“House of Commons”

Date

12-20-1811

Newspaper

Raleigh Register

Page and Column

Page 2, Column 5, Page 3, Column 1

Newspaper Location

Raleigh, North Carolina

Serial Number

642

Abstract

Minutes of the House of Commons of North Carolina. For December 16, 1811 no note of the December 16, 1811 earthquake despite news reports that the legislative members were disturbed by the earthquake shocks.

Transcript

HOUSE OF COMMONS. Thursday, December 12. A Report was read from the Public Treasurer in pursuance of a solution of last session, requesting him and the late Secretary of State to enquire into the state of the Governor's house, &c. and to enquire whether new and more suitable accommodations could not be provided without incurring additional expence to the State. It is sated, that the present buildings occupied by the Governor would require considerable expence to repair them before they would ??? habitable for a Family, and recommended therefore the selling of them, and the passing of a bill for the erection of new Buildings in a more commodious situation, after the manner proposed a last session. The report was concurred with and a bill introduced. Mr. D. Jones, from the committee on Military Land Warrants, to whom was referred the examination whether this State still retains the right to complete titles other than those for military land within the State of Tennessee, made a long and able Report a favor of the right of the State, which concludes with the following resolution: "Resolved, That a Surveyor be appointed by joint ballot of both Houses of the General Assembly, who shall be commissioned by the Governor, and whose duty it shall be to survey all warrants issued agreeably to law, for claims to land within the State of Tennessee, the location of which claims originally or according to the provisions of law, shall regularly have been removed west or south of the line beginning at a place where the eastern or main branch of Elk river shall interact the southern boundary line of the State of Tennessee, from thence running due north until the said line shall intersect the main branch of Duck river; thence down the waters of Duck river to the military boundary line as established by an act of the General Assembly passed in 1785 "for the relief of the officers and soldiers of the continental line;" thence with the military boundary line west to the place where it intersects the Tennessee river; thence down the waters of the river Tennessee to the place where the same intersects the northern boundary line of the State of Tennessee; And the said Survey or shall in all respects be bound to observe and be directed by the laws already in force, as to the time and manner of his returning his plats and warrants of survey to the office of the Secretary of State of this State, and be entitled to the same fees for his services, as Surveyor, as have heretofore been paid for like services."...Concurred with. Mr. Porter, from the committee on the subject of P. Hoodenpyle's turnpike, made two reports, which were laid over indefinitely. Mr. Stone introduced a bill further to regulate the Supreme Court; Mr. A. Jones, a bill to compel militia officers to hold their offices for a certain time and to dress in uniform; Mr. Cameron, a bill to repeal an act directing how persons injured by the erection of public mills shall in future proceed to recover damages: Mr. Martin, a bill to amend an act passed in 1784, relative to the appointment of overseers of roads; and Mr. D. Jones, a bill to amend the 5th section of an act passed in 1796, to remedy certain inconveniences arising under the present land laws. The bill to alter the descent of real estate &c. was rejected on its second reading. Friday, December 13. Mr. Dupree presented a bill to exempt defendants from the payment of costs in indictments in all cases wherein they shall be acquitted or a nolle prosequi shall be entered at the instance of the State. Received from the Senate, a bill to authorise the opening of a canal from [unreadable] sound to the Atlantic Ocean at or near the place formerly called Cathey's Inlet, a bill to amend the acts respecting the [unreadable] be performed by persons taking up stay; and to amend an act passed in [unreadable] regulate the descent of real estates, &c. The bill to provide for the preservation testimony in certain cases, was rejected its 2d reading; and the bill to explain and amend an act Feme Converts how to pass law was indefinitely postponed. Saturday, Dec. 14. Received from the Senate, a resolution dierecting the Adjutant General to dismiss [unreadable] suits which he has instituted against several Militia Officers which had failed to [unreadable] the returns required of them by law, [unreadable] the delinquents paying all costs of suit, and directing him also to suspend [unreadable] the collection of fines already [unreadable]. Concurred with. The balloting committee for Calvary Officers, reported that James Owen was elected Colonel of Calvary in the 4th brigade [unreadable] 2d division, and Daniel Bateman was elected 2d Major of the 1st Regiment of the [unreadable] brigade. Mr. Porter introduced a Resolution [unreadable] to call a Convention for the purpose; of making a provision for the biennial, [unreadable] of annual meeting of the Assembly; but a motion to lay the proposition [unreadable text] it was carried 68 to 61. Mr. Phifer introduced a bill to amend [unreadable] part of the act of 1777, for establishing Courts of Law, &c. as relates to the granting of letters of administration; and Mr. Dupree, a bill to amend the several laws respecting the killing of deer. Received from the Senate, a bill declaring that officers of Cavalry shall hold their reviews in their counties respectively; and a bill to repeal an act of 1796, to amend, strengthen and confirm the several laws against emancipation of Slaves. The bill to amend an act concerning [unreadable] wills, &c. the bill to prescribe the manner in which licences to practice law shall be granted; and the bill to regulate the future inspections of tar, were laid over indefinitely. Monday, Dec. 16. The balloting committee for a Public Treasurer and Comptroller, reported that John Haywood and Samuel Goodwin were elected. That for a Trustee of the University, reported that James Mebane was elected. That for a Council of State, reported that Needham Whitfield, Angus Gilchrist, Gideon Alston, Joseph Winston, Starkie Armistead and Thomas Kenan were elected. Another balloting was necessary for the seventh member. That for a first Major of Cavalry of the 4th brigade in the 2d division, Thomas Brown was elected. Mr. Cameron presented a bill to amend an act passed in 1806, for the appointment of Auctioneers: and Mr. W. W. Jones, a bill to instruct the Officers of Militia in their duty; and a bill to regulate the size of tar and turpentine barrels. Mr. Stone, from the committee appointed to confer with a committee on the part of the State Bank, on certain points of difference as to the construction of the Bank Charter, reported a bill in addition to the act of last session, as the result of the conference, which was ordered to be printed. The resolution proposing to allow Wm. Jones 8300 in addition to what he had already received for erecting the Cupola on the State-House, was rejected on its 3d reading 54 to 45. Tuesday, Dec. 17. The following elections of Military Officers were made, viz. Wm. Vines Col. Of the 2d brigade of the 6h division, and James Sheppard 1st Major; Samuel Llindsay, 2d Major of Artillery; Thomas Ricks Col Isham Edwards 1st Major, and Wm. Butler 2d Major of Calvary in the 16th brigade and 3d division, and Henry Taylor 1st Major in the 5th brigade and ?? division. A number of bills passed their 2d and 3d readings. Wednesday, December 18. A bill was received from the Senate, founded on the Report of the Treasurer and Comptroller, on the subject of the Public Printing, for repeating the act of last session on this subject, and reviving the act of 1804, which was reject [unreadable] to 40. Also a bill to repeal an act passed in 1802 for dividing the Staff into districts for the purpose of electing Representatives to Congress, and an act passed in 1803, directing the manner of appointing Electors to vote for a President and Vice President of the U. States. [This bill proposes that the Electors for electing the President and Vice-President, shall be chosen by the next General Assembly, in order to present a called Session for the purpose of laying off the State into districts for this purpose] The bill providing for a Revenue for the year 1812, passed its first reading. Inits present shape, it proposes to advance the tax on land and polls from 8d and 2s. to 1s and 3s A number of bills passed their 2d and 3d readings.

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