The Daily Dispatch: January 24, 1862., [Electronic resource]

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Virginia Legislature.
Senate.

The Vice President pre. tem., Mr. Johnson, called the Senate to order at 12 o'clock, when prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Woodbridge.

Mr. Sheffey, from the Committee of Conference, reported that the joint Committee recommended that at half-past 12 o'clock, the two Houses proceed to the election of Senators, and that the election of the two Senators be had at the same time.

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Communication from the Governor.

The President laid before the Senate the following communication from the Governor, dated the the 23d instant:

I transmit a communication received from Johnson J. Hooper, Esq., Secretary of the Provisional Congress, which, I am sure, will be read with satisfaction and pleasure by the members of the two Houses of the General Assembly, and the people of Virginia, and especially by the loyal citizens of those portions of the Commonwealth now in the possession of the enemy. It will re- assure all that the integrity of Virginia will be vindicated, and her ancient boundaries maintained.

Respectfully,
John Letcher.

The communication of Mr. Hooper, above referred to, was as follows:

"Sir: I have the honor officially to inform you that on this day — to wit: the 22d day of January, 1862--the Congress of the Confederate States of America did adopt a resolution whereof the following is a correct copy, to wit:

‘"Resolved, That the Congress heartily approves of the resolutions passed by the Legislature of Virginia, expressing her determination to vindicate the integrity of her ancient boundaries, and pledges all the resources of the Confederacy to uphold her determination."’

On motion, the communication was laid upon the table and ordered to be printed.

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Hollywood Cemetery.

The President also submitted to the Senate a communication of the Executive, recommending the purchase by the State or a suitable lot in the Hollywood Cemetery for the interment of the remains of the distinguished sons of Virginia. It was laid upon the table, and ordered to be printed.

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Bill presented.

Mr. Whittle, by leave, introduced a bill to take the sense of the people upon certain ordinances of the Convention. It was ordered to be printed.

Sundry bills were taken from the calendar, and received their first and second reading.

Mr. Isbell introduced a resolution to instruct the Committee on Banks to inquire into the expediency of repealing a bill reenacting and amending an act entitled, ‘ "An Act to incorporate the American Agency."’

By Mr. Dickinson, of Prince Edward:--Of so amending the existing laws in relation to the interest of the State as stockholder in internal improvements, "c., as to alter the mode of selecting State directors.

By Mr. Nash: Of granting immunity to such Savings Banks as had issued small notes before Jan. 1st, 1861 and prohibiting, under severe penalties, the issue of such notes by said Banks and other institutions not authorized, &c.

By Mr. Hart: For the incorporation of the ‘"Confederate Insurance Company."’

By Mr. Quesenberry: That the Auditor of Public Accounts inform the Senate how many acres of land in Virginia are now owned by persons residing in the United States, the names of the parties, and the number of acres owned by each.

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Election of Senators.

Mr. Coghill, on the part of the Senate's committee of conference, reported that the joint committee of conference had agreed to recommend that the two Houses proceed to the election of Senators at half-past 12 o'clock to-day, and that they elect both Senators at the same time.

To this recommendation the Senate, and subsequently the House, assented. The House, in communicating its adherence, announced its nomination of Messrs.Charles W. Russell, Wm. Daniels, jr., Wm. Ballard Preston, R. M. T. Hunter, and Wm. C. Rives as candidates for the said vacancies.

A message was shortly afterwards received from the House, announcing that the name of Mr. Daniels was withdrawn from the nomination of the House.

Messrs. Robertson, Douglas, Collier, Neeson, Christian of Augusta, Alderson, Newman, Hart, Brannan, Wylie, and Newlon severally addressed the Senate, urging the election of the nominees whom they severally preferred. Messrs. Collier, Christian, and Hart in behalf of Russell and Rives. Messrs. Robertson, Douglas, and Alderson for Messrs. Hunter and Preston, and Messrs. Neeson, Brannan, and Wylier, for Mr. Russell, of Wheeling.

Mr. Robertson, at the conclusion of the debate, stated that in view of the statements that had been made by several gentlemen, his opinions had undergone a change, and that he now believed it to be his duty to vote for Mr. Russell, instead of Mr. Preston.

The Senate then sent a communication to the House that they were ready to proceed to the election, and the names of the Senators were then called for their votes; when it appeared that those who voted for

Mr. Hunter, were--Messrs. Alderson, Armstrong, Bales, Branch, Brannon, Bruce, Carraway, Christian of Middlesex, Coghill, Day, Dickinson of P. Edward, Dickenson of Grason, Douglas, Early, Finney, Garnett, Greever, Harvey, Isbell, Johnson, Logan, Lynch, McKenney, Nash, Newman, Pate, Pennybacker, Quesenberry, Robertson, Spitler, Thomas of Henry, Thompson, Urquhart, Whittle, Wiley, and Witton.

For Mr. Preston--Messrs. Alderson, Ball, Branch, Christian of Middlesex, Coghill, Day, Dickenson of Grayson, Douglas, Early, Finney, Garnett, Greever, Johnson, Lynch, McKenney, Nash, Pate, Quesenberry, Thomas of Fairfax, Thompson, and Urquhart.

For Mr. Russell--Messrs. Armstrong, Bales, Brannon, Bruce, Christian of Augusta, Collier, Dickinson of P. Edward, Frazier, Hart, Harvey, Isbell, Logan, Marshall, Massie, Neeson, Newlon, Newman, Pennybacker, Robertson, Spitler, Thomas of Henry, Whittle, Wiley, and Witton.

For Wm. C. Rives--Messrs. Ball, Carraway, Christian of Augusta, Collier, Frazier, Hart, Marshall, Massie, Neeson, Newton, and Thomas of Fairfax.

Tellers were then appointed on the part of the Senate jointly with the tellers on the part of the House of Delegates to count the whole number of votes cast by both Houses; which duty having been performed, Mr. Newton, on behalf of the Senate tellers, made a report, which was announced as follows:

Whole number of votes cast	164
Necessary to a choice	83
Of these, Mr. Hunter received	140
Mr. Preston	88
Mr. Russell	62
Mr. Rives	23
Mr. Floyd	7
Mr. Daniels	2
Mr. J. M. Mason	1
Mr. Wise	1

Of these, Robert M. T. Hunter and William Ballard Preston having received the requisite number of votes, were declared to be duly elected Senators from Virginia in the Confederate Congress for the term of six years, commencing on the 18th day of February next.

Whereupon, at half-past 3 o'clock, the Senate adjourned.