Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1808-02-09

W 'HuuStEN WHICH now prevails IL WAS
shewn to the last legislature that it brought
the state in debt, whereas it is now proved
that in the space of eight months, coInmen-
cling on the hrs, day of April last, nearly
eight thousand dollars have been cleared
by II. IT any thing can eradicate vicious
habits, or impose an effectual restraint upon
the wild and disordery passions, It may
with confidence be expected that the con-
slant employment of the mind and body will
act powerfully in producing so desirable a
change. 1t is obvious to the most common
observer, that the order and regularity
which now prevail in the penitentary sur
pass any thing which has ever been wit
messed before, since the commencement of
its operations. The rigid enforcement of
the rules lately adopted by the executive,
tits presumed, has produced that effect,
Your committee have observed W tn plea
sure the judgment which has been displayed
in the selection of the different kinds OF
work in which the convicts have been en-
pioved- The commonwealth has wanted,
and still wants, a large supply OF holsters,
Cartridge boxes and sword belts large
supply of these articles is furnished by the
convicts, and they are well executed. OF
the other articles manufactured, attention
is paid to those Which are found 20 be the
most saiesblc. Boots shoes, wrought and
Chr nails, are the principal articles oi ma
mf2cture, and from the excellence ct the
workmanship and uncommon chcapness IN
the price, they have been found to command
Z ready sale. Fire buckets and shoe -thre d
have recently been introduced, and loom
is nov fitted up, and it is hoped that in the
course OF u few years a sufficient quantity
OF coarse cloth may be manufactured to
clo;hc all the convcts. Your committee
take this opportunity of expire ssing their
appreciation of the plan adopted bv the ex-
ecutive under the law OF the last session, of
appointing AN agent OF purchases and sales.
Besides that THIS plan has the effec, of
increasing the sales af manufactured arti-
cles 1t confines the attention of the keep
CT 70 the duties of his station he was for
merly too much occupied in making bar
gains he can now employ his whole time
IN experimenting the conduct of those en-
trusted TO his care. The attention OF your
committee has been drawn towards the ex-
ere Sc of the power of pardon, which the
executive have lately more frequently ex-
tended to those convicts who may seem to
them to deserve it. They are fully aware
that their opinions on this subject are found
ed more on theory than practice, but they
cannot for6ear expressing their fears that
the llberal use of this power NAV be attend
Cd with the worst consequences. 1t was
certainly thought, when this system
was first adopted, that the power fpar-
doning would very seldom be exercised, if
not entirely superseded, because punish
ments were rendered mild, ID were pro-
portioned to the atrocity of ofances. 1t is
believed mat the cases very rarely occur,
IN which il rs necessary or proper TO Shor-
ten the duration or lessen the severity of
punish ments, because it is we'll known that
our lnrics seldom feel v,ndi,tive dispositi-
ons towards the unfortunate beings arraie.n,
cd before them. If the executive, in the
exercise os that power, allow themselves
TO hear evidence as 10 the supposed nno-
ceuce OF the convict, they at once open a
door for the TTtroductinn of many perjuries,
and truth may be sacrificed TO exparte re-
presentations. IF the regular and orderly
contnct of the convict is made the criterion
BY which TO estimate the propriety of ex-
tending mercy to him, there may be reason
60 apprehehd that the hypocrite, who has
the nrt To conceal the greatest depravity of
heart under pleasing exterior, will often
be selected instead of the real penitent II
is highly important that those unfortunate
persons III society, whore principles are de-
PRAYED, but who are not yet matured in
wickedness, SO far as to become amenable
80 ihe law, should flly impressed with
the Belief that the pcntcntiary rs a place
of puni 5ament, and that whensOever it my
be their lot TO be subject to It's rules, no re-
laHatinn can be expected in the infictiun
offs discipline. WIZ not the institution be
iiSarmed OF half its terrors, when it is ge-
morally understood that ther is mode by
which the tenants of its dreary mansions
may be let loose on the world before they
have completed the term OF their confine-
n.ent. Your committee do not by any
means intend TO insinuate that there is any
instance in which this power has been i'm
properly exercised their sole object is to
express the clear conviction of their minds,
that it ought not TO he resorted to, except
with extreme caution, and after mature de-
liberation.
Your committee beg leave to refer to the
genr raj account between the penitentiary
and the commonwealth, to prove that their
Is a considerable balance due to the former,
for the last eight months. There is no
doubt of the correctness Uf that account.
They will only remark, that the balance
would have been nominally much greater
If the executive had not very iudiciously
reduced the price of most of the manufac-
turcd articles
Your committee concur entirely i'm opini-
on with the executive, as to the great adj
vantages which have been derived from the
ezertions Of those patriotic gentlemen who
have acted as visitors and more especially