Page:Sketches of the life and character of Patrick Henry.djvu/460

viii The honourable Henry Tazewell esq. has been appointed a judge of the general court in the room of the honourable B. Danbridge esq. deceased, until the assembly shall signify their pleasure.

The honourable Geo. Muter esq. has been appointed a judge of the general court, in Kentucky, in the room of Cyrus Griffin esq. who resigned his appointment.

Thomas Massie esq. having resigned his appointment for opening a road on the north western frontier, Joseph Neville esq. has been appointed, in his room.

The report of the commissioners for disposing of the Gosport lands, No. 9, will explain to the assembly their transactions in that business.

Mr. René Rapicault, of New Orleans, exhibited an account against this commonwealth, for a considerable sum of money which appears to be due to him. But as it will be found by a reference to his papers, No. 10, that this debt, however just, cannot be paid from any fund now existing, it is submitted to the legislature to make such provision for its payment, as to them shall seem proper.

The report of the commissioners for extending the boundary line between Virginia and Pennsylvania, No. 11, will explain the manner in which that business has been executed.

By Mr. Jefferson's letters it appears, that the original sum granted to procure a statue of General Washington, will be deficient. The further sum wanting, together with the reasons for increasing the expense of the work, win appear by Mr. Jefferson's correspondence, No. 12.

The crews of the boats Liberty and Patriot, were ordered to be enlisted for 12 months from August last, unless sooner discharged. This was done in order that the assembly might, if they judged proper, determine to discontinue them, or if they are retained, make suitable provision for their support: hitherto, that has been defrayed out of the contingent fund. But the great variety of expenses charged on that fund, make it necessary, in future, to provide some other mode of support for them. The assembly will, no doubt, observe in the course of their deliberations on the subject of revenue, that it is necessary for the executive to commission the officers. The officer commanding one of these boats has detected several persons attempting to evade the payment of duty, and in compliance with the law, as he supposes, took bonds for the payment of the penalties imposed for making false entries. But it seems there are great difficulties in recovering judgment on these bonds, owing to ambiguity in the law respecting the subject. The assembly will apply such remedy for this evil, as they think proper.

Application hath been made to the executive, on the subject of paying into the continental treasury, warrants for interest due on loan office certificates, and other liquidated claims against the continent. And although there can be no doubt that payments, made by the treasurer to the continental receiver, may include the proportion of warrants specified by congress in their act of the 28th of April 1784, yet the receiver when possessed of the cash,although it was unaccompanied by any warrants, does not conceive himself justified in parting with any money in exchange for them. So that until the