The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1824-12-03

OF service, operates in some degree az
letter of recommendation aud an assurane,
of his good conduct
Whilst on the subject Of The criminal
law, will call the attention ofthe lrsisla
iure ~ part of our code, the prophet, ot
; which have been led IL doubt. | allulc
10 the punishment of free white persons
by siripes IN public, and the lfanspnrin
ton of free persons of colour beyond the
limits of the L. States, there IL he sold ~
slaves for life. One OF the great objects al
our criminal tnde, AS nj present nrganlz.d,
is the refoI mallon Of the offender A
Tree white person who has been publicly
whipped, must he So completely excluded
rom repeciable socieiy, that chance of
reformation IL nearly hopeless. Such Law
must operate like that act of the British
Parliament which directed, that persons
convicted OF certain offences should he
branded IN The forehead With the letter II.
The impollcy ri the law VAS found III
The course of very short experience, and
II WAS repealed the first session succeeding
the one of lis enactment. The law also
which directs that for certain offences free
persons of colour shall be transported be-
You'd the the limit. Of the Uutrd States,
and sold as slaves, is certainly the MOST
rlsp, ruus law of our whole criminal code.
Several persons of this description have
been removed from different tlils in the
state to the Per itentiary for sale aud trans
portation, but the conslilntionaity OF the
Ia" having been doubted, case has been
tried in the General Court On that point.
II is understood IL have hrrn tn. unani
mus opinion Of The Judges ri the last
Constitution. Whatcvc, may he its char
acier in reference IL the Constitution, il is
certainly on abstract grounds very has h
law, aud departs much from the general
character OF our criminal code, which is
mldncss aud something like tenderness
towards that unfortunate rs well ~ criminal
part OF our popallti"n The persons coming
under the penalties of the Criminal code.
As FAR as have beru able Ia observe, these
NV" laws for whipping ire White persons,
aud transporting and selling ~ slaves fc.
, persons af colourl are more in conflict with
public feelings and sentiment, than il ir
common far the acts uf our legislature Ia
he. therefore respectfully invite the at
tcntlon of the General Assembly 10 these
subjects.
In compliance with the act of the Last
session, directing the Board of Public
Work, Ia appoint an able engineer nf
mother state, and three experienced com
mlsslunrrs from this state, 10 assist the
evil ginecr of this state IN making II new
survey Of The James and Jackson's river
from Mniden's Adventure Falls In Dunlap
creek, the hoard WAS convened for that
purpose, and met in iii. month of May
last, when benjamin Wright, Esq. of th,
state of New York, was chosen ~ assistant
engineer; and Col, Philip Il Thnmpson
Col. George Love and Rlrhnrd n, Vrna
b" Esq. as commissioners for the prrpos,
aforesaid. Ii WAS understood by pr.slou.
correspondence with Judge Wright, iha,
his engagements would not admit of hi.
coming IN this state bclorc the month VI
Octohcr, when he would review the lin,
which had been previously surveyed by
our Engineer and Commissioners. The
high character of Judge Wright induced
he board Ia accept his services on those
conditions. though his personal assistance
throughout was desirable. Mr.. Vrnahlr,
one of the Commissioners, declined ne
coping his appointment. The board al
public works had adjourned before this
fact was known, and III. * otlicio mem
hers thinking they had not power To sup
ply his place, gasr II ~ then opinion Ia
the Engineer, that the public interest would
b. promoted by his proceeding on the
surrey with the assistance nj the two
Commissioners, though perhaps the strict
letter of the law required the presence OF
all three.
In consequence of i'll health. .Jndsr
! Wright WAS unable torsach this place I'LL
the early part Of the present month, whrn
he proceeded with the Engineer and Com
mseiuners To the examination, III which
they are now engaged. Thu report al
their proceedings will BIZ made known IL
the Legislature rs soon as it is received by
the Board of Public Works Ia whom they
are directed By lac TO report in the first in
stance.
The loan authorised by the last Lrgisia
! ture Of 5000 900 for carry ing on the i'm
proven,ents nn the james aud Jackson ii
rtrs and the kapawha road and navigation
Was contracted for in the month of May
last. by the james River Company.
The loan WAS advertised long enough, it
WAS supposed, to give ihose. capitalists who
nigh, he disposed To bid for it, an oppnrtu-
nity To do so--SeSrral proposals were for
wardrd 10 the company, hut that made by
the Farmers Bank belng the most adyan
laseous, was accepted. This was effected
AT per cent. per annum interest, with n
premium Ia the state of u per cent. max
Ing the aggresatr amount of premium $40,
000.-Of these sums 10000 dollars pei
quarter MAS put to the credit of the com
pany, to be paid 10 the orders Of the Com
,nissionrr4 aSreoably Ia law, with the pr
vilrgc oI calling for Il larger amount pow
drd the wants Of the Commissioners should
make il necessary.
By rhi. mode Of advancing Tic money, The
interest upon thu whole amount going on =
once has been prevented. II being the dnil
ri the Commissioners 10 report their proceed
inps In the Jppi,lnture | re speCtfuIy rplr