American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1825-01-11

committee to whom the subject may be referred.
IL will, presume, be made apparent, that 1t was
that, from the peculiar circumstances
attending each case, Congress alone could decide on
and that, from consideration of delicacy, it would
have been highly improper for me to have sought
it from Congress, at an earlier period than that
which is now proposed, the expiration of my term
in this high trust.
Other considerations appear to me to operate with
great force, in favor of the measure which | now
propose. A Citizen who has long served his coun-
try, in its highest trusts, has right if he has serv-
ed with fidelity, to enjoy undistubed tranquility and
peace, in his retirement. This he cannot expect to
do, unless his conduct, in all pecuniary concerns,
shall be placed, by severe scrutiny, basis not to be
shaken. This, therefore, forms strong metve with
me for the inquiry which now invite. The pub
lie may also derive considerable advantage from the
precedent, in the future movement Of the govern
ment. 1t being known that such scrutiny was made
i'm my case, it may form new and strong barrier
against the abuse OF the public confidence in future
JAMES MONROE.
Washington, 5th January, 1925.
The Message was read, and ordered to lie on the
table and be printed.
Friday JAM. Z.
The SENATE did not sit TO day.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr.. Brent from the Select Committee on that
subject, reported bill to authorize the legal repre-
ta,ives of the Marquis de Maison Rouge to insti-
tule suit against the United States, and for other
Ipurposes which was twice read and committed.
Mr.. Cook, OF Illinois, presented the following
resolution
Resolved, That the Committee on the Judiciary
lbe instructed TO inquire into the expectancy of es-
tablishing one OF more National Pententares for
the confinement and punishment Of persons Convicted
OF offences against The laws OF the u s. to be To-
Gated at such place places as shall be most con-
yenient to the different sections Of the Union.
| In support OF this resolution, Mr. Cook observed
that bill was now before the Committee o! the
whole House, which provided for the punishment
of crimes against the United States, and which
made between thirty and forty different offences
punishable by death. He did hope that, in the pre-
sent advanced state Of human society those princi
Piles which had been handed down from barbarous
antIquity, and embodied in SO many Of the codes o.
4 European legislation were susceptible under hei
Igovernment, of improvement and mitigaton-tha
the severity with which crimes punished in the
Iold countries might be diminished consistently witt
the protection OF society against crimes. The bill
referred 10, besides its long list OF capital punish
ments, assigned to an almost innumerabe amount
iol different offences, the punishment OF imprison
ment and hard labor. This presented subject
which would call for the inquiry and reflection Of
Congress it opened wide field, and one which
though often and long explored by jurs,s and Iegi
la.ors had never enjoyed so fair an opportunity tt
! be investigated as under government like ours
in which much more of sympathy existed be
tween the governors and the governed than was L
be found under the systems Of the old world.
| The resolution was adopted.