The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1807-12-10

men 5 souls; ana they. proved themselves
equal to the trial. Their u!ishakcn firnncss
AID unabating patriotism make every Vir-
ginian proud to own them as his countrymen
Contrary to expectation, the British squad
ren did not make an attack on any part of our
shores. In defiance however of our national
authority interdicting our harbeurs and wa
tiers to all British armed vessels, they remain
ed within the capes of Virginia until about
the middle of October, in the habituaI viola
tion of our jurisdiction.
The President of the u. s. at a very early
period after the commencement of these ag-
grcssions, required of the Executive to organ
ize, arm and equip and hold in readiness to
take the field at moments warning eleven
thousand FIVE hundred and sixty three of the
militia OF this Commonwealth, as our quota
OF detachment of One hundred thousand cal
led FOR from the u. S. and authorized the ac-
ceptance ofvolunteers under the acts of Con-
gress OF the 18th of April 1906, and oe the
gath February 1907, the former requiring a
service of six mo'iths, the latter a service Of
twelve months; the volunteers accepted I'M
der either, or both laws, to be considered, ac-
cordinS to their numbers, rs part Of the quota
required from this state. The executive lost
no time in taking the necessary measures for
complying with this requisition. The for
mai returns have not yet been completed :;
but have real pleasure in assuring the gen
eral Assembly, from the information received,
that 1t is believed the whole of the quota of
Virginia will consist of those who have with
true patriotism, made to their country volun-
tarv tenders OF their services.
The last Legislature directed that a GER
| tain number Of the public arms should be re-
tanned N the armoury, and that AL the others,
after arming the militia of certain towns and
counties, should he distributed among the diff
| .rrt.>t ROT -iu,pntS e tl,o
cording to their respective strength The
! executive had commenced the performance
ot this duty, but were induced to suspend it
, IN consequence of the aggressions of the Bri-
fish squadron. A distribution in the mode
prescribed, would have left too much expos-
ed that part OF the state then immediately
Threatened wish invasion. Moreover. it was
believed that the requisition of the President
or the y. States made it necessary for each
state to arm its own quota-I trust therefore
that the conduct Of the executive, in suspend
ing the general distribution, will be approx
ed by the Legislature,
| The operations OF the mandatory of arms
have been conducted with the ability, which
distinguishes the superior genius and indefa-
tlgable cXertionS Of the superintendent of
that very important institution. A detailed
report OF its operations is in state of pre-
paration and will in few DAYS be submitted
TO the view OF the Legislature.
by a law ofthe last General Assembly. the
Penitentiary establishment was placed under
the sole and exclusive control Of the Execu
tive They duly estimated the importance
| OF the trust, and have effected a radical
chage in the rules and regulations of the in
stitution. In communication like the pre-
sent, nothing more will be expected than
statement OF the general result; and it is
with mitch pleasure / assure the General
'-issefho!y that chat result is equal to the ex-
pcctations OF the most ardent admirers of
this benevolent and humane institution. The
most perfect order and system have been in
trcdnced into every department the health
| OF the prisoners Is, perhaps, not inferior to
mat OF any equal number of persons in any
| other situation whatsoever; their conduct
with very few exceptions, has been marked
| by industry and Already submission to all the
rules and regulations prescribed for their go
vcr'imcnt, and it is believed that, in manv
instances they have been returned to the COM
munity with renewed dispositions, princi-
pies and habits, which will make them use
ful citizens. One fact, in relation to this in
stitu;ion, is believed to be worthy of remark
| It is the extraordinary effect produced on
the convicts generally, by the weil-timed ex-
tension or pardons TO those, who have been
distinguished for the uniform proprietv of
~''o' S-'A>AtS" "A'iSS tiiSi who
have afforded proofs of reformation of cha
ractcr. Until about twelve or eighteen
months past, the instances were rare indeed
III which the executive were induced to ex
erci2e the power ofpardon: For the law hav
ing wisely apportioncd punishment to crimes.
by scale, just, but humane and having.
moreover, ii the application of this scale to
particular offences, allowed, to the iuries. a
wide range for regulating it according to the
circumstances attending each individual case
Il was believed that the great purposes of
pubic justice required that punishments
should be inflicted, certainly and infiexiblv
according to the law as pronounced by the
judgments OF oar courts. But the convicts
seeing Themselves thus doomed to coDfpe
ment and punishment, which 10 act of theirs
could tend to shorten or mitigate, and moth
ing terminate but the slow lapse of time it.
self, were deprived of all hope. They
lost Ihe Only incentive TO correct conduct which
co1l'i be expected to influence hearts alrea-
dy WICKED o. depraved, the prospect of adj
vantage or interest. They manifested the
NJ 1st unruy spirit, and vicious dispositions.
which were restrained only by the certainty
OF immediate punishment. They were un-
ceasingly engaged in concerning plans for eff
tecting their escape, in the accomplishment
ct which they sometimes contemplated, even.
the murder OF the Keeper and his family.
and the destruction Of the building. The Fx
cCutivc determined at length to pnrsue n