ought TO be raised on the faith and
credit Of the state.
MIR. Williams, Of Harrison, moved
to reeommit the report, with instruc-
tions to the committee to present q
scheme Of Improvement, embracing all
the objects contemplated.
Mr.. Mcdowell moved to lay the re-
port upon the table, for the present, in
order that, 1t an early day, the prin.
ciPle OF q loan might first be decided.
This motion. after some further debate,
was carried.
The balance Of the day was spent in
discussion upon q bill amending the
act Of the last session concerning the
Petersburg Rail Road subscription, SO
as to authc &c more speedy payment
Of the subscription than that act autho
riZes. The bill was eventually laid
upon the table.
On IIesddy, Dir. Goode. Of Meek
lenburg. after some inquiries of the
chairman Of the committee on the CO.
lored population, gave notice that he
would the next day move to discharge
the committee from any further consi-
Iteration Of the whole subject, on the
ground that the agitation Of the Sub.
ject in the Legislature, before the peo-
pie themselves bad acted upon il, was
,nischievous, and likely TO disturb the
peace and harmony Of the State.
MIR. Powell, OF Spottsylvania, an
nounced to the house the death Of Col.
Charles Tod, Of Caroline, and NOV ed
that the members wear Grape on the left
arm Tor thirty days, as a testimony Of
respect Tor the memory OF the deceas-
ed, which was unanimously adopted
and the house then adjourned.
On Uednesday, Mr.. G oode, of Meek.
lenburg, offered a resolution, proposing
to discharge the select committee, ap.
pointed on the subject Of slaves, free
negroes &c. from the consideration Of
all petitions, memorials, &c. which
have tor their object the manumission
Of persons held to servitude under the
existing laws Of this commonwe al,h ;
and that it is not expsdient 10 legislate
on The subject.
Mr. Randolph, Of Aibemarle, (Rrand.
son Of MIR. Jetferson,) moved 10 amend
the resolution, by striking out all which
RELATES TO the discharge Of the commit.
tee. and TO insert instructions to the
committee, TO inquire into the expe.
dieney Of submitting TO the vote Of the
qualified voters, the propriety Of pro.
yiding by law that the children Of all
female slaves, who may be born in the
State, on or after the 9Th Of Jolly, Ie4O,
shall become the property Of the CON /.
monwsaith--the males at the age Of
81 years, aud the females AZ the age Of
10, q detained by their owners within
the limits Of Virginia until they shall
respectively arrive. at the ages afore.
said, to be hired out until the nett sun
arising tberefrom shall be sufficient 10
defray the expense Of their removal
beyond the limits Of the United States.
hF. GOode supported bic motion We
~ earnestly, eontsnding that great i.