The Daily Dispatch: January 19, 1861., [Electronic resource]

House of Delegates.

Prayer by Rev. C. H. Read, of the United Presbyterian Church.

Bills Reported.--The following bills were reported from Committees: For the temporary relief of the Banks of this Commonwealth; repealing sections 28, 29, 30, 31 and 32 of Chapter 58, of the Code of Virginia of 1860; providing for the completion of the Middle Fork Turnpike; amending the charter of the Sir John's Run Turnpike Company; amending the charter of the Raleigh and Grayson Turnpike Company; amending the charter of the Black Lick and Plaster Bank Turnpike Company; authorizing the trustees of the First Presbyterian Church, in Portsmouth, to execute a deed of trust on said property; for the voluntary enslavement of Siller Rich and children, without compensation to the State; to establish the county of Bland out of parts of Giles, Wythe and Tazewell; amending the 11th section of chapter 212 of the Code of Virginia.

Adverse Reports.--The Committee on Banks made an adverse report on the proposition to establish the Planters' Savings Bank in the city of Petersburg, and adopted a resolution that it is inexpedient under existing circumstances to incorporate any new Banks or branches; the Committee on Finance returned an adverse report on the petition of George I. Herring, Peyton Johnston and others, asking to be released from the payment of money as sureties of P. P. Winston, late Sheriff of the City of Richmond; also, a similar report on the petition of James A. Harris, and others, asking that James V. Thomas be released from the payment of a fine.

Resolutions, &c., Presented.--By Mr. Haymond, of allowing the sureties of P. P. Winston, late sheriff of Richmond city, longer time to pay their liability as such sureties, to the Commonwealth; by Mr. Gibson, of Jefferson, of paying Emory Edwards, for a negro man who was sentenced to be sold and transported by the County Court of Jefferson; by Mr. Brown, of reporting a bill for the voluntary enslavement of Clara, a free woman of color, and her children, in the county of Rappahannock; by Mr. Knotts, of withdrawing from the files of the last session, the petition from Gilmer and Braxton counties, praying that a portion of the county of Brax on be attached to the county of Gilmer; by Mr. Booker, of repealing the law requiring the publication of quarterly bank statements in the city papers, leaving so much of the law in force as requires them to be published by the banks in the towns and cities in which they are located, and that the banks of this Common wealth be required to make prompt quarterly returns of their conditions to the Executive Department; by Mr. Hoffman, of refunding to the executor of Chas. Holden the amount of a fine paid by him, and paying to the said executor certain commissions; by Mr. Sibert, of refunding to John J. Grandstaff, late sheriff of Shenandoah, a certain sum of money erroneously paid; by Mr. Jett, the proceedings of a meeting in Richmond county, in favor of a Convention.

Position of Virginia.--Mr. Wood, of Albemarle, offered the resolution of Mr. Newton, rejected yesterday, declaring the position Virginia would occupy in the contingency of a last alternative in a war between different sections of the Confederacy. The Speaker ruled the motion out of order.

Ordnance Department.--The bill to create an Ordnance Department, to consist of one Colonel of Ordnance, to be chosen by the Governor, with six subordinates, all to rank and receive pay as U. States officer of same grade, their duties being the same performed by the Ordnance, Quartermaster and Subsistence Departments of the United States Army, and to be governed by the articles of war, was taken up on motion of Mr. Kemper, and, being amended by the addition of a section providing that "the duties heretofore assigned to the Commissioners of the Armory shall be performed by the officers whose appointment is authorized by this act," was read the requisite number of times and passed — ayes 130.

State Defence.--On motion of Mr. Kemper, the bill appropriating one million of dollars for the defence of the State was taken up, and debated by Messrs. Haymond, Kemper, McKenzie and others.

The bill authorizes and requires the Colonel of Ordnance to purchase, under the direction of the Governor, such arms, &c., including machinery, &c., for altering and improving cannon and small arms, and for manufacturing equipments and munitions, as may be required for the defence of the State, and appropriates $800,000 for that purpose. The bill authorizes the Governor to employ an engineer to construct such coast, harbor and river defences as are immediately needed. The Governor is also authorized to acquire for such purpose, by purchase or condemnation, all sites, &c., necessary for the defensive works aforesaid, $200,000 is appropriated for the last mentioned purpose.

The vote on the passage of the bill was — yeas 120; nays 0.

Treasury Note Bill.--On motion of Mr. Haymond, the House proceeded to consider the bill "authorizing the issue of Treasury notes."

A motion was submitted by Mr. Bass, to send the bill back to the Finance Committee, to be amended.

Mr. Keen spoke in opposition thereto, saying that previous bills had appropriated sums of money not in the Treasury, and this bill was intended to supply it.

Mr. Yerby favored speedy action in the premises.

The motion to reconsider failed.

The vote on the passage of the bill resulted, ayes, 111; noes, none.

The Speaker congratulated the House on having done a good day's work.

1. The 1st section of the bill directs the Governor, for the purpose of raising means for the defence of the State, to authorize the Auditor to issue Treasury notes in sums of not less than $20, and not exceeding one million in amount.
2. The 2d section states that they shall be prepared under the direction of the Governor, and shall be made payable to the order of the lender, be redeemable in one year, bear 6 per cent, interest, and be received in payment of State indebtedness.
3. The 3d section makes the notes transferable by the endorsement of the lender to the bearer, and thereafter by delivery.
4. 4th. Persons paying taxes or dues to the State in such notes shall be allowed the interest due thereon up to the time of such payment.
5. 5th, Persons tendering the acts in payment for taxes or dues shall receipt thereon for the payment in full, and notes so endorsed shall not thereafter be issued.
6. 6th. The Auditor shall redeem, at the times payable, all such notes not received by the collecting officers, (sheriffs. &c.,) and if they are not presented within said time, shall advertise therefore.
7. 7th. Whenever $100,000, or upwards, of the same be returned to said Auditor, he shall cancel the same, and deliver them to the Treasurer; any time within two years from the date of the act, an equal amount to that so cancelled may be issued.
8. 8th. The Auditor and Treasurer shall keep an account of the number, date, &c., of the said notes, and the names of those to whom they have been made payable, and in like manner of all said notes redeemed and cancelled.
9. 9th. The sum of $2,000 is appropriated to engrave and print the notes — the places to be delivered to the Treasurer, and be by him destroyed, and said notes cease to be issued.
10. 10th. The provisions of the 3d, 4th and 6th sections, chapter 193, of the Code, applicable to Bank notes, shall be held to apply to the Treasury notes.
11. 11th. It shall be lawful for the Banks of the State to discount or purchase any note or notes issued under this act.
12. 12th. It is in force from its passage.