Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-11-23


mept to the community, affecting very
iDluriously individual transactions, and
has driven from circulation what remain
ed of the precious metals. The honor
of the state, and the interest OF the peo-
pie, individually and collectively, impe-
riously require that the wisdom OF the
Legislature should be exerled in an es-
pecial manner 10 devise means for restor-
ing the credit OF the paper OF the Bank.
Nothing short of strict examination
into the manner in which the Bank
has been conducted, and an exposition
of its present condition, will be satisiac-
tory to the people; and nothing short OF
legal provision for the extinction OF the
amounts paid in annual instruments, as
well as by voluntary payments, and the
prohibition of the re- issue oil one dollar
on any pretexl whatever, unless 1t be Tor
F, the necessary expenses OF the institution,
will sustain its credit, and it is submitted
to the wisdom of the Legislature, whe-
Their those expenses could not be reduc.
ed, and tho business better managed, by
substituting for the bank more simple
agency for the superintendent and col
lection of the debs.
| In the observations | had the honor to
rake to the las, Legislature, recon
mended that provision should be made
for the abolition of the remnant OF Afri-
can slavery which still existed in this
state. The full discussion Of the princi-
pie and policy OF personal slavery, which
has taken place since that period, result
ing in its rejection by the decided voice
of the people, still more imperiously
makes it my duty again to call your at
tenion in an especial manner 10 this sub
ject, aud earnestly entreat you to make
just and equitable provision for as spec
dy an abolition of this remnant OF slave
ry, as may be consistent with the rights
and claims of the parties concerned.
In close CONNECTION with this subject,
is my former Recommendation, to which
| again solicit your attention, that the
law as it respects those held IN service
should be rendered less severe, and
more accordant with our political insri-
tutions and local situation and that more
severe penalties should be enacted
against the unnatural crime Of kdnsp-
ping, which then prevailed to a great ex-
tent, and has since considerably lncreas-
ed, in consequence of the defects of the
presen, law. Regarding the former,
our laws in general are a mere transcript
OF those OF The more southern states,
where the great number ofslaves makes
it necessary for the safety Of the whites,
that the laws for their government, and
concerning free blacks, should be very
strict. But, there being no such motive
here, the necessity OF snch laws ceases,
and consequently their injustice and cru
city are the more apparent. The lat
ter are found every day more and more
defective and inefficient; and Kidnapping
has now become regular trade, which
is carried on to a vast extent to the coun-
try bordering on the lower Mississippi,
up the Red River, and to the West In
dies. To put an Immediate and effec-
tual stop to this nefarieus traffic, is the
imperious duty OF the Legislature.
There can come before you no subject
with more direct appeal to the gene
rous feelings Of hum ani,y, or with strong
er claims on your sense of Justice, than
the exposed and defenceless condition of
free persons Of color. And it is hoped
that penalties more proportonate II the
enormiiy OF the crime, and provisions
better adapted to coun,eract the facilities
Of committing it, arising from our pecu-
liar local situation, will be enacted.
also recommended to the last Gene
raj Assembly, the opening Of nsvigable
communications between the great Lakes
and the Wabash and Illinois rivers, and
to effect these objects, that portion Of
the revenue should be annually set apar,
to create and sustain fund to be exclu-
sively apportioned to internal improve
ments and | suggested that humanity,
no less than the interest Of The state,
called for the erection of Peni,snliary.
As further reflection has confirmed my
sentiments regarding each of these mea.
sures, beg leave now to renew my for
| mer accommodations
The report which will be made to you
by the Commissioners appointed by the
last Legislature to have surveys and esli-
males made Of the expenses of opening
a navigable communication between
Lake Michigan and the Illinois river,
will doubtless enable you to understand
the subject, and Judge when, and in what
manner, you can best execute that great
and desirable work. still cherish the
belief, that under a ludicious system,