Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-12-04
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Fsllom. Citizens of the Senate.
and OFths Rouss of Deleonfss

am happy on meeting you in General
e Assembly to have u again in my powerto
congratulate you on the general prosperi-
" OF our country. By the justice OF our
conduct towards other nations, our peace
is established on basis which promises a
long continuance, and though a>teWpgrary
conclusion nay be produced among our,
selves by such an event ss a presidential
election, vet i, is firmly behaved that the
good sense OF the nation will permit no
serious inconvenience to grow on. OF that
event; but when acting IN conformity with
the provi-ions OF our constitution and laws
on the subject choice shall be made,
there will be a quiet scqnesence IN that
choice; and general disposition TO sup
port the administration OF the person so
chosen, as long as his measures shall be OF
a character 10 deserve support: when Of a
different character, they ought and will.
no doubt. meet with that open and manly
opposition which the nature of our politi>
cal institutions juslihes snd requires
With few exceptions, the health OF
the people OF our State has been good.
and our agricultural labors have been hles
with an abundant product oil the traits of
the earth. For all these benefits our unit-
ed thanks are due to the supreme disposer
OF events, who has uniformly dispensed 10
this favored land so liberal portion of his
blessings. The act of Assembly making
an appropriation Tor repairing the Peniten.
tiary received the early attention of the
superintendent and directors of that in.
stilutlon. aud has been carried into effect
upon The plan pointed out by the law, W ith
some alterations. 1t is believed taat the
work has heeD execu ed u superior style,
AMI the whole exterior Of the building is
greatly improved in appearance, and the
interior also, by the alterations which have
been made. much better adapted to all the
purposes of its destination. Tbe amoun,
OF the expenses incurred in prosecuting
the work, accompanies this communlca-
tCn in compliance with the directions OF
law, and is marked A.
1t is proper to observe here, that great
degree OF disafection aud resiessness was
very early manifested by the prisoners,
aud two attempts were made in The course
OF the year to set fire to the building each
oil a serious chsracte-. particularly the last,
which was discovered barely in tive 10
prevent ITS spreading and probably pro-
duciug the des Fuction OF or at least great
INJURY to the building Two instructions
were also discovered Ia be on foot in line
to email bic suppression, in which a NUM-
Der OF he prisoners were believed 10 be
concerned; the objects OF which were the
escape OF the prisoners, and tbs TO ne eff
fected by putting the keeper and his az
sistanis 10 death 10 necessary for eff4cting
their pu poses, Several escapes occurred
during the year herewith communi.
cate tmarked } copies OF letter from
the Superintendent, and report from the
Directors on this subject. In these il will
be seen as the opinion OF that board. that
this disposition OF the prisoner. was pro-
du.ed principally by the provisions Of the
law of the last session, INCREASING the re-
strictions OF the institutions, and taking
from the Executive the power OF pardon-
ing This taking place whilst The build
ing as under repair. and consequently in
o much weaker state than common, the
root being ia part uncovered tor length
OF fipe and the scsffoldings and ladders
up induced them 10 make unusual exer-
tons in en1eavoring TO escape, particu-
larry when they saw the prospect OF being
sble 10 do so diminishing every day by
-the erection of the new works which were
growing up around them. All these cir
cumstsnces have induced the Executive to
keep an additional guard, part OF the year
OF twenty five, and la'terly of eighteen
men. in aid of the Public Guard. The
power Of pardonIng by the Executive is a
subject on the propriety OF which the best
Judges differ in opinion. After the most
mature deliberatioD, believe that il ought
10 remain with the Executive, to he exer
cised CAUTIOUSLY and with sound dlscre
ton. fhe knowledge that this power
exists with the Executive, stimulates great
ly 10 good conduct. and has been no doubt
the principal means by which heretofore
consprscies among the prisoners have
been detected, and their injurious effects
prevented Reformation being also one
great object of the Peueten;iary System,
every thing tending TO the facility al read
mission into society, on the part OF these
unhappy persons is an object of importance
a pardon. even RENTING small part OF
the prisoners term OF service operates IN
some degree a letter OF recommendation
and an assurance Of his good conduct
Whilst on the subject OF the criminal
law, | will call the attention oil the Legs
ls,ure 10 part Of our code the proprety OF
which have been led TO doubt. allude
TO the punishment OF tree white persons by
stripes IN public and the transportation of
free persons Of colour beyond the limits of
the United States, there TO be sold as
slaves for life One OF the great objects
Of our criminal code as at present organis-
ed. is the reformation OF the offender. A
free white person who has been publicly