Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1838-02-08

The question then REQUIRED on the amend.
ment of MIR MAY. Mr.. KINNEY made
some remarks against the policy OF nflictiny
such heavy damages as the bill originally
proposed.
Thispoin! was debated for some time. On
one side II was contended, that the object OF
western men IN opposing this amendment,
was, TO prevent absent laudhulders from re-.
claiming and redeeming their lands. in or
de- that tho actual occupant and cul,ivator of
The soil might obtain the lands i'm preference
to the distant owner. the taxes and dam.
ages were not RENTED, the distant owner
would forfeit the laud rather than redeem
The object OF the amendment was TO remit
The taxes and lessen the damages In reply
10 the above, II was contended on the other
hand, that vast number of families who
had purchased lands and cultivated them and
resided on them, (some even for forty wears \
would, by letting in old claimants 10 LARGE
tracts, be driven from their property aud lie
ruined. The question, 10 which the amend.
ment gave rise, was contested with much
energy and talent on both sides, when MIR.
FISHER, having called for the ayes and noes
on the amendment, they were ordered. and
the amendment was rejected by a vote az fol-
lows: dyes 55, Noes 90.
Several other amendments were proposed
and rejected-and the bill was ordered To be
engrossed Tor a third reading
~ bill, prescribing certain general condi
tions Tor The incorporating OF Academies and
other Literary Institutions, was considered
various amendments reported bv the com.
'nIttee were agreed to--and The bill was then
ordered to be engrossed for third reading.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 81.
On motion Of Mr.. STUART, the Commit
Zee on Roads, &c. were instructed TO i,ouire
into the expediency of prescr Thing by law,
certain general regulations for The govern
inent OF The Board OF Public Works in the
negotiation OF loans, authorized by law, for
'he purposes OF Internal improvement.
THE PUBLIC DEBT.
MIR. MAY offered The follow ing resolution
RESOLVED, That the Firs, and Second An.
uitors he requested 10 furnish TO this House
astaiement showing the whole amour, of
the public debt, or debt for which this Com.
!nonweai;h IS IN any manner liable, the rate
OF interest payable on the same, and distin-
gushing the portion due 10 the Li,erar, Fund
and The Board of Public Works respectiye
~, from that due 10 other corporations and
individuals.
Mr.. May said, he was only willing to 90
10 certain extent, and under favorable cir>
Cumstances, In contracting a public debt.
lie FIRST wished 10 know how much debt the
Commonwealth had already contracted. At
the present JuncLnre in the existing state of
The currency, he was not favorable 10 an in
definite augmentation Of The debt he thought
al most lnauspicious moment for such
proceeding. lie therefore desired this in
formation.
Mr. MURDAuGH enquired # The resolu-
ton embraced works now in progress or
works only in contemplation, for " Which the
Common wealth may be bound
Mr. MAY observed, in reply, that in ca
fes where The Commonwealth had engaged
10 subscribe, she was liable, and Mr. M.
wished TO know the full amount OF her La
bI!llies. If :he resolution did not embrace
all the points desired by the gentleman from
Norfolk County, he should be happy 10 ex
tend II So as 10 embrace every thing desira-
BILE.
Mr. MURDAUGH said il would not be
possible Tor this Information to be given in
good time: Il was calling ''spirits from the
vastly deep" ard make Internal Improve
ment wait MI they came. He should oppose
The call for Information.
Mr.. SEGAR would undertake TO ,ay that
81 the resolution were adopted, il could be
complied with and the information called for.
woatd be furnished by to- MORROW II he
thought IL would be The cause Of any delay,
ne should he The last man 10 support il. AS
81 was, however, the gentleman from Nor.
fol Z appeared 10 him 10 be mistaken.
he resolution was then adopted
CONTESTED ELECTIONS
On motion of Dir. RANDOLPH, the fol-
lowing Resolution, heretofore offered by MIR.
IAYLoE, was taken UP and considered:
Mr.. RANDOLPH then read the following,
which he offered as substitute:
heSotUed, That Select COMMITTEES he APP
pointed, 10 inquire into the expectancy OF an
explanatory declaration Of The right Of sui
trage, as existing under the Constitution, or
OF any Change III The existing laws relating 10
elec!ioBS, which NIGH, tend TO lessen The
number or facilitate the decision of contested
elections.
Mr.. k. accompanied The motion with Sc
VeTal remarks, inaudibIe TO the Reporter.
Mr> IAYLoE expressed his Willingness 10
accept the substitute as modification of his
own Resolution.
The Resolution, as modified, was then a.
dopted.
WINCHESTER & POTOMAC RAIL
ROAD.
The bill authorizing loan 10 the Win
chester and Potomac Rail Road COMPANY.
was taken up and passed, after debate in
which MessIS. SHERRARD, VBNABLE.
MURDAUGU, and SMITH of !. of w. uarti,
cIpaied, the latter gentleman in opposition. J
NORFOLK AND EDENTON RAIL
ROAD.
On motion Of Mr. CUNNINGuAM. the
House took up the bill to enact an act Of the
Legislature Of North Carolina entitled an act
% incorporate the Norfolk and Eden,on Rail
noaa COMPANY MIR. &. explained The ob.