Alexandria daily advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [Va.]) 1803-1808, 1806-12-10

from lrSuit, injury aud Invasion, VIC usuo'
depend on means which, in the estimate
on of other nations, are more substantial.
We must be able 10 repel force ov iotee;
and when inevitable necessity points 20
War, we muss be prepared with INC inatra'
ments of destruction. Win this View,
the legislature have erected, at great eN-
pence, this noble establishment, IN a sltu-
alton the most eligible thar can be concelv-
ed, and it is supplemented by genus and
skill that need not shrink from any compa-
rison. / therefore most respectfully SUB
NIT 20 the consideration OF The assembly,
whether we osght not to avail ourselves OF
all the advantages OF our sliua1ien, ~ put
ting this institution into full ana extensive
operation
But while recommend the fabrication
of new arms, it is my dusy 10 state 20 the
legislature, that of the arms heretofore dis.
tribesed TO the militia, there has been a
loss and destruction truly alarming. winch
will 10 doubt attract the serloas aiientloa
of the assembly. have not yet received
oficial information sufficient to pronounce
win certainty On the extent Of this loss.
Should i, be received before the close o.
The session, it shall certainly be communi.
Gated. The assembly, however, may be
assured, thai til. actual loss is very great;
and IF those remaining, many are so da,
mayed as to be ua6. fer service. Varioas
applications from diifesens paris Of the
s. ate have been made 20 the executive. to
meseribelhe made Of repairing these arms,
and particularly TO allow portion OF the
militia fines 70 be applied 10 thar obirct.
Bus the executive conceived tley had no
power over the subjcc;, aud it remains for
the wIsdora of the Legislature to adopt
measures more eerc:ualiy TO prevent tue
loss Of ARCS, and 70 provide for repairing
them, when damaged.
The Penisentsary establishment has
demanded and recsived much of the
a>sepsioo OF the executive. his ins,itu
ZION founded on benegolsace and on which
,he friends of humanity have dwels with
so much pleasure, has not yer been snf1i.
clen''y long in operation TO sceive all the
improvements thar May be dictated by ex-
ferisnce and observation. have he plea.
sure TO cosa fnunicste for the information
Of The general assembly, report from the
keeper Of the Pen'tentiay} sexhibi,ing
statement OF The number of aonyicss receiv.
ed in each year, since the commencement
CT the establishments, and the crimes Of
which they have been convicted.
Il will be seen that Of 2sS, the total
runbsr Of convic.s thai have been sent
;hs5c for punishment, one hundred and fiji.
~ two have been dlsclla: ged-5 have es-
caaed, four cen have dlel--- and there are
now IN confinement.
Il exhibits resuls which mus, t,e pleas
ing 20 the friends Of the Institution, that
The uu,nber Of crimes has nos increased
since rs establishment and holds cut the
coesojng hope. .has ali tie amendments
which may be suggested by he lights Of
exper;eaee. Will occasion diminulon of
the uuusber Of criminals, and that many of
silet.1 may be restored tosae community
useful members of society. Early in the
lest spring the executive appoiesed COM
nistee Of ;wo Of their own body, Alexan.
der Stuart sud William W Henaiue. ESQ.
"to visit the Jail and ptniten:iary house
and examine ninu5eiy into the manner in
which the rules and regulations of tie said
Jail are carried into effect, ADD also inso
any other matter which they might Judge
proper relative to tie lns,ituion'' These
gentlemen made their report on the 12sl,
Of April to which insite IA. a,cu:ion
Of thu Legislature asexh;bising those causes
which il the opinion of the executive, have
contributed 70 render the system expensive
70 the commonwealth and In some vcspects
unequal to the sansninc expectations of
its early admirers One ereas cause is the