Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-01-17
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.

MONDAY, January 10th, ls+3.
communication received from the Senate, stating
that the Senate passed the bills entitled.
An Act incorporating the Norfolk Seamen's Society;
Releasing Thomas Brosnchan the Commonwealth
night to lot OF ground therein mentioned;
Changing the OF holding the inst quarterly Of
the Hastings Court OF the Town of Petersburg;
Changing the time of holding the Fall Quarterly Term
Of the county court Of York County;
Authorizing the officers OF Patrick Henry Lodge OF In
dependent Order OF Odd Fellows to hold certain building
therein mentioned;
Incorporating the Farmers and Mechanics Institution of
the Town OF Lynchburg;
And the constituting portion of Meherrin River
lawful fence, with amendment (merely verbally which
cOncurrcd in by the House.
The SPEAKER laid before the House the following letter
from " John NJ. Bolts -
WASHINGTON, January 5, ls43.
To the Speaker and Members OF the Senate and House Of
Delegates Of Virginia:
have received through the Acting Governor of the
State copy OF the resolution adopted by honorable
bodies nsucng the Senators and requesting the Represen-
taives of Virginia IN Congress- their best efforts
the immediate passage OF bill reiunding to Gen
Jackson the Of fine, with interest," which
posed him, the year 1915, by the judicial tribunals
the county, for gross contempt Of Court attended with
violent assumption OF authority and dangerous inacton
Of the Constitution, in declaring Martial Law and suspend
ing the Of Habeas Corpus subsequent period
when the ratification OF peace was known to him.
My extreme reluctance TO give any vote tor which should
he prepared furnish plausible reason, If questioned
by those who have the right inquire into all
nected with Legislative action here together with
unaffected disposition, all suitable clsions comply
with the reasonable desire OF the people of
nished by Legislative expression Of the public will induces
me inquire upon what ground this claim intended by
the Legislature TO rest.
If upon the ground Of a private claim would respect.
fully ask the favor be furnished with the testimony laid
fore your honorable bodies (which doubt be ampe
10 have controlled your decision promptly after the lapse
oi seven and twenty years, on his part.
II the other hand II Is intended 10 be placed the
ground OF gra,uity hope shall stand excused
hesatng long and considering well, before subject
self TO the unmeasured literally bestowed on
those, who voted gratuy TO the widow OF the late Pres
dent Harrison, who did stand charged with any offence
against the Constitution and laws of his country.
II labour under misrepresentation, in surprising the
claim 10 either of the grounds above referred to-
then know OF none other than that OF political claim upon
which the Legislature could have requested for
remission OF that fine; in which event, | could not
approve or justify the object should claim be excused
from aiding in the accomplishment OF the end.
An inquisitiyc mind might be excused for asking why
after the lapse OF so long period this question pressed
the inst Wing Congress that has convened upwards
OF one eighth Of century and why when the power
in the hands Of Gen. Jacksons friends they did not them
selves exercise III and unchntable mind might sscbe
II TO party movement to excite the sympathes Of por
ton OF the community against those who might acqui-
esce IN your views but neither inquisiive
charitable.
know well the high and patriotic considerations
which al all times your action, indulge IN an
enquiry suspicion far removed from your real Objects
and so prejudicial 10 your patnotsm.
But in aspect Of the subject in which be view
ed il Is unworthy Of remark there five of my
constituents TO be found in part composing your honorable
bodies and four of these fve If am not misinforned
voted against the request you have made from which
might reasonably infer, unless they be supposed a.
having msrepresened their constituents that in yielding
the earnest desire indulge obge large number
OF respectable gentlemen have made the request might
run some risk Of disobgng, il offending much larger
number OF equally respectable gentlemen who have strong
nr claims my services and votes in Congress aud
lake leave say that have much confidence in the
enuinencss of democracy suppose that you desire
10 do what the constituents, whom represent would
not sanction approve. My means Of communication
however, with my constituents abundant and convent
ent, and shall fail avail myself Of them to ascertain
Il IL will be agreeable Them that should make this dis
position Of the public funds; in which event. will pro-
mise give the subject the respectful and attentive
consideration. and in the meantime subscribe myself
With sentiments Of the highest esteem,
Most respectfully,
Your obi sery't
JNO NJ. Bolts.
Read and laid on the table.