The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1806-12-05

not to avail ourls!vcs of all the advantages of
our Mutation, by putting this intitution into
full and cxtenive operation.
But while I recommend the fabrication
of new arms, it is my duty to Rate
to the Legislature, that Of the arms here
tofore distributed to the Militia, there has
been lois and deitru6tion truly alarming,
which will no doubt attract the ferrous attenti.
on of the Aiicmby. have not yet received
official information fufficient to pronounce with
certainty on the extent of this lofts. Should it
be received before the clofe of the FELTON,, it
ihall certainly be communicated. The Altm-
bly,. however, may be afinred, that the actual
lois is very great and of thofe remaining, ma
ny are 10 damaged, as to be unfit for frrvice
Various applications from different parts of the
tate, have been made to the Executive, to pre-
fcribe the mode of rcpiitipe thefc arms, and
particularly, to allow portion of the Militia
fines to be applied to that obie6. But the
Executive conceived they had no power over
the fubjeet, and it remains for the wifdom of
the Legislature to adopt meafareS more eifcttu.
ally to prevent the lcts ct arms, and to provide
tor repairing them, when damaged.
VThe Penitentiary Efablihmeut has demand.
ed and received much of the attention of the
Executive. This inititu,iou, founded on be-
nevoence, and on which the friends of humani-
ty have dwelt with 10 much pIealure, has not
yet been efficiently long in operation to receive
all the Improvements which may be dictated by
experience and ohtcrvaton. l have the plea
lure TO communicate, for the information of
the General Ahembly, report from the keeper
of the Penitentiary, exhibiting a !tatement OF
the number of convitts received in each year,
iince the commencement of the eltabliihmeat,
and the crimes of which they have been con-
vicled. 1t will be feen that, of 2S3, the total
49, ,.E, ~ r
for puniihment, SO have been discharged, 5
have eicaped, ii have died, aud that there are
now liz in confinement. Ii exhibits refult
which NUT be peaiing TO the friends of the in
hitution, that the number of crimes has not
increaied fnce its eRabliihment and holds
out the con!ong hope, that the introduction
OF all the amendments which may be fuggcfed
By the lights OF experience, will occalion a
dminution of the number of criminals, and
that many Of them may be reitored to the COM
munity uteful members of fociety. Early in
the lait tpring, the Executive appointed com
mi'tee of two of their own body, Alexander
Stuart and William w. Henning, FIGURES,
- TO Witt the Jail aud Penitentiary Houfe, and
examine infinitely into the manner in which the
rules and regulations OF the fsd Jail are carried
into effect, and ALTO into any other matter which
they might judge proper relative to the inRi-
tuition" Iheie gentlemen made their report
ont the 10Th of April, to which invite the at
tention OF the Legislature as exhibiting thoie
cauies which in the opinion OF the Executive.
have contributed to render the fylten expenfye
| 20 the commonwealth, and, in fome refpects,
unequal TO the ianguiuc expectations of il, carly
admmers.-One great caufe is the want
or cooperation aud attention on the part OF
| lone OF the gentlemen appointed iufpeGtors.' -
When it is coniidercd that no meafure of i'm.
por;ance can be adopted by the keeper, with
out the appreciation or tne acIIng inspectors, -
1t is manifeft that the want OF regular atten-
dance on their part NUT be attended with the
mot ferrous Inconvenience On this fubied
permit me to obferve, that the Office of in.
ipector is not only very unpleafant one, but
II properly executed will require much time and
attention and experience proves that we have
no resion TO hope for a more regular attendance
OF the Inspectors, anlefs it ihal be induced, O,
enforced by fome other regulations to be A.
dopted by the Legislature. Another cant,
mentioned in the report, is " the difficulty o.
enforcing obedience to the rules and repuIa
tons preicrbed for the government of the con
rIcts, from the neceifity, impofed by law, o.
calling in the aid of two inspectors, and tn,
Mayor of the city of Richmond, before any
adequate puniihmeht can be infii6ted." On
this fubject Ifpcak more poiitively, becaufe
We have given to the fyacm of mild treatment
the tairet trial, and fad experience teaches u
that, in-m many initanccs, nothing but the moR
rigorous puaiihmSnts allowed by the law car
refrain the ungo,ernable fPir;ts of fome of tn,
coDvi6ts. To the friend or humanity, and o.
the dignity Of human nature, it is painful TO b,
compelled to inGict corporal puniihments
But, when no others will anfwer, and necefIit,
requires them, the humanity which would for
bear, is mifplaced, & becomes iniuRice TO th,
community. Five convict, who had bsen dfchar
eed rom the Penitentiary, have been returned fol
iecond offences, thereby manifcfing that M
change or reformation had been wrought uoor
them by their previous confinement, & the diCci
pliHe of the Inaitution. I beg leave tofnsge1 tina
the gath feclion Of the 4 Ct of 1895, which wa
intended by the Legislature to apply to fuel
cafes, and to inlli6t incTeafed puniihment, i
detective, and has never been carried into eff
feet, bcsaufe it prefcribes no mode of legally az
certain;ng the former conviction of the FAM
Perlon. | fubnit for the confederation OF III,
Anembly, whether it be not Advisable in fuo
cafes, to direct an inveAigation in The DiRriG
Court Of Richmond, where may be eal;ly pro
cured the Records Of the former conviction ans
the evidence Of the Identity Of the perron.
There is one circumstance in relation to thi,
Inftitution, which, conceive, is highly worth,
the attention of the Legislature. II is the fire.
quency with which the moft dcfperate and dar
ing attempts are made by the convi6ts to effee
their eicspe. Theft plans, although we'll con
ceived aud deeply laid, have not fucceeded il
any nfance Ince your la6 felton, but thel
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