Chap. 228.—-PREAMBLE and JOINT RESOLUTIONS instructing
Attorney-General to defend citizens of Virginia unlawfully molested
by Federal courts, and requesting our Representatives in Congress
to ask for a committee of investigation on the same subject.

Approved March 3, 1879.

Whereas five judges of this commonwealth, to-wit: J. B.
Coles of Pittsylvania, S. J. Mullens of Henry, G. H. Bernard
of Franklin, Sam. G. Staples of Patrick, and T. T. Bouldin of
Charlotte, have been indicted in the circuit court of the United
States for the western district of Virginia. for the alleged offence
of failing to execute the laws of Virginia, which action of said
court is, in the opinion of this general assembly, usurpation
and an exercise of unwarranted power; therefore,

1. Resolved by the general assembly of Virginia, That the
attorney-general 1s hereby directed to take proper steps to
bring the aforesaid proceedings to the adjudication of the
supreme court of Virginia, or the supreme court of the United
States, in order that such lawless measures may be checked by
competent authority ; and he is likewise directed to appear, at
once, in behalf of these and all other citizens of this common-
wealth who may hereafter be seize’l and held contrary to law
by any federal judge or court in Virginia.

2. The governor is hereby authorized to employ necessary
counsel to assist the attorney-ceneral in proceedings under-
taken under the Cirection of this resolution.

3. That the representatives in congress from this common-
wealth are hereby requested to move in the house of represen-
tatives of the United titates for a committee to enquire whether
the Honorable Alexander Rives, judge of the district court of
the United States for the western district of Virginia, holding
the circuit court of the United States for said district, has not
been and is not now usurping judicial power for the purpose of
bringing about an unnecessary conflict between the authorities
of the state of Virginia and of the United States in the enforce-
ment of the criminal laws of this commonwealth within said
district, thereby endangering the harmony, peace, and good
order of this commonwealth.