American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1824-11-30

North Cayohna-Tle Legislature Of this State convened
on the 18th inst. The following extracts from the Mes
sage OF GABRIEL HOLMES, Esq, the Governor, contain
some things which well worthy the attention of the
glsaure OF Delaware and we nope will obtain due con-
sderaon at the approaching session. We aude paicu.
ary to the remarks the Criminal Code which is Of the
same barbarous nature as that of our State.
"The encouragement which the Legislature has
lately given to Agriculture, augurs well for its ad-
vancement IN this State. Already have numerous
Agricultural Societies been formed and organized
which promise much for its improvement. la
your deliberations therefore, the people may con-
idently expect that this their first ntel est the foun-
dation of their wealth and happiness, will be ever
present; and that all your measures, IN any way re-
lated to III will have view TO its promotion
1t may not be amiss, Gentlemen, 10 say some
what on the subject of Literature 1t is unqueson-
ably OF vital Importance to the responsibility of the
State, as well as individual prosperity and happiness
But have harped on it so often, (and often, pre-
sumo, have my predecessors,) that now touch the
chord with almost hopeless expectations and rigid in
difference. But whilst sister States boasting
OF millions appropriated to that fund; and that well or
ganzed little Republic, Connecticut, proudly declar-
ing, that her every and daug liter can read and
writeby the contrast our policy forms with their reg
ulaons, am iIresistbly constrained to invite your
attention to the improvement of the minds Of the
rising generation of North Carolina.
Our Fiscal Department is in flourishing stua
ton; our Treasury Astounding in gold and silver,
or its adequate value, collected from the people, and
not one cent appropriated to the improvement Of
the minds Of their children.-I mean those who have
not the means to afford their and daughters Ii
beral educations. Surely, then, we cannot consist
emit with good policy, hesitate to fund.- that
will assist the parents Of every denomination to mi
tiae their offspring in elementary rudments of
learning. knowledge, well and generally dffused
amongst every class OF cltizens is the best Sc
cufy OF their constitutional rights and liberties. 1t
will enable them to resist all innovations of dema
gogues or ambitious men, whose views to the con
stituuon are inImical or subyersve. The people
are industrious and patriotic; they cheerluly sub
scribe 10 the necessary demands Of the state upon
their purse without murmur They would most
gladly receive, and gratefully acknowledge your
patronage for the improvement OF their families.
They have right fully 10 anticipate your fostering
care, and cannot doubt but that the adyan ages re-
sultlng TO society from such measures, will claim
your wise and well digesled liberaity towards them
Our Criminal Code appears to me- to require al
revision and the serious deliberaon of the Gener al
Assembly. | would respectfully recommend The
entire abolition of whipping and cropping aed in
their stead the substitution of labor A former lie
gislature distinguished itself by abolishng impls-
onment for debt, which was justly considered rel
c OF euda barbarity and oppression Cropping
and whipping are among the few which still blacken
our Statute Book, and which prejudces still re-
fuse TO part with. would also respectfully suggest
to the Legislature whether it would not be expedi
ent for the Jallors in the several counties Of the
State, to enforce labor all persons imprisoned fo
crimes, on charges of crimes, for their jail ex-
penses at least. The object of imprisonment would,
in this way, be more fully answered, and largel
sum Of money annually saved to the public.
The great number of slaves recently emancipatedi
in the United States and thrown on the community
without property or regular employment, has con
str aimed considerable portion OF these miserable
people to emigrate to the island of Hayti tor pro-
lection and the blessings of equality. Also many
free persons oil color, who have tasted the bill
cup of slavery, have visited that island. 1t isl
suggested, with much diIlidence, whether it would
aot be expedent to prevent return OF those emil
grants our State. view OF our safety and
seems to require this prohib'tofy mea
sure.
The commissioners appointed agreeably to an act
of the last session of the General Assembly, to pur
chase, behalf of the State the claims of certain
Cherokee Indians to reservations of land in our Che
rokee territory, have effected treaty with the claim
ants, by which they agree to renquish their claims
and remove from the lands.''