Year: 1865

to the proper committee, with instruc-
tions to examine into IL and report In
what banks the stocks are held the
amount thereof; and the name OF the
fund to which it stands credited, wheth-
er to the Literary Fund, the Internal In
provement Fund or the Treasury proper


For many years the Bank Of Virginia,
in which the State of Virginia has been
a steckholder, from its organization, has
had branch at Charleston, in kauawha
county At the commencement OF the
rebellion, many of the Directors went
South and carried the coin OF the Bank
with them, and the Cashier resigned his
position; so that the organization con-
tinued no longer, and the books papers
and assets of the Bank were left in the
hands of the President, James c. McFar-
land, Esq Complaints were made to me
last Spring that the President was pre-
ferring and paying some of the creditors
of the Bank by transferring to them the
best and most available assets to the
great prejudice of the stockholders and
other creditors. It was also claimed that
in the absence of any organization, the
President had no authority to thus dis
pose of the assets, or otherwise transact
the business of the Bank; and that such
action should be taken as would prevent
il thereafter. Under these eireumstan
ces, in June, l prepared q notice TO the
President setting forth the facts substan-
TALLY as herein detailed, and notifying
him that if any detriment should result
to the State by his management OF the
affairs of the Bank he would be held res
ponsible therefor On the lst of July,
he addressed ME a communication, ad-
mitting the truth of the statement as to
his management of the affairs of the
Bank and claiming that he had q right
to do so, but stating that he would desist
for the future. | submit the notice and
his communication in answer thereto for
your consideration. | recommend that
this subject be referred to the Committee
that shall be charged with ascertaining
the stocks owned by the State in the
several banks, and that they be instruc-
ted to inspect the books and inquire into
the proceedings of this Bank and its Off
GERS and make report to the Legislature
and that on this report you take such ac,
tion as will best subserve the interests OF
the State


1t is reported to me that the stockhold
ers of some of the old banks in the State
wish to convert them into national banks
under the late act of Congress, and that
they deem it necessary to have some leg
islation to enable them to do 80, especial
ly in those cases where the State is
stockholder recommend that You ell
act such laws as will authorize and facil
itate the desiPed change


FREE SCHOOLS


The subject of Free Schools is one
of great interest to all philanthro-
phists; and in my opinion an intelli-
gent and efficient system of such
schools will tend more than any other
one cause to the rapid growth and pros
perity of our State The law on this
subject, passed by former legislature,
is endorsed by the State Superintendent,
(whose first annual report is herewith
submitted, y as embodying a system Of
superior excellence He suggests but
few notifications, the most material Of
which is in regard to the manner OF pro-
viding large fund for the erection Of
School houses and maintaining the
schools. commend the subject to your
fostering consideration. The Auditor
has made no report to the Governor as
required by tie sixtieth section Of the
free school law.


AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.


An act was passed at the last session of
Congress, and approved April l4th 1864,
extending to this State the provisions of
the act passed July =, 1862, donating
Public Lands to the several States which
may provide Colleges for the benefit OF
Agriculture and the mechanic Arts" and
on the 9th of June, transmitted copies
of the act of the Legislature accepting
tho provisions of the act of Congress to
the President Cd the United States and
the Secretary of tho Interior, and in
formed the latter that was ready to re-
ceive the Scrip to which this State was
entitled under the act of Congress the
rec eipt of which he acknowledged, rec
ornizing the right Of the State TO the
Scrip. In September l received the
Scrip from the Commissioner of the
General Land Office, accompanied by a
communication containing some obser-
vations as to the manner OF assigning
aud locating the same; which cores
pondence is herewith communicated
The act of the Legislature directs the
Governor to see the Scrip "at such time
OF times and in such parcels as he may
find the interest of the trust to require.
| have endeavored to comply with the
provision of the law but not being able
to obtain for the Scrip price approach
ing what / thought should be realized
for it., have not sold it at all The in
formation have on the subject induces
me to believe that the interests of the
State and of 'the trust" will be promo
ted by deferring the sale fora time. But
if you direct that it shall be sold at the
best price it will bring i'll the market it
will afford me great pleasure to follow
such direction.


IMMIGRATION.


As authorized by an act Of the last
Legislature, on the 4th of March ap-
pointed J. H. Diss Debar, Esq, of the
county of Doddridge, Commissioner. Of
Immigration for this State, who, as re-
uuired by the act, has made report of
his official transactions since his appoint
ment, which is herewith transmitted.
invite your special attention to this III
teresting document, which manifests
great intelligence and zeal that must
result in the accomplishment Of great
good to the State.


In our State may be found all the els-


IL In, hAr. IaA1