House of Delegates.
Friday, Feb. 1st, 1861.
The House was called to order at 12 o'clock M., by Speaker Crutchfield, and opened with prayer by Rev. M. D. Hoge, of the Presbyterian Church.
A message was received from the Senate announcing that body had passed bills entitled ‘ "an act to authorize the Governor of the Commonwealth to pardon a negro slave, Tom, and restore said slave to his owner;"’ and ‘"an act to stay the proceedings on executions, trust deeds, and other demands, in cases of refusal to receive bank notes." ’ [Both bills were read twice, and referred to Committee of Courts of Justice.]
Resolutions.--The following resolutions of inquiry into expediency were offered and referred: By Mr. Evans, of reporting a bill for the voluntary enslavement of George Woodson and Sucky Woodson, free persons of color, in the county of Buckingham; by Mr. Saunders, of chartering the Citizens' Insurance Company of the city of Richmond; by Mr. Watson, of consolidating the administration of the Virginia and Tennessee Railroad, South-Side Railroad, and Norfolk Railroad; by Mr. Crump, of refunding to Peter B. Crowder a sum of money improperly paid into the Treasury by him.
Engrossed Bill.--House bill for amending the 107th section of the 35th chapter of the Code of Virginia, and providing for the correction of erroneous assessments of taxes on land, was read twice, and, on motion, ordered to be engrossed.
Bills Passed.--House bill releasing the Commonwealth's claim to a certain island in Chesapeake Bay to Edmund J. Paulson, was called up on motion of Mr. Watson, of Accomac, and being explained by him, was read the third time and passed.
The House also passed a bill relieving the Sheriff of Jefferson county from certain penalties.
Reports from Committees.--Mr. Magruder, from the Committee on Propositions and Grievances, reported a bill to amend the 4th and 5th sections of the act of 1854, and the 4th section of the act 1856, concerning mining and other companies; Mr. Magruder, from the same committee, presented an adverse report to the petition for the formation of a new county out of parts of Monroe and Fayette; Mr. Haymond, from the Finance Committee, reported a bill for the partial suspension of the sale of State bonds, and to provide for complying with contracts already made upon the Covington and Ohio Railroad. --Mr. Haymond, from the same committee presented an adverse report to the petition of Wm. Stration, Clerk of the County and Circuit Courts of Logan, asking that certain fines imposed and paid by him be refunded.
Mr. Gibson, from the Committee on Banks, presented an adverse report to amending 1st section, chapter 58 of the Code of Virginia.
Mr. Gibson, from the same committee, presented a report, asking that the Committee on Banks be discharged from the further consideration of a resolution inquiring into the expediency of repealing the 9th section of chapter 144 of the Code, and that the same be referred to the Committee on Courts of Justice.
Concurred in.
Laid on the Table.--The bill refunding to Benj.
and Isaac Deford a certain sum of money paid on an erroneous assessment, was laid on the table.
Hon. John Tyler's Mission.--A message from the Governor was laid before the House, enclosing a communication from the Hon. John Tyler relative to his journey to Washington under the instructions of the Legislature.--The message and documents being read by the Clerk, were, on motion, laid on the table and ordered to be printed.
The House adjourned. 