General Wsstmbty
-Abstract of such of the proceedings of the Legisla
ture as Ave consider interesting to our readers.
SENATE.
Thursday, Nov. 20.
Mr. Hoke presented a bill concerning
flic removal of causes for trial. (Provides
that where a cause is removed, it shall
have precedence of all business in the
Court of the county to which it is remo
ved.) Passed its first reading.
The Seriate entered on the orders of
the day, and proceeded to consider the
bill lo establish the Bank of North Caro
lina; when, on motion of Mr. Wilson, the
said bill was committed to a committee
of the whole House, and made the order
of the day for Tuesday next.
Friday, 30th.
Mr. Morris presented the petition of
sundry citizens of Anson, praying the
passage of an act to permit Ralph Free
man, a free man of color, to exercise the
functions of a Preacher. Referred.
Mr. Ilinlon presented a resolution, that
the committee on the Judiciary be in
structed lo enquire into the expediency of
giving the right to widows, where there is
no administrators, of filing petitions for
one year's support, and have the same
laid out in the same manner as if admin
istration had been granted. Read arid
adopted.
Saturday, Dec. 1.
Mr. Moore presented a bill to repeal
an act passed in 1830, to prohibit the cir
culation in this State of bank notes of
other States under S5. Passed its first
reading.
Monday, od.
Mr. Hawkins, from the joint select
committee on military affairs, to which
was referred a resolution suggesting the
propriety of exempting officers from fur
ther military duly, who may have held a
commission for five years, reported that
it is unnecessary to legislate on the sub
ject. Concurred in.
The bill to repeal the act prohibiting
the circulation within this State, of notes
of other States under S3, was taken up,
and after discussion, passed to a third
reading by a vote of 31 to 28. (Mr. Wil
son in the negative.)
On motion of Mr. Ilinton,the commit
tee en military affairs were instruct
ed to enquire into the expediency of
passing some general law whereby com
panies of cavalry, light infantry, rifle
corps, and artillery companies may obtain
the benefit of corporate powers.
Mr. Martin presented a preamble and
resolution, which was adopted, declaring
that the Constitution of this State is de
fective in some of its provisions, more es
pecially in its present mode of represen
tation; that the right of electing the Gov
ernor should be vested in the people;
that biennial meetings of the General
Assembly, subject to the call of the Gov
ernor, would enable it to discharge all its
necessary duties to the'eountry and be of
great saving to the fctate; and that the
seat of government be removed to some
place uniting more advantages than the
city of Raleigh and that these several
questions may be submitted directly to
the people of this State, the joint select
committee on the subject of a Conven
tion are instructed to enquire into the ex
podiemry of preparing amendments to
the Constitution of this State on theseve
ral subjects herein contained, with a view
to their being presented to the free peo
pie of this State, at their next August
elections, for their ratification or rejec
tion. Mr. Montgomery, of Hertford,
moved an amendment, which was agreed
to, instructing the said committee to en
quire into the expediency of limiting the
right of suffrage, in the election of mem
bers of the General Assembly to the free
white men of the State.
Tuesday, 4lh.
On motion of Mr. Wellborn, it'was re
solved, that the Senate do adjourn on to
morrow, at 12 o'clock, and that the use
of their chamber be tendered to the Elec
tors of President and Vice President, af
ter that hour. '
Mr. Seawell, from the judiciary com
mittee, to whom a resolution on the sub
ject was referred, reported a bill authori
zing widows of persons dying intestate to
file their petitions for a year s support be
fore letters of administration are grant
ed. Read the first time.
The bill to repeal the act to prohibit
the circulation of notes under 85, of oth
er Stoles, passed its third reading and
was ordered to be engrossed.
Wednesday, 5th.
Mr. Hinton presented a bill to secure a
homestead freehold to every citizen own
ing lands in this State. Read and or
dered to be printed.
Mr. Montgomery, of Hertford, from
the committee of propositions and grie
vances, made nn unfavorable report on
the petition, praying that Ralph Freeman,
a free man of color, be permitted to ex
ercise the functions of a preacher. Con
curred in.
Mr. Hinton presented a preamble and
resolution, which were adopted, declaring
thnr mfinv nf the .rrnod neonle of the State
regard that provision in the 3tl section of
our State Constitution, which requires as
a test of eligibility to office, the belief of
the truth of the Protestant religion, as
too intolerant for the present enlightened
state of society, as no longer necessary,
&c. and instructing the committee on
the subject of a Convention, if they con
clude to recommend any alterations in the
Constitution, to consider the expediency
of expunging therefrom the aforesaid
provision.
HOUSE Or COMMONS.
Thursday, Nov. 29.
Mr. S. T. Sawyer presented a bill to
alter and amend the criminal laws of this
State. (Provides that the Jury instead of
the Court, shall adjudge the degree of
punishment, except in capital cases.)
Passed its first reading.
The bill to vest the riht of electing
the Clerks of the County and Superior
Courts, within the several counties in this
State, in the free white men thereof, was
read the second lime. Several amend
ments were proposed, the most material
of which was bv Mr. McLeod, to extend
the provision to Constables. This mo
tion was lost, 103 to 21. The bill then
passed its second reading by a vote of 94
to 38. (Messrs. Potts and Little in the
affirmative.)
Friday, 30 tV.
Mr. McLeod introduced a resolution
to direct the joint select committee on
banks to enquire into the expediency of
creating district and various banking
corporations, located in the different sec
tions of the State, and each with such a
capital only as the commercial exigen
cies of such locations may actually re
quire, &c. Rejected.
Mr. Bragg introduced a bill to compel
executors, administrators and guardians
to make due returns of inventories and
accounts under certain penalties. And
Mr. Pierce, a bill requiring warrants is
sued by justices of the peace in civil ca
ses to be returned in the district in which
the defendant may reside. These bills
were read the first time, passed and re
ferred. Saturday, Dec. 1.
Mr. Irvine presented a bill to repeal
the act prohibiting the circulation of the
notes of other banks under the denomina
tion of 85. Passed its first reading.
The Public Treasurer transmitted a
statement of the affairs of the Bank of
Cape Fear and the State Bank. Order
ed to be printed.
The bill to vest the right of electing
Clerks of the County and Superior
Courts within the several counties in this
State, in the free white men thereof, was
taken up and amended in committee of
j the whole, and subsequently passed to a
third reading by a vote of 93 to 30, and
i sent to the Senate for coneurreneo.
Monday, 3c?.
Mr. Monk introduced a preamble and
resolution, which were ordered to be
printed and referred to a select commit
tee, instructing our Senators in Con
gress, and requesting our Representa
tives to use their best endeavors to call a
General Convention of the States of this
confederacy,, to take into consideration
all articles in the present Constitution of
the United States, susceptible of miscon
struction, and give such an interpreta
tion to the same ac will save the Union
from anarchy.
Mr. Daniel submitted several resolu
tions, which were read, ordered to be
printed and referred to the committee on
the foregoing resolutions, declaring that
the laws enacted by Congress for the
protection of domestic manufactures are
unconstitutional and unjust; that the per
manent establishment of those laws is in
compatible with the integrity of the Uni
on; that we have not yet lost all confi
dence in the justice of the General Gov
ernment, and will not therefore yet sanc
tion any measure tending to a dismem
berment of the Union; that we do not ap
prove the doctrine of nullification, &c.
On motion of Mr. McLaurin, it was
resolved that the committee on private
bills be instructed to enquire into the ex
pediency of vesting the power in the
County Courts, a majority of the acting
justices being present, to auinorize me
erection ot gates across the public roads,
in their respective counties. J
Tuesday, 4th.
Mr. O'Brien, from the majority of the
committee on privileges and elections, to
whom was referred the petition of Rich
ard H. Alexander contesting the seat of
Burton Craige, the sitting member from
the borough of Salisbury, made a detail
ed report, concluding with a resolution
that the silting member be allowed to re
tain his seat. Mr. Davidson, from the
minority of the committee, made a coun
ter report in favor of Mr. Alexander.
On motion of Mr. Poindexter, Mr. Alex
ander was permitted to be heard at the bar
of the House. He accordingly address
ed the House at some length, and was
replied to by Mr. Craige, to whom Mr.
A. made a rejoinder.
Before any question was taken, Mr.
Daniel moved that the House adjourn,
which was carried.
Wednesday, 5th.
On motion of Mr. Clayton, the com
mittee on education were instructed to
enquire into the expediency of establish
ing Free Schools in the different counties
in this State, and to report by bill or
otherwise.
On motion of Mr. Whitaker, it was re
solved, that a message be sent to the Se
nate proposing to raise a joint select
committee, whose duty it shall be to en
quire into the number and condition of
the Cherokee Indians who are now liv
ing in this Stat.) the nature of their
laws, and the expediency of extending
the laws of this State as far as our char
tered limits extend and that they report
by bill or otherwise.
The House sat very late on the con
tested election from the town of Salisbu
ry and ultimately decided, by a vote of
to to 32, that Burton Craige, the sitting
member, is entitled to his seat.
1M 0 M f pj
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 11, 1S32.
Meeting of Congress The second session
of the 22d Congress, commenced at Washington
City on Monday, the 3d inst.
In the Senate, the Vice President being absent,
and Mr. Tazewell, the President pro tern, hav
ing resigned his seat, Mr. Smith of Md. moved
to proceed to the election of President pro tern.
which was agreed to. Mr. Poindexter having
requested that his name should not be used, the
balloting commenced on the fifth ballot, the
Hon. Hugh L. White, of Tenn. was elected, the
vote being, for Mr. White 17, Mr. Tyler J 4,
Mr. Smith 1. The usual preliminary business
was then transacted, after which the Senate art.
journed.
In the House of Representatives, the Speaker
took the chair at 12 o'clock, and called th Hnno
to order. The names of members wpfp allori
and the Speaker announced that ifis wro
sent. Mr. Mercer announced in a brief and ap
propriate manner the death of his colleague, Mr.
Doddridge, and moved that the members of the
nouse wear the usual badge of mourning one
month, which was agreed to. A resolution was
then adopted for the appointment of a joint select
committee, to wait on the President and inform
him that both Houses of Congress had assemtj
and were ready to receive such communication
as he thought proper to make; when the HoUse
adjourned. .
Oq Tuesday, a Message was received from
President of the United States the Senate Cr'
dered 5000 copies to be printed, and the Hous
of Representatives 10,000 copies.
President's Message. We are indebte (0
the kindness of the Hon. A. Stevenson and th&
Hon. T. H. Hall, for extra copies of the Presj.
dent's Message. We deeply regret that we at
compelled to postpone until next week the publil
cation of this important document, which we
doubt not will be as acceptable to our readers as
it was to us, and which they will be equally tea
dy to approve and applaud. We hail it as the
harbinger of peace, which is lo restore harmony
to our national councils and confidence in their
wisdom and integrity to our discontented and
excited citizens. Should Congress dispose of
those "apples of discord," the Tariff and Inter
nal Improvements, agreeably to the suggestions
of the President, and adopt the policy marked
out in this Message, we may safely anticipate?
that this Union will be preserved, "as long as the
grass grows and water runs." As regards Nul
lification, the President remarks:
"It is my painful duty to state, that in
one quarter of the United States, opposi
tion to the revenue laws has risen to a
height which threatens to thwart their
execution, if not to endanger the integrity
of the Union. Whatever obstruetioa
may be thrown in the way of the Judicial
authorities of the General Government, it
is hoped they will be able peaceably to
overcome them by the prudence of their
own officers and the patriotism of the
people. But should this reasonable reli
ance on the moderation and good sense
of all portions of our fellow citizens be
disappointed, it is believed that the laws
ihemselves are fully adequate to the sup
pression of such attempts as maybe im
mediately made. Should the exigency
arise, rendering the execution of the ex
isting laws impracticable from any cause
whatever, prompt notice of it will be giv
en to Congress, with the suggestion of
such views and measures as may bedeem
ed necessary to meet it."
Presidential.- We regret to see it confident
ly stated that South Carolina will not give her
vote to either of the present candidates for the
Presidency. Should this be the case, the vote
will probably be
For Gen. Jackson, 219
JUr. Clay, 51
Mr. Wirt, 7
Blank, II
Total, 2SS
Giving Gen. Jackson a majority of the whole
number of 140 votes, or more than 3 to 1. Mr.
Van Buren will also be elected to the Vice Pre
sidency by an overwhelming majority, as he will
probably receive the same number, ft lib the ex
ception of the 30 votes of Pennsylvania, as are
given to Gen. Jackson. We think this election
cannot fail to give Mr. Clay, at least, his quietus.
General Assembly. The reader will find, hv
perusing our abstract of Legislative nroceedino-s.
that business is rapidly accumulating in both
Houses. The elections for public functionaries
being mostly over, we presume the members will
now assiduously devote themselves to the consid
eration and disposal of the various matters presen
ted lo them. The election of Governor, it seems,
again verified the adage, "there is no telling who
will be Governor until the election is over."
Judge Swain was not even spoken of, among the
numerous candidates presented for that office.
We admit that he was not our choinp. ill we
hope and believe he will nrnvp. himrir k n
able and efficient Executive.
Raleigh, Dec. 7. On Saturday last.
the Hon. David L. Swain, one of the
Judges ot the Superior Courts, was elec
ted Governor of the State for the ensu
ing year. The several ballotings were
as follows: Star.
1st 2d 3d 4th ih nth 7fh
11. D. Spaisrht, 73 90 SO 75 77 m as
John Branch, 56 57 53 53 55 withdr'n.
inos. I,. Folk, 51 withdrawn.
David L. Swain, 56 61 60 93 99
Joseph Bryan, $ $
Ulanfc, 14 46 4 4 5 S 4
Electoral Collene of North (Inml inn,.
This body convened on Wednesday last,
this city, and was organized by the ap
pointment of Gen. Thomas Pnlk the
Elector from the 4th district, as Chair
man pro tern. Gen. S. P. Patterson,
principal clerk of the Senate, at th e re
quest of the Convention, acted as Secre
tary.
The College beino" readv tn nrnrped to
business, on motion of R. D. Spaigh