Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1816-11-14


cal aud religious freedom, this western
hemisphere win present a scene of de-
is,httus contemplation.
Within our own borders, every thing i;
tranquil and happy: and although some
Of tie productions o.<fhe earth have not
been so abundant the past season as they
USUALLY are, Il bountitul store fully su!ii-
Gent, with prudent foresight, 10 supply
all the 'iacesSarles and SoniOrts of life, is
s,ili icit u.s.. This, and the general health
fitness I'll the season call forth warm e.
motions OF gratitude 70 the Great Dis
pepser OF every good.
The present meeting OF the Legislature
being appointed by law for special pur-
pose, shal: submit to your consideration
ut this time such subjects only as are of
pressing and indispensable Importance.
In the month of Sepiember last, Daniel
Eorthrop, OF the county ofSaratoga, was
convicted OF the crime of murder, and
Was sentenced To be executed on the last
Friday OF the present month.
The Jurors who tried him have request
ed that his punishment may be comnu-
ted, but the Chief Justice, who presided
At the trial, is SO we'll persuaded OF the
mental arrangement of the unfortunate
convict, that he does not think him fit
subject for punishment OF any kind-Itis,
however, considered dangerous TO permit
him to so at large, and therefore ifa par
don be granted, Il condition that he be
confined In some iunatic hospital or aSy-
hum is respectfully recommended.
The progress OF vice keeping pace with
the rapid inc-sase Of population, it be-
comes Impossible IN accommodate, III the
single ediiice at New-lork, all the con-
victs, whici, are sent from The different
parts OF t!l. state. So crowded indeed is
that prison, that serious apprehensions are
entertained ct infection and other alarm
Ing consequences. For this reason ma
ny pardoas are recommended by the
Judges oSthe Supreme Court, and the In
spcctors OF the prison, on the plea of ne
cessity, which perhaps would not have
been advised on the ground of merit.
This necessity renders punishment more
uncertain, and that uncertainty destroys
the respect for and operation of the laws !;
and as the grand moderation of our Grim
inal code, which substitutes deprivation
ofllberty and subsection TO hard labor fer
sanguinary and capital punishments, will
not have fair experiment, or be trlly
tested, unless the mild sentences pronoun-
ced are endured, you will readily perceive
the high Importance of removing the pre-
sent enbarrassmentS to the full execution
of criminal sentences. The co,nmunica
ton from the Inspectors of the Institu-
ton, which now present, suggest several
remedies for the existing evil. Without
expressing an opinion on the prOprIetv of
ultimately adopting those which are ex-
perimental, and will be more difficult and
tedious of accomplishment, it is respect
fully submitted to your wisdom to make
provision at the present session, for en-
ploying part at least of the state prison
ers, either in building the new prison at
Auburn, erecting Notifications, openin q
and repairing great roads, constructing
canals, or in making other imprQv ements
1t is greatly 10 be dcplored, when ca
pitalists had, from the purest motives of
patriotism, and when the best interests of
the country required it, adventured their
property III tlem that establishments for
domestic manufactures should have been
suffered TO be suspended or even to Ian
guish. An appeal TO the general govern
ment has produced partial relief; but the
utmost eNertions of the state legislature
will be required to yield such further en-
couragement as viii place manufacturers
of domestic articles upon an equal foot
ingwith the importers offoreign merchan-
die.
Gentlemen,
When we compare the situation of
the United States with that of other coun-
tries, we have great cause of self gratuIa-
ton. We find ourselves in the enjoyment
of every rationa! right, civil and religious.
Our government has proved itselfcapable
of resisting the shock of most political
changes which peace or war can produce
Its duration, then, may confidently be
predicted coeval with the intelligence and
virtue of IFS inhabitants.
The present state of the world, and the
general disposition of mankind, are propi-
tious TO the encouragement of learning,
the advancement of the arts and the ex-
tension of religious information; the GER
tain and only means of perpetuating our
happy condition. As the guardians of
the prosperity, liberty and morals of the
state, we are therefore bound BY every
injunction of patriotism, and wisdom, to
endOw To the utmost of our resources.
schools and seminaricS of learning, TO pat
ronize public improvements, and to che
IRISH all institutions for the diffusion of re-
iigious knowledge and for the promotion
of virtue and piety.
DANIEL ID. TOMPKINS.
dDaHy, NOrember >, 1916,
IMPORTANT TO EMIGRANTS.