Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

On Mr. Reyerson's refusal to comply with the conditions of his bond, a suit was instituted against him in the city of Philadelphia for the recovery of the

money.

The cause was tried in September 1811, and a verdict obtained against him for the principal and interest of the bond, subject to the opinion of the court on a reserved point, and after some delay judgment was rendered upon the verdict.

At which time I understood that he had removed to the state of Maryland.

From the consideration of the expense incident to proceeding against him in another state, as well as the uncertainty of the result, it was deemed proper to sell the land by virtue of the mortgage; and I have been recently informed, that it has been accordingly sold.

As I had no intimation that Mr. Reyerson owned other lands in this state or elsewhere, the counsel for the commonwealth at my instance, requested William T. Hayes, Esq. of Greene county, to bid up the land to the amount of the commonwealth's judgment, but it was struck off to him at two hundred and fifty

dollars.

I was aware in case it should be struck off to him, that there was no express provision by act of assembly authorizing the sheriff to convey the premises to him, or any other person, in trust for the commonwealth; and if such a conveyance could be made under general legal principles, the trustee could not have power to lease or sell the land.

It however appeared under all circumstances of the case, that the instructions given to Mr. Hays was the only course to pursue, that afforded a reasonable prospect of securing the money for the state-and which I have considered my duty to make known to the legislature.

If they should not think proper to adopt measures in relation to the subject, I must in case Mr. Hays sustains any loss by his agency in the business, consider myself personally responsible

to him.

If Mr. Reyerson had a good title to the land (and I believe it was considered such at the time the mortgage was taken) it must be worth more than the sum for which it was struck off to Mr. Hayes.

The counsel for the commonwealth had, however written to me, since the sale, that there is an adverse claim to the land, the validity of which he does not mention, any more than that the person in possession says his claim is founded on an improvement.

The counsel also mentions, that he has received information from Mr. Hayes that Mr. Reyerson owns other lands in that quarter of the state, and has money in the hands of an individual. In consequence of which, I have given directions for ascertaining his title to the lands and money, and if there be a prospect of securing any thing from them for the state, that the necessary measures be adopted to effect the object.

There is, however, much ground to doubt, from the situation of Mr. Reyerson's affairs, that the result will not be very favorable for the commonwealth.

I have the honor to be, sir,

Very respectfully,

Your most obedient servant,

The hon. John Tod,

WM. FINDLAY, Treasurer.

[ocr errors]

Speaker of the Senate.

On motion,

Ordered, That the said letter be referred to a special committee, and that Mr. I. Weaver, Mr. Morgan, Mr. Reed, Mr. Graham and Mr. Poe be the committee.

The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled

An act enabling the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the state line, near the town of Emmetsburg, in the state of Maryland, through Waynesburg, Greencastle and Mercersburg, to intersect the Chambersburg and Bedford turnpike road, at or near the east end of M'Connelsburg,' was read the second time as reported by a committee of the whole yesterday, considered by section and agreed to.

Ordered, That said bill be prepared for a third reading.
The bill, entitled

A supplement to the act, entitled, an act to encourage the killing of wolves,' was read the second time as reported by a committée of the whole yesterday.

Section 1. being under consideration,

A motion was made by Mr. Reed and Mr. Frailey,

To amend the same by adding to the end thereof the following proviso, to wit.

Provided also, That the provisions of this act shall not extend to the counties of Westmoreland, Indiana and Jefferson.' On the question,

Will Senate agree so to amend ?

The yeas and nays were required by Mr. Reed and Mr. Frailey, and are as follow, to wit.

[blocks in formation]
[blocks in formation]

So it was determined in the negative, and the section agreed to.
The remaining section and title having been agreed to,
Ordered, That said bill be transcribed for a third reading.
The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled

An act incorporating the Whitestown Manufacturing Company,' was read the second time as reported by a committee of the whole yesterday, considered by section and agreed to. Ordered, That said bill be prepared for a third reading. Agreeably to order,

The Senate resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. Shearer in the chair, on the bill, entitled

An act to annex part of Columbia and Luzerne counties to the county of Schuylkill.'

And after some time,

The committee rose, reported progress, and asked leave to sit. again; leave was granted, and

Ordered, That the committee of the whole sit again to-morrow. On motion of Mr. Frailey and Mr. M'Sherry,

The Senate adjourned until 3 o'clock this afternoon.

SAME DAY-IN THE AFTERNOON.

Agreeably to order,

The rule for going into a committee of the whole being in this case dispensed with, the bill, entitled

An act enabling the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the state line near the town of Emmetsburg in the state of Maryland, to intersect the Chambersburg and Bedford turnpike road, at or near Loudontown in Franklin county,' was read the second time, considered by section and agreed to, and

Ordered, That it be transcribed for a third reading.

Agreeably to order,

The Senate resolved itself into a committee of the whole, Mr. G. Weaver in the chair, on the bill from the House of Representatives, entitled

An act to incorporate the Orphan Society of Philadelphia.'
And after some time,

The committee rose and reported said bill as committed.

On motion,

Said bill was read the second time, considered by section and agreed to, and

Ordered, That it be prepared for a third reading.

Agreeably to order,

The Senate proceeded to the consideration of the address from the House of Representatives to the Governor for the removal from office of Joseph Brinton, a justice of the peace of Delaware county.

And the same having been considered,

On the question,

Will Senate concur in said address ?

The yeas and nays were required by Mr. Frailey and Mr. I. Weaver, and are as follow, to wit.

[blocks in formation]

So it was unanimously determined in the affirmative.

28.

Ordered, That the clerk return said address to the House of Representatives, with information that Senate have passed the same without amendment.

Adjourned until 10 o'clock to-morrow morning.

WEDNESDAY, January 24, 1816.

Mr. Poe presented a petition from the trustees of the Methodist Episcopal church in the borough of Chambersburg, stating that their former house for divine worship being too small for the accomotion of the congregation, they erected a larger one, and pray. ing that a law may be passed to authorize the trustees to sell and convey the old house and the lot of ground on which the same is erected; and

Said petition was read and referred to Mr. Poe, Mr. Barnitz and Mr. G. Weaver, with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

Mr. Murray presented the petition of sundry inhabitants of of Mifflin and Cattawissa townships in Columbia county, remon strating against the annexation of any parts of said townships to the county of Schuylkill; and

The same was read and referred to the committee of the whole when the bill on that subject shall be under consideration.

The Speaker laid before Senate a letter from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, stating that he has transmitted to the House of Representatives sundry depositions and cross examinations taken in the case of John Riddle, one of the justices of the peace in the county of Washington; and

Said letter was read, and

Ordered, To lie on the table.

The bill, entitled

A supplement to the act, entitled, an act to encourage the killing of wolves,' was read the third time, and

Resolved, That this bill pass.

The bill, entitled

An act enabling the Governor to incorporate a company for making an artificial road from the state line near the town of Emmetsburg in the state of Maryland, to intersect the Chambursburg and Bedford turnpike road at or near Loudontown in Franklin county,' was read the third time, and

Resolved, That this bill pass.

Ordered, That the clerk present said bills to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

The bill from the House of Representatives, entitled

And act to incorporate the Orphan Society of Philadelphia," was read the third time, and

On the question,

Shall this bill pass?

The yeas and nays were required by Mr. Graham and Mr. G. Weaver, and are as follow, to wit.

[merged small][merged small][graphic][merged small][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
« PreviousContinue »