Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-12-11

deem il my duty to bring 10 the view o.
the assembly. il is a fact that as early a
the fourh day of April, the public treasury
was so ex haussed as not TO afford the
means Of paving warrants drawn by viz
tue Of legal appfo priations. now enclose
a list of warrants amounting to 21,198
dollars and sc cents, presented at the trea-
sury between the fourth OF AprA and the
18th Iuly, and which at the time OF their
being presented the treasury could not dis.
Charge.
Il IS also a notorious fact that many o.
ther warrants the amount of which cannot
be precisely ascertained, were held up, and
not presented on account OF the known In.
ability of the treasury GO discharge them.
I have thought it my duty to communicate
these facts for the information OF the leglsla-
ture, but forbeas to make any comments, be-
cause conceive the important business OF re-
venue belongs exclusively to the consideration
of the representatives of the people. It's al
SO my duty to communicate that the 1una Tor
the contingent expences OF government
the fund /" for the expense OF removing cnml-
nails to the penitentiary and their confinement
therein, including officers salaries;'' the fund
I" for the public services of district court clerks
and the fund " forthe payment OF the expense
incurred at the several ware-hou tor the IN
spection Of tobacco have been exhausted; and
that several warrants, drawn ON each OF those
funds, and now in circulation, cannot be paid
until some further appropriations are made by
the legislature.
enclose list of these warrants Tor the IN
formation Of the assembly,
Before I conclude this communication, beg
leave, most respectfully to call the attention of
the Legislature to the importance OF schools for
the more general diffusion of knowledge. |
shall not speak of the influence Of education
Oh individual happiness, by charging the mind,
extending our views and desires, opening new
sources of enjoyment, and multiplying the
means of qualification. Ispeak OF It's inaunece
on the national character and IN this view it's,
/ humbIy conceive, an object OF great national
concern. The history of other nations, the
wisdom Of whose policy has been directed to
this important subject, bears the most indispu-
table evidence ofits vast influence in promoting
spirit OF industry, adventure and enterprise;
in early implantng tie principles of virtue,
and more efectually preventing the commits
sion OF crimes than any other eXpedlent that
has ever been resorted to in any country.
The liberal and humlDe policy OF the iegisla-
ture Of Virginia has elcctcd, at an expense of
$4,000 dollars, a jail and penitentiary house,
for tie confinement anil punishment of crinsi-
nas; and 1t IS supposed at an annual expense
OF ABOUT 6,587 dollars, exclusive Of the sum OF
1914 dollars and 81 cents paid for expenses
OF criminal prosecutors, and the sum OF $3.50
dollars "a cents paid for removing criminals to
the penitentiary. Thepbect of this poiicy,i is
the prevention Of crimes, By the reformation
OF offenders, and by lettering Others from their
commission, by the influence OF example,
Snail we expend SO mush money in the uncer-
tain hope of preventin. crimes by system Of
punishment and shall We give nothing to the
establishment or support Of a SYSTEM OF edu-
cation which would prelent them more ehectu-
ally bylnsplring love IF virtue, and giving all
early strength to its principles? Shall we ex-
pend SO much IN the eHsrts to reform malefac-
tors and shall we give nothing to encrease, to
the Wrtuous poor, the facility of education
TO draw forth, from obIcurity and indigence,
the eSeftion OF the intellectual powers Of those,
WHO might be useful, bit are now lost to the
community or the stillmore splendid talents
o. otners, WHO, but thai I" their lott forbids,
a. l'i6ht become orn2mens to their country, and
req thelr history in anation's eyes 20
nope IL VIII not be Inferred from these OBJ
on 'S,loas' t''at nllnimcal to the penitent
o'.SD y I admire it as an excellent
sly stem f0r tbe pDuI -,
H. -o' 'iie REFfRMATIoN of Offenders
d;a,s;o Us aahlIfea system for the general
efa.t,saI,N - Aio"ieese, because it viii more
moot ls crimes, and produce other
f. -, 'uOs'a'itlai Denttlts. That it is essential
mem i p'eservatlonEot republican govern
mon - ieiilarNp not less true than COM