Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1807-11-10

Infdirectins his operations, and lie actet
~ conformity with their Instructions, the
Executive could NOT, with propriets, ami.
Mad'ert on his conduct, h3wc,er ,a,jcct:-
oli,Eie it mig;lt appear to be. On the o.
tier aand, the inspectors were authnrise 4
To prescribe 4 rule OF conduct 20 the Keep
CT, but had no power to enforce their
mandates.
?. No adequate punishment could be IN
hlcted un any of the cuuvic,s without the
intervention OF two OF tie inspectors, aid
the Mayor of the city OF Richmond. The
delays inSeparable from this mode of pro-
ceeGInS almost amounted TO IN exemption
from punishment.
s. Tie duties OF the Keeper were too
complicated. Instead OF being confined To
tue mere business of experimenting the
convicts, he was the agcnr and contractor
for the commonwealth. lie purchased all
the raw materials necessary Tor the inter-
nal operations OF the institution, sold all the
articles manufactured by the convicts, and
provided their Diet and c!othiNg.
Under a system III which there were so
many radical defects (and many other OF
less note might be mcntioned,) it was in
vain to expect success. From the COM
measurement III its operation to the first of
April last the institution was every year
producing greater loss to the common
wealth. Still the Legislature, impressed
with a beiiet that the principle was cor
rect, and that the SYSTEM nevc. had had II
far experiment., determined not TO ajjan-
don 1t I'LL another ef1r; Should be madc.
Ibey accordingly passed law, at the last
session, aboiishInS the board OF inspectors,
and placing the Institution under The entire
DI fl,s,, .
which being OH the spot, might daily see its
progress and avail themselves not only Of
their own observations, but the assistance
OK others on whose Judgments they could
rely. They were also empowered to cst;-
b!ish rules tor the internal government az
me FenItentiary, for the punishment oil tie
convlctS by solitary confinement or stripes,
lot exceeding thirty-nine, to contract fo;'
their diet and clothing, 20 provide for the
purchase OF raw materials and the sale Ct
manufactured articles, and generally TO
perform ali those ACTS which hei eto.orc re-
Guircd the intervention OF others. The
Executive possessing suCh extensive pow
ers, and feeling the weight OF their respon-
sibilty, lost not Il moment in attemptinr TO
realize the wishes of the Legislature.
lmmed ately after the adjournment of
the Legislature, the Executive met, and
entered into al advice of council request
ing the Governor of this state 70 corrCs-
pond with The Governors OF Pennsylvania
aud New-IOri,, IN which the PSnitcniiary
System mad been adopted, - obtain Copies
oi the rules and regulations, ior the COY crn-
ment OF theIi public Jails and Penitentiary
Houses, and 10 know whether a suitable
character could be procured to take charge
OF similar institution. The board of in
~
necessary TO adopt Professionally, the rules
ard regulations formed by them, till the
Executive should have time 10 mature a
more complete system; aud to provide
that those acts which before required the
sanction or any Of the inspectors, should be
performed by the Keeper. An agent was
also appointed for the Penitentiarv, whose
duty Ii Is TO purchase Al the raw materials
necessary for the operations Of'the institu-
ton, and to sell, at some convenient place
in the city of Richmond, the several arti-
cles manufactured for sale by the convictS.
The details OF this establishment arc so
arranged, that the accounts of the agent
and keeper mutually check each other,
and enable us no. only to ascertain quarter
yearly the progress Of the institution, but
10 determine with accuracy, at the end o.
the year, whether the commonwealth has
gained or lost by its operations. At the
same time, 1t was determined 10 appoint
twelve visitors ANNUALLY, who are to hold
quarterly meetings, and to select two Of
their own body as acting visitors for each
month The object Oftheir appointment is
10 aid the Executive by such suggestions,
Tor the improvements OF the system as they
might deem proper to make. For TINS
purpose, they are requested 70 visit tie
lPeGiJeEtary ut such periods As they NAV
think necessary, TO Examine into the con-
duct OF the keeper and his deputies, and
70 lay their communications before the Ez.-
ecatve. The utility Of this establishment
has iar exceeded the most sanguine e5;pec-
tations Cfthose who first projected it. Cen
tlemen Of the FIRST character for INTEGRITY
and Information, have engaged in this lau
dablc undertaking, ard have pursued it
with a zeal and ability, which would do
honor to the heads and the hearts of any
men upon earth. Their reports TO The
Executive, (Which viii, doubtless, be laid
before the General Assembly, manifest
the ardor with which they have perseyer-
cd in this humane and honorable work ::
and experience has eviuced the propriety
fall their recommendations.
Before any information could be recciv-
ed By the Executive, either from the 60
vernon OF Pennsylvania or New-York. Mr..
| Mimms, the former keeper, announced his
resignation but requested permission to
retain his ONCE ill the last OF March
There was then barely time to procure a
successor shCuld the g1)DoiDstncpt 1.,,f,,.