The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-12-10
INTERESTING FROM VIRGINIA.

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Ovr Rfchmond Correspondence.
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 7, 1859.
wo,.,nt in he legislature Of Vnyinia in Regard to IL
xua,a Of the State he Aan,factue Of Arms, and IL
farmers Ferry Affair GeneralIy-Renoral Of the Ere
Negroes Of The CommonsoealA-Action of the House o.
DELEGATES in Regard to the Pardon Of Ccppe and the Oshe
ConIcss-They Unanimously Agree Not to Pardon, dc.
Mr. JAMES BARBOUR the delegate from Culpcppcr county
and brother Of the present Superintendent Of the Arsenal
at Harpers Ferry offered the following resolutions in the
House Of Delegates to-day, which were unanimously
adopted
Royed That so much Of Governors Message relates
10 The more perec, organization Of the military Of this
ssd s said commise be 10 inquire into the ezpe
ency the active operation Of our State armory in
Ssolxed That 50 much of the as relates
. The 10 sss committee Sn h Sss oo%
miee Be expressly instructed nd 20 & e faSs
Character and extent Of that existed or
may still exist invade this Commonwealth or TO annoy the
people upon our northern BORDERS
The speaker took time until tomorrow to appoint the
select committee under the second resolution.
THE QUESTION OF THE PARDON or corrT AND HIS coSrEDE
RATES
Gen JANEsL KExPKR one Of the most talented and In
auen,a members Of the legislature offered the following
scramble joint resolution in the House Of Delegates to-
day
exsce judicial functions hath conaemnsd John cos
and other prisoners 70 be executed The sixteenth Of
having been provided BY law that the Governor shall grant
mpnwes except with The consent Of he General Assembly
declared by joint resolution and The Governor having informed
the Court except in accordance with legislative action there
Resolved by the General Assembly said sentence
deemed plainly right and no inerposton Of the authority of
execution Of the sentence Of the court pronounced upon said
personL
reasons An idea has been manifested by of the
Chagesown convicts and their friends that If the General
Assembly should exercise the pardonng power vested
them by the constitution they might perhaps would
nerpose delay execution Of the sentence of the court
tina. at least diversion Of sentiment prevailed
here and effort would be made at legislative nterpos
ton It is just to the prisoners, and to all others con-
cerned that the purposes of the Legislature in this matter
should be declared at Let the prisoners know
and definitely that they must die might present other
In reference to the late invasion of SOIL the
other departments of the gevcrnment-the executive and
judioaryhave all spoken out The Legislature, clothed
is with constitutional authority in the premises is the
only department which remains silent No negative ap-
prevail silent acquescence will answer in this matter
What is needed is that all Virginia, in all her
departments should stand forth man,
and say to fanaticism, in her own language,
whenever you advance hostile foot upon our soil
we will welcome you with bloody hands and to
hospitable graves. If there is on this flo Or
opposed to the resolution | want to know it. The
slightest delay in this matter would be gnominous to
Virginia
Mr. LOCKE who made motion to lay the preamble and
resolution on the table while General kcmper had the
floor but which ruled out Of order by the Speaker
said-I am one of those who believe that the sentence
that has been passed upon these prisoners should be
cuted. My object in making the motion to lay the
BILE was that an opportunity should be afforded to decide
upon the matter after proper consideration now make
Gen. KarxR called for the ayes and upon it, The
call was sustained
Mr. RUTHERFORD, of Goochland-I rise ask for infor
nation Unless am mistaken, any resolution not in
tended to be referred 10 committee should lie for
one day, If any member should object to immediate action
upon il.
Mr.. LocsE-I withdraw my motion to lay on the table,
Al this stage Of the debate the Hon. A. H. H. stuart ap
peared in the hall with the following joint resolution
which was adopted by the Senate
Resolyed That Joint committee consisting Of thirteen
Of BE tn 90
OF The Governor relates receuty
Ferry The Jefferson and hat saEa Savs
leave to report by bill or otherwise
Gen. KKmPTR-I move to suspend the rule which re-
quires that this resolution should lie for day,
order that may be forthwith acted upon This hesita
ton is farce; fanaticism is gnominious to Virginia
Mr. ANDERSON, Of BotetourtI think is unfortunate
that that resolution should now be introduced. We have
knowledge whether not these miserable miscreants
would apply to us for pardon or communication Of their
If they should do So then would be the proper
time for action. He felt assured if such application
should be made there would be perfect udanimty not
only here but throughout the Commonwealth in refusing
that application. will say again, il is time enough
when they ask Us to reprieve, to take some action
upon the matter. hope, sir, the resolution will be al
lowed 60 before committee, and that shall take
up and act upon the resolution Of the Senate.
Mr.. GIArAS, of Rockingham, called for the reading Of
the preamble and resolution
The CIKRK again read them; whereupon,
Mr. ANDERSON said the gentleman from Jefferson (Mr
Locke objected TO action upon the resolution at this me
and / understand IL is. therefore, to lie
Mr. JOIN SDDoy, OF Stafford would ask the of
this resolution If does not require some correction As
understand the laws OF Virginia, unless man is
victed OF treason the Legislature has nothing do with
the matter Cooke is not convicted Of treason. He is
the only person mentioned in this preamble and resou
ton and would suggest that the Legislature has nothing
to do with his pardon, has anything to do with the
pardon OF the two negroes: am IN favor OF the reso
reced as to include only those who arc under conviction
for treason was suggested that the preamble be alter
ed by emitting the words John f. T. Cook, and Other
prisoners, and substituting therefor the words certain
persons"
out the Of either Of those parties whether
convicted not can see improperly in the Legisla
ture Of Virginia expressing its opinion upon this subject
Why should hesitate TO say that there shall be par
don granted persons convicted be convicted who
have been concerned in this forayy improperly
in it, and hope my friend from Madison Gen Kemper)
will alter the resolution to guard against the posi-
bity of any unfayorable influence
Mr.. SDDoN-I would say that there is improperly
in this body saying that they cannot pardon criminal
whom they have no right to pardon. an advo.
cate for the pardon Of any of them by the Executive
Legislature.
The question on the motion Of General Kemper,
pend the rules forthwith upon the resolution
then put and decided in the affirmative.
The notifications indicated above were made in the
preamble by the mover
Mr. RurHERroRD-A message was received just now
from the Senate informing this House that the Senate
acted upon q similar subject think il would be res
pectul to that body that its resolution should be mmc
diatey taken up and acted upon. BY doing all the
purposes proposed by the resolution under conside
ration would be accomplished.
Gen. KKMPER-I understand that the Senate resolution
has reference TO the subject Of the resolution which
have offered
Mr. RUTKRFoRD-l am mistaken them and therefore
waive my objections. will say that whatever difference
of opinion there may be in regard the action which
this body should take, It seems to that there but
one course TO pursue, and that is TO vote the resolution
through unanimously and without discussion The people of
this State do not want words wordy resolutions
words about resolutions There Is general agreement
upon the part of the people Of this Commonwealth, that
we should go to work
The question then put upon the adoption Of the
preamble and resolution and they adopted without
a dissenting voice.
General Kemper then instructed TO inform the
Senate Of the adoption Of this resolution. II informed
1t also passed that body unanimously
The House then DrOcepdpd the oft