Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1818-12-08

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command, which b,usi be done by sig
mails.
The number Of the Public Guard in
the City Of Richmond, raised Tor the pio-
tection OF The public property, has been
nearly completed, under The law at ihe
last session. II is due 10 the officers, 10
say that they have been attentive Ia their
duty, and have thereby inpro, cd the APP
pearance, reputation and utility OF tie
Guard.
From the Quarterly Reports made by
The Directors OF the Peniieniiary, here
with enclosed, (marked 3D. you will see
HE progress Of that Institution. | am in
olned 10 believe, from an examination OF
the interior OF the building, that the dis
cipline, neatness and industry maintained
among the Prisoners, by thepreseni Keep
CT, Will intitle him 10 appreciation.
HE Legislature will certainly not per-
mil the present session 10 close without;
devoiing part Of lis deliberations TO The
state of the County Jails. Their condi-
ton generally, renders the case OF debt
or deplorable and the frequency OF cs-
capes by criminals is subject of con-
slant complaint and universal regret. In
point of economy, The sating TO the State,
which would arise from diminishing The
heavy expense of guards in the country,
ana OF rewards so frequently paid for APP
pretending offenders, is worthy Of serious
consideration.
The Executive proceeded after the
time allowed by law had expired for The
former assistant assessors TO make their
returns, forthwith" 10 appoint assistant
assessors 10 I'll ibe vacancies occasioned
by operation Of the law on that subject.
am sorry 10 add, tina, the assessment is
still unfinished, as from mauy counties
no returns have ever been received, which
circumstance only, has prevented the
complete execution OF the law, tor ar
| ranging the counties into districts for the
election of Senators and for cquaiizing
the land tax"
The Board of Public Works, at their
called meeting, since the lasi session of
the Legislature, appointed Thomas Moore,
Esq. their principa, engineer, who was
Immediately employed in making sur
vey of James river aud lis branches, Tor
TIE purpose of ascertaining the practical
billty and expense of such improvements
as would render those important streams
navigable for vessels drawing three feet
water. a detailed report of the result
will be submitted as SOON as received, 60
geiher with the Annual Report shew ing
the present state OF the fund for internal
Improvement.
To shew what has been done in obedi-
! ence 10 the resolution concerning The Oh
structions TO The navigation Of the Ohio
river, between Pitisburg and Shipping
Port, beg leave TO reieryOu To a copy
(marked c. OF nay letter addressed TO the
Governor of each State, mentioned in the
| resolution.
Under the law of the last session, ap-
E,is
| literary fund, the Executive discharged
| the duty which devoivcd upon them by
appointing The Board of commissioners
for The university" whose duty it is TO
report 10 the legislature al their present
session.
As soon as the aDnualreport of The pre-
sident and directors of The Literary fund
can be prepared, which will he in a few
DAYS, that report will he Submitted to the
General Assembly. From tire limited ex
perimenis hitherto made by The a" school!
commissioners" for the education of poor
children, from some of whom reports
have been received, we are justified in
believing that most important advantages
10 The community may be derived from
their efforts under the law ofIl,e last ses-
sion. No object can be presented 10 an
enlightened legislature, better calculated
TO inspire unanimIiy, and produce libe
raj policy, than that connected with the
Improvement Of the human mind. upon
which The real happiness, not only of So
cieiy al present, but of future genera
lions, so much depends IL is therefore
confidently believed, that more enlarg-
ed system OF public education will be
adopted by the legislature a system, no.
norabie 10 themselves, and worthy of the
IL. a.. A
unusual desire, among the citizens gene
rally, for the attainment of knowledge III
every branch of science, is now mani
testing itself, the state of Virginia may
soon acquire distinguished reputation
for learning and wisdom, if the genius
and talents Of every citizen be properly
encouraged and cherished by The fostering
hand of government.
The present STATE of our yoiumlneuS
accounts, contracted with Tie United
States during The war, wis be seen by the
enclosed summary, aud by a letter (mark
ed ID, from MIR. ljagner, the auditor in
tie Treasury Department at Washington
together with the statement of our agent
Mr.. Chew, and his explanatory letter
(markcd Ed
The question respecting the interest
claimed by Virginia, aud chargcable TO |
the general account upon the sum adj
vanced to the United States, remains un-
settled This subject was introduced 10 |
the attention Of the Government long |
since, as will appear 10y The enclosed pa
pers (marked p ! thought il most pro-
per not IL press tie question uniIl nearly |
The whole amount of The principal should |
be paid least the settlement might he |
embarrassed or delayed on that account.
From tue cordial and liberal temper ma
infested by the General Government |
throughout the settlement Of those com |
r,Iirai,- Il md nrrr,lcS cd accounts 1 rnnnnf |