Virginia Legislature.
[Extra Session.]Senate.
Thursday, January 19, 1865.The Senate was called to order at noon. Prayer by Rev. Dr. McCabe, of the Episcopal Church.
Mr. Douglass, from the Committee on Military Affairs, reported back the bill providing compensation to General Samuel Cooper for the loss of a horse sustained by him in the service of the Commonwealth, with a recommendation that it be adopted.
Mr. Collier, of Petersburg, offered resolutions objecting to secret sessions on the part of the General Assembly of Virginia. They yeas and nays being called for, the resolutions were voted down by a vote of yeas, 3; nays, 26.
A resolution instructing the Committee for Courts of Justice to inquire into the expediency of increasing the fees of jailors was passed.
The Senate took from the calendar and passed the bill authorizing the clerks of the Circuit and County Courts of Warren to transcribe certain records.
A bill to organize the military forces of the State was laid on the table.
House resolution providing for the distribution of arms to the civil officers of the State was read the third time and passed.
A resolution, offered by Mr. Newman, of Mason, was passed, providing for the appointment of a committee of three to wait upon the President and tender, through him, an invitation to Captain Semmes, late commander of the Confederate steamer Alabama, to accept a privileged seat upon the floor of the Senate. The President appointed Messrs. Newman, of Mason, Keen and Thomas as said committee.
The following joint resolutions, which lie over under the rules, were introduced by Mr. Douglas, of King William:
"Resolved, by the Senate and House of Delegates of Virginia, in General Assembly conved, That the State of Virginia, having tered into the present contest with the United States, and made common cause with the Confederates to uphold and defend their rights and liberties from a common danger, is ready and anxious for the return of peace whenever the same can be obtained on terms honorable and just alike to herself and them, and in a manner calculated to secure for all time the precious objects for which we are contending; that the Legislature, representing the sentiment of Virginia, desires the constitutional department of the Confederate Government to avail itself of every favorable indication to negotiate for terms of peace; yet we solemnly deprecate any irregular action in the premises, either in the shape of a congressional commission or otherwise, as revolutionary and dangerous in character, violative of the faith mutually pledged by the States to each other in the adoption of the Confederate Constitution, and calculated, by distracting and dividing the minds of the people, to weaken our power of resistance, disintegrate these States, and place the people of this State especially at the mercy of the common enemy.
Adjourned.
House of Delegates.
The House convened at noon, and was opened with prayer by Rev. Dr. Burrows.The following new bills were introduced from committees:
A bill making an appropriation for the State Central Lunatic Asylum.
A bill amending the act relative to jailors' fees.
The special joint committee on the purchase of Bruce's life-size painting of General Robert E. Lee, for a State portrait, reported, and the report was laid upon the table.
Mr. Miller, of Russell, offered a resolution relative to bringing about a parole of all prisoners held on either side, leaving the question of exchange to be hereafter determined, and especially to secure the parole of the Sixty-fourth Virginia regiment, now held at Camp Douglas and Johnson's island, which resolution was adopted.
The following bills were passed:
A bill for the relief of Tucker Carrington, of Mecklenburg.
A bill for the relief of L. W. Macon, late sheriff of Albemarle county.
A bill for the relief of Benjamin Brinker.
