Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1861-01-11
HOUSE OF DELEGATES.


Prayer by Rev. George w. Motley, OF the Methodist
Church, as follows
"Our Heavenly Father, we thank Thee for the protec.
ton exercised the members of this General Assem-
bly, of Virginia since they parted yesterday afternoon,
and that they permitted to Reasonable here this
morning. for the purpose of resumng the important bu-
siness in which they engaged. Thou seest more
clearly and fully than they do the vast the transcendent
the ncalculable importance of the upon which
they deiberating subject involving the peace
and welfare not only of this State but it may be- OF this
entire Union. And Thou knowest better than they do
how these subjects ought to be disposed OF. May We
not therefore, most humbly, most sincerely and most
confidently impore Thee to interpose in their behalf
Give them that camness Of elaboration, that clearness
of Judgment and that rmness of will which will pre-
pare them for the duties of the occasion PRESIDE over
their deliberations and conduct them all to the best and
wisest results such shall most conduce to Thy glory
and the welfare OF State. We ask Thy blessings
upon our country large. Take all interests into
Thine own hands and dispose of them as Thou seest
best, for Thy glory and for the good of all"
Petitions Gc.-The following petitions, &C., were pre-
sened and referred: By Mr. Ellington, the memorial OF
the Trustees of West Liberty Academy, in the county
Of Ohio; by Mr.. -, the petition OF Capt Kenney, OF
the Rockingham Rifles, asking TO be allowed pay for
equipments purchased by them by Mr.. Raymond. the
petition of j. H. Showalter for refundiDg sum OF mo-
new enormously paid as tax.
Secession of Mssissippi.-The Speaker announced
a communication from the Governor. See Senate pro-
cceding for it
THe Anti. Coercion Resolutions, Ge.-A message was
received from the Clerk of the Senate, communicating
the resolutions passed by that body upon the subject OF
the coercion OF State and the House resolutions for
Joint Committee to confer with the Commissioners OF
Alabama.
On notion the resolution laid on the table.
Bills Rep0rted-Tbe following bills were reported
By Mr. Rutherford from the Committee Of Justice, a
bill amending The Charter of the City of Richmond; by
Mr. Christian from the Committee on Schools and Col
leges an act to incorporate the Montgomery Female
College, by Mr. Raymond from the Finance Committee,
bills amending the Sth section OF an act for the support
of Governments for the relief of the Sheriff OF Jefferson
county: refunding to Isaac and Ben. Deford sum OF
money! amending and reenactng 25h OF act Tor tie
support OF Government.
Tie National Crisis-Mr. ROBERTSON, of Rich
mond asked leave of the House before proceeding to
the consideration of the Convention BILL to introduce the
following resolutions, which he said were conceived in
shirt of peace aud in the hope of reconcng the antago
nism now existing in the country They were read as
follows:
The General Assembly Of Virginia OF the President Of the
limited states In view Of the Imminent danger OF civil
assurance Of the preservation Of the status quo for the
present. except iepe hostile aggression all questions Of dit
ference General aud the ling States
on condition CT a similar from such States.
telegram of this purport is this moment dispatched
TO the Governor of South Carolina.
Resoived That these resolutions he instantly sent by
telegraph to the President and the Governors of the
monweab and that he report the same thereto as soon
as received.
The General Assembly of Virginia asks from the Gov
prnor and authorities of the State Of South Carolina in
view Of the imminent danger of civil war, assurance
of the absolute preservation of the status quo for the
present except to repel hostile aggression all ques
tons of difference between the State and the Govern
ment of the United States condition Of similar
surance being given by that Government.
Geographic dispatch of this purport is this moment
forwarded 10 the President of the United States and the
Governors Of the seeding States.
Mr. BISBIE hoped that similar requests would be
ma!s OF the Governors Of Mississippi Alabama and
Georgia.
Mr.. KEMPER regarded the resolutions as containing
the most important and momentous propositions that
could be precpitaed on the attention of The House
The United States had no right to maintain an armed
force in South Carolina any Of the other States
The language Of the propositions is involved and OBJ
scure and might be construed to than appears
at first blush.
Mr. seldom was Unateraby opposed to the resolu-
tons. If the House would remember its &C ton on Mon
day when il said clearly and Enthusiastically 1t would
resist any attempt coercion, it would that the
adoption OF tee resolutions would lower the honor of this
good old Commonwealth As Nirgiuian, he would feel
humbled in sending such message to the President As
House Of Delegates we would humble ourselves IN so
doing. He could objection to their being sent
before the committee charged with the duty Of consider
ing all such matters There matter now pending
(the Convention bill-as unfinished business,) which
claimed our immediate attention.
Mr. ROBERTSON said if ths objection to his reso!u-
tons from disinclination to avert human STRIFE
he could not sympathize with il.
Mr. KEMPER dsclaimed, on the part of himself and
the gentleman from Stafford any purpose to precptate
the country into civil war, any sympathy with such
strife
Mr. ROBERTSON said he had prepared the resolution
since the House assembled and willing to let them
20 10 the Committee on National Affairs
Mr. seldom read the following dispatch:
WELDON n. c., Jan 10, 1861.
LrypT H-use OF DeeeiesThe following dispatch has
Just t1rw ided Washington by W Ashe President VII
mngton Railroad passenger from Charleston reliable
the Star Of tho West fred into yes,.day from Fort
Honre and forced back Font Oaswe n O. has been taken
pc ess n Of JAS. JOsSSS
The reading ofths document produced the most intense
excitement Several very vociferous shouts and
dltory calculations amid the din in the west ga
ery The Speaker ordered the of individual,
who was brought the bar of the House in custody of
the Sergeant-at.Arms He announced himself as from
Aabaml and rs having no apology to make. He was
ordered be held in custody to await the pleasure OF
the House.
The resolutions of Mr. ROBERTSON, after further de-
bate, fnaly referred 10 select committee con-
ssting of Messrs Robertson Yerby, Bass, Christian.
Anderson Magruder Of Abemarle, Smith OF Taylor,
Witten and Newton, with power to sit Immediately
On motion of Mr.. KEMPER, the House then proceed
ed 10 the consideration Of the Convention BILL the first
O
Mr.. DUCKWALL approved the resolutions, but he
thought they ought to go before joint committee.
Mr.. YERBY was DESTROYS that the House should pro
coed with dignity and caution. He hoped the substance
of the proposition embraced in the resolutions would
meet with unanimous APPRECIATION. He did not think
these resolutions conhcted with those adopted on the
second day OF the session. Both looked the Just
ment of the dilcues-that the Executive should stay
the Federal to avert if possible the evils of civil
war The resolutions exhibited 10 humility on the part
tnl -, ALL e 81,
Legislature of Virginia He willing they should 60
to Joint committee, but ct this time prompt move may
effect that which blows cannot achieve therefore, refer
them to select committee; let them be shaped to
secure uHanity in the Assembly and report upon them
at
Mr.. CHRISTIAN thought the subject required inme-
date action Refer the resolutions special commit
tee. Let them retire and act at once.
Mr.. KEMPER acccded to the proposition.
The Chair accordingly named the following committee.
who immediately retired TO the committee room
lst District Mr.. Segar; ID Mr. Rives Sd, Mr. Tomln;
4th Mr. Collier; 9TH Mr.. Gimer of Ptsylv ania 9Th Mr..
Burks; 7th Mr.. Barbour sth, Mr.. Duekwal; 9TH Mr..
Miller of Shenandoah; lOb, Mr.. Wallace; llth Mr. Bas-
SELL l2th Mr.. Caperton; 18th, Mr. Hopkins. For the
State at large, Messrs. Robertson and Raymond
STATE CONVENTION.
The bill providing for the calling of Convention,
and for eecting delegates 10 the same being the order
Of the day. was then taken up.
Mr. KEMPER offered several verbal amendments to
tue Hrst auu scCohu seSoiai "niSu "eto Sonouieu '
Mr.. THOMPSON, of Putnam, wished to renew an
amendment offered by him yesterday, and Withdrawn
for substitute offered by Mr.. Collier.
1t provides for the opening of polls at places for hold
ing elections for members Of the Legislature to decide
by the voice of the people, the question of Convention
or no Convention
Mr. THOMPSON said, in removing this amendment l
am mpelled by factious opposition, but wish to re-
cord my vote in favor of submitting to the people the
question of Convention or no Convention in manner
more practically useful than did in voting yesterday for
tho suhstitute of the gentleman from Petersburg am