Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1861-01-15

lures. In the House of Delegates the Speaker
announced the committee to bring in bill for q
State Convention. Resolutions were offered for
building depository of arms in the western part
OF the State; for raising sum of money for State
defence &C., and for the appointment of CON-
mittee to provide for the defence of the coast of
Virginia. The actual expense of John Brown
raid was reported at $220,517.68. The creden-
tials of the Alabama Commissioners were presen-
ted a committe appointed to fix time for them
to address the Legislature.
WEDNESDAY, Jan. 9th-In the Senate, the
House resolution for the appointment of joint
committee to receive and confer with the Ala
bama Commissioners, was concurred in. The
resolution of inquiry as to the expediency of in
creased taxation was laid on the table. A re-
monstrance against coercion, IN the shape of
resolution, was ordered to be printed; also, one
as to the expediency of the Governors requiring
portion of the volunteer force of the State to
90 into camp for drill. Resolutions were intro
duced for incorporating the Richmond City Insu-
rance Company; for increasing the pay of the
officers of the Public Guard, and for establishing
an armory on the Kanawha River, above Charles.
ton. Proceedings of q public meeting of Bedford
CO., on the crisis of the working men of Wheel
ing, in favor of the Union, and of citizens of Fair
fax, asking the Intervention Of the Legislature to
preserve the Union, were presented. The resolu-
ton introduced on Tuesday, In favor of Nation
al Convention, were laid on the table.
The House agreed to the Senate resolution for
the appointment of joint committee to consid-
err what measures should be adopted by the Leg
isature on the present condition of affairs. The
bill for holding State Convention was intro
duced and debated during the day, being passed
to its second reading, and the time for holding the
same fixed for the 4th day of February next.
L. IL h. 60 Ior,
the Committee on Federal Relations was an
nounced A bill for holding State Convention
was reported. Resolutions relative to the Ma
tonal crisis were introduced.
Mr. Stuart offered the following, which was
ordered to be printed. 1t lies over under the
rules
WHEREAS, 1t hvs been extensively reported
through the public prints in different parts of
the Union, that certain rash and ill advised cit
liens of Virginia mediate, if they have not al
ready set on foot, conspiracy to seize the for
tiicatons and other property of the United
States within the limits of Virginia, and to in
wade the District of Columbia, on or before the
4th of March next, and by violence and force of
arms, to take possession Of the public buildings
and other public property of the United States
within said District, tor the purpose OF obstruct-
ing the operations of the Federal Government
and, whereas, any such seizure or invasion would
tend to destroy the peace of the country, and to
produce tumult, anarchy and bloodshed and
would be in derogation of the dignity and sover-
eign power of Virginia, who alone has the pow
er to decide, througkner- regularly constituted
authorities, what may be the proper mode of OBJ
tanning redress for any injuries she may suffer
Be 1T therefore resolUed By the General assem-
bly,, 1st., That any such lawless and unauthorized
conduct on the part of any citizens OF Virginia,
would merit and receive the unqualified disap-
probation of the General Assembly and people
of Virginia.
I'd. That the Governor be, and is hereby re-
quested, in case he should be satisfied that it is
the purpose of any of the citizens of Virginia to
engage in any such lawless enterprises, to en-
ploy all the power with which he is invested, to
prevent their being carried into effect.
The Governor was requested to furnish plan
for reconstructing the Militia Brigades. Reso
lutions of inquiry were offered as to the expedi.
ency of creating Military Bureau; Of legisla-
ting in reference to the suspension of specie pay
ments, and of enacting law for staying execu-
tions.
In the House committee was appointed on
the part of that body to consider and report
what action should be taken by the State in the
present crisis. The secession from the Union of the
State of Mississippi was announced in commu
nication from the Governor. A bill was report
ed for amending the charter of the city of Rich
mond. Resolutions were adopted asking the
President of the United States, and the authori-
ties of the several Southern States, to refrain
from perpetrating any acts liable to bring on
| collision between the General Government and
the State authorities, unless the same be done
by either party ITO repe any actual aggressive
attempts" The first section of the bill provid-
ing for State Convention, was further debated
and amended.
FRIDAY, Jan. 11.-In the Senate, House reso-
lntions requesting the President and the author
tiles of the several Southern States to maintain
the status quo by cessation from any beliger-
ent demonstrations, was defeated-yeaS 20 !;
nays 25-and substitute was adopted asking
them to intervene ia favor of peace for the en-
suing sixty days. sin view OF the imminent dan
ger of civil war;" the Governor being directed to
telegraph the passage OF the resolution to the
President and authorities of the several States
The whole matter was finally referred to a Sc
lect committee. A bill was reported to author
ize the County Courts to arm the militia, and
provide means therefor; also, substitute for
the Convention bill. The bill for the call of
Convention will be considered to-day. Among
the resolutions OF inquiry was one to inquire in
to the expedency OF repeating the law requiring
the branch Banks to redeem their notes at the
parent Banks; for general stay law, and for
extending the corporate limits of the city of
Richmond.
In the House, sundry bills were reported, a
mong them one to amend the act regulating tor
eign Life Insurance Companies in this State
An amendment to the Convention bill was a.
dopted, directing the Commissioners of Election,
when holding the polls, to take the sense of the
qualified voters as to whether any action of the
Convention dissolving our connection with the
Federal Union, or changing the organic law of
the State, shall be submitted to the people for
ratification or rejection. No other definite
action was had.
SATURDAY, Jan. 12.-The Senate Select Com
mittee on the National Crisis returned report
in which they say that the General Assembly of
Virginia sympathzes and shares in the grievan-
ces of the slaveholding States, and will make
common cause with them unless the same be
redressed. Therefore, they request the Presi-
dent to abstain from the exercise Of all powers
calculated to endanger the public tranquility.
one of which is the sending of troops or warke
munitions to the South, &c. 1t was laid on the
table. The Senate then proceeded to consider
the bill providing for the holding of State
Convention, which was laid on the table in or
der to take up similar bill passed by the House.
Before any definite action, the Senate adjourned
to meet at o'clock, P. NJ.
In the House, sundry bills were reported. a.
mong them one to authorize loan from the
Literary Fund to Allegheny College. A petit
te<~v, sd G. a..