Legislature of Virginia.
Senate.
Monday, Dec. 16, 1861.
The Senate was called to order at 12 o'clock. Prayer by
the Rev. Dr. Read of the Presbyterian Church.
The Salt Supple.
A communication was received from the House of Delegates, announcing the adoption of a joint resolution for the appointment of a committee to visit the
Salt Works in
Smyth and
Washington counties, and asking the concurrence of the Senate therein.
The resolution was laid on the table, with a view to awaiting a report from the committee already appointed to open a correspondence with the proprietors of the
Salt Works.
Railway Connections.
The President laid before the Senate a communication from the
Executive, calling the attention of the General Assembly to the importance of extending the
Covington and Ohio Railroad, and of forming a connection between the
Orange and
Alexandria, Manassas Gap, and
Richmond and Fredericksburg Railroads.
Laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
The blockade of the ports.
The President laid before the Senate a communication from the
Executive, transmitting a communication from the
Governor of
Tennessee embodying joint resolutions of the Legislature of that State to open the ports of the
South to the commerce of the world.
Laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.
The holidays.
Mr. C. Y.
Thomas offered the following resolution, which was laid upon the table:
‘
Resolved, (the House of Delegates concurring,) that when the Senate adjourns on Saturday the 21st of the present month, it be to meet on the 2d January, 1862.
’
Resolutions of Inquiry.
By
Mr. Alderson--Of raising an army of 10,000 men for the exclusive purpose of the defense of this State.
By
Mr. Carraway--Of providing an increase of the compensation allowed to sheriffs and jailors for keeping and supporting persons confined in jail.
By
Mr. Spitler--Of incorporating the
Cotton Manufacturing Company in the county of
Shenandoah.
[A bill was subsequently reported.]
By
Mr. Robertson--Of amending or repealing the laws in relation to condemned slaves.
By
Mr. Johnson--Of amending section 11 of chapter 29 of the Code of 1860, as to exempt property of persons in the military service of the
State from distress for rent.
Bill rejected.
The bill to compensate
Peter P. Penn for the loss of his slave Albert, was put upon its passage, and decided in the negative — ayes 9, noes 18.
On motion of
Mr. Johnson, the Senate adjourned.
