Repealing clause. Commencement. Additional commissioners appointed for view. canal. be, and are hereby empowered to adjourn from day to day, until all the business which is before them, shall be dispatched. 2. All acts and parts of acts, coming within the purview of this act, shall be, and are hereby repealed. 3. This act shall commence and be in force from and after the first day of March next. CHAP. 102.-An ACT to amend an act appointing commissioners to view the way for a navigable canal from Roanoke to Appomattox. [Passed February 9, 1808.] 1. Be it enacted by the general assembly, That in addition to the commissioners appointed by "An act appointing commissioners ing the way for a to view the way for a navigable canal from Roanoke to Appomattox," William Prentis, Robert Bolling, Charles Caudle, James Byrne and John Allison, shall be, and they are hereby appointed commissioners for the purposes of that act, who, or any three of them, or of the commissioners heretofore appointed as aforesaid, shall have power, and they are hereby authorized to employ agents and engineers to assist in viewing and examining the practicability of opening and cutting the aforesaid canal. And the further time of twelve months shall be allowed to the commissioners to make their report to the general assembly, agreeably to the intention of the act passed the first of February one thousand eight hundred and six. Further time. Commencement. 2. This act shall commence and be in force from and after the passing thereof. RESOLUTIONS. IN THE HOUSE OF DELEGATES. Whereas it has been represented to the general assembly, by the chief magistrate of this commonwealth, that after the attack upon the Chesapeake, when further aggressions were apprehended, a number of our fellow-citizens voluntarily tendered their services to aid our brethren near the coast in their protection and defence, and so many as the occasion required were accepted, whose conduct while in service equalled the public expectation, the general assembly deem it a tribute due to those brave and patriotic citizens, to present to them their unfeigned thanks for their laudable exertions in the cause of their country, and to assure them of the high esteem and affectionate regard, which their conduct has inspired. The promptitude and zeal manifested on this occasion, has afforded an example worthy of emulation; and while it cannot fail to impress their fellow-citizens with a desire to imitate their actions, presents to the nations of the earth, a specimen of the spirit which unites freemen to protect the rights and revenge the wrongs of their country. Agreed to January 8, 1808. Resolved, That our senators in the congress of the United States be instructed, and our representatives requested, to endeavour to obtain the following amendment to the constitution of the United States, to wit: That the senators in the congress of the United States may be removed from office by the vote of a majority of the whole number. of the members of the respective state legislatures by which the said senators have been or may be appointed.. Agreed to January 13, 1808. The genera assembly of Virginia, taking into their most serious consideration the present crisis in our political affairs, and the circumstances which have tended to produce it, would be unpardonably negligent, were they to remain silent. They deeply regret that they have been disappointed in their ardent wish that the United States might be forever exempt from those disastrous convulsions, which have been so long desolating Europe. In the strict and impartial neutrality, practised by the American government to all nations; in the inviolable regard which it has so scrupulously paid to justice and good faith, they fondly imagined they had a firm guarantee to the continuance of peace. But from the menacing aspect of affairs, it seems but too probable that this flattering anticipation is about to vanish, and that the United States will have to act a part in the melancholy drama of the day. In reviewing the series of causes which are likely to terminate in this result, the general assembly derive great consolation from the reflection that the government of the United States has done every thing on its part, which was calculated to preserve peace, upon honorable terms, and that there is nothing with which it can with propriety be upbraided. The recapitulation in detail of the insults and injuries received, would be tiresome and disgusting. Blockades established contrary to former usage; new and destructive principles interpolated in the laws of nations; our free born citizens impressed on board our own vessels, and torn from their friends and country, have been doomed to perpetual exile and captivity; whilst the claim of American citizenship, supported by the legitimate protection of the government of the United States, has been treated with contempt and disdain; and pending a negociation, the object of which was reparation for past injuries, and security against further aggressions, the 22d day of June, 1807, arrived; a day which will be forever memorable in the annals of America. On that day, a ship of war belonging to Great Britain, made an attack (attended with circumstances the most offensive,) upon a national ship of the United States, reposing upon the pledged security of public faith, and amidst the groans of murdered citizens, the flag of the United States, the sacred emblem of our liberty and independence, was seen cowering beneath British audacity and British violence. The sensations arising from this daring outrage pervaded with the rapidity of lightning this vast continent, and produced one uniform sentiment of indignation, under the influence of which, disappeared all party distinctions. The United States exhibited to the world the pleasing spectacle of a widely extended nation, with one accord burying in the tomb of its slaughtered citizens, all party differences, and with one voice demanding ample vengeance or honorable reparation. The general assembly in reviewing the conduct of the government of the United States in this trying exigency, rejoice to reflect upon the dignified attitude by it assumed, one that was supported by firmness, tempered with moderation. It has ascertained to the world, that if war ensue, the United States are innocent of the calamities inseparably incident to that state of things. And with confidence in that Providence, which seems to have made these states so peculiarly its care, we firmly anticipate the aid of Heaven, and a propitious result. We should be wanting in frankness, were we to suppress our anxiety for the preservation of peace, but it must be a peace purchased with no sacrifice of hoper. The general assembly consider a nation's honor as a jewel of inestimable value, to be preserved at every hazard. Inspired with this sentiment, we have weighed it against every sacrifice, and accept it as an equivalent. It is a duty we owe ourselves to declare, that we submit with pleasure, to the privations arising from the energetic measure recently adopted by the constituted authorities in the laying an embargo, which meets our warm approbation. Resolved unanimously, That the general assembly, penetrated with a most affectionate regard for the welfare of our common country, and viewing with indignation, the insults and injuries which have been offered us, hereby solemnly pledge the whole energies of this commonwealth, to the support of such measures as may be adopted to produce an honorable peace, or avenge the injured honor of these states. Resolved, That the governor of this state be requested to transmit forthwith to the president of the United States a copy of this resolution. Agreed to January 13, 1808. |
