Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1863-10-20

| olt time :li ccIinnttsu. -.
Mr.. BouLDIN, from the on FL
nance, reported o bill to repeal oil laws pro,
yidins insurance on tobacco by the State ana
for the sale of the public warehouse. Inc
committee asked to be discharged from the
resolution inquiring into the expectancy Oh
investing the surplus funds OF the otato 10
Confederate States bonds.
Mr.. CROCKETT, from the Committee on Luz
matte AsyIums, reported a bill to authorize
the impressment Of necessarics OF lie ana
transportation by the Central LuEatic Asy-
lum, which, at the request of the committee
was read once by its title and ordered to De
printed.
Mr.. SnAckLEroRD presented the GLOWING
letter Of WYSDuAu ROBERTSON, Esq, IN re-
sronse 10 the resolution of the House on Sat
urday, requesting him to withhold his res'G-
nation as q member Of this body:
RICHMOND, Oct. lTth, 1868.
To Hon. II. W. SuErrEr, Speaker Of the House
of Delegates:
Dear Sir-Senaible Of no claims to the high
and touching honor done me by the resolution
of the House, which you liave just colnmuni-
Gated in terms so gratifying, my respect for
that body and scnsibilitv to its good will, will
allow me 70 say, nc less than that its wish that l
should withhold the resignation Of my seat for
the present. shall be for me u law OF action in
regard to it. if the House thinks. and 50 far rs
l can exercise my control over the subject
Begging you 10 offer my most profound thanks
to the House for so great al honor as they
have done nc, and rendering them to You.
also, for the obliging terms Of your c0mmun!-
cation, I remain, with the highest considcra-
ton. Your ob't serTt,
WYSDHAM ROBERTSON.
On motion Of Mr.. PsSDLEroS, the bill for
the communication of the pay Of members Of the
Legislature, was taken up. on the question OF
it's reconsideration. The Speaker decided that
its reconsideration was in order. A motion To
that effect was then adopted. and the bill was
laid on the table for the present.
Mr. SAUNDERS offered a resolution, which
was agreed to, inquiring into the "xpediency
Of increasing tho toll on the York River Rail-
road.
On motion Of Mr.. BrFNRs, the report Of the
Cnmxittcc on Banks, relative to the currency,
was taken up and read. The report c mprc-
rrchcndS q lengthy but able consideration Of
the subject. n letter from Hon VIM. III. Mcfar-
land, a letter from Hon. G. G. Mcmmipger,
ant. the following resolutions:
I. Resolved, by the General Assembly. That
the people OF flrglnlR' VIII, ulutr no ClicuIn-
stances. contemplate the cessation Of hostilities
until or enemies shall recognize our separation
rs final. and CIR independence rs q nation, or
shall withdraw their armies from Southern soil
and that they will, IN vindiraton Of this purpose.
and in union with the people of her sister States.
devote their means to any extent made necessary
BY the exigencies Of the war, to support the Cow
erument in its vigorous prosecution. and the
expulsion of the enemy from our entire borders.
z Resolved. That viewing with the deepest
concern and apprehension the numerous private
evils and imminent public dangers which pro-
coed from the present disordered condition Of the
currency. the State of Virginia win unite prompt
" with her sister States Of the ConfederRcy in
such equitable and considerate system or plan.
BY investment in Confederate securities or other
wise. as may be deemed prudent and requisite
to preserve the faith of the Confederate Govern
ment, sustain its credit. and secure TO it the
means of conducting the present war to q sue.
ceIsfnl termination.
3. Resolved, That in frriherance OF The pur-
poses expressed in the foregoing resolutions, the
General Assembly deem it proper TO provide By
law for authorizing Joint stock companies and
other corporate bodies Of this State, to invest
such portion of their means as they may think
proper, in the stock of the Confederate Governs
ment, and that the citizens of the State be urged
TO invest in like manner, with a view TO a re-
HlCllUH U l" CIlCuI liz anu tiIC Suppbit WI tHt
Government
4. Resolved. That copy of the foregoing rcso-
lu.ions be communicated by the Governor to the
Executives of the other States of this Confedera.
cy, with the request that they be laid before the
Legislature thereof, and some responsive action
invited thereon at as early a day as practicable.
and that he be requested to appoint one or more
suitable persons as Commissioner 20 said States.
! whose duty it shall be 10 visit said States at such
49, az, tbo Coyarpor ob,ll ,1nn,p ,,pst S,ipnkln
and to invite and facilitate. as far as practicable,
the cooperation Of said States i'll tho purposes
set forth in the foregoing resolutions.
On motion of Mr.. BUFoKD, the report was
laid on the table for the present.
Mr.. DEASE offered n resolution, inquiring
into the e1pediency of conscripting all male
free negroes, between the ages Of Is and 80
years, to work in mines and manufactures,
which was agreed to.
Mr.. TouLIS presented a petition from Philip
P. Duval, Of King William, asking to hare a
tax improperly imposed on him. Refunded
Referred to Finance Committee.
Senate bill to repeal m act authorizing the
issue Of registered treasury notes, in lieu of
two los bonds belonging to DR.. p. F.
Brown, Of Accomac, same having been rec"r-
cred from the public enemy, was taken up
and passed.
Senate bill TO supply deficiency for the sup
port of the Central Lunatic Asylum, was taken
up and passed.
The bill to protect the currency by prevent
ing exchange in gold nnd notc-, was then tn
ken up on it, third reading. \ ryder was Of
fered by Mr.. BR0oEE, excepting from the PENAL
ties of the act persons buying Federal currency
Cor loral families, or for soldiers in captivity, in
the lines of the enemy, when certificate is
made to the Governor that snch is the purpose
and that the ZANE is necessary. The ryder
was passed to its engrcssmsnt and third read
ing. The bill was then passed. The penalty
fixed by this bill for traffic in gold and naper,
to the depreciation of Confederate currency,
is q fine Of not less than 500 nor more than
5000.
Tho bill to authorize the Governor to hire
free negro and other ~convicts to work in coal
! pits was passed. The bill authorizes the hire
OF free negro, slave and white c~onvicts, for the
purpose indicated in tie title.
The bill refunding to John Newman $40,
being part Of q license tax on n diStillery. for
which he received no benefit. the lax c%uttirg
short his business, was passed.
The bill to regulate prices was, on motion
Of Mr.. ANDERSON, taken up, and, after the
insertion of several amendments, perlcrting
the purpose and construction OF the bill, II
was laid on the table.
On motion Of Mr.. SHacxLFroRD. the report
and resolutions from the Committee on Con-
fcderate Relations, on the resolution to inquire
into the subject Of details from the Confederate
army to labor on government work, was taken
up and adopted.
The resolutions direct the attention Of the
Confederate authorities to the frauds and evils
growing out of the system Of details on
government work, and request them tn take
such measures as would substitute examrts.
and return all such detailed men to duty.
On motion of Mr.. PENDLEToS. the resolution
to meet hereafter Mt ten o'clock. A. NJ, and
.l.o,-. klsoo n NJ x-o %nl.o, re, o,1