sury; and praying that the money due to the estate of the said Allyne may be discharged out of the money arising from the sales of the said Sprowle's and Stewart's estates, for the benefit of the said Allyne's creditors.

Also, a petition of Charles Jones; setting forth, that he was agent to a detachment of infantry belonging to the Virginia line, and as such has received the certificates for the arrears of pay due to the officers and soldiers, and delivered them to the individuals to whom they belonged; and praying that he may receive some compensation for his

services.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee of Claims; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

Ordered, That Messrs. Nelson, Richard Bland Lee, Bernard Moore, and Dandridge, be added to the select committee appointed to take under their consideration the finances of the State.

A motion was made, that the House do come to the following resolution:

Resolved, That the present taxes imposed on salt, white males and negroes under sixteen, ought to be repealed, so soon as other taxes can be substituted, which will be equally productive, less impolite, unequal and unjust.

And the said resolution being twice read was, on a motion made, ordered to be referred to the committee of the whole House on the state of the Commonwealth.

Mr. Innes reported, from the committee for Courts of Justice, that the committee had, according to order, examined what laws had lately expired, and inspected such temporary laws as will expire at the end of this session, or are near expiring, and had agreed upon a report, and come to several resolutions thereupon, which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the clerk's table, where the same were again read, and are as followeth :

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the act of Assembly, passed in the year 1781, entitled "an act, for adjusting claims for property impressed, or taken for public service," which was continued by several subsequent acts, and which expired on the 1st of September last, ought to be revived and continued.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the act of Assembly, passed in the year 1784, entitled "an act, to revive and amend in part an act, entitled 'an act, for giving further time to enter certificates for settlement rights, and for locating warrants upon pre-emption rights, and for other purposes," which was continued by several subsequent acts, and which will expire on the 1st day of November next, ought to be farther continued.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the act of Assembly, passed in the year 1785, entitled “an act, empowering the Governor, with the advice of the Privy Council, to grant conditional pardons in certain cases," which will expire the last day of December next, ought to be farther continued.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the act of Assembly, passed in the year 1785, entitled “an act, authorising the treasurer to receive specie into the treasury by weight," which will expire at the end of the present session of Assembly, ought to be further continued.

The 1st, 2d and 4th resolutions, being severally read a second time were, on the question put thereupon, agreed to by the House.

The 3d resolution, being read a second time was, on a motion made, ordered to be committed to a committee of the whole House, on Tuesday next.

Ordered, That a bill or bills, be brought in pursuant to the 1st, 2d and 4th resolutions; and that the committee for Courts of Justice, do prepare and bring in the same.

The orders of the day, for the House to proceed by joint ballot with the Senate, to the choice of five delegates to represent this Commonwealth in Congress for one year from the 1st Monday in November next; and for the House to resolve itself into a committee of the whole House on the state of the Commonwealth, being read;

Ordered, That the same be put off till to-morrow.

And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, 11 o'clock.

SATURDAY, October 28, 1786.

Several other members having taken the oaths required by law, took their seats in the House.

A petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of James City, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that although they have always been, and still are disposed to bear their proportion of the public burthens, yet they cannot help conceiving that the taxes now imposed for the payment of the public debt are extremely burthensome; that a considerable part of the annual revenue of the State, is now appliedto the payment of the principal and interest of the certificates granted to the officers and soldiers for their services during the late war, although the greatest part of them are now in the hands of those who purchased them for much less than their nominal amount; that they conceive the public may, with great propriety, redeem these certificates at their present depreciated value: by which means the principal of the debt will be considerably diminished and those taxes lessened which are now necessary for paying the interest of it; and praying that such measures may be pursued as the wisdom of the Legislature shall think best calculated to do justice to the public creditors, and afford relief to the people.

Also, a petition of Robert Parker; setting forth, that the frequent and great rains during the last summer, have prevented the proprietors of mills on the South Branch of Potomac river, from making the proper slopes through

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their dams for the passage of fish, within the time limited by an act of the last session of Assembly; and praying that the same may be extended for a reasonable period.

Also, a petition of Jane Todd, widow and executrix of John Todd, late of Fayette county, deceased, and of Robert Todd, executor of John Todd; setting forth, that their testator having vested the greatest part of his personal property in the purchase of land warrants and pre-emption and settlements rights, which have been located in the Kentucky district, died considerably indebted, leaving an only daughter, his heir at law, who is under age; that his negroes and personal estate must be sold for the payment of his debts, unless the executors are authorised to sell part of the lands of which he died possessed, which will be less injurious to the heir at law than the sale of the negroes; and praying that an act may pass to that effect.

Also, a petition of Paul Carrington, Miles Selden, and Joseph Carrington, administrators of Josephi Mayo, deceased; setting forth, that their testator, in the year 1780, left this country and went to Europe, having previously made his last will and testament, in which he earnestly desires that his executors may petition the General Assembly to emancipate all the slaves he may die possessed of; that his personal estate is insufficient for the payment of his debts, which involves them in a great difficulty on the subject; and praying that an act may pass for emancipating all the said slaves under such regulations and restrictions as may have a due regard to the intentions of the testator, to the interest of just creditors, and to the claims of the legatees under the said will.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee of Propositions and Grievances; that they do examine the matter thereof and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

Ordered, That Mr. Jones of Dinwiddie, be added to the committees of Commerce, and Privileges and Elections; Messrs. Brent, Rose, Lawrence, Upshaw, Burwell and Gregory to the committees of Propositions and Grievances, and Claims; Mr. White to the committee of Claims; and Messrs. Madison, Nelson and Page to the committees for Religion, Courts of Justice and Claims, also, to the committee appointed to take under their consideration the finances of the State.

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill, "to amend the act, for incorporating the town of Alexandria; and that Messrs. David Stewart, Archibald Stuart, Peyton, and Richard Bland Lee, do prepare and bring in the same. A petition of John Gunn and William Price, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that the directors of the public buildings have taken into the square set apart for the capitol, sundry lots of land with valuable improvements thereon, belonging to the petitioners, which have been valued agreeably to the law; and praying that the amount of the said valuation, with interest thereon, may be paid to them.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee of Claims; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

Mr. Inues reported, from the committee for Courts of Justice, that the committee had, according to order, further examined what laws and resolutions had lately expired or are near expiring, and had come to a resolution thereupon; which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the clerk's table, where the same was again twice read, and agreed to by the House, as followeth :

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the time allowed by a resolution of the last Assembly for the settlement of the claims of officers and soldiers, which expired on the last day of August last, ought to be further continued; and that the auditors should be directed to liquidate and settle all just claims of officers and soldiers, and of those of the staff department who are entitled by law to the arrears of pay and depreciation, that shall be presented to them on or before the 1st day of September next; and to grant certificates as usual for what shall be found due thereon; the same having been first allowed by the commissioners heretofore appointed for examining the said claims. Ordered, That Mr. Innes do carry the resolution to the Senate, and desire their concurrence.

On a motion made,

Ordered, That the committee for Courts of Justice discharge from the Journals of the last session of Assembly, the several petitions and propositions then depending and undetermined; and that all such petitions and propositions be delivered by the clerk of course, to the proper committees.

A petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Brunswick, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that in consequence of the ruinous trade which we have carried on with Great Britain since the termination of the late war, the State has been drained of its specie, and it has now become absolutely necessary, in order to afford a circulating medium for the internal business of the country, and to enable the people to discharge their public taxes, to emit a sum of paper money which shall be made a legal tender in all contracts made since the 19th April, 1775; that by this means a considerable part of the army debt may be discharged, and that part of the revenue now applied to the payment of the interest, appropriated to other purposes; and praying that the most effectual measures for this purpose may be pursued; and that such restrictions may be laid upon British trade to this country as will render it less baneful in its consequences.

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Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee of the whole House on the state of the CommonThe orders of the day, for the House to proceed by joint ballot with the Senate to the choice of five delegates to represent this Commonwealth in Congress for one year, from the 1st Monday in November next; also, for the House to resolve itself into a committee of the whole House on the state of the the Commonwealth, being read;

Ordered, That the same be put off till Monday next.

And then the House adjourned till Monday morning, 11 o'clock.

MONDAY, October 30, 1786.

The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the Governor, stating his wish to retire from office at the expiration of his present year; and that his name may not be put in nomination upon the election for the ensuing year; which was read, and ordered to lie on the table.

Ordered, That Mr. Dandridge, have leave to be absent from the service of this House, until Thursday fortnight. A petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Campbell, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that the State being by the unsuccessful trade which we have carried on for some years, drained of its specie, it is become expedient to emit a sum of paper money, which may answer the purof a circulating medium, and at the same time enable the State to discharge a considerable part of the army debt; and praying that the most effectual measures may be pursued to discharge this, and all other debts which bear an annual interest; and to afford such relief to the people as will enable them to discharge the public taxes with more ease and punctuality.

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Also, a petition of the members of the Presbyterian Church, in the town of Alexandria; praying that the religious society to which they belong may be constituted a body politic and corporate, by the name and style of the minister and committee of the first Presbyterian Church of Alexandria; and that the said society may be authorised to purchase and hold property for the benefit of their church, and vested with such other privileges and prerogatives as have been granted to other incorporated churches.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee of the whole House on the state of the Common

wealth.

The Speaker laid before the House, a letter from the commissioners appointed by the General Assembly at the last session, to meet such commissioners as might be appointed by the other States in the Union, to take into consideration the commerce of the United States, enclosing a copy of the proceedings of such of the said commissioners as met; which were read, and ordered to be committed to the committee of the whole House on the state of the Commonwealth.

Mr. George Nicholas reported, from the committee of Propositions and Grievances, that the committee had, ac-cording to order, had under their consideration several petitions to them referred, and had come to several resolutions thereupon; which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the clerk's table, where the same were again read, and are as followeth:

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Prince Edward, praying that an act may pass for the opening and extending the navigation of Appomattox river, is reasonable.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the petition of divers inhabitants of the county of Bourbon, praying that the same may be divided into two distinct counties, by a line to begin at the mouth of Licking creek; thence up the main branch thereof to the head; thence a direct line to the junction of the lines of Madison and Russell; thence with the line of Russell county to Big Sandy; thence down the same to the mouth; thence down Ohio river to the beginning, be rejected.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the petition of divers other inhabitants of the county of Bourbon, in opposition thereto, is reasonable.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Mercer, praying that an inspection of tobacco may be established on the lands of John Curd, at the confluence of the Kentucky and Dick's rivers, is reasonable.

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Bourbon, praying that 750 acres of land laid off for in and out lots in the settlement of Limestone, and county aforesaid, may be vested in trustees, and established a town, is reasonable.

The 1st, 4th and 5th resolutions being severally read a second time were, on the questions put thereupon, agreed to by the House.

The 2d and 3d resolutions being read a second time were, on a motion made, ordered to be recommitted to the same committee.

Ordered, That a bill or bills, be brought in pursuant to the 1st, 4th and 5th resolutions; and that the committee of Propositions and Grievances, do prepare and bring in the same.

The House being informed that Mr. George Pegram, one of the members for the county of Dinwiddie, was incapacitated by law at the time of his election;

Ordered, That the committee of Privileges and Elections, do inquire into the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

A petition of Matthew Godfrey, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that upon a late settlement of his accounts as escheator of the county of Norfolk, with the auditors, the Commonwealth is indebted to him in the sum of 414l., for which he has received warrants upon the treasury; that nearly the same sum is still due from the petitioner as county lieutenant of Norfolk, for the one-eighth per cent. tax imposed for recruiting the army, which has not yet been collected by him; and praying that he may be permitted to retain the said sum of money so due, in discharge of the warrants received by him upon the treasury.

Ordered, That the said petition be referred to the committee of Claims; that they do examine the matter there of, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

A petition of sundry inhabitants of the town of Alexandria and its vicinity, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that an Academy for the education of youth, has lately been established in a convenient situation near the said town; and praying that the trustees thereof may be incorporated; and that the money arising in the said town from the taxes upon billiard-tables and ordinary licences, be vested in the said trustees for the benefit of the said Academy.

Also, a petition of Simon Turner and John Turner, the only surviving men of the Nansemond nation of Indians; setting forth, that being unable through age and infirmities to cultivate a small tract of land belonging to their tribe, they have contracted to sell it for its full value; and praying that an act may pass for appointing trustees to make the conveyance, and receive the purchase money.

Also, a petition of Mary Arvin; setting forth, that her son John Askins received for his services in the army during the late war, a bounty of land, and is since dead, leaving neither wife or child; that as the said Askins was not born in lawful wedlock, the said land will escheat to the Commonwealth; and praying that the same may be granted to her.

Also, a petition of Billy Haley Avery, James Willison and James Belches, in behalf of themselves and others, members of the Cabin Point Royal Arch Lodge of Free-masons; praying that they may be permitted to raise by way of lottery, the sum of 500l. for the purpose of completing a lodge now building at Cabin Point for the use of the said society.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee of Propositions and Grievances; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

A memorial of Thomas Pindall, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that having been duly elected one of the delegates to represent the county of Monongalia for the present year, he conceives himself entitled to a seat in this House, notwithstanding the resolution which has declared him ineligible, the reason assigned therein being insufficient to support the determination; that the act of Assembly passed since the resolution which declares, that no deputy sheriff shall be eligible to either House of Assembly until he has been two years out of office and has settled his accounts with the public, is certainly repugnant to the constitution, by depriving individuals of one of the most valuable privileges vested in them by the constitution of our government, viz. that of representing their fellow citizens in the Legislature; and praying that the determination of the House may be reviewed with that deliberation the importance of the subject requires, the said act repealed, and the petitioner reinstated in his seat.

On a motion made,

Ordered, That the said memorial do lie on the table.

On a motion made,

Ordered, That it be an instruction to the committee for Courts of Justice, to examine and report from the Journal of the last session, such of the printed bills contained in the Revised Code, not being of a temporary nature, as were then depending and undetermined.

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill "to amend an act, entitled 'an act, to provide for the poor in the several counties within this Commonwealth; and that Messrs. John Nicholas, Matthews, Richard Lee, Griffin, David Stewart, Thornton, Innes, Thomas Smith, and Norvell, do prepare and bring in the same.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the Governor, enclosing an ordinance of Congress for establishing a board to liquidate and settle all accounts between the United States and individual States; which were read, and ordered to be committed to a committee of the whole House on the state of the Commonwealth.

On a motion made,

Resolved, That this House will, on Thursday next, proceed by joint ballot with the Senate, to the choice of a Governor or Chief Magistrate of this Commonwealth, for one year from the 13th day of November next ensuing. Ordered, That Mr. Madison do acquaint the Senate therewith.

The orders of the day, for the House to proceed by joint ballot with the Senate, to the choice of five delegates to represent this Commonwealth in Congress, for one year from the 1st Monday in November next; also, for the House to resolve itself into a committee of the whole House on the state of the Commonwealth, being read;

Ordered, That the same be put off till to-morrow.

And then the House adjourned till to-morrow morning, 11 o'clock.

TUESDAY, October 31, 1786.

Several other members having taken the oaths required by law, took their seats in the House.

Mr. Archibald Stuart presented, from the committee for Courts of Justice, according to order, a bill "for reviving and continuing the act, for adjusting claims for property impressed or taken for public service;" and the same was received and read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

Mr. Archibald Stuart presented, from the committee for Courts of Justice, according to order, a bill "for reviving, continuing and amending an act, 'to revive and amend in part an act, for giving further time to enter certificates for settlement rights, and for locating warrants upon pre-emption rights, and for other purposes;" and the same was, received and read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

Mr. Archibald Stuart presented, from the committee for Courts of Justice, according to order, a bill "for further continuing the act, 'authorising the treasurer to receive specie into the treasury by weight;" and the same was received and read the first time, and ordered to be read a second time.

The House proceeded to consider the memorial of Thomas Pindall, presented yesterday, which lay on the table; and the same being read, a motion was made, and the question being put, that the said memorial be referred to the consideration of a committee;

It passed in the negative.

Resolved, That the memorial be rejected.

A petition of William Haymond, surveyor of Harrison county, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that there is no law now in force, authorising the recovery of fees due to surveyors for services performed by them; and praying that an act may pass for that purpose.

Also, a petition of William Hinis, deputy surveyor in the county of Montgomery; setting forth, that whilst he was engaged in the execution of his office, most of his papers were burnt by accident, and amongst the rest sundry land warrants for 29,000 acres of land were so much injured as to be rendered useless; that, as he is unable to ascertain the numbers, he cannot procure duplicates; and praying such relief as the nature of his case requires.

Ordered, That the said petitions be referred to the committee of Propositions and Grievances; that they do examine the matter thereof, and report the same, with their opinion thereupon, to the House.

Ordered, That leave be given to bring in a bill “to amend the act, entitled 'an act, to amend the several acts of Assembly concerning the appointment of sheriffs;" and that Messrs. Archibald Stuart, Norvell, Matthews, Walker, Wills and Cabell, do prepare and bring in the same.

The House, according to the order of the day, resolved itself into a committee of the whole House on the state of the Commonwealth; and after some time spent therein, Mr. Speaker resumed the chair, and Mr. Matthews reported, that the committee had, according to order, had the state of the Commonwealth under their consideration, and had come to a resolution thereupon, which he read in his place, and afterwards delivered in at the clerk's table, where the same was again read and agreed to by the House, as followeth:

Resolved, that it is the opinion of this committee, That the duty on salt, white males and negroes under sixteen years of age, ought to be repealed, so soon as other taxes can be substituted as fully productive, more politic and equal.

Ordered, That it be an instruction to the committee of Finance, to report such subjects of taxation as, in their opinion, will be effectual to the purposes of the foregoing resolution.

Resolved, That this House will, to-morrow, again resolve itself into a committee of the whole House on the state of the Commonwealth.

A petition of Richard Taylor, was presented to the House, and read; praying that he may be allowed a bounty in lands, in consideration of his services in the American army, during the late war.

A motion was made, and the question being put, that the said petition be referred to the consideration of a committee, It passed in the negative.

Resolved, That the petition be rejected.

A memorial of sundry inhabitants of the county of Louisa, whose names are thereunto subscribed, was presented to the House, and read; setting forth, that they conceive that the Legislature have by their act, "for incorporating the Protestant Episcopal Church," given a preference to that religious society, which is extremely well calculated to excite the jealousy of all others; that the granting to that society the glebes and other property formerly belonging to the established church, is injurious to the rest of the community who contributed to the purchase of it; and praying that the said act may be repealed, and the property disposed of, for the benefit of the public.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Henrico, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Westmoreland, whose names are thereunto subscribed, in opposition thereto.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Brunswick, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Mecklenburg, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Dinwiddie, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of New Kent, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Gloucester, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Lancaster, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

Also, a petition of sundry inhabitants of the county of Nansemond, whose names are thereunto subscribed, to the same effect.

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