Virginia State Convention,
Sixteenth day--(Second Session).
Richmond, July 04, 1861.
evening Session.
The Stay Law was first taken up on several amendments, chiefly providing for the payment of interest on debts thus suspended.
Mr. Cox said that of all the ordinances passed by this Convention at its last session, this Stay Law ordinance was the most unpopular in his county.
Mr. R. E. Scott, of Fauquier, urged his views on the subject.
Laid on the table.
Mr. James Basque, from the Committee on Confederate Relations, submitted a report stating that. "the President of the Confederate States agreed to receive into the Confederate service for twelve months any regiment, battalion or company, already organized, in cases where such organizations already formed may offer only for twelve months," &c.
Mr. Branch called up an ordinance in reference to the forcible employment on works of public defence of the free negroes of the State, between the ages of 18 and 50.
Amended so as to limit the period of service of such negroes, as teamsters, to 80 days. Carried.
Mr. Gray, of Rockingham, moved to except the negro barbers from this compulsory law, which was respected con amore. The Convention than secret session!
On open rs an ordinance was introduced in to Banks refusing to receive Treasury test of the Commonwealth at par with their own notes, and that Banks refusing to do so shall by the Governor be proclaimed as not solvent.
A resolution was submitted directing the Secretary to pay a full per diem to Mr. Lankhouse, now in the Provisional Army of the State, for his services as first Door-Keeper of this Convention.
Carried.
Mr. James Barbour, of the Committee on Federal Relations, submitted the following resolutions:
Resolved, That the Governor be requested, in accepting tenders of troops under any requisition of the Confederate Government, to give preference to companies which may elect omcers heretofore commissioned in the Provisional army of Virginia.
Resolved, That no officer in the Provisional Army of Virginia shall hereafter receive pay, except those who may be in actual service.
Resolved, That the Governor of this Commonwealth be requested to take the necessary measures to ascertain to what citizens of the Commonwealth, and in what amounts, the Government of the United States is indebted on account of services rendered said Government prior to the secession of Virginia and to report the facts to the Convention at its adjourned session.
Mr. Barbour supported the resolutions.--The resolutions were amended so as not to violate former pledges of the Convention, and were passed.
The following letter was received during the day:
Confederate States of America.,
Treasury Department,
"I have received your letter of the 38th inst., inclosing a resolution of the Convention of Virginia, tendering the use, to the Congress of the Confederate States, of the Hall and Committee Rooms of the House of Delegates.
In behalf of the Committee of Congress charged with the matter, I accept the offer, and request you to return our acknowledgements for the hospitality of the Convention. "Your obedient servant,
"C. G. Memmingsm, "For Committee of Congress"
"C. G. Memmingsm, "For Committee of Congress"
Mr. Baldwin offered a resolution, proposing to pay a merchant tailor of Richmond some fifty dollars for mending the coat, breeches and vest of Mr. Dent, one of the Northwestern traitors. Mr. Baldwin was sincere and conscientious in submitting the motion, but the House did not concur with him, and refused to foot the bill. At this moment the gas was extinguished, and we were all left promiscuously — reporters, members, &c.--in utter darkness. Mr. Cox, of Chesterfield, brought in a candle, and in a few moments afterwards the supply of gas was restored. A motion was then adopted to take up the ordinances as they lie on the Secretary's table. Mr. A. M. Barbour called an ordinance to pay the laborers at Harper's Ferry who remained loyal to the South, and thereby forfeited their pay from the Lincoln Government. Mr. Bouar urged the justice of the claims, and the ordinance was unanimously passed. A resolution was submitted authorizing the Board of Commissioners to audit accounts against this Convention and settle the same. On motion of Mr. Montagus, the Convention adjourned at 9 o'clock to the second Wednesday of November next,
