General Assembly of Virginia,
Extra session.
Senate.
Friday, May 9, 1862.
The Senate was called to order by
Lieut.,
Governor Montagu, at 12 M.
The Clerk presented the following
House bills, in the passage of which the Senate was asked to concur:
A bill providing for executing the sentence of death in certain cases.
The bill was read a third time, the rules being suspended for that purpose, and on motion of
Mr. Johnson, passed.
A bill to re-enact and amend chapter 207 of the Code of
Virginia.
The bill was read a third time, the rules being suspended, and passed, on motion of
Mr. Johnson.
A bill to amend and re-enact section 5th 2 5th chapter, Code of
Virginia.
On motion of
Mr. Alderson, the rules were suspended, the bill was read a third time, and passed.
A message was received from the House of Delegates announcing the passage of a bill authorizing county courts to purchase salt and distribute it among the people, and provide payment for the same.
On motion of
Mr. Thompson, the rules were suspended, and the bill read a third time, when
Mr. Johnson presented a letter from the lessees of the salt works in regard to the supply of salt, which was read by the
Clerk.
The letter recommends, in order to keep the salt out of the hands of the speculators, that the salt be purchased by the county courts and distributed to the people.
It stated that the lessees felt confident of their ability to furnish 20 pounds to each citizen of the
State now in our lines the price of the salt to be St. per bushel.
The letter further affirmed that if the Legislature were not satisfied with this action, that they would cheerfully lease the works to the
State.
The letter having been read by the
Clerk, the bill was read a third time and passed.
A bill to amend and re-enact 1st section, chapter 203, Code of
Virginia.
On motion of
Mr. Ball, the rules were suddens the bill read a third time and passed.
On motion of
Mr.Branson, of
Lewis, the committee to whom was referred the act prescribing the effect of a judgment in favor of the
Commonwealth against a deceased person," were discharged from its further consideration.
The bill was read a third time (he rules being suspended) and passed.
The standing committees were called upon for reports.
None were offered.
Mr. Ball, of
London, offered the following resolution, which was adopted:
Resolved, That the
Committee on Military affairs inquire into the expediency of so amending the first section of an act entitled "an act to authorize the organization of ten or more companies of rangers," passed February, 27, 1862, as to authorize the
Governor to commission as officers citizens of counties which have been occupied by the enemy since the passage of said act.
Mr.Nelson offered the following resolution:
Resolved, That the
Committee on Military Affairs inquire into the expediency of organizing and maintaining, during the war, an army of the
State of Virginia.
Adopted.
Mr. Whitten asked leave to offer a bill to authorize the organization of Rangers for certain counties.
The bill was read a first time.
Mr. Pate offered the following resolution;
Resolved, That the Senate will, on the 12th day of May, proceed, in conformity with the ordinances of the
Convention, to fill vacancies from the — and — districts.
Laid on the table.
On motion of
Mr. Newman, the Senate resolved itself into secret session, and after remaining some time therein, the doors were opened.
On motion of
Mr. Quesenberry, members of the House of Delegates were admitted to the sessions of the Senate when sitting in secret session.
On motion of
Mr. Alderson, it was resolved that the
Committee on Finance inquire into the expediency of reporting a bill a compensate
Jas. B. Westiatte for supporting a lunatic, in the county of
Fayette.
A message was received from the House of Delegates announcing the passage of a preamble and resolutions in reference to the state of the country, (the same as those reported in the Senate proceedings of yesterday.) The resolutions were, on motion, concurred in.
Mr. Beanson offered the following:
‘
Resolved, by the General Assembly of Virginia,, That the Beard of Public works be and they are hereby authorized to pay to
L. D. Haymond, or his legal representative, the sum of one hundred and sixteen dollars, for locating parts of the Elk River Turnpike road, one of the appropriation made to said road by act of Assembly.
’
Mr. Beannon asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill providing for the issue of Treasury notes in sums of one dollar. The bill was read a first time.
On motion of
Mr. Marshall, House bill refunding to
William W. Hume,
Sheriff of
Fauquier county, damages paid by him as such.
The bill was read a third time, and was rejected for want of a constitutional majority.
On motion of
Mr. Neeson, the bill was reconsidered and laid on the table.
On motion of
Mr. Johnson, the regular hour for meeting was fixed at 12 M, unless otherwise ordered by the Chair.
On motion of
Mr Hart, the Senate adjourned.
House of Delegates.
Friday, May 9, 1862.
The
House re-assembled at the usual hour of twelve, and the proceedings were opened with prayer by
the Rev. Mr. Duncan.
Mr. Bouldin offered a resolution, which was adopted, instructing the
Committee on Military Affairs to inquire into the expediency of reorganizing the military force of the
State between the ages of thirty-five and forty-five
On motion of
Mr. Burks, the engrossed bill authorizing the
County Courts to purchase salt for the benefit of the citizens of each county was taken up and passed.
On motion of
Mr. Anderson, of
Botetourt, the Senate resolutions asking of the
Confederate States Government the restoration of
Brig.-Gen. Floyd to his command, were referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs.
The report of the special committee to whom was referred so much of the
Governor's message as related to the removal of slaves from counties threatened or invaded by the enemy, was received and laid on the table.
The report consists of the following resolutions:
‘
Resolved, by the General Assembly of Virginia, 1st.
That in view of the great loss to which the owners of slaves and the public generally in those portions of the
State overrun, or likely to be overrun, by the enemy are exposed, by the demoralization and escape of the slaves, the
President of the
Confederate States is hereby respectfully requested to employ and take into the public service, so far as their services may be required, and the public interests permit, the able-bodied slaves from such portions of the
State; and that where any portion of the
State is likely to be abandoned, such previous notice as may not be meonsistent with the public interests be given to the owners of slaves as will enable them to take the proper steps for their removal.
’
Resolved, 2d, That the owners of slaves in those portions of the
State likely to be overrun by the enemy, are advised to remove their slaves to a place of safety — the sooner the batter
And, whereas, in those portions of the
State overrun by the enemy the laws of this Commonwealth are still in force, and those of the enemy who are guilty of offences are at least as liable to punishment as our own citizens:Therefore,
Resolved, 3d. That such of the enemy as are guilty of offences against our laws who may be apprehended, should be tried and punished according to the law, and that the
Governor of the
State be requested to offer a reasonable reward for the apprehension of all those who may be guilty of enticing our slaves to escape, or advising, or conspiring with a slave to rebel or make insurrection, or of stealing slaves, or of any felony, and upon any such being apprehended to bring him to trial and punishment, in accordance with the laws of the
State.
On motion of
Mr. Treadway, a committee of nine was appointed to inquire into what action may be necessary to secure an adequate supply of salt for the people of
Virginia.
The Speaker named
Messrs. Treadway,
Flood,
Buford,
Crockett,
Forbes,
Gorden,
Saunders, of
Franklin,
Shannon, and
Tyler, to constitute the committee.
On motion of
Mr. Forbes, a committee of three was appointed to bring in a bill for the relief of
Wm. M. Rume,
Sheriff of
Fauquier, from damages, to the extent of $532.64, paid by him under circumstances worthy of consideration.
The committee, consisting of
Messrs. Forbes,
Burks and
Harrison, brought in a bill in a few minutes, directing the
Auditor of Public Accounts to pay the amount; which was passed — ayes 72 nose 3
The resolution offered a few days ago by
Mr. Woonson, declaring the
Confederate Conscription act unconstitutional, but counselling a patriotic obedience to it, was called up by
Mr. Hunter, who offered a substitute, declaring the act perfectly constitutional, and advising obedience &c; which, together with the original, was laid upon the table, without discussion.
The Speaker presented to the
House a letter of resignation from
Charles T. Friend,
Esq, the delegate from
Chesterfield, upon which.
Mr. Rives offered a resolution, which was adopted, fixing the 22d inst as the day upon which the vacancy shall be filled by election the resignation of
Mr. Friend, at his own instance, taking affect on the 20th.
The
House then went into secret season on the
River Defences.
