Virginia Argus. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1796-1816, 1812-12-03

% citizen, whose long anil mcri,orious scr !
vices, during the revolutionary WAR, gaze |
him strong claims to the patronage OF his
country.
The annual report Of the superintendent
# the armory, (Which will be prepared as
shortly as possible. compaiihly with a stand
ing regulation of this institution will disclose
to y,u the progress in the fabrication of
arms.
The letter in the packet Il. No. g. from
the judges of the General Court, brought
TO our notice detect IN our system Of Grim
inal Jurisprudence. The Discharge of one
prisoner by the superior Court OF Norfolk,
at its May session, from the impoIs;bi!:ty OF
| procuring prosecutor on behalf nf the com
monweaith, and the probability that ,nanv
others would escape for tic same reason ut
the October session, were objects of such
moment as to receive orr immediate atten-
ton. i addressed a letter to The Attonev
General, disclosing to him the difficulty, and
requesting, Gfin his power.) that he would
attend in person. The professional engage
ments OF that gentleman in the Superior
i Courts, where the state also required his
l services, preventing him iom attending, up
on full consideration, it was deemed advis-
able to solicit the aid of some other respec,
table member of the profession, to repre-
sent the commonwealth in that court Mr..
Alexander McRae was Induced to under
take the duty, rather from Il disposition to
| render a Sc vice to his country, than from
pecuniary consideration. The result Of his
iabours proves that tho Course pursued was
as necessary, as the appointment was pru-
dent; one of the offenders haviag been sem
fenced to death, and four other, to the PEN
itentlary. 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
| copy Of a letter, mo. ~ from Judge Nelson,
communicating the anamo'ous Case of n court
without clerk, and no person willing to
accept the Office. The remedyis exclusive
~ within the power Of the General Assem-
bly,.
Brigadier General Thomas M Athews ha-
wing departed this life during your recess, it
devolves upon the Legislature tu supply the
vacancy thereby produced. The executive
forbore to make an appointment, as the
command of the brigade by law, devolved
on the next in command.
The Office of Judge of 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 Robert Nelson, Esqr. of
| York; the confirmation or rejection of this
appointment devolves en- the Legislature.
The various subjects committed to the
superintcndance of the Executive, by the
| laws of 1911, have not failed to receive the
attention they respectively required. The
armory, Exclusively of the boundary and bo-
ring mill. has been covered with slate for
sum less than that appropriated The
contract was made with Mr.. Bevin, of
Maryland, upon the best terms offered, af
ter due notice in several newspapers of se-
neral Circulation in the United States
The tidelity with which the work has been
executed, shows that we could not have been
| more fortunate in our selection.
lhe Boundary being no less exposed to
ire than the Armory and it being now as
certained that there is a sufficient surplus of
the appropriation, after paying for the Ar
mory to cover the boundary also with slate
a contract has been made with Mr.. Bevin 10
execute that work.
performed with much pleasure the duty
assigned me by the law of the last session IN
favor of General George Rogers Clarke
have to lament that the completion of the
sword was.not effected so soon as wished
or expected. lost not moment of time.
however, after it was finished, to inform
the General that it was ready, and would be
sent him by the first safe opportunity Nor
did omit to convey to him an expression of
| the sympathy of the Legislature for his mis-
fortunes, together with an assurance of the
pride and gratitude, with which they were
| inspired mt the recollection of his illustrious
services. copy Of NY letter is herewith
| enclosed, No. 5.
Very early az the adjournment of the Lee
| glslature. made an arrangement with Mr..
Samuel Peasants, for printing the first and
second volumes of the Revised Code, in the
4 roportionsprescribed BY law. His letter in
answer to mine, upon that subject, (and a
mong the enclosures No. 9 } will ASCERTAIN to
you the progress he has made in completing
| the work, and the time when the copies will
probably be distributed.
Some objects OF minor Importance will be
| the subjects of future communications.
owe II to the Council # State, to make
known that their attention to the duties of
| their station has been unremitted, and that
they have placed me under perpetual obi
cations by their friendly support and cordi-
al cooperation.
l cannot conclude this communication
| without reminding YOU of the abundant eau c
of Congratslation in the univer Al plenty
with which our land abounds, in the uniform
differentiation tothe laws in every part of
the Commonwealth, and the consequent
happiness ofevery de scription Of our citizens.
Nor can omit to invite you to Join with me
in tendedering to the God of mercies the
homage Of our grateful hearts for these
distinguished proofs of his good Pruvi-
dence, and ferveutiy praying that he may
continue to have our beloved country in
his holy keeping.
is. BARBOUR.
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