The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-12-08

4, HnV'acr suoJCCt at all tunes important,
lontdcrivins increa, interest from The pre-
sent aspect of our affairs. is that which re-
iates to the training Ssdisciplining the Mill
tia. a nation of Freemen, to preserve its
liberty, must become nation of Soldiers. II
Is not merely necessary, that each Citizen
shall, at the call of his Country, have the
patriotism to fly to her Standard, and the
courage to face dangerin her defence. but.
10 THESE, he must sLperaGd an acquaintance
with the hardships and discipline of militia
ry life, and knowledge of those arts of
war, which, in all ages have been found ne
ce'sary to make valor formidable. This
knowledge is not to he inspired by mere love
OF Country, nor is it to be acquired by intu-
it'on and lis most respectfully submitted
to the consideration of the Legislature. whe-
tner the various laws for training and disci-
piinins the Militia, are sufficient for those i'm
portant purposes! As connected with this
| subject, permit me, with much difidence, to
| repeat a suggestion which | took the liberty
to make to the last General Assembly whe-
ther we may not advantageously introduce,
under the auspices of the State. a Military
School or Schools, somewhat upon the plan
| OF those established in Europe, and in which
! whiie the bodies of such of our Youths. as
might chuse to enter them, would be Injured
by the sevcrcst discipline to all the hard
! ships OF actual service, their minds would
De instructed in all the various, and particu-
| iarly the higher branches Of the Military
art.
At time when the Injustice and violence
o. foreign nations have suspended al our TO-
reign commerce, it becomes the obvious
poicy OF the General Assembly to encourage
our own Domestic Manufactures. The means
necessary and proper TO be employed by the
Legislature for this important purpose. w,h
be suggested nv the wisdom of the GanoreI
Assembly. They will feel, also, increased
motives for granting to internal commerce
all me facilities arising from multiplying, ex-
'ehdinS and improving the means of commu-
ihcatioh between the remote parts of our
country, by land and by water. have much
pleasure in having it in my power to Law be-
/ fore the General Assembly. the Admirable
report OF the Secretary Of the Treasury of
the United States, on the subject of public
roads and canals. The report OF the COM
mIssieners, under the act Of the last Leeisla-
| turc, concerning the James River Gonna
| ny, ana also, communication from the Di-
rectors OF that Company, in relation there
to, together with the Report of the commits
sloners on the subject of the road from the
upper navigation of Kanawha, tothc upper
navigation of James River are herewith
transmitted Tor the information of the I4er;s-
lature.
In recommending subjects for the conside-
ration OF the General Assembly, | should o.
mt one which l deem most interesting and
important, were | to be silent. on the esta-
ohshment OF some system for the more gene
raj diffusion of knowledge. Having on a for
ner occasion enlarged on this topic, it will
now only be touched 1t could not be expec-
ted In any country, that every man should
J Dp DllINcOnh-r hut tl,a a.
Learning should be brought within the
reach OF every, even the poorest, citizen :;
ana this can only be accomplished by the
and or government. The influence of educa-
ton on the happiness of individuals, and on
the manners, peace and good order of socie-
ty, is obvious to the most superficial ohserva-
ton. But its influence, in another point of
view, IS equally, if not still more, comman-
ding and interesting. 1t constitutes one of
the great pillars on which the civil liberties
OF nation depend.
A vacancy having occurred during the re-
cess OF the General Assembly in the Office of
treasurer, by the death of Gen. VIM. Nose
ley, and also in that of Registered the Land
Once, by the death of William Price, ESQ.
the Executive appointed Gen. John Preston
10 M the former, and David S Garland, Esq.
to I'LL the latter vacancy. What farther re-
mains to be done in relation to these appoint
meats, IS lett to the Legislature.
have received from certain Judges of the
General Cost, communication CONCERNING
the Act entitled can Act to organize and
establish superior Court at Law and Foui-
" IN each county in this commonwealth. :"
winch, at their request, have the honor to
lay before the General Assembly.
Official statements by the Auditor, Of the
taxes for the year 1907, including the differ
ent branches of the Revenue, ACCOMPANIED
with an account of expenditures with list
OF balances due from sheriifs to the FIRST dav
OF october. 1900, are herewith submitted.
transmit for tile consideration of the Ge-
ncr2l Assembly, the account between the
commonwealth and the Penilentiarv, shew
ing the result of the operations for, tLe Iast
year, and exhibiting balance of seventeen
thousand nine hundred and seventy-one dol
lars and sixty cents, in favor of the In
stitution, from which, if we deduct the Off
GERS salaries ard their rations, amounting
10 three thousand four hundred and sixtv-one
doiiars and ninety five cents, there will re-
main a nett balance of fourteen thousand
threc hundred andthree dollars and sixtv-six
cents. ne progress and effects OF this In
sutution are highly pleasing to the friends of
humanity, for believe they will fully equal
the expectations of the admirers of the Pc
mtentIary system, however sanguine. The
very interesting report Of the Visitors, which
/ nave much pleasure in submitting to the
General Assembly. entirely superscdes the
necessity of farther remarks On This s,,b;rct