House of Delegates.
Tuesday, Feb. 12, 1861.
Speaker Critchfield called the
House to order at 12 o'clock M.
Prayer by
Rev. Mr. Woodbridge.
The
House was notified of the passage by the Senate of a number of bills.
Most of them were read a first time and referred to appropriate committees.
Senate Bill Passed.--Incorporating the Lynchburg Arms and Engine Manufacturing Company, and the
Springfield and Deep Run Coal Mining and Manufacturing Company.
House Bills Passed.--A bill amending the 1st section of the act forming the county of
Webster; a bill refunding to the securities of
Wm. H. Blanch, late
Sheriff of the county of
Mecklenburg, certain damages paid by them; incorporating the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Alexandria; incorporating the Springfield and Deep Run Turnpike Company; incorporating the
Richmond City Insurance Company.
Petition.--
Mr. McCamant presented the petition of
John Early and other citizens of
Carroll county, asking the incorporation of a Copper Smelting Company.
Secession Ordinance — Free Navigation of the Mississippi, &c. --The Speaker laid before the
House a message from
Gov. Letcher, transmitting a communication from
Thomas O. Moore,
Governor of the
State of Louisiana, enclosing a copy of the Ordinance of Secession, passed on the 26th of January last, accompanied by a copy of a joint resolution relative to the free navigation of the
Mississippi river.
The Governor sent in, also, communications from the Executives of the States of
Indiana and New York, enclosing resolutions adopted by the Legislatures of each of those States, in response to the resolutions adopted by the Virginia Legislature, on the 19th day of January, for the appointment of Commissioners to
Washington, charged with the duty of trying to heal the present difficulties.
The
Indiana resolves accepts the invitation of
Virginia ‘"in the true spirit of fraternal feeling,"’ and appoints five Commissioners, who "shall take no action that will commit this State, until nineteen of the States of the
Union are represented, and without first having communicated with this General Assembly in regard to each action, and having received the authority of the same so to commit the same.
Resolved, further, ‘"That we are not prepared to assent to the terms of settlement proposed by the
State of Virginia, &c.’
The New York resolves say: ‘That in thus acceding to the request of
Virginia, it is not to be understood that this Legislature approve of the propositions submitted by the General Assembly of
Virginia, or concedes the propriety of their adoption by the proposed Convention.
But, while adhering to the position she has heretofore occupied, New York will not reject an invitation to a Conference, which, by bringing together the men of both sections, holds but the possibility of an honorable settlement of our national difficulties, and the restoration of peace and harmony to the country.’
After being read, on motion, the several papers were laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
On motion of
Mr. Kemper,
Resolved, That the
House meet to-morrow at 11 o'clock, and thereafter at 12 o'clock, each day, till further ordered.
On motion of
Mr. McKenney, the
House adjourned.
