Senate.
Monday, Jan. 28, 1861. Called to order at 12 o'clock, Mr. Brannon in the chair. Prayer by the Rev. J. A. Duncan, of the Broad street Methodist Church. A communication from the House was read, announcing the passage of numerous bills. Reports of Committees.--The following bills were reported from the appropriate committees: A bill transferring the Huttonsville and Huntersville Turnpike Road to the counties through which the same passes; a bill to amend and re-enact the first and third sections of an act entitled ‘"an act to incorporate a company to construct, on the plan of James S. French, a railroad between Alexandria and Washington, passed Feb. 27, 1854;"’ a bill incorporating the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Alexandria, and the petition of David Haas, and others, in favor of the same; a bill to incorporate the Parkersburg Bridge Company. Petitions Presented.--Of George W. Payne and fifty-eight others, in regard to the county seat of McDowell; of James Hewitt and others, for return of taxes paid by them on erroneous assessments on lands in Kanawha county; of D. Hass and others, for incorporating the Hebrew Benevolent Society of Alexandria. Resolutions.--The following resolutions of inquiry were referred: By Mr. Nash, of incorporating the Merchants' Savings Bank of the town of Manchester; by Mr. Neal, of providing a more summary mode of dispossessing tenants, in certain cases; by Mr. Newton, of incorporating the Aid Society of the Western Virginia Conference of the Methodist E. Church; by Mr. Christian, of releasing the Commonwealth's right to a certain island in Chesapeake Bay to Edward J. Poulson; by Mr. Thomas, of F., of allowing Jane Horton, a free woman of color, to enslave herself to Julia M. Jameson, without payment of any part of her value. On motion of Mr. Wickham, it was Resolved, That the Auditor of Public Accounts be requested to inform the Senate as to what will be the probable deficiency in the Treasury, on the 30th day of September, 1861, after providing for the payment of all appropriations already made at this session of the General Assembly, and for such other appropriations as, in his judgment, are likely to be made; and of the extent of the increase of the present tax bill that it would be probably necessary to make to meet such deficiency, if it should be determined to provide for it by an increase of taxes, and that he present to the Senate his views as to the best mode of meeting such deficiency. Communication from the Governor.--A communication was received from Gov. Letcher, transmitting a communication from Governor Hicks, of Maryland, together with one from the Governor of Georgia, with a copy of the ordinance passed by the Convention of that State.--Laid on the table and ordered to be printed. The following is the letter of Gov. Hicks:Executive Chamber,
Annapolis, January 24, 1861.
Dear Sir:
I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of a printed copy of the resolutions adopted by the General Assembly of Virginia on the 19th inst., appointing Commissioners to meet in Washington on the 11th February, ‘"to consider, and, if practicable, agree upon some suitable adjustment."’
I take pleasure in assuring you that Commissioners from Maryland will meet those from Virginia and other States in Washington on the day named.
I am rejoiced that Virginia has made this move, and trust that it will be met in a corresponding spirit by other States.
If so, we may anticipate the best consequences from this patriotic action on the part of Virginia. Dear Sir:
I have the honor to be, very truly yours.
Thos. H. Hicks.
His Excellency John Letcher, Gov'r of Virginia.
Thos. H. Hicks.
His Excellency John Letcher, Gov'r of Virginia.
