Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1847-03-15
The ,.rou. amendment, Of III. Senate were eoneurss
REPORTS OF COMMITTEES

OF James Lyons. VIM II. Mcfarland and Others. may
ing that tho state will guarantee the bonds Of Reh nd
ana Guysnd"'e railroad eompany-Thee petitions
uzens OF Page, Tor the construction of turnpike roads
praying severaiy for their construction from New
IN Shenandcah-ihe one ~ Gord,nsyc In Orange coun-
~, the other TO Gemanns, and the third to Sperryyie-
and tue same were ordered 10 be laid the table on mo-
| ton Of Mr. McPRESsoN.
Mr. SrkragssoS. from the select committee for the pur.
| pose, made the following report:-
The Select committee have according 70 order had nm,
DER consideration the JOINT resolution OF the General As
semb OF the State of Oao them referred and beg leave
TO report that they have examined carefully the
IN controversy between the State OF Ohio and this Com
mOnweah, the proper boundary Of territory and iu
rsdicuon between the tao States. The committee are of
opinion that the title OF Virginia territory Norhwest
OF the oho rver as TO much thereof was within tho
limits OF hor charter, was clear and and
over has been 50 long recognized aud acquesccd by the
governments both OF the Confederation and of the Union
that ought not TO be considered open discussion
The State Of Virginia, having title to such territory on
the Both December 1888 authorized her delegates m Con
gcss convey the United States all of such boundary
Lying and being TO the Northwest OF the river Ohio"
eession thereof was made thereafter ia pursuance of
this authority, and in conformity with its terms
The committee satisfied that according TO the true
intent and proper legal Interpretation her said deed OF
ceSson Virginia reserved herself her former te as well
oil soil and Jurisdiction rs OF sovereign dominion the
whole fver oho, as far as it lay within the limits OF her
casrler and that consequently the boundary between
Virginia and Ohio Is the Northern Northwestern bank OF the
tVe rom the Western boundary line OF Pennsy lvana 10
the Eastern boundary lne OF the State OF Indiana
The committee are also satisfied that the sovereignty
and jurisdiction OF Virginia is coeKtensiyc with the bed
OF the river Ohio between the banks At all times cover
cd by the water OF the riyer not aud that well
regard TO the soil of sach bed when covered by the wa
ter, as when is left bare by the temporary receding OF
the water.
The committee express these opinions with some conf
dence noiwi;hs,andng the diversity OF opinion which pre-
walls among e Judges of the General Court US disclosed
IN the opinions of the Judges who sat in the trial of the
case OF the Commonwealth Va. Garner, &c With the
most respect and Difference for that hga Court the COM
IN mont
not to be regarded materially affecting or seriously im-
pairing the right Of Virginia claim the SOW eisnty and
Jurisdiction over the whole OF the river between Ohio and
Virginia Although m'joriiy Of the Judges who sat IN
that case were OF opinion that the jurisdiction OF Virginia
was not co-eNiensive with the whole bed OF River
they were only eight Judges OF Court, which, when full
consists OF twenty-five; and these eight Judges differed
"deY amongst themselves both the actual boundary
OF jurisdiction, and the in which was TO be ex
eTctsed.
The General Court, although the Court OF highest au-
horiy in the Commonwealth criminal cases is itself an
inferior tribunal and its decisions OF no binding authority
except in criminal prosecutions.
lac COMMITTEE therefore, regard such Judgment
as an authoritative exposition OF the law and the weight
winch an united aud harmonious judgment OF even this
inferior tribunal would have, l. greatly diminished by the
inconsistent and conflicting opinions OF those who
red IN the particular judgment in the referred to
While the committee entertain these opinions as TO the
fgh OF virginia. II mus, be admitted that there
great diversity o. Judgment IN regard them The State
OF OHIO insists upon her right a different boundary from
that which claimed for Virginia. and certainly she has the
same rgh; 10 insist her claim have TO ours
Ii conflict Of title asserted by two SOVEREIGN SAT-.
which has produced may sean produce exciting con-
uoversies between the people bordering the river and
which may involve serious collisions between the States
themselves.
1t is therefore obviously desirable to both, and the
common duy Of BOTH if practicable. see b. amicabe
negotiation and treaty this distrsc,1g controversy
The State OF bio has offered do This friendly and
frank offer her part ought be in correspondp
spnt by ih.s Commonwealth
Their effort al compromise result in settling forever
OF terms mutually satisfactory, dispute which oherwis.
vii! be source Of perpetual litigation excitement and col
lision.
The committee, therefore, recommend the adopion Of
the following resolutions, which copied rauIiis raYan
dts from the resolutions adopted the Sn of Fsb-n.r
last by the General Assembly OF Ohio:
RssoueG By he General 4ssez75y Of the STATE of V;
siHid, nat Board - consist 4 three Commssoners
citizens Of Virginia, &c appointed by the Governor of this
STATE who shall be authorized TO meet a ike Board 70 he
appointed by the St'te Of Ohio, such and place As
moy be sgrtoi upon and to into compact with such
Ono Conniss oneEs, settling he lursd OF boundary
both, upon that part o the Ohio river which Divide 10
siales OF Virginia sGd Ohio FT0ridsd, Tha, such COM
pic shall not oe considered binding until the same be
ratified by III" said States respectively and BY the Conor.
Of the United States.
ReSO!Ued That the Governor be authorized 10 supnv any
vacancy which may happen in the Board Of Vlryris Com
mssoneTs and that said Board report their
Under these resolutions TO the General Assembly Of Vrc
Ma at the newt session and that they be allowed the sum
o. dollars pc Day for each day they may be occupied
10 the business Of tHcir mmission. and dollars FOR
every twenty miles Of ayel;o be paid ont Of any monies
IN The Treasury not siherw sc appropriated the warrant
OF The Auditor ot State, who shall adjust their accounts
Eesolpsd That the Governor OF this State forward
copy OF these resolutions the Governor of the State of
Ohio.
On motion of Mr.. MAYO. the bill proposing rnoj6c,-
ton OF the Pilot Laws, taken its second reading
Mr.. NEWTON moved It's indefinite pOsponement and sus
tanned his motion a. some length
Mr. MAYO replied, ii opposition TO the motion to post
Mr.. YEEBY replied Nh MAYO, and in support of the
motion 20 postpone.
Messrs. MAYO and NEwroy further addressed the House
indefinitely.
Nh NEwTos thea offered substitute for tie entire bill,
which rejected.
The bill was then ordered to be engrossed
n message was received from the Senate stating that
hey mad reoHsdeEed The vote rejecting the first report Of
me committee OF conference upln the disagSHm be-
tween the two Houses IN relation to the bill extending the
jurisdictions Of the commonwealth OF Virginia over the
county Of Alexandria, and adopted that report.
Inc report OF the committee Of conference the part Of
the House was then taken and agreed by the House
a communication was laid before the House from the
Clerk Of the Council transmitting the record of the Coun
c.l as ordered by the House.
ENGRosSED BILLS.
bill prescribing The conditions upon which grants Of
the Commonwealth may be given in evidence in suits for
bo recovery Of land west Of the Allegheny mountains
Passed
bill to incorporate the Trustees Of the Globe Fund in
Lancaster county. Passed.
n Wv po'ulhg LOT tue enlargement OF the Western Iu-
matte Asylum. Passed.
bill to establish Flour inspection in the town Of staun
ton. Passed.
bill to incorporate the Falls Manufacturing Company.
Passed.
a bill to establish the Bank Of Martnsburg in Virginia
IN the county Of Berkeley. Passed.
bill providing that the fiscal year of the Eastern Iu-
matte Asylum shall commence the first day Of October
annually. Passed.
bill respecting the Lunate Asylums Of the Common.
wealth Passed.
bill providing further for the admission Of insane per-
sons into the Lunatc Asylums Of the Commonwealth
Laid on the table
a bill concerning Laynia w. Richardson, ndmnisua-
If1 Of the late Johu K Rich1dson Pot upon u.s. second
reading amended md ordered again be cnerossed.
bill concerning Jane Haiiziock. Passed
biil concerning the Sheuf Of Middieso1 county
Passed
Ji.l amending an act entitled changing the
place OF holding separate election In The county 81 Ma
con, and tor other purposes, passed Feb. ~. l54j.
bill 10 incorporate tho Iyanhoc manufacturing mills
company IN the county Of Amherst. Passed.
bill 70 incorporate the Virgins steol company, ami for
other purposes. Passed.
bill IN incorporate the Branch Mining and Manuiso-
turing company. Passed.
a bill directing School ,r ~