The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-12-05

vet, with submission, I would stnte that eS-
ternal circumstances ought not for a mo,
ment to arrest. but after the manner of the
sanoen. republics, should accelerate, the
progress OF The arts, the sciences. and inter-
nal improvements. =
A report is in train. and will shortly be
completed, 5y the Visitors of the Pententia-
~, which, when received. will be trans
I,iit,ed without delay. and will furnish the
necessary Information relative to that inst
tdtion. 1t is NJ. duty, however. to mention,
that, since the last session, the former su-
pcrintendant has resigned. But the pros
perity OF the institution has received no
check from that occurrence since we have
had the good fortune to find successor in
Colonel William Campbell; who gives us
daily proofs that our confidence was well
placed. 1t was source of qualification TO
the executive, that they could unite, with
the advancement of the public good, an act
pf gratitude to a citizen, whose long and me-
ritorious services, during the revolutionary
w ar, gave him strong claims to the patron
age of his country. ~Nt.'r
The annual report of the superintendent
of the armory, (Which will be prepared as
shortly as possible, compatiby with stand
ing regulation of the institutiOn,) will dis
close to you the progress in the fabrication
OF arms.
The letter in the packet B. No. 6, from
the Judges OF the General Court, brought to
our notice defect in our system of crimi~
nal Jurisprudence. The discharge OF one
prisoner by the superior Court of Norfolk,
at its May session, from the impossbility of
procuring a prosecutor on behalf of the COM
iponwealth, and the probability that many
others would escape for the same reason
at the October session, we've objects Of such
moment as to receive our immediate attenti-
on. addressed letter to the Attorney
GeBeral, disclosing to him the difficulty, &
requesting. Gfin his power,) that he would
attend in person. The professional engage
ments OF that gentleman in the Superior
Courts, where the state also required his
services, preventing him from attending,
upon full consideration, it was deemed advi-
sable to solicit the aid of some other respect
able member of the profession, to represent
the commonwealth in that court. Mr.. A
lexander McRae was induced to undertake
the duty. rather from disposition to rem
der a service to his country, than from Pc
cuniary consideration. The result of his la
bors proves that the course pursued was as
necessary, as the appointment was prudent !;
one OF the offenders having been sentenced
To death, and four others to the Penitentia-
ry. 1t belongs to the Legislature to apply
the remedy to an evil, which, should it
become general, will be productive of the
most serious consequences.
Among the enclosures, will be found a
copy of letter, (No.7.) from Judge Nelson,
communicating the anomalous case OF a
Court Xthout clerk, and no person willing
TO accept the office. The remedy is eXclu-
sively within the power of the General As
sepbly.
Brigadier General Thomas Mathews hav-
ing departed this life during your recess, it
devoives upon the Legislature to supply the
vacancy thereby produced. The executive
ha
command OF the brigade by law devolved Oil
the next in Command
The office OF Judge in the superior court
OF Chancery, for the district Of Williams
burg, having been left vacant by the death
OF the Honorable SAMUEL Tyler, the vacan-
cy was supplied by Rober. Nelson, ESQ. of
York the confirmation or rejection of this
appointment devolvcs on the Legislature.
The various subjects committed to the SUI,
perintendance ofthe Executive, BY the laws
OF 1911, have not failed to receive the atten-
ton they respectively required. The ar
Tnory, Exclusively of the foundery and Dor
.ng mll has been covered With slate for a
sum iess than that appropriated. The con-
tract was made, with MIR. Bevn, of Mary
land, upon the best terms offered, after due
noi|ce IN several newspapers of general cir
culatioD III the United States-Ihe fidelity
with which the work has been executed
SneWS that We could not have been more for
tunate in our selection.
The Foundery being no less exposed to
hire than the Armory and it being now as
Certaned that there is sufficient surplus of
the appropriation, after paying for the Ar
Inory to cover the Fopndery also With slate.
. contract has been made with Mr. Bevin TO
execute that work
l performed with much pleasure the do =
~ assigned me by the law of the last ses-
s,on IN favor of General George Rogers
clarkc.--l have to lament that the compile
ton OF the sword was not effected so soon
as wished or expected lost not a.mo-
ment OF time, however, after it was finished
10 INFORM the General that it was ready. 8,
Wonid be sent him by the first safe opportu-
nitv Nor did omit to convey to him an
expression of the sympathy of The Lepisla-
ture for his misfortunes, together. with an
assurance of the pride and gratitude. with
which they were inspired at the recollection
OF ms Industrious services. A copy of my let
tel, is herewith enclosed, No. 8.
Very early afterth adjournment of the Le-
g'siature, made an arrangement with Mr..
samuel Peasants for printing the first and
second volumes of the Revised Code in the
proportions prescribed by law. His letter in
answert to mine. upon that subject, land a.
1nong the enclosures No. 81 will ascertain 70
you the progress he has made in ccmpIetihr-
She work, anG the time when the copies will
probably be distributed.
SOME objects of minor Importance will he
tue subjects OF future communications.