Library of Congress Subject Headings, 21st edition, 1998

Languages Used:

• English

LC Subject Headings:

• Legislation -- Virginia.
• Secession -- Virginia.
• Legislative journals -- Virginia.
• Virginia -- Politics and government -- 1861-1865.
• Virginia -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Law and legislation.

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JOURNAL
OF THE
HOUSE OF DELEGATES
OF THE
STATE OF VIRGINIA,
FOR THE
SESSION OF 1861-62.

RICHMOND:
WILLIAM F. RITCHIE, PUBLIC PRINTER.
1861.

JOURNAL.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 2, 1861.

        A majority of the delegates elect being duly qualified, appeared and took their seats; and thereupon Mr. NEWTON of Westmoreland called the house to order, and announced the first business in order to be the election of a clerk, and nominated for that office William F. Gordon, jr. of Albemarle, who was appointed by a unanimous vote.

        Messrs. EDMUNDS of Halifax and RUTHERFOORD of Goochland were appointed a committee to inform him of his election, and to conduct him to his seat.

        The house then proceeded to the election of a speaker; and thereupon Mr. BARBOUR nominated James L. Kemper of Madison; and the roll was called, with the following result:

        For James L. Kemper--Messrs. F. T. Anderson, J. T. Anderson, M. L. Anderson, Baker, Barbour, Baskervill, Bass, Blue, Booten, Bradford, Brooks, Buford, Burks, Cazenove, Cecil, Clarke, J. J. Coleman, Collier, Crockett, J. D. Davis, Edmunds, Eggleston, Evans, Ewing, Fleming, Fletcher, Flood, Forbes, Franklin, Friend, Garrison, George, Gilmer, Gordon, Grattan, Harrison, Hopkins, Hunter, Huntt, Irby, James, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kaufman, Kyle, Laidley, Lively, Lynn, Mathews, McCamant, A. W. McDonald, McKinney, McLaughlin, Minor, Montague, Murdaugh, R. E. Nelson, W. G. T. Nelson, Newton, Noland, Pitman, Prince, Reid, Richardson, Riddick, Rives, Robertson, Rowan, Rutherfoord, Shannon, Sheffey, Spady, Staples, Steger, Tate, Taylor, Thomas, Thrash, Tomlin, Tyler, Vaden, Walker, G. H. West, J. L. Wilson, Woodhouse, Woodson and Wright--88.

        Mr. Kemper having received a majority of all the votes cast, was declared duly elected speaker of the house of delegates, who being conducted to the chair by Messrs. BARBOUR and NEWTON, returned his acknowledgments to the house.

        The house then proceeded to the election of a sergeant at arms.

        Mr. ANDERSON of Botetourt nominated George W. Wilson of Botetourt; Mr. TOMLIN nominated H. T. Burruss of King William; Mr. BLUE nominated John Kern of Hampshire; and Mr. BARBOUR nominated Daniel Ward of Albemarle.

        The roll was then called, with the following result:

        For George W. Wilson--Messrs. Kemper (speaker), F. T. Anderson, J. T. Anderson, Bass, Brooks, Buford, Clarke, Crockett, J. D. Davis, Edmunds, Eggleston, George, James, Kyle, Lively, Newton, Reid and Rowan--18.

        For H. T. Burruss--Messrs. Baskervill, Bayse, Booten, Burks, Cecil, Collier, Daniel, Evans, Ewing, Fleming, Fletcher, Flood, Franklin, Friend, Garrison, Gilmer, Gordon, Grattan, Hopkins, Huntt, Irby, Johnson, Jones, Jordan, Kaufman, Laidley, Lynn, Mathews, McCamant, I. E. McDonald, McKinney, McLaughlin, Montague, Murdaugh, R. E. Nelson, W. G. T. Nelson, Noland, Orgain, Prince, Richardson, Riddick, Rives, Rutherfoord, Shannon, Spady, Staples, Steger, Taylor, Thomas, Thrash, Tomlin, Tyler, Vaden, Walker, G. H. West, J. L. Wilson, Woodhouse, Woodson, Worsham and Wright--60.

        For John Kern--Messrs. Blue, Hunter, A. W. McDonald and Pitman--4.

        For Daniel Ward--Messrs. M. L. Anderson, Barbour, Bradford, Cazenove, J. J. Coleman, Forbes, Harrison, Minor, Robertson, Sheffey, Tate and Wynne--12.

        Mr. Burruss having received a majority of all the votes cast, was declared duly elected sergeant at arms of the house of delegates.

        The house then proceeded to the election of a first doorkeeper; and thereupon Mr. SHEFFEY nominated R. W. Burke of Augusta.

        On motion of Mr. BASKERVILL,

        Resolved, that Mr. Burke be unanimously appointed first doorkeeper.

        The house then proceeded to the election of a second doorkeeper; and thereupon Mr. ANDERSON of Botetourt nominated James Wade Montague of Montgomery, and Mr. EVANS nominated George D. Pace of Henrico.

        The roll was then called, with the following result:

        For J. W. Montague--Messrs. Kemper (speaker), F. T. Anderson, J. T. Anderson, Barbour, Baskervill, Bass, Bayse, Blue, Booten, Bradford, Brooks, Buford, Burks, Cazenove, Cecil, Clarke, J. J. Coleman, Collier, Crockett, Daniel, Edmunds, Eggleston, Fleming, Fletcher, Flood, Forbes, Franklin, Gilmer, Gordon, Grattan, Harrison, Hopkins, Hunter, Huntt, Irby, James, Johnson, Jordan, Kaufman, Kyle, Laidley, Lively, Lynn, Mathews, McCamant, A. W. McDonald, I. E. McDonald, McKinney, McLaughlin, Minor, Montague, Murdaugh, R. E. Nelson, W. G. T. Nelson, Newton, Noland, Orgain, Pitman, Prince, Reid, Richardson, Riddick, Rives, Robertson, Rowan, Rutherfoord, Shannon, Sheffey, Staples, Steger, Tate, Taylor, Thomas, Tomlin, Tyler, Vaden, Walker, G. H. West, J. L. Wilson, Woodhouse, Woodson, Worsham, Wright and Wynne.

        For G. D. Pace--Messrs. M. L. Anderson, Evans, Friend and Jones.

        Mr. Montague having received a majority of all the votes cast, was declared duly elected second doorkeeper of the house of delegates.

        On motion of Mr. MCCAMANT.

        Resolved, that the rules of the last house of delegates be adopted for the government of this.

        The said rules are as follow:

        1. No member shall absent himself from the service of the house, without leave, unless he be sick and unable to attend.

        2. When any member is about to speak in debate or deliver any matter to the house, he shall rise from his seat, and without advancing, shall, with due respect, address "Mr. SPEAKER," confining himself strictly to the point in debate, avoiding all indecent and disrespectful language.

        3. When any member rises and addresses the chair, the speaker shall recognize him by his name; but no member shall designate another by name.

        4. No member shall speak more than twice in the same debate without leave.

        5. A question being once determined, must stand as the judgment of the house, and cannot, during the same session, be drawn again into debate.

        6. While the speaker is reporting or putting a question, none shall entertain private discourse, read, stand up, walk into, out of, or across the house.

        7. No member shall vote on any question in the event of which he is immediately and personally interested, nor in any other case where he was not present when the question was put by the speaker or chairman of any committee.

        8. Every member who shall be in the house when any question is put, shall, on a decision, be counted on one side or the other.

        9. A majority of delegates shall constitute a quorum to do business; and every question shall be determined according to the vote of a majority of the members present, except where the constitution otherwise provides; any smaller number, together with the speaker, shall be sufficient to adjourn; twenty may call a house, send for absentees, and make any order for their censure or discharge.

        10. On a call of the house, the doors shall not be closed against any member until his name shall have been once enrolled.

        11. Any member, sustained by thirteen others, shall have the right, before the question is put, to demand the yeas and nays on the decision of any question; and on such occasion the names of the members shall be called over by the clerk, and the yeas and nays respectively entered on the journal, and the question decided, as a majority shall thereupon appear. After the yeas and nays shall have been taken, and before they are counted or entered on the journal, the clerk shall read over the names of those who voted in the affirmative and of those who voted in the negative; at which time any member shall have the right to correct any mistake committed in enrolling his name.

        12. No business shall be introduced or considered after 12 o'clock, until the orders of the day be disposed of, except messages from the senate or executive. Among the orders of the day, those which are general in their nature shall have precedence over such as are private or local.

        13. The speaker may call any member to the chair, who shall exercise its functions for the time; but no member, by virtue of such appointment, shall preside for a longer time than three days.

        14. The speaker shall set apart convenient seats for the use of the members of the senate and executive, and of the judges of the superior courts of this commonwealth and of the Confederate States, and of such other persons as he may invite within the bar of the house.

        15. All bills or other business shall be dispatched in the order in which they are introduced, unless the house, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, shall direct otherwise. In future, all bills of a general nature shall, after their first reading, be printed for the use of the house.

        16. The clerk shall not permit any records or papers to be taken from the table or out of his possession; but he may deliver to a member any bills depending before the house, on taking his receipt for the same.

        17. The journal of the house shall be drawn up by the clerk on each day, and, after being examined by the speaker, shall be printed and delivered without delay.

        18. The clerk shall publish with the laws all resolutions of a general nature, annex general marginal notes to each law or resolution, and subjoin an index to the whole.

        19. The clerks of the senate and house of delegates may interchange

messages at such time, between the hour of adjournment and that of meeting on the following day, as that the said messages may be read immediately after the orders of the day.

        20. When the previous question is demanded and seconded by twenty members, the speaker shall, without debate, state the main question to the house, and thereupon propound the question, "Shall the main question be now put?" If decided in the affirmative, the main question shall then be put; if decided in the negative, the house may proceed instanter with the debate.

        21. No petition of a private nature, having been once rejected, shall be acted on a second time, unless it be supported by new evidence; nor shall any such petition, after a third disallowance, be again acted on. The several clerks of committees shall keep alphabetical lists of all such petitions, specifying the sessions at which they were presented and the determination of the house thereon; and shall deliver the original petitions to the clerk of the house, to be preserved in his office.

        22. No petition or memorial shall be received, praying for the division of a county or parish, changing the place of holding any court, or other local matter, unless the purport of such petition or memorial shall have been fixed up at the courthouse door of the county where such alteration is proposed, at two different courts, and shall have remained there one day during the sitting of each court, and at least one month shall have passed after the holding of the last court, and before the petition or memorial is presented. And no petition or memorial shall be received, or bill brought in for establishing or discontinuing ferries, nor for any other purpose affecting private rights or property, unless the parties interested shall have had one month's notice; and if they be not known to the petitioner or memorialist, the purport of the petition, memorial or bill shall be set up at the courthouse in the manner before directed, and also three times inserted in some newspaper in the state most convenient for conveying the intended information, one month before offering or moving the same.

        23. No petition shall be received claiming a sum of money, or praying the settlement of unliquidated accounts, unless it be accompanied with a certificate of disallowance from the executive or auditor, containing the reason why it was rejected. But this order shall extend to no person applying for a pension.

        24. When any petition, or bill founded on one, is rejected, such petition shall not be withdrawn, but the petitioner or member presenting his petition, or any member from the county or corporation in which the petitioner resides, may, without leave, withdraw any document filed therewith; and a list of every document so withdrawn shall be preserved by the clerk. All petitions not finally acted on may, with the accompanying documents, be in like manner withdrawn, after the expiration of the session at which they were presented.

        25. No petition shall be read in the house, unless particularly required by some member; but every member presenting one shall announce

the name of the petitioner, the nature of the application, and whether in his opinion a similar application had been before made by said petitioner. He shall endorse the same on the petition, and sign his own name thereon, as a pledge that it is drawn in respectful language: whereupon, it shall be delivered to the clerk, by whom it shall be laid before the proper committee.

        26. At the commencement of each session the following committees shall be appointed by the speaker:

To consist of not less than nine nor more than fifteen members:

• A committee of privileges and elections.
• A committee for courts of justice.
• A committee of schools and colleges.
• A committee of propositions and grievances.
• A committee of claims.
• A committee of roads and internal navigation.
• A committee on the militia laws.
• A committee on finance.
• A committee on the penitentiary.
• A committee on the armory.
• A joint committee on the library.
• A committee on agriculture and manufactures.
• A committee to examine enrolled bills.
• A committee to examine the lunatic asylums.
• A committee on banks.
• A committee on trade and mechanic arts.
• A committee on county organization.

To consist of not less than five nor more than nine:

• A joint committee on executive expenditures.
• A joint committee to examine the first auditor's office.
• A joint committee to examine the second auditor's office.
• A committee to examine the clerk's office.
• A joint committee to examine the register's office.
• A joint committee to examine the treasurer's accounts.
• A joint committee to examine the bonds of public officers.

        27. The clerk of the house of delegates shall appoint six clerks--one of whom shall be clerk of the committee for courts of justice and of schools and colleges; one, of the committee of propositions and grievances and of claims; one, of the committee on finance; another, of privileges and elections and agriculture and manufactures; another, of the committee on banks and military affairs; and another, of the committee of roads and internal navigation. Said clerks to be removed by the clerk of the house of delegates, or by the committee or committees of which they are clerks. That the clerk of the house of delegates may command the services of any of said clerks, to assist him in reading at the clerk's table, and in engrossing and enrolling bills, at such time as they may not be employed

by their respective committees; and that it shall be the duty of the clerk of the house of delegates to see that all bills reported from the committees, are written in a fair and legible hand.

        28. No standing committee of the house shall be increased, except by a vote of at least two-thirds of the members present.

        29. Five members of any committee shall be a quorum to proceed to business; but where the number of a committee is not less than five nor more than nine, a majority shall be sufficient.

        30. The several committees are instructed to report, in all cases to them referred, whether other cases may arise, comprised within the principle of the subject referred; and if a bill be ordered, it shall be so drawn as to provide for all such cases, as well as that in which it originated; and, in petitions and other matters referred, the committee shall have power, if they deem it expedient, to report by bill.

        31. Select committees shall not consist of less than five nor more than thirteen members, unless the house shall otherwise direct.

        32. The committee of privileges and elections shall examine the oaths taken by each member and certificates of election furnished by the sheriffs, and report thereon to the house.

        33. The committee of privileges and elections shall report, in all cases of privilege or contested elections, the principles and reasons on which their resolutions are founded.

        34. The committee for schools and colleges shall annually examine into the state and manner of administration of the literary fund, and make such report as they may deem proper.

        35. The committee of finance shall annually examine into the state of the debts due from the commonwealth, of the revenue and expenditures of the preceding year, and prepare an estimate of the expenses of the succeeding year, and make such report thereon as they may deem proper.

        36. Any person contesting the election of a member returned to serve in this house, will be entitled to receive his wages only from the day on which such person is declared duly elected.

        37. Whenever, by the equality of sound, a division of the house is rendered necessary in the opinion of the speaker, or of a member, the members shall be required to rise in their places; and if, on a general view of the house, a doubt still exist on the mind of the speaker, or of a member, as to the side on which the majority voted, the members shall be counted standing in their places, either by the speaker or by two members of opposite opinions on the question, to be deputed for the purpose by the speaker.

        38. Documents printed by order of the house shall be printed on paper of the same size with the journal, and a copy shall be bound up with each journal and furnished the members at the end of the session; and it shall be the duty of the public printer to furnish 225 additional copies bound for that purpose.

        39. Any person shall be at liberty to sue out an original writ, or subpoena in chancery, to prevent a bar by the statute of limitations, or to file any bill in equity and examine witnesses thereupon for the purpose of preserving their testimony against any member of this

house: provided, that the clerk, after having made out and signed such original writ, or subpoena, shall not deliver it to the party, nor to any other person, during the continuance of the member's privilege.

        40. Any person summoned to attend this house, or any one of its committees, as a witness, shall be privileged from arrest during his coming to, attendance on, or return from the house or committee; and no such witness shall be obliged to attend, until the party at whose request he was summoned, shall pay or secure to him for his attendance and traveling the same allowance which is made to witnesses attending the general court.

        41. If any person shall tamper with a witness in respect of his evidence to be given before this house, or one of its committees, or directly or indirectly endeavor to deter or hinder a person from appearing or giving evidence, it shall be deemed a high misdemeanor, which the house will severely punish.

        42. No person shall be taken into custody by the sergeant at arms on any complaint of breach of privilege, until the matter is examined by the committee of privileges and elections and reported to the house, unless by order of the speaker.

        43. In all elections, but one vacancy shall be filled at a time.

        44. In elections by joint vote of the two houses of the general assembly, each house shall first communicate by message to the other, the names of the persons who may be put in nomination for the said office in each house respectively; and then each house shall vote separately in its own chamber; and shall each appoint a committee on its part to meet a committee on the part of the other house, and communicate the result of the vote in each house respectively; and if upon such vote, any person have a majority of the whole number of votes, the same shall be reported by the committees to their respective houses, and the speaker of each house shall declare such person duly elected; and if no person shall have a majority of the whole number of votes, both houses shall in like manner proceed to another vote, dropping the person who shall have the smallest number of votes on the former vote, and so on till an election be made; and the results of each vote in each house shall in like manner be communicated by each house to the other, and reported by their respective committees; and the election, when made, shall in like manner be declared by the respective speakers of the two houses.

        45. Hereafter it shall be the duty of the clerk, previous to reading each bill, to announce whether it is on its first, second or third reading.

        46. On every day, so soon as the speaker takes the chair and calls the house to order, the standing committees of the house shall be called over to enable them to make reports.

        47. No standing rule of this house shall be rescinded or changed without one day's notice being given of the motion therefor.

        48. No member or other person shall visit or remain by the clerk's table while the years and nays are calling.

        49. When a resolution is presented, containing no reference of the subject thereof to a committee, if objection be made to its immediate

adoption, it shall lie on the table for one day, to be called up by motion.

        50. Bills and resolutions originating in the senate, and not requiring immediate action, shall be read the first and second times when received, and be referred to their appropriate committees, unless the house direct otherwise; and all such bills and resolutions shall have precedence over bills and resolutions originating in the house of delegates, of the same stage.

        On motion of Mr. RIVES,

        Resolved, that the SPEAKER be authorized to appoint three pages, to be allowed the same pay as was received by the pages of former sessions.

        On motion of Mr. REID,

        Resolved, that the SPEAKER be requested to invite the clergy of this city to open the daily sessions of this house with prayer.

        On motion of Mr. TOMLIN, a committee (consisting of Messrs. Tomlin, McCamant and Hunter) was appointed by the SPEAKER, to wait on the governor, and inform him that the house, being now organized, was ready to receive any communication he might be pleased to transmit; and subsequently they reported, through Mr. TOMLIN, their chairman, that they had discharged the duty assigned them, and that the governor would communicate a message to the house immediately.

        The governor's message was then received and read, and on motion of Mr. BLUE, was laid on the table, and five thousand extra copies ordered to be printed.

        [For message, see Doc. No. 1, appended to this volume.]

        On motion of Mr. BARBOUR,

        Resolved, that a select committee be appointed to enquire who are entitled to the seats in this house to which certain persons were elected in May last, who have, since their election, attempted to set up a separate government within this commonwealth.

        On motion of Mr. FLEMING, the house adjourned until to-morrow, 12 o'clock.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 3, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Dr. Read of the Presbyterian church.

        The SPEAKER announced the following committee under the resolution adopted on yesterday, in relation to elections to the house of delegates from the disloyal counties of the commonwealth: Messrs. Forbes, McCamant, Hunter, Sheffey, Burks, Steger, Baskervill, Saunders of Franklin, and Richardson.

        Mr. SHEFFEY presented the petition of Jacob W. Marshall, praying for admission to a seat as a member of the house of delegates from the counties of Randolph and Tucker; which, on his motion, was referred to the special committee on the subject of elections.

        On motion of Mr. ROBERTSON,

        Resolved, that the committee of roads and internal navigation enquire into the expediency of authorizing a connection between the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac rail road and the Richmond and Petersburg rail road in Richmond, and between the Richmond and Petersburg rail road and the Petersburg rail road in Petersburg.

        Mr. ROBERTSON presented the memorial of the common council of the city of Richmond, to authorize the issue of small notes; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on banks.

        On motion of Mr. ROBERTSON,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the propriety of refunding to R. H. Maury, R. M. T. Hunter and others, money paid by them on an erroneous assessment of taxes.

        On motion of Mr. EVANS,

        Resolved, that the committee of claims enquire into the expediency of allowing to Major R. S. Billups of Matthews county, his account for services rendered in the 61st regiment of Virginia militia, which was called into service by a proclamation of the governor of Virginia dated the 13th of July 1861.

        On motion of Mr. ANDERSON of Botetourt,

        Resolved, that leave be given to bring in a bill to amend the act entitled an act providing for the employment of negro convicts on the public works, passed April 7, 1858, so as to authorize the governor to cause a part of said convicts to be hired to proprietors of iron works engaged in making iron for the commonwealth of Virginia and the confederate government, under provisions and restrictions of said act.

        The SPEAKER announced the following committee under the resolution: Messrs. Anderson of Botetourt, Flood, Mathews, Blue and Rutherfoord.

        Subsequently, Mr. ANDERSON, from the said committee, presented the following bill:

        No. 1. A bill to amend and re-enact the act entitled an act providing for the employment of negro convicts on the public works, passed April 7th, 1858; which, on his motion, two-thirds concurring, was read a first and second times, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

        Mr. TOMLIN presented the petition of Geo. R. Baylor, to have refunded a sum of money paid on account of license; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on finance.

        On motion of Mr. WOOLFOLK,

        Resolved, that the committee of claims enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill allowing compensation to the officers and privates of the militia of this state, called out by the proclamation of the governor, dated July 13, 1861.

        On motion of Mr. RIDDICK,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance be instructed to enquire into the expediency of assuming Virginia's portion of the confederate government war tax:

        Mr. BARBOUR presented the petition of the Culpeper savings bank,

praying amendments of its charter; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on banks.

        Mr. BARBOUR presented the petition of Flora Jones, a free woman of color, praying to be enslaved; which was ordered to be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances.

        On motion of Mr. GRATTAN,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of suppressing the issue of small notes of corporations or individuals, by a tax upon the holders and issuers.

        On motion of Mr. BUFORD,

        Resolved, that the clerk of this house be required to procure and furnish, as early as practicable, such numbers of copies of all ordinances and resolutions passed by the present convention of Virginia, as shall be sufficient for the use of the members.

        On motion of Mr. FLEMING,

        Resolved, that the clerk of this house be authorized to procure two hundred and fifty copies of the constitution of this state and of the provisional and permanent constitutions of the Confederate States, for the use of members.

        Mr. VAIDEN presented the petition of Archibald Davis, praying to be refunded a license tax paid by him; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on finance.

        Mr. STEGER presented the petition of Henry R. Jones, clerk of the penitentiary, praying an increase of his salary; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on the penitentiary.

        On motion of Mr. RIVES,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice be instructed to enquire into the expediency of making some modification in the stay law.

        On motion of Mr. BASKERVILL,

        Resolved, that the ordinance recently passed by the convention of Virginia, entitled an ordinance to reorganize the militia, be referred to the military committee of this house, when appointed, with instructions to enquire if any amendments to said ordinance are necessary.

        On motion of Mr. BASS,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance be instructed to enquire into the expediency of paying for clothing, & c. furnished to a portion of the militia of Roanoke when called out by the authorities, and the call countermanded before the said militia were mustered into service.

        On motion of Mr. CROCKETT,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of allowing Harvey Repass, one of the commissioners of the revenue for the county of Wythe, additional compensation for preparing separate books for the county of Bland.

        On motion of Mr. BUFORD,

        Resolved, that a select committee of five be appointed to confer with the proper authorities of the confederate government in relation to the construction of a rail road between the town of Danville,

Virginia, and the town of Greensborough, North Carolina, as recommended in the recent message of President Davis to the provisional congress, with a view to ascertain whether any, and if any, what legislation may be necessary on the part of Virginia, in order to effect the most speedy construction of said road.

        On motion of Mr. KYLE,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of relieving sheriffs from collecting taxes from volunteers.

        On motion of Mr. WEST of Halifax,

        Resolved, that the committee of schools and colleges enquire into the expediency of paying to J. B. Bass a sum of money due him on account of teaching indigent children in the county of Pittsylvania in the year 1859.

        Mr. FRIEND presented the petition of the Manchester and Petersburg turnpike company, to amend and re-enact the 13th section of an act incorporating a company to establish a turnpike road from the town of Manchester to the town of Petersburg; which was ordered to be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation.

        The SPEAKER laid before the house a communication from the secretary of the commonwealth, enclosing a list of charters granted by the courts; which, on motion of Mr. MALLORY, was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Doc. No. 26.

        On motion of Mr. BUFORD,

        Resolved, that so much of the governor's message as refers to the act of last session of the general assembly incorporating the Virginia canal company, be referred to the committee of roads and internal navigation, with instructions to enquire into the expediency of extending the time within which said company may be organized.

        On motion of Mr. ANDERSON of Rockbridge,

        Resolved, that a select committee of be appointed to enquire into the causes of the extravagant prices demanded for articles of prime necessity to the army and to the people of this commonwealth, and what legislation is necessary and proper to correct the said evil.

        On motion of Mr. WEST of Halifax,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance be instructed to enquire into the expediency of refunding to James Young, executor of James Owen, a sum of money erroneously paid by him on account of land tax charged to Thomas Owen's estate.

        On motion of Mr. WOOLFOLK,

        Resolved, that a special committee of eleven members be appointed to enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill amending the present laws in relation to the free negro population of the state, and that all propositions for amending the same be referred to the said committee.

        On motion of Mr. COLLIER,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of refunding taxes on licenses issued but not used on account of enlistment and service in the army.

        On motion of Mr. BASKERVILL, the house adjourned until to-morrow, 12 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Mr. Converse of the Presbyterian church.

        On motion of Mr. GRATTAN,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of amending the thirty-second chapter of the Code of 1860, concerning impresses by military authority, and injuries done to real property by military occupation, in order to secure to the owners thereof prompt redress for and protection against illegal impressments.

        On motion of Mr. SPADY,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill for alleviating taxation upon the subjugated but loyal counties of the commonwealth.

        On motion of Mr. KAUFMAN,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs be requested to enquire into the expediency of extending the rail road from Winchester to Strasburg, as a military necessity and public convenience.

        On motion of Mr. GRATTAN,

        Resolved, that the committee on the clerk's office enquire into the expediency of so amending the rule of this house as to avoid the necessity of procuring parchment.

        Mr. GEORGE presented the petition of citizens of McDowell county, in reference to the county lines; which was ordered to be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances.

        No. 1. An engrossed bill entitled an act to amend and re-enact the act entitled an act providing for the employment of negro convicts on the public works, passed April 7th, 1858, was read a third time and passed.

        Ordered, that Mr. ANDERSON of Botetourt carry the same to the senate, and request their concurrence.

        A communication was received from the secretary of the convention, enclosing an ordinance of that body in relation to elections from the disloyal counties of the commonwealth; which, on motion of Mr. WILSON of Isle of Wight, was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Doc. No. 27.

        On motion of Mr. KAUFMAN,

        Resolved, that leave be given to withdraw from the files of the last house of delegates, bill 221, with the accompanying documents, and that the same be referred to the committee of claims.

        On motion of Mr. GARRISON,

        Resolved, that the committee of claims be instructed to enquire into the expediency of refunding to Edmund W. Bayley a sum of money erroneously paid by him into the treasury of Virginia.

        Mr. CAZENOVE presented the petition of George Duffey, commissioner of the revenue for Alexandria county, praying compensation for his services; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on finance.

        On motion of Mr. BASKERVILL,

        Resolved, that a special committee be appointed to enquire into the expediency of making some contract with the lessees of the Virginia salt works in the counties of Washington and Smyth, whereby that necessary of life may be supplied at a cheaper rate than the present ruinous price to the consumer; and that they be empowered to open a correspondence with the aforesaid lessees, and report the result to this house, with any recommendations they may deem proper.

        On motion of Mr. LYNN,

        Resolved, that the committee to be appointed to confer with the proper authorities of the Confederate States in relation to constructing a rail road between the town of Danville, Virginia, and the town of Greensborough, N. C., be instructed to take into consideration also the importance of connecting the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac rail road with the Manassas gap rail road at the junction of said road on the Alexandria and Gordonsville road, and report what legislation (if any) be necessary by this house.

        Mr. CARTER presented the petition of James W. Gresham, Wm. N. Kurks, & c., asking for compensation for negroes condemned to sale and transportation; which was ordered to be referred to the committee for courts of justice.

        On motion of Mr. BARBOUR, the house adjourned until to-morrow, 12 o'clock.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Dr. Read of the Presbyterian church.

        The SPEAKER announced the following standing committees of the house:

        Committee of Privileges and Elections--Messrs. Tomlin, Blue, Friend, Kyle, Evans, Woodson, Murdaugh, Eggleston, Baskervill, Carter, McDonald of Logan, Baker, Jordan, Wilson of Isle of Wight, and Bayse.

        Committee for Courts of Justice--Messrs. Rutherfoord, Hunter, Bouldin, Collier, Jones, Steger, Anderson of Rockbridge, Forbes, Gilmer, Banks, McKinney, Evans, Harrison, McCamant, and Coleman of Fayette and Raleigh.

        Committee of Schools and Colleges--Messrs. Newton, Minor, Riddick, Treadway, Tate, Daniel, Saunders of Franklin, Crockett, Spady, Reid, Custis, Booten, Noland, Wright and Laidley.

        Committee of Propositions and Grievances--Messrs. McCamant, Riddick, Kaufman, Tyler, Wilson of Isle of Wight, Fleming, Anderson of Albemarle, Hopkins, Irby, Shannon, West of Halifax, Prince, George, Garrison, and Coleman of Nelson.

        Committee of Claims--Messrs. Bass, Kaufman, Grattan, Davis of Amherst, Pitman, Nelson of Louisa, Montague, Wilson of Norfolk, Walker, Woodhouse, Mathews, Huntt, Dunn and Gillespie.

        Committee of Roads and Internal Navigation--Messrs. Sheffey, Carpenter, Baskervill, Ward, Flood, Treadway, Anderson of Rockbridge, Murdaugh, Saunders of Franklin, Buford, Saunders of Campbell, Woodson, Wynne, Rowan and Staples.

        Committee on Military Affairs--Messrs. Anderson of Botetourt, Jones, Hunter, Robertson, Mallory, Pitman, Davis of Amherst, Richardson, Saunders of Campbell, Lundy, McGruder, McDonald of Hampshire, Friend, Bradford and Eggleston.

        Committee on Finance--Messrs. Barbour, Tomlin, Edmunds, Bouldin, Newton, Collier, Flood, Wynne, Thomas, Davis of Campbell, Minor, Gordon, Reid, Noland and Gatewood.

        Committee to examine the Penitentiary--Messrs. Montague, Davis of Amherst, George, Payne, Bass, Jordan, Johnson, Friend, Fleming, Staples, James, Dabney, Dunn, Fletcher and Vermillion.

        Committee to examine the Armory--Messrs. Blue, Carter, Wright, Shannon, West, Lynn, Lockridge, Cecil, Fletcher, Ewing, Huntt, McLaughlin, Thrash, Taylor and Boggs.

        Joint Committee on the Library--Messrs. Edmunds, Minor, Sheffey, Gordon, Mallory, Anderson of Botetourt, McKinney, Burks, Baker, Cazenove, Crockett, Gilmer, Dabney, Nelson of Louisa, and Garrison.

        Committee on Agriculture and Manufactures--Messrs. Orgain, Lynn, Tyler, Riddick, Johnson, Lockridge, Nelson of Fluvanna, Payne, McDonald of Logan, Daniel, Lively, Woolfolk, Prince, Boggs and Irby.

        Committee on Enrolled Bills--Messrs. Huntt, Kyle, Wooten, Gillespie, Taylor, Prince, Booten, Worsham, McDonald of Logan, Woolfolk, Nelson of Louisa, Cecil, Fletcher, Rowan and Bayse.

        Committee on Lunatic Asylums--Messrs. Rives, Custis, Tate, McGruder, Nelson of Fluvanna, Crockett, Worsham, Hopkins, Anderson of Albemarle, Lockridge, Woolfolk, Bradford, Vaden, Vermillion and Clarke.

        Committee on Banks--Messrs. Robertson, Edmunds, Ward, Davis of Campbell, James, Wilson of Norfolk county, Buford, Grattan, Lundy, McDonald of Hampshire, Orgain, Dunn, Rives, Walker and Cazenove.

        Joint Committee on Executive Expenditures--Messrs. George, Anderson of Albemarle, Daniel, Richardson, Payne, Thrash, Gillespie, Carpenter and Baker.

        Joint Committee to examine the First Auditor's Office--Messrs. Johnson, Woodson, Wilson of Isle of Wight, Tate, Spady, Franklin, McKinney, Flood, McLaughlin, Wooten and Williams.

        Joint Committee to examine the Second Auditor's Office--Messrs. Shannon, Woodhouse, Bayse, Coleman of Nelson, Mallory, Blue, Ward, Clarke, Laidley, Vaden and Lively.

        Committee to examine the Clerk's Office--Messrs. Reid, Thomas, Baskervill, Lynn, Grattan, Murdaugh, Carpenter, Nelson of Fluvanna, and Boggs.

        Joint Committee to examine the Register's Office--Messrs. Brooks, Lively, Wright, Mathews, Irby, Hopkins, Jordan, Williams and Garrison.

        Joint Committee to examine the Treasurer's Accounts--Messrs. Mathews, Cazenove, Walker, Bass, Custis, Noland, McGruder, Ewing, and McDonald of Hampshire.

        Joint Committee to examine the Bonds of Public Officers--Messrs. Burks, Gatewood, Steger, Barbour, Anderson of Rockbridge, Rutherfoord, Spady, Harrison, McCamant, Forbes, and Coleman of Fayette and Raleigh.

        The SPEAKER announced the following special committee, under a resolution adopted in reference to a rail road connection between Danville and Greensborough, N. C.: Messrs. Buford, Wooten, Bouldin, Sheffey, Steger, Gilmer, Lively, McKinney, Kyle, Riddick, Clarke, Nelson of Fluvanna, and Richardson.

        On motion of Mr. GRATTAN,

        Resolved, that the return for the county of Harrison from Camp Bartow, be referred to the special committee on vacancies.

        Mr. GRATTAN presented the return.

        On motion of Mr. RUTHERFOORD,

        Resolved, that so much of the governor's message as relates to the claim of Robert A. Mayo against the commonwealth, be referred to the committee of claims.

        On motion of Mr. WILSON,

        Resolved, that so much of the governor's message as refers to an act of the confederate congress, entitled an act to audit the accounts of the respective states against the Confederacy, be referred to the committee on finance.

        On motion of Mr. WALKER,

        Resolved, that the clerk of this house be requested to procure a clock for the hall of the house of delegates.

        On motion of Mr. LIVELY,

        Resolved, that the committee of propositions and grievances enquire into the expediency of declaring that portion of New river, from the mouth of Greenbrier river to the mouth of Indian creek, a lawful fence.

        On motion of Mr. JAMES,

        Resolved, that the committee of roads and internal navigation enquire into the expediency of transferring to the counties in which it is located, the commonwealth's interest in the Southwestern turnpike road leading from Buchanan, in Botetourt county, to the Tennessee line.

        Mr. ROBERTSON presented the petition of Hull and Johnston, praying to be reimbursed expenses incurred in ascertaining damages by fire at Dibrell's warehouse; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on agriculture and manufactures.

        On motion of Mr. SHEFFEY,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of amending the act passed March 18, 1856, entitled an act to separate the state from the banks, by a sale of its stocks therein, and the application of the proceeds to the redemption of the public debt, so as to authorize the exchange of such stocks for the eight per cent. bonds of the Confederate States.

        On motion of Mr. STEGER,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs enquire into the expediency of establishing a military hospital for the state.

        The SPEAKER laid before the house a communication from the governor, in reference to warehouses; which was referred to the committee on agriculture and manufactures, and ordered to be printed. Doc. No. 28.

        On motion of Mr. DUNN,

        Resolved, that the committee of schools and colleges, enquire into the expediency of establishing a system of free schools for the education of orphan and poor children of those of our soldiers at present, or who may hereafter be engaged in the service of the Confederate States army.

        On motion of Mr. RICHARDSON,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs be instructed to enquire into the expediency of so removing certain obstructions in New river, from Central depot to the mouth of Greenbrier river, as to facilitate the transportation of military stores and munitions of war.

        On motion of Mr. SAUNDERS of Franklin,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance be instructed to enquire into the expediency of amending or repealing an act passed the 19th of March 1861, entitled an act refunding to Moses C. Booth damages paid by him as surety of Samuel S. Turner, late sheriff of Franklin county, so as to provide more effectually for the releasing and refunding to said Booth of damages paid by him as surety for the said Samuel S. Turner.

        Mr. STEGER presented the memorial of the following savings banks of the city of Richmond: Old Dominion savings bank, Metropolitan savings bank, Farmers savings bank, United savings bank of Henrico, Home savings bank and Virginia savings bank; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on banks.

        On motion of Mr. WOODSON,

        Resolved, that the committee on banks be instructed to enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill legalizing the issue of small notes, heretofore made by the various counties, cities and towns of this commonwealth, and providing for the future issue of such notes and their redemption.

        On motion of Mr. JAMES,

        Resolved, that the committee on banks enquire into the expediency of authorizing the banks of this commonwealth to issue a larger amount than five per cent. of their capital, in notes of a less denomination than five dollars.

        Mr. GORDON presented the memorial of the mayor and council of the town of Fredericksburg, praying to be released from penalties for issuing small notes; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on banks.

        On motion of Mr. BUFORD,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice be requested to enquire into the expediency of so amending the existing laws regulating

judicial elections, as to provide that the time of holding such elections shall be announced by proclamation of the governor.

        On motion of Mr. KAUFMAN,

        Resolved, that the committee of roads and internal navigation enquire into the expediency of rescinding so much of the acts of the last session of the house of delegates as made appropriations to works of internal improvement that have not already been expended, until further legislation may be had.

        On motion of Mr. WOOLFOLK, the house adjourned until tomorrow, 12 o'clock.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Dr. Read of the Presbyterian church.

        A communication from the senate, by their clerk, was read as follows:

IN SENATE, Dec. 5, 1861.

        The senate have passed house bill, entitled:

        An act to amend and re-enact the act entitled an act providing for the employment of negro convicts on the public works, passed April 7, 1858, No. 1, with amendments.

        In which they respectfully request the concurrence of the house of delegates.

        The amendments proposed by the senate were taken up and agreed to.

        Ordered, that the clerk inform the senate thereof.

        The SPEAKER announced the following special committees:

        Special committee to consider the condition of the free negro population of the commonwealth: Messrs. Woolfolk, Rives, Woodhouse, Thomas, Baskervill, McCamant, Orgain, Wilson of Isle of Wight, Kaufman, West and Lockridge.

        Special committee to consider the extravagant prices demanded for articles of prime necessity: Messrs. Anderson of Rockbridge, Minor, Cazenove, Wynne, Pitman, Flood, Laidley, Daniel and James.

        Mr. BARBOUR, from the committee on finance, presented the following report:

        A report asking that the committee on finance be discharged from the further consideration of a resolution enquiring into the expediency of paying for clothing, & c. furnished to a portion of the militia of Roanoke, and that the same be referred to the committee on military affairs; which was concurred in.

        Mr. FORBES, from the special committee upon the subject of vacant seats in the house of delegates, presented a report; which was read, and on his motion, laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Doc. No. 29.

        On motion of Mr. HUNTER, the report was made the special order of the day for Tuesday, Dec. 10th, 1861.

        The SPEAKER laid before the house a communication from the governor, enclosing the returns of elections held at certain camps for members of the house of delegates; which was read, and on motion, laid on the table.

        On motion of Mr. COLLIER,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs enquire into the expediency of instructing our senators and requesting our representatives, at the regular session of the confederate congress, to increase the pay, during the existing war, of the soldiers and non-commissioned officers of the army.

        Mr. HUNTER presented the petition of the president and directors of the Bank of Berkeley; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on finance.

        On motion of Mr. BASS,

        Resolved, that a special committee of three be appointed, whose duty it shall be to procure rooms, if possible, as heretofore, in the capitol building, or to enquire into the expediency of renting rooms of private parties, for the use of the committees of this house.

        The SPEAKER announced the following committee under the resolution: Messrs. Bass, Wynne, and Davis of Amherst.

        On motion of Mr. MURDAUGH,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency, in view of the present high prices of provisions, of granting to the county and corporation courts the power of increasing the amount at present allowed to sheriffs and sergeants for keeping and supporting any slave or other person confined in jail.

        On motion of Mr. MATHEWS,

        Resolved, that the committee of roads and internal navigation be instructed to enquire into the expediency of conferring with the provisional congress of the Confederate States, in reference to the extension of the Covington and Ohio rail road by the confederate government (as a military necessity), out of moneys due from the confederate government to the state of Virginia.

        On motion of Mr. STABLES,

        Resolved, that leave be given to withdraw from the files of this house, bill 152 of last session, and that the same be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances.

        On motion of Mr. ROWAN,

        Resolved, that the committee of roads and internal navigation enquire into the expediency of requiring turnpike companies to keep all dead and dangerous timber from within reach of their roads.

        On motion of Mr. LAIDLEY,

        Resolved, that the committee of roads and internal navigation enquire into the expediency of making a military road from Tazewell courthouse to Cabell courthouse, Virginia.

        On motion of Mr. NELSON of Fluvanna, the house adjourned until to-morrow, 12 o'clock.

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 7, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Mr. Read of the Presbyterian church.

        Mr. SHEFFEY, from the committee of roads and internal navigation, presented the following bills:

        No. 2. A bill to amend and re-enact the 1st section of an act entitled an act incorporating a company to establish a turnpike road from the town of Manchester to the town of Petersburg, and repealing all provisions contained in other acts relating to said company inconsistent with this act.

        No. 3. A bill to amend and re-enact the 4th section of chapter 10 of an act to incorporate the Virginia canal company, and to transfer the rights and franchises of the James river and Kanawha company thereto.

        Which subsequently were read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

        On motion of Mr. TOMLIN,

        Resolved, That the committee on military affairs be instructed to enquire into the expediency of so amending the militia laws as to require that all liable to the performance of the duties of militiamen shall be drafted and detailed for active service before any draft or detail shall be made on those now serving as Virginia volunteers.

        The SPEAKER announced the following special committee under a resolution in relation to the lease of the salt works: Messrs. Baskervill, George, Mallory, Shannon, Flood, Woodhouse and Walker.

        On motion of Mr. WOOLFOLK,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill or bills making it felony for any man or set of men to impose upon any citizen of Virginia a tax, by whatever name such tax or contribution may be called, for any purpose other than for the support of the government of Virginia or that of the Confederate States; for any person to assess property, or to demand, collect or receive tax for such purpose, unless provided for by the laws of this state or by the Confederate States: also making it felony for any person to administer an oath, affirmation or other obligation to any citizen of Virginia, either in this or any other state, to support any government or pretended government other than the government of Virginia or that of the Confederate States: also for any person to attend any secret political meeting, where the parties are bound, by oath, affirmation or other obligation whatever, to secresy, or for any person to administer to others, or take himself such oath, affirmation or obligation.

        On motion of Mr. HUNTER,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice be directed to enquire into the expediency of making provision by law for the removal from the borders of the state, and other places in immediate proximity to the lines of the public enemy, such persons as may be justly suspected of disloyalty to the state of Virginia or to the Confederate

States, or who may affect to maintain an unpatriotic neutrality between the parties to the present war.

        On motion of Mr. BROOKS,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of discontinuing or reducing the annual appropriation of fifteen thousand dollars to the university of Virginia, and also of suspending the collection of the annual interest on the literary fund for the benefit of public schools, until the end of the present difficulties.

        On motion of Mr. GARRISON,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill to relieve the sheriffs, clerks, commissioners of the revenue and other civil officers of the commonwealth from the penalties imposed by the laws of Virginia for the failure to perform the duties of their offices, when such failure has been caused by the presence of the public enemy, and the officer remains loyal to the commonwealth.

        On motion of Mr. STEGER,

        Resolved, that the committee on agriculture and manufactures enquire into the expediency of incorporating Wm. H. Haxall, Thomas W. McCance, Sam'l J. Harrison, John Purcell, Wm. G. Paine, Lewis Ginter, J. L. Apperson and David J. Burr, together with such other persons and firms as shall hereafter be associated with them, under the name and style of The Virginia Chemical Works.

        Mr. ROBERTSON presented the petition of Capt. Wm. Leigh Burton, for proper compensation for certain services as assistant quarter-master; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on military affairs.

        On motion of Mr. BOOTEN, the house adjourned until Monday, 12 o'clock.

MONDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Mr. Bennett of the Methodist church.

        On motion of Mr. TOMLIN,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs be instructed to enquire into the expediency of so amending the act of January 25, 1861, as to provide that the pay and allowances of all commissioned officers of the ordnance department shall be the same as now allowed to the same rank in the artillery in the confederate service.

        Mr. BARBOUR presented the petition of M. W. Fisher, praying relief from the obligation contracted by him for the public defence; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on finance.

        No. 2. A bill to amend and re-enact the 1st section of an act entitled an act incorporating a company to establish a turnpike road from the town of Manchester to the town of Petersburg, and repealing all provisions contained in other acts relating to said company inconsistent with this act, was read a second time, and on motion of Mr. RIVES, was laid on the table.

        No. 3. A bill to amend and re-enact the 4th section of chapter 10 of an act to incorporate the Virginia canal company, and to transfer the rights and franchises of the James river and Kanawha company thereto, was read a second time, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

        On motion of Mr. WOODSON,

        Resolved, that the committee on banks, to whom was referred the enquiry into the expediency of more effectually prohibiting the issue of small notes by individuals, enquire into the expediency of requiring the redemption of said notes in specie on presentation, and in default thereof, giving the holder the right to recover the same by suit or warrant, with damages and costs.

        On motion of Mr. GRATTAN,

        Resolved, that the governor of the commonwealth be and is hereby requested to furnish to this house a statement of the aggregate military strength of the state (excluding the disloyal counties); what portion of that strength consists of volunteers, and what of militia; what portion of that strength has been ordered into service, both volunteer and militia; what the date of their mustering in, and the term for which they mustered in.

        On motion of Mr. TOMLIN,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs be instructed to enquire into the expediency of amending the 2d and 3d sections of chapter 22 of the Code of Virginia, so as to diminish the number of persons thereby exempted from military duty.

        On motion of Mr. WOODSON,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of so amending the Code of Virginia as to simplify the proceedings in cases of outlawry.

        Mr. ANDERSON of Rockbridge, from the special committee on extortionate prices and mode of relief, presented a report; which, on motion of Mr. WILSON, was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Doc. No. 30.

        Mr. ANDERSON, from the same committee, presented the following bills:

        No. 4. A bill to prevent extortion in salt.

        No. 5. A bill to regulate prices of articles of prime necessity during the war, and to prevent extortion in the sale of them.

        Which were read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

        On motion of Mr. KAUFMAN,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of more effectually preventing the sale of ardent spirits by persons without license.

        On motion of Mr. EVANS,

        Resolved, that the committee of claims enquire into the expediency of allowing the claims of the captain and crew of the York Spit light vessel, for services rendered by them from the first of January 1861, until the said vessel, with its crew and officers were received into the service of the confederate government.

        Mr. ANDERSON, from the committee on military affairs, I the following bill:

        No. 6. A bill to improve the navigation of New river.

        Which was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

        On motion of Mr. ROBERTSON,

        Resolved, that the committee charged with the duty of enquiring into the expediency of leasing the Holston salt works, extend their enquiry to any other mode of enlarging the supply of salt, and especially into the practicability and expediency of obtaining and bringing into use native fossil salt of Virginia.

        On motion of Mr. DAVIS,

        Resolved, that the committee of propositions and grievances enquire into the expediency of incorporating the Mutual life insurance company of Lynchburg.

        On motion of Mr. WALKER, the house adjourned until to 12 o'clock.

TUESDAY, DECEMBER 10, 1861.

        Mr. BASKERVILL, from the committee of roads and internal navigation, presented the following bills:

        No. 7. A bill to authorize a connection between the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac rail road and the Richmond and Petersburg rail road in Richmond, and between the Richmond and Petersburg rail road and Petersburg rail road in Petersburg.

        No. 8. A bill to compel turnpike and plank road companies to remove dead and dangerous timber.

        Mr. BASKERVILL, from the same committee, to whom was referred a resolution to enquire into the expediency of making a road from Tazewell courthouse to Cabell courthouse, Virginia, reported the same to the house with the following resolution, which was adopted:

        Resolved, that the committee ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject, and that the same be referred to the committee on military affairs.

        The order of the day, being the report of the special committee the subject of the vacant seats in the house of delegates, was taken up, and the report read; and the question being on agreeing to the first resolution of the committee, was put, and decided in the affirmative.

        The resolution is as follows:

        "1. Resolved, that the 23d section of article 6 of the constitution does not authorize the admission of former members of the delegates to seats in said house, in cases in which their successors fail to qualify."

        The second resolution of the committee, which reads as follows--

        "2. Resolved, that vacancies exist in the representation in the

house of delegates from the counties of Ohio, Preston, Monongalia, Harrison, Marion, Kanawha and Berkeley, each being entitled to two delegates; from the counties of Brooke, Hancock, Marshall, Wetzel, Taylor, Upshur, Lewis, Wood, Putnam, Mason and Morgan, each being entitled to one delegate; and from the election districts composed of the counties of Ritchie and Pleasants, Doddridge and Tyler, and Jackson and Roane, each being entitled to one delegate"--was taken up; and the question being on agreeing thereto, was put, and decided in the affirmative.

        On motion of Mr. NEWTON, the vote was recorded as follows:

        AYES--Messrs. J. T. Anderson, F. T. Anderson, Barbour, Baskervill, Bayse, Blue, Booten, Bouldin, Brooks, Burks, Carpenter, Cecil, Clarke, H. N. Coleman, Collier, Crockett, Daniel, Robert J. Davis, Dunn, Eggleston, Evans, Ewing, Fletcher, Flood, Forbes, Franklin, Friend, Garrison, George, Gilmer, Gordon, Grattan, Hopkins, Hunter, Huntt, James, Johnson, Jones, Kaufman, Kyle, Laidley, Lively, Lundy, Lynn, Mallory, Mathews, McCamant, A. W. McDonald, I. E. McDonald, McKinney, McLaughlin, Montague, Murdaugh, R. E. Nelson, W. G. T. Nelson, Orgain, Payne, Pitman, Prince, Reid, Richardson, Riddick, Rives, Robertson, Rowan, Peter C. Saunders, Shannon, Spady, Staples, Steger, Taylor, Thomas, Thrash, Tyler, Vaden, Vermillion, Walker, Ward, G. H. West, Williams, S. Wilson, Woodhouse, Woodson, Woolfolk, Wootten, Worsham and Wynne--87.

        NOES--Messrs. Bass, Bradford, Buford, Carter, Cazenove, J. J. Coleman, Custis, Dabney, J. D. Davis, Fleming, Irby, Minor, Newton, Noland, Rutherfoord, Tate, Treadway, J. L. Wilson and Wright--19.

        The third resolution of the committee, which reads as follows--

        "3. Resolved, that the petitioner Jacob W. Marshall is not entitled to a seat in the house of delegates as delegate from the election district composed of the counties of Randolph and Tucker, and that there exists a vacancy in the representation from said district"--was taken up; and the question being on agreeing thereto, was put, and decided in the affirmative.

        The fourth resolution of the committee, which reads as follows--

        "4. Resolved, that Wm. F. Gordon, jr. is not entitled to a seat in the house of delegates as one of the delegates from the county of Harrison"--was taken up; and the question being on agreeing thereto, was put, and decided in the affirmative.

        On motion of Mr. BASKERVILL,

        Resolved, that this house, by virtue of authority vested by the convention, will forthwith proceed to appoint delegates to represent those counties declared vacant by the resolutions of a special committee, and adopted by the house; which, on motion of Mr. JONES, was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Doc. No. 31.

        On motion of Mr. MURDAUGH,

        Resolved, that the governor of the commonwealth be and he is hereby requested to furnish to this general assembly the names of all officers of the navy, marine corps and revenue marine, who, having resigned the United States service, and having been commissioned by the governor of this commonwealth, have not been recognized or acknowledged by the Confederate States.

        On motion of Mr. STEGER,

        Resolved, that the committee of roads and internal navigation enquire into the expediency of incorporating a company for the manufacture of rail road equipments, with power to establish mills at different

points, and giving authority to rail road companies to subscribe for a part of the capital stock.

        Mr. BASS, from the special committee to whom was assigned duty to provide rooms for the use of the various committees of the house, presented a report; which, on his motion, was laid on the table.

        On motion of Mr. BUFORD,

        Resolved, that the committee on banks enquire into the expediency of so amending the existing laws in regard to dealing in money and exchanges, as to provide and secure, as far as practicable, the reduction of the high rates of premium now usually charged for gold and silver, by persons so dealing.

        On motion of Mr. EVANS, the house adjourned until to-morrow, 12 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Mr. Bennett of the Methodist church.

        A communication from the senate, by their clerk, was follows:

IN SENATE, Dec. 1

        The senate have passed a bill entitled:

        An act constituting part of New river a lawful fence.

        In which they respectfully request the concurrence of the house of delegates.

        No. 1. A senate bill entitled an act constituting part of New river a lawful fence, was read the first and second times, and ordered to be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances.

        Mr. RUTHERFOORD, from the committee for courts of justice, presented the following bill:

        No. 9. A bill to suspend sales and legal proceedings in cases, and to repeal an ordinance entitled an ordinance to against the sacrifice of property, and to suspend proceedings in certain cases, passed on the 30th day of April 1861 by the convention of Virginia.

        Mr. MCCAMANT, from the committee of propositions and grievances, presented the following report:

        The committee of propositions and grievances, to whom was referred the petition of citizens of the county of McDowell, that the boundary lines of said county may be defined, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to submit the following resolution:

        Resolved, that it is inexpedient to legislate upon the subject.

        Mr. BASS, from the committee of claims, presented the following reports:

        The committee of claims, to whom was referred the resolution instructing them to enquire into the expediency of allowing the

account of Major B. L. Billups, for services rendered in the 61st regiment of Virginia militia, called out under the proclamation of the governor of the 13th July last, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to report the following resolution:

        Resolved, that the committee be allowed to return said resolution to the house, and to suggest that it be referred to the committee on military affairs.

        The committee of claims, to whom was referred the resolution instructing them to enquire into the expediency of allowing the claims of the captain and crew of the York Spit light vessel, for services rendered by them from the 1st day of January 1861 until said vessel, with its officers and crew, were received into the service of the Confederate States, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to report the following resolution:

        Resolved, that the committee be allowed to return said resolution to the house, and to suggest that it be referred to the committee on military affairs.

        The committee of claims, to whom was referred the resolution instructing them to enquire into the expediency of allowing compensation to the officers and privates of the militia of the state called out under the proclamation of the governor of the 13th July last, have had the same under consideration, and beg leave to report the following resolution:

        Resolved, that the committee be allowed to return said resolution to the house, and to suggest that it be referred to the committee on military affairs.

        Mr. BARBOUR, from the committee on finance, presented an adverse report on a resolution to enquire into the expediency of allowing Harvey Repass, a commissioner of the revenue of the county of Wythe, additional compensation for preparing separate books for the county of Bland; which was agreed to.

        Mr. COLLIER presented the following resolutions:

        At a special meeting of the common council of the city of Petersburg, held on Tuesday the 10th day of December 1861:

        Mr. D'Arcy Paul offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted:

         Resolved by the common council of the city of Petersburg, that the city of Petersburg is opposed to any measure being passed by the legislature, which will authorize a permanent connection to be made through this city or otherwise, between the Richmond and Petersburg and Petersburg rail roads.

         Resolved, that our representatives in the general assembly be requested to use their utmost endeavors to defeat such a connection.

         Resolved, that one of the members of this council be appointed by the mayor to convey the foregoing resolutions to our senator and representative.

         Whereupon, Mr. J. Andrew White was appointed under the last resolution.

A copy--Teste,

JOHN C. ARMISTEAD, Ass't Clerk C.

        Which on his motion was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Doc. No. 32.

        On motion of Mr. BASKERVILL, house bill 7, to authorize a connection between the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac

rail road and the Richmond and Petersburg rail road in Richmond, and between the Richmond and Petersburg rail road and Petersburg rail road in Petersburg, was taken up, and on motion of Mr. WILSON, was laid on the table.

        On motion of Mr. MCKINNEY,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of so amending the existing law as to require the auditor of public accounts to publish, in one or more newspapers in the city of Richmond, the names of all officers charged with the collection and payment of any part of the revenue, who are delinquent, the amount for which each one is delinquent.

        On motion of Mr. EDMUNDS,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs be instruct enquire into the expediency of conferring upon the presidents of the rail road companies the authority and power to protect the bridges, buildings and other property of their roads.

        On motion of Mr. ANDERSON of Rockbridge, the report of the special committee relative to extravagant prices and mode of relief, was taken up and read:

        The committee appointed to enquire into the causes of the extravagant prices of articles of prime necessity, and as to what remedies may be provided, have had the subject under consideration, and beg leave to make the following report:

        Prices are usually regulated by supply and demand; but the relation between them is sometimes disturbed by extraordinary causes--such, for example, state of war; new sources of supply, the increase or diminution of the medium of exchange, taxes, monopolies and speculation. All these causes are doubtless operating more or less on prices in this country at the present time. The effect of war, in obstructing the ordinary channels of commercial intercourse, and thereby causing extreme fluctuations in prices is well known. It is said by Tooke, that in the latter years of the French war the price of sugar in France was as high and 6s. a pound, and that coffee rose to 7s. The war in which we are engaged, which cuts us off, in a great measure, from commercial intercourse with the rest of the world, has caused the advance in price of commodities, for the supply of which, before the war, we depended on foreign countries. But the price of commodities, for which we are not dependent on other countries--such, for example, as sugar, ought not to be enhanced, by the existence of the war, much beyond the additional cost of transportation. Your committee deem it unnecessary to remark on the other causes assigned as influencing prices, except the last, to wit, speculation. It is said that a considerable quantity of salt is in the hands of speculators bought it early in the year at prices ranging from $ 1 50 to $2 a sack, and who are now demanding for it from $ 15 to $ 20. Your committee would not condemn fair and legitimate speculation; but the difficulty is to draw the line between what should be allowed as legitimate, and conducive to the public weal, and what should be condemned as illegal; but they hesitate not to say, that when the country is engaged in a most perilous war,--a war for existence, and which demands the aid and sympathy of the whole population, and when the people, with a patriotic zeal and unanimity unprecedented, are making all necessary sacrifices to bring this war to a successful termination, for a set of men to be engaged in buying up articles of prime necessity, of which they know there is a limited supply, with the view of holding them back from the use of the people, until their necessities will enable them to exact enormous prices,--it is a crime against the state, little short of treason; and your committee are of opinion that the government would be well justified in seizing the commodity, allowing the holders a fair compensation selling it to the people at government cost. There appears to be an insufficient supply of salt for present wants, which is an article of indispensable necessity; and it is the season of the year for packing pork; and if something is not speedily done to supply the people with salt, there will be a great scarcity of meat the

year, and distress in the country. Neither the extent of the deficiency nor the means of supply is known to your committee. It is not improbable that one-half of the people of this state are not supplied, and it is believed that there is a sufficient quantity in the hands of speculators, and an over supply in the army stores, to alleviate, if not entirely to relieve the present necessities of the country. They are informed that the confederate government has in store at Lynchburg and at other places a much larger quantity of salt than the wants of the army will require for a long time, and that in addition thereto, the authorities of said government are appropriating a large portion of the weekly product of the salt works in Washington county, upon which the supply of this state mainly depends. The said works are now yielding about 14,000 bushels a week, and in the course of a month it is said will be enabled to nearly double that quantity.

        Your committee would further represent, from the most reliable information, that the said works will be able, the next year, to yield about 750,000 bushels of salt, and that the further outlay of fifty or sixty thousand dollars would enable them to increase the product beyond one million of bushels. But the parties, lessees of the works, are unwilling to make so large an outlay, inasmuch as their present arrangements would more than supply the demand, if the blockade were opened. The salt is now sold at 75 cents a bushel at the works, when the cost of making it does not exceed 30 cents a bushel, including the rent of the property. The said lessees are now making enormous profits at the expense of those who are maintaining the war. Your committee are of opinion that these works should be put in condition speedily to produce the largest yield of salt which the resources of the property will afford. The indispensable necessities of the country imperiously require it; and then, with a like policy on the part of our sister states, who have resources within their jurisdiction for making salt, our people and our armies will soon be amply supplied with this article, so indispensable to life.

        Your committee are of opinion, therefore, that it would be right and proper for the government of this commonwealth to require of the said lessees to operate their works so as to yield all the salt which the resources of the property will afford, and to offer them fair and adequate inducements and guarantees to do so; and in the event of their refusing to do it, to take possession of the property, granting them an adequate compensation therefor, and placing it in the hands of parties who will undertake it. Your committee would therefore recommend the adoption of the following resolutions, and the passage of the bills herewith reported:

        1. Resolved, that a joint committee be appointed to call upon the president of the Confederate States, and represent to him the distressed condition of the country for want of salt, and ask him to release so much of the salt now held for the use of the army as can be done without injury to the public service, to be disposed of at government cost to meet the wants of the people.

        2. Resolved, that a joint committee be appointed to correspond with the lessees of the Washington and Smyth salt works on the subject of their making immediate arrangements to increase the product of salt to the utmost capacity of the property, and that they be instructed and authorized to enter into negotiations with the lessees for that purpose, subject to the approval of the general assembly.

        And the question being on agreeing thereto, was put, and decided in the affirmative.

        Ordered, that the clerk communicate the same to the senate, and request their concurrence.

        On motion of Mr. ANDERSON of Rockbridge,

        Bill No. 4, to prevent extortion in salt, was taken up and read, and on motion of Mr. FLEMING, was recommitted to the committee.

        On motion of Mr. FLEMING,

        Resolved, that the committee on extravagant prices and mode of relief be enlarged by addition of five new members.

        The SPEAKER announced the names of the following gentlemen, under the resolution: Messrs. Fleming, Robertson, Bass, Baskervill and Walker.

        On motion of Mr. ANDERSON of Rockbridge,

        Bill No. 5, to regulate the prices of articles of prime necessity during the war, and to prevent extortion in the sale of them, was taken up, and recommitted to the committee.

        On motion of Mr. HUNTER,

        Resolved, that the SPEAKER be directed to issue writs of election to the counties of Berkeley and Morgan, to supply vacancies existing in the representation from each of said counties in this house; and that by publication of proper notices, he fix Thursday the 26th day of this month (Dec. 1861) as the day for holding said elections.

        On motion of Mr. FLETCHER,

        Resolved, that the committee of schools and colleges enquire in the expediency of enabling the board of school commissioners Rappahannock county to comply with their engagements for the education of indigent children.

        On motion of Mr. ANDERSON of Botetourt,

        Bill No. 6, to improve the navigation of New river, was taken up, read a second time, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

        The SPEAKER presented a communication from the governor, enclosing a letter from the adjutant general, which was read, and laid on the table.

        On motion of Mr. DAVIS of Campbell,

        Resolved, that leave be given to withdraw from the files of the house for the session 1859 and 1860, senate bill 160, and that the same be referred to the committee of propositions and grievances.

        On motion of Mr. SPADY,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill allowing to Charles Smith and Hugh Ker of the county of Northampton, the sum of seventy dollars for services rendered in the militia.

        On motion of Mr. STEGER,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of providing by law for the compensation of the clerk of the court of hustings for the city of Richmond, for services rendered by him in commonwealth's cases in that court.

        On motion of Mr. BASKERVILL,

        Resolved, that the committee of roads and internal navigation enquire into the expediency of conferring with the Confederate States authorities as to the propriety, as a military necessity, of completing the unfinished portion of the Roanoke Valley rail road so as to connect the Richmond and Danville rail road in Virginia with the Raleigh and Gaston rail road in North Carolina, out of any moneys due from the Confederate States to the state of Virginia.

        On motion of Mr. PRINCE,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs enquire into the expediency of amending an ordinance entitled an ordinance to provide for the enrollment and employment of free negroes in the public service, so as to make it obligatory upon the county and corporation courts, which have not enrolled, to enroll all able bodied male free negroes between the ages of 18 and 50; of amending section

4th so as to require said free negroes to work for four months, if necessary, before returning home, and that no requisition shall be made for slaves till the free negroes thus enrolled shall have been called out.

        On motion of Mr. EWING,

        Resolved, That leave be given to withdraw from the files of this house, the petition of Edward C. Bales (erroneously entered Edward C. Bates), commissioner of the revenue for Lee county, and that the same be referred to the committee on finance.

        On motion of Mr. EWING,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of remitting a fine imposed upon Job B. Crabtree by the circuit court of Lee county.

        On motion of Mr. DUNN,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs enquire into the expediency of at once macadamizing certain portions of the Russell old courthouse and Abingdon turnpike leading into Pound gap, as a military necessity, out of moneys due by the confederate government to the state of Virginia.

        On motion of Mr. KYLE,

        Resolved, that the appropriate committee enquire into the expediency of authorizing the county court of Carroll to subscribe a sum of money for the completion of the Wytheville and Grayson turnpike road as a military necessity.

        On motion of Mr. MCDONALD of Hampshire,

        Resolved, that the select committee on extravagant prices enquire into the expediency of authorizing the governor or other state authority to purchase all the salt produced at the Washington or other salt mines in the state, with a view of insuring the distribution of salt amongst the citizens of the commonwealth at fair prices.

        On motion of Mr. BLUE,

        Resolved, that the committee of privileges and elections enquire into the expediency of declaring the seat of A. Williamson vacant from the election district composed of the counties of Gilmer, Calhoun, Wirt and a part of Roane.

        On motion of Mr. TAYLOR,

        It having been represented to this house that the Honorable Enoch Louis Lowe, formerly governor of the state of Maryland, who is equally distinguished for his talent, high moral character and loyalty to the south, is now a refugee from his home, deprived of his property, and is worthy of special notice by this house: and it being proper to extend welcome and encouragement to citizens of the state of Maryland who have retained their fidelity to the cause of the Confederacy under the trying circumstances in which they have been placed:

        Resolved, that the SPEAKER extend a special invitation on behalf of this house to Governor Lowe to occupy one of the privileged seats on the floor of the hall whenever it may suit his convenience.

        On motion of Mr. NELSON of Fluvanna, the house adjourned until to-morrow, 12 o'clock.

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Mr. Bennett of the Methodist church.

        A message from the senate, by their clerk, was read as follows:

IN SENATE, Dec. 11, 1861.

        The senate have agreed to a joint resolution relative to the publication of the constitution of the Confederate States.

        In which they respectfully request the concurrence of the house of delegates.

        The resolution was agreed to.

        Ordered, that the clerk inform the senate thereof.

        Mr. RUTHERFOORD, from the committee for courts of justice, presented the following report:

        A report referring to the committee on finance a resolution relative to the publication in one or more of the newspapers in the city of Richmond, all officers charged with the collection and payment of any part of the revenue.

        Mr. ORGAIN, from the committee on agriculture and manufactures, presented the following bill:

        No. 10. A bill to incorporate the Virginia chemical works.

        The SPEAKER presented a communication from the governor, enclosing a list received from the navy department of the Confederate States, of officers on reserved list of the United States navy who signed since the secession of Virginia and have not been appointed in the Confederate States navy, which was read and laid on the table, and ordered to be printed. Doc. No. 34.

        The SPEAKER laid before the house a memorial, signed by Charles W. Russell and others, in relation to vacancies in the house of delegates from the counties of Northwestern Virginia; which was read, and on motion of Mr. BASKERVILL, laid on the table and ordered be printed. Doc. No. 33.

        On motion of Mr. WILSON of Isle of Wight,

        Resolved, that the board of public works be requested to furnish to this house a statement of the amount of money it will be necessary to appropriate to remove the obstructions to the navigation of New river by batteaux, and to improve the navigation of said stream by sluices, in such manner as will accommodate the transportation of military stores in batteaux, from some point at or near Central depot on the Virginia and Tennessee rail road, to the mouth of the Greenbrier river, and what time it will take to complete the work, with appropriation of thirty thousand dollars at this session of the legislature.

        On motion of Mr. RUTHERFOORD,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire what amendments (if any) in the criminal code of Virginia are made necessary by the occupation of the public enemy of certain parts the state, and what legislation (if any) is necessary under ordinance No. 82 of the convention of Virginia.

        On motion of Mr. GORDON,

        Resolved, that leave be given to bring in a bill to amend the charter of the town of Fredericksburg.

        The SPEAKER announced the following committee under the resolution: Messrs. Gordon, Newton, Reid, Rutherfoord and Hunter.

        Subsequently Mr. GORDON, from the committee, presented the following bill:

        No. 11. A bill amending the charter of the town of Fredericksburg; which was read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

        On motion of Mr. TATE,

        Resolved, that so much of the governor's message as relates to the Eastern and Western lunatic asylums, with the accompanying documents, be referred to the committee on lunatic asylums.

        On motion of Mr. GILMER,

        Resolved, that leave be given to withdraw from the files of this house, the petition of Coleman D. Bennett, executor of Howard Craft deceased, asking for the refunding of a fine paid by said Craft in his lifetime, and that the same be referred to the committee on finance.

        On motion of Mr. CECIL,

        Resolved, that the committee of propositions and grievances enquire into the expediency of passing an act changing the county line of Wythe and Pulaski, so as to include within the boundaries of the latter county the residence and plantation of Joshua A. Holmes.

        On motion of Mr. VAIDEN,

        Resolved, that the committee on military affairs be instructed to enquire into the expediency of so amending the law referring to the subject, as to require the adjutants of regiments, or any officers acting as such, in presenting their bills for mustering companies having no officers, to certify on oath that said officer did muster said company, and for such a length of time as the law requires.

        On motion of Mr. WOOLFOLK,

        Resolved, that the governor's proclamation of the 13th of July 1861, exempting overseers and others from service in the army as militiamen, be referred to the committee on military affairs, with instructions that the said committee enquire into the expediency of reporting a bill repealing the ordinance of the convention of Virginia giving the governor such power.

        On motion of Mr. EWING,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of allowing Edward B. Bales, commissioner of the revenue for Lee county, a certain sum of money erroneously charged against him.

        Mr. WARD presented the petition of the common council of Winchester, praying the legalization of small notes issued by the corporation of Winchester; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on banks.

        Mr. STEGER presented the petition of Joseph R. Anderson & Co. in relation to their contract for the manufacture of arms; which was ordered to be referred to the committee of claims.

        No. 6. An engrossed bill to improve the navigation of New river, was taken up.

        Mr. WILSON submitted the following ryder:

        "Provided, that this act shall not be in force or take effect until the president and directors of the New river navigation company shall have transferred, and authority is hereby given them to transfer, to the board of public works, without compensation to the stockholders, all the franchises, rights, title and interest of said New river navigation company in said improvement."

        Which was read a first and second time; and the question being-Shall the ryder be engrossed and read a third time? was put, and decided in the negative.

        On motion of Mr. NEWTON, the bill was laid on the table.

        On motion of Mr. COLLIER,

        Resolved, that the governor be requested to furnish the names any Virginians, officers in the late U. S. army, who having resigned their commissions in said army, have not been commissioned in the service of the Confederate States.

        On motion of Mr. LAIDLEY,

        Resolved, that the committee of privileges and elections enquire into the representation in this house from the county of Wayne, and make report thereon.

        On motion of Mr. RUTHERFOORD,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of reporting bill of the last session, entitled a bill to carry into effect the nineteenth clause of the 4th article of the constitution.

        On motion of Mr. ROWAN,

        Resolved, that the committee on banks enquire into the expediency of authorizing the state to issue one million of dollars small treasury notes, to take the place of shinplaster currency no flooding the country.

        The following bills were read a first time, and ordered to be read a second time:

        No. 7. A bill to authorize a connection between the Richmond, Fredericksburg and Potomac rail road and the Richmond and Petersburg rail road in Richmond, and between the Richmond and Petersburg rail road and Petersburg rail road in Petersburg.

        No. 8. A bill to compel turnpike and plank road companies remove dead and dangerous timber.

        No. 9. A bill to suspend sales and legal proceedings in certain cases, and to repeal an ordinance to provide against the sacrifice property, and to suspend proceedings in certain cases, passed on the 30th day of April 1861, by the convention of Virginia.

        No. 12. A bill authorizing the governor to make a requisition upon the salt works of Washington and Smyth counties, for one hundred thousand bushels of salt, to be distributed according to the necessities of the people of this commonwealth, upon their paying the cost thereof.

        On motion of Mr. PRINCE, the house adjourned until to-morrow, 12 o'clock.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 13, 1861.

        Prayer by Rev. Mr. Bennett of the Methodist church.

        Mr. BLUE, from the committee of privileges and elections, presented the following reports:

        A report declaring the seat of Mr. WILLIAMSON, from the counties of Gilmer, Calhoun, Wirt and a part of Roane, vacant.

        A report declaring the seat of RATCLIFFE, from the county of Wayne, vacant.

        Mr. BARBOUR, from the committee on finance, presented the following reports:

        An adverse report to the petition of Edw'd B. Bales, commissioner of the revenue of Lee county, asking to have refunded a sum of money erroneously charged against him.

        An adverse report to the petition of Archibald Davis, to have a sum of money refunded, paid by him on account of license tax.

        Mr. ANDERSON, from the special committee to whom had been recommitted

        No. 4. A bill to prevent extortion in salt, reported a substitute therefor.

        On motion of Mr. BARBOUR, leave was given the committee on finance to sit during this day's session of the house.

        On motion of Mr. PRINCE,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of reimbursing the cities, towns and counties for equipping the volunteers of this state.

        On motion of Mr. PAYNE,

        Resolved, that the committee for courts of justice enquire into the expediency of so modifying the usury laws of this commonwealth, that in contracts hereafter entered into for the lending of money, the borrower may obligate himself to pay such taxes as the state of Virginia or the Confederate States may levy on said money.

        Mr. CAZENOVE presented the petition of C. A. Baldwin & Co., asking that they may be permitted to sell goods in Richmond city under the state license obtained by them in the county of Culpeper; which was ordered to be referred to the committee on finance.

        On motion of Mr. NEWTON,

        Resolved, that the committee on finance enquire into the expediency of granting to sheriffs and other officers further time for the collection of taxes, in whole or in part, in counties or cities, where, from peculiar circumstances arising out of a state of war, they have been or shall be unable to make collections.

        On motion of Mr. WOOLFOLK,

        Resolved, that leave be given to withdraw from the files of the house of delegates of the last session bill 224, and that the same be referred to the select committee on free negroes.

        Mr. FORBES presented the petition of Cyrus Cross, jailor of Fauquier county, in relation to charges for board of persons confined in jail; which was ordered to be referred to the committee for courts of justice.

        A message was received from the senate by Mr. DICKINSON, the senator from Prince Edward, who informed the house of delegates that the senate had agreed to certain joint resolutions in relation conferring with the president of the Confederate States in relation salt, and to correspond with the lessees of the Washington a Smyth salt works.

        The SPEAKER announced the following committees under the resolutions:

        Committee to confer with the president of the Confederate States: Messrs. Collier, Newton, Hunter, Edmunds, Bouldin, Tate and Gordon.

        Committee to correspond with the lessees of the salt works: Messrs. Anderson of Rockbridge, Forbes, Ward, Thomas, Staples, Steger, Bass, Flood and Baskervill.

        On motion of Mr. BUFORD,

        Resolved, that the committee of claims be instructed to enquire into the expediency of making compensation to George C. Cabell, for certain services as attorney for the commonwealth for the town of Danville, rendered by him during the years 1860 and 1861.

        The SPEAKER laid before the house a communication from E. Boutwell, late commander U. S. navy; which was read and laid the table.

        No. 11. A bill amending the charter of the town of Fredericksburg, was read a second time, and ordered to be engrossed and read a third time.

        No.