SLAVERY. - The most important movement in the legislature at this session was in relation to the black population of Virginia. Shortly after the meeting of the legislature on the 14th of December, a petition was presented from the Society of Friends, passed at the annual meeting, suggesting that legislative measures be taken for the gradual emancipation of slaves and for their removal from the State. A petition was also presented from the slave holders of the county of Hanover, praying that steps might be taken for the removal from the State of all free negroes and mulattoes.

A motion was made that the former petition be rejected, but after an animated debate, the motion was negatived 27 ayes, 93 nays, and the petition, together with the other petition, was referred to a committee appointed for the consideration of that subject.

On the 11th of January the topic was again agitated by the presentation of a resolution in the House of Delegates by Mr Morris, for an inquiry into the expediency of taking steps for the abolition of slavery.

This resolution was afterwards withdrawn, but Mr Goode moved a resolution to discharge the select committee from the consideration of the subject. To this resolution Mr Randolph moved an amendment, which proposed to submit the question of gradual emancipation and removal to the decision of the qualified voters in the State. An animated discussion then ensued, which terminated at a late hour of the night, and the next day an effort was made to take the question without further debate, but the house determined further to consider the subject, ayes 116, nays 7. An elaborate examination of this important subject in all its bearings was then commenced, in which the ablest and most eloquent members of the House participated. After a debate of thirteen days, the following preamble and resolution were adopted by a vote of 64 to 59:

Profoundly sensible of the great evils arising from the condition of the colored population of this

common

wealth induced by humanity as well as policy, to an immediate effort for the removal in the first place, as well of those who are now free, as of such as may hereafter become free: believing that this effort, while it is in just accordance with the sentiments of the cominunity on the subject, will absorb all our present means; and that a further action

for the removal of the slaves should await a more definite development of public opinion.

Resolved, As the opinion of this Committee, that it is inexpedient, for the present, to make any legislative enactments for the abolition of slavery.'

On the 28th of January, the select committee reported a bill for the deportation of free negroes from the State. This bill appropriated $100,000 for 1832, and $200,000 per annum for succeeding years for that purpose. After an alteration of the sums appropriated to $35,000 for 1832, and $90,000 for 1833, this bill was passed by the House of Delegates by a vote of 79 to 41. This bill excluded coercion, except as to those free negroes who remained in the State contrary to the law of 1806. It then provided for the deportation of all free negroes, and of such as may be emancipated, the owners not providing the means to some place beyond the limits of the United States, left to the discretion of the central board. This board is to consist of the Governor, Treasurer, and Auditor, ex officio, who are clothed with the power of appointing agencies at Norfolk, Petersburg or other places.

This bill did not pass into a law, having been defeated in the Senate.

An act was, however, passed March 15th, in reference to the black popula tion of the State, which was deemed necessary in consequence of the insurrection at Southampton in the summer of 1831. By this act all colored persons are prohibited from preaching or holding any assembly either for religious or other purpose, from attending any assembly held for the purpose of instruction by any colored person. Slaves are prohibited from attending meetings in the night, even when conducted by a white minister, without permission from their overseers. This act, however, is not to be construed to prevent licensed white clergymen from preaching to blacks in the day time, nor masters from employing white persons to give religious instruction to their slaves, nor the slaves of one owner from assembling at any time for religious worship.

All free negroes and mulattoes are prohibited from keeping any arms and ammunition under pain of forfeiture of the arms and of being whipped. And they are declared incapable of acquiring permanent ownership, except by descent, in any slave.

All colored persons are prohibited from disposing of any spirituous liquors within

a mile of any public assembly. Offenders against these provisions are to be whipped not exceeding thirtynine lashes at the discretion of a Justice of the Peace.

If any colored person assault a white person with intent to kill, he shall suffer death. Any colored person printing or circulating any pamphlet and advising persons of color to rebel, shall be whipped for the first offence, and for the second offence shall suffer death. A white person so offending shall be fined not exceeding one thousand dollars.

The act also contains provisions for the punishment of riots, larceny, &c. by free persons of color, and declares that any tree person knowingly receiving stolen goods from any colored person, shall be punished as if he stole them.

An act was also passed prohibiting the selling of any spirituous liquor to a slave without the written consent of his master, and inflicting a penalty of not more than fifty dollars on a master who gives a written permission to a slave to purchase spirit for the purpose of selling the

same.

An act authorizing the inhabitants of Northampton county to borrow fifteen thousand dollars to remove the free persons of color from that county.

An act prescribing the duty of patrols and the penalties for neglect of duty.

An act authorizing the governor to furnish arms and accoutrements to volunteer companies legally organized. The companies are required to attend regimental and battalion musters, and to have a company drill once a month. Persons serving seven years in volunteer companies are to be exempt from militia duty except in case of insurrection or

war.

An act authorizing a marriage license to be issued to infants having no father nor guardian, where the consent of the mother is given and proved in the manner prescribed by law.

An act authorizing the Board of Public Works, to assume the jurisdiction over that portion of the National Road passing through the Commonwealth of Virginia, whenever the Government of the United States shall consent to relinquish the same, and providing for the erection of toll-houses, and fixing the rates of tolls thereon.

An act providing for choosing Presidential electors, and seventeen acts respecting the local elections.

An act incorporating the James River and Kanawha Company, with a capital

of $5,000,000, and a power to augment the same. Of the additional capital the State reserves the right to take two-fifths, and takes $1,000,000 in the capital stock, and all over $3,000,000 not taken by private subscription. The object of the company is to connect James River with the Ohio by means of a rail road and canal to the great falls of the Kanawha, and thence by improving that river to the Ohio. The works to be commenced within two years and completed within fourteen years, or the charter is to be forfeited.

Acts were also passed providing for the improvement of Goose creek, Craig's creek, the Monongahela river, and for extending the Lake Drummond and Orapeake canal.

Acts were passed incorporating six rail road companies with a capital of $1,355,000, seven turnpike road companies, three bridge companies, ten manufacturing companies, one mining company, one insurance company, and five towns. There were also passed twentynine acts relating to common roads, of which eight authorized lotteries for repairing them: sixteen acts relating to certain bridges, of which four authorized lotteries: eight acts in relation to certain ferries, five acts authorizing the erection of certain dams: seventeen acts relating to certain towns, three acts in relation to forfeited lands, and an act providing for the inspection of Kanawha salt.

A resolution was passed remonstrating against the removal of the remains of Washington from the State pursuant to a resolution of Congress for the erection of a monument at the capital, and requesting the proprietor of Mount Vernon not to consent to such removal.

N. B. This consent was refused before the transmission of the resolution.

PHILOSOPHICAL AND HISTORICAL SOCIETY. A meeting was held at the capitol, in Richmond, on the 29th of December, 1831, for the purpose of forming a Philosophical and Historical Society, the object of which is to collect and preserve materials for a civil and physical history of Virginia, after the plan of the Historical Societies of Massachusetts and New York. A constitution designating the officers proper to be appointed and their duties, was immediately adopted, and signed, and the following officers were elected Chief Justice Marshall, President; Governor Floyd, first Vice President; President Cushing, second Vice President; John B. Clopton, Corresponding Secretary.

The State has also $730,000 in bank stock, which, with other investments, makes a public fund of about $1,000,000. The Governor (Montfort Stokes) in his message to the legislature November 22, 1831, says, that it would be impossible to conceal from the world and needless to disguise from ourselves, the fact that a certain class of the population of the State have become more discontented and ungovernable than heretofore. Fanatics of their own complexion, and other incen. diaries, have fomented these discontents, and have incited them in many instances to enter into conspiracies dangerous to the peace and safety of the country. To guard against these evils, which in all probability will continue, the utmost caution and prudence are necessary. Restrictive laws have been enacted without producing the desired effect; and the crimes committed in a late insurrection in an adjoining State, would seem to require further and early attention to this subject. Instead of multiplying severe and sanguinary laws to operate upon those who know little and care less about them, would it not be advisable to establish a more efficient and accountable police, and to arm and equip one or more companies of volunteers or detached militia in each county, to be called out, for one or more years, when required, and to be paid while in actual service? It is believed that such a force, in aid of the civil authority, would effectually secure the peace of the country; and the public arms belonging to the State, for which they might be held responsible, could not be placed in safer hands.

He further observes that

'I would willingly bring to your no

tice the important object of forming a navigable communication between the waters of the Albemarle Sound and the Atlantic ocean, north of Cape Hatteras, and would recommend the application of all the means in your power towards its accomplishment; but believing that, without the aid of the general government, the resources of the State are inadequate to the undertaking at this time, and the last general assembly having urged upon our members of Congress the propriety of claiming that aid, we must console ourselves with the hope that this great national work will receive the sanction and support of the national legislature. Having bestowed such immense sums towards the construction of roads and canals in other States, it is believed that this desirable object, so essential to the interests of North Carolina and of the Union, will not long be overlooked or neglected.'

LEGISLATION.- At this session of the legislature 49 public, and 120 private acts and 49 resolutions were passed.

Among the acts were

An act prohibiting, upon pain of being whipped not beyond 39 lashes, any person of color from preaching or exhorting in public or in any meeting where slaves of different families are assembled. Slaves are prohibited from going at large and exercising their discretion in the employmentf their time as freemen, and also from keeping house as freemen and exercising a similar discretion, and owners conniving at this offence are to be fined not more than $100.

An act directing the Sheriffs to hire out, for a period not exceeding 5 years, free negroes who are not able to pay any fine imposed upon them, to any person that will pay the fine. Free persons of color are prohibited from peddling without a license from the Court of Common Pleas of the county.

The act of 1830-31 subjecting vessels, with free persons of color on board, to 30 days quarantine is repealed.

An act pointing out the mode of calling out the militia in case of insurrection.

An act directing the governor in case of an insurrection among the slaves to issue a commission of Oyer and Terminer for the immediate trial of such slaves. In all trials of slaves for capital offences the defendant is to be entitled to a jury of slave-holders.

An act providing for the assignment

of dower and the partition of the real estate of deceased persons, where part of the land lies in North Carolina and part in other States.

An act declaring that where a death resulting from an assault shall happen in a county different from that in which the assault was made, the offender shall be indicted in the county where the assault was made.

An act declaring, that if any person with malice aforethought castrate another, he, together with his abettors privy to the offence, shall suffer death: if without malice aforethought, he shall be imprisoned not less than six months and fined at the discretion of the court.

This severe law was passed in consequence of the perpetration of this offence by Robert Potter,a member elect to Congress from that State, upon a young man and an aged clergyman when under the influence of unfounded jealousy.

For these assaults he was sentenced to the state prison for six months and two years; but public opinion was so

FINANCES.

The State debt amounted

Dec. 1831 to

much excited that a more severe punishment was enacted for the offence.

An act was also passed declaring, that any person displaying any false light and beacon on the sea coast for the purpose of deceiving mariners shall be fined and imprisoned at the discretion of the Court.

An act abolishing the punishment of cutting off the ears, except in cases of perjury or subornation of perjury in capital trials. In lieu thereof whipping is substituted.

Several acts were passed to prevent the obstruction of rivers.

Seventeen acts for the better regulation of the Courts of the different counties; 9 acts relating to the compensation of Jurors; 4 acts authorizing the erection of gates across the roads; and 21 acts relating to the militia, of which 17 companies were incorporated.

There were also incorporated 8 academies, 7 gold mining companies, 2 manufacturing companies, 1 library society, and 3 rail road companies, with a capital of $4,060,000.

1, 1831, was

The entire sinking fund Oct.

The capital of the state bank Profits of do. for 1831

$1,753,771

422,853 1,156,318 120,000 NULLIFICATION. The determination of a few political leaders in this State to dictate a course of policy to the General Government had been so energetically followed up, that after a vehement and protracted contest, they obtained complete control over the government of the State.

One of their first steps after becoming a majority in the legislature in 1830, was to elect James Hamilton, Jr. Governor; and an attempt was made to pass a law, authorizing a State convention with the view of nullifying the obnoxious laws of the national government. This attempt failed, as the majority of the nullifiers did not constitute

The associations which had been formed ostensibly for the promotion of Free Trade and State Rights, were unusually active in circulating tracts and addresses, illustrating their principles; and their orators and public men were constantly occupied in enforcing their views upon the public mind. Meetings were held and public dinners given for the purpose of bringing together the zealous and the lukewarm, and to impart, through the contagious influence of sympathy, the same ardent feelings to the mass, that glowed in the bosoms of the leading nullifiers.

As one of the modes devised to effect their object, payments were refused of bonds given for duties imposed under the tariff of 1828, and an attempt was made to bring the constitutionality of the act in question in the suits brought for their collection.

These bonds were given by Messrs Holmes, Masyck and Gadsen, to the United States, on an inportation made for the purpose of testing that question.

At the September term of the United States District Court 1831, Mr Gilchrist