Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1841-01-05

perfectly willing to have left The entrc subject to tho
stockholtcrs at large without any interference on the
part Of the Legislature and would have done so, W
ever his private opinion might be of the neglect Of
The President, feeling convinced that whatever
they might have adopted the pccunary interest of the
Bank or The Commonwealth would not be sacrificed
He had high opinion OF the Preside integrity, homer,
and OF the interest he ie in the institution, and he should
not most unqUestionaby have called the attention Of Tie
Legislature 10 the subject before them. The Lee
gisiautc had, however, been pleased TO direc: other
wise they had referred it to Committee, Of which
he wafI unfortunately member. The last resolution
referred 10 tie Committee passed the 9TH ut On
lie lGi in the absence of the Chairman of the Com.
mittee Banks, wh view of cxpcdi.ing business,
he took the liberty Of requesting the Committee to
meet-they sat on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
mornings examining witnesses and eyldence.-Ou FRI
dav night the President taken sick, and had ever
since been confined TO his bed dangerously ill-Then
came the adjournment, and engagements which it
out Of his power to avoid or put Off prevented HIM
from being III his place until Thursday nlo.nug-troE
That time until that morning the investigation had been
going on.--lie mentioned these things to show why
the Committee had not sooner reported upon the sub
ject.lt impossible investigate matters of this
nature, and have illnesses before Committee OF eight
or nine gentlemen and proceed with despa.ch.-Hc had
endeavo!ed to INFORM himself OF all the facts Of this
and therefore prepared 10 and express his OPT
mon upon il; but lie knew from tie nature things that
this could not be the condition Of gentlemen not men,
bers Of the commtee-Whh regard therefore. to this
state OF things the proposition to lag the reports and
amendments on the table and to have them with the
testimony printed, in order that they might act under
sandngly in the matter, lie could not gansay, as he
thought il i'll all respects fair and reasonable. Mem
bers spoke of the Directors meeting Tuesday ncxt
Was the word Drectors enormously used for ssstock-
holders, because il the tock.o!ders Who assem-
hled on Tuesday next and then and there elected > Of
the directors to administer the Affairs of the Bank for
the ensuing year On Tuesday the stockholders elect
ed their five directors but the Executive scarcely
oIa I.L.
reason, probably, that unless he waited to ascertain
whom the stockholders had elected he might accident
ally select the very parties whom they had elected
He could not for moment believe that until the Execu.
tive filled up the vacancies at the Board, the 5 Direc
tors chosen by the Stockholders would and elect
President But, ifthey would do So and the StockhoG
were determined TO elect DR.. Brockenbrough they
would place him at the head ofthe ticket and could
~ their ohec The vote of the State could only, after
all, have an eject the Executive. There some
stock held By The Board Of Public Works, some by the
James River Company, and some By the President OF
the Literary Fund i'll addition 10 the general interests
al TIC State Altogether they might have four or
five hundred votes; bat that vote very far from
being preponderaiing one, the Stockholders would
from $500 to },00O il might, however, perhaps
turn the vote The majority Of The Directors were as
lie had explained, appointed by the Stockholders
that the power really in the hand of TIE Legs
laure. lie thought very probable, that the which
the Legislature would give, would not influence the
ton of the Stockholders, who would do doubtless, what
they believed to he right thus hcn the action Of the
Legislature was not so vitality important deemed
He thought it probable that tie stockholders would ad
ourn for day so, but he did not think with those
who supposed that they would remain here for week
awaiting the action Of the Legislature. Many ofthem
from distance and would not be prepared %
any thing Of the knd.-The gentleman from Rock
bridge had discovered defect in the resolution, which
he thinks ought 10 be joint one-1hc resolution
Just such usually follows in matters referred
10 committee-lflhe House concurred with the COM
mtee in their report, il would then be for the House 10
say what IT would adopt 10 carry it into effect
He had entertained doubt on the action of
both branches of the Legislature, and he supposed
the gentleman who introduced the subject would
indicate the mode in which the will Of the Lcgsla-
ture should be accomplished. He thought the
ports might be laid upon the table, the subject might
be acted upon Tuesday, and ended, SO far as that
House concerned Considering the motion Of the
gentleman from Prince William fair and proper, lie
should vote in its favour.
MIR. TAYLOR of Halifax moved the previous question:;
whch carried by considerable majority: and then
the report and amendment laid the table with
out division.
And the House, on motion of Mr.. ScoTT, ad ourned.