Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1829-12-08

" n
sembIy that another year has passed by, without
gle conviction Of white female for a Penentiary of
ience; making the whole time above FIVE years since
any such conviction has taken place In Northumberland
there 10 now but one solitary Of the confinement
ola white female in the Penitenary. most respect
FULLY submit to the General Assembly, whether IL
not due to the unexamplei morals, virtues and good
conduct Ut the females Of Virginia. lie by
this view OF the condition Of the Penite ntary that
mat unfortunate solitary convict should be pardoned
OF her offences and set at liberty. The improve
ments made in the solitary cells, since the ession
OF the last General Assembly, in so incre Asing the
number, afford cell for the separate confnc-
ment OF each convict and in the ventilation Of each
separate CELL have been attended with the most bene-
hciai effects. Indeed from my experience and reec.
tions upon the subject, decidedly Of the opinions
that Justice to the principle Of the Penitcnary system
cannot be done, without sufficient number Of cells
AFFORD at least during the night eRtre separation OF
me convicts The report Of the Superintendent Of the
Pententiary, cantaiaing these and other important
facts, respecting the present condition OF our Peni-
tentiary establishments Is herewith communicated.
IL Is In obedience to conscientious sense of duty,
That call the attention Of the Gen. Assembly to revi.
sion Of much Of the &C, Of March 9Th, 1872 respect
ing the Pensn'iary establishment as prescribes the
punishment oil stripes for petit larceny often e.
The punishment seems to me to be greatly dispropor-
toned TO the offence, and the frequent and urgent
petitions to the Executive for dispensing with that
portion oil the punishment inflicted for such Of.
fences prove that Is repugnant to the moral
OF the country-it IL so ignomnious in It's character
so deprive the sufferer Of every ves,ige Of hope, Of
being again restored to society; after having once un.
dergone that puni-hment-and the IL. that
he becomes vagabond Tor the rest of his iife-Tbis
remark will apply particularly to young offenders, who
| IN the hrst instance may be heedlessly led into
the commission Of crime, without duly thinking
OF its consequence, and alter ibeing ,de sen.ihle
thereof, by less gnominious punishment may repp nj
and become reformed, In .he hope of being again re-
stored 10 society IL the certainty, and not the
verify Of punishment, which detcrs evil disposed per-
sons IRON the commission Of crimes; asd nothing tends
more to the uncertainty Of punshmens. than seve.
rity. revolving to the moral sense Of the country.
It's with the most lively sensisil,es of my heart
Hn fnus fI.a IF II. ~
General Assembly, the copy Of letter from the apo.
tie OF liberty throughout the world and the friend and
beneiaeor OF Virginia, General La Fayeue, acknow-
ledging the receipt OF two New Maps OF Virginia.
had caused to be forwarded to him, in virtue of
resolution OF the General Assembly Of Virginia Of the
Goth OF February 1925 This well-m ed act of az.
f+cuonate respect the part Of thu General
aordng new testimonial Of The unceasings gratitude
and affection oil the people of Virginia, towards their
dtsinerested and heroic defender nearly half n
turv has called forth from him
.ibili,es Amidst the various mspi,estations of La
Fayefte's gratitude and affection d fyed through his
whole letter, the following expression call into
action the best feelings of every true arted Vir-
ginan. and inspire Of tbankulness towards the
General Assembly for aff,rding to their friend and be-
neacor this new demonstration of Virginia. UNMARRIED
and grateful all ction. Bound as have been during
halt century to generous and patriotic Virginia, not
only by the generous devotion Of an American veteran
but also by the particular ties OF state cons state
confidence, and state favors Of which was the con.
scions and happy object have been truly delighted at
the recent mark of rene mbrance esteem and affection
which you have had the goodness in very kind rms
to announce. And these feelings must he still m -ther
enhanced by observing the solritude with which he be
That the General Assembly should be assured Of the
homage OF his ''warm gratitude, constant devotion and
profound respect" IL must add still more 10 the graft
hcaiion OF the General Assembly have observed that
La Fayette is now as much esteemed and honored as
the apostle Of liberty in his own country, as he has
been in this for nearly half century, and that in lac
tour through France he has been hailed nv the French
people every where, with the same joyful demonsra.
tons OF love and gratitude, which universally a.
warded him, in his recent visit TO the United States
mus aHording the most consola'ory reflections. that
the love OF liberty and the improvement of the human
intellect, ar" putting down all the despoisms Of the old
world and iherating the great mass of mankind from
the intoerabe expressions which have resulted from
the combinations Of the few from time immemoriaI
IL 3. at the same time with the most pleasing emo.
tons that do myself the honor Of laying before the
General Assembly, translated copy Of letter ( ON
their President in behalf of the Geographical Soriey
oil Paris acknowledging tie receipt Of the large Map
oil Virginia. which with the advice Of Council caused
to be forwarded To that Society," in virtue OF resolution
OF Tue General Assembly, of the 22l day of Feb 1928
MS honorable and appropriate testimonial OF the high
value, placed by the General Assembly upon the es-
Enlistment OF this highly useful and ectable Soce.
~, has called into action their best feelings AMI SYM
pahies towards Virginia, which they have not only
expressed IN The most appropriate and beautiful Ian
guage and sentiments, but have further evnced by
presenting to the General Assembly Of Virginia for
their Library, the two first volumes, most spcndl,y
bound, OF the memoirs Of the Society," which at the
request OF their President do the honor of
laying before the General Assembly for its acceptance
The reciprocal good feelings which have been call
Va amongst the u s., the several states, Gen Laay-
cite and the Geographical Society OF Paris certainly az
lori inducements to the Gen raj Assembly to ex end
similar acts OF beraty TO other nations, states and
useful learned societies. and am happy find that the
General Assembly has already anticipated this intima-
on in their ac; OF The 2Sth February last empowering
The Joint Library Committee, to cause one copy Of the
large map of Virginia be Transmitted to such learned
Societies in Europe and the States, as they shall de
sgnae-These reciprocal acts of Kindness amongst ma
societies, not only to elicit
good Feelings but must tend ultimately TO the improve.
'nent oil the human mind, the extension of knowledge
| ami consequently the happiness of mankinl.
Since the last sc ssion of the General Assembly
nav received map Of the State OF Nav Jersey in
TN case, addressed to the Governor of Virginia
companed by any letter, explanation as to the object
OF its destination; and think il probable that some
communication in relation thereto, was intended and
probably miscarried.
In compliance with the requests Of the respective
Governors OF the several States Of Missouri
p and Connecticut do myself the hon r of Law
ing before the General Assembly for its consideration
copies oil certain proceedings Of the Legislatures of
those States respec tveIy.
In consequence Of the many radical changes propos-
ed 10 be made in the present Constitution BY the Con.
Yention now sitting, deem Il 10 call the
attention OF the General Assembly, to any subjects OF
eenerai legislation; presuning that if such changes
shouli finally take place corresponding changes win
take place in the administrative policy OF the
Government. 80
II would give unspeskabie pleasure, TO be ena.
bled TO assure the General Assembly, Of happy re- .ts
TO the Commonwealth, from the proceedings of the
Convention; but II IL with unfeigned sorrow of heart
hat bnd myself compelled In candor to Stale that
rom all The pfognostics before u.s. ancisate the
results OF u. proceedings IL spirit Of fear than
OF hope.-most reluctantly am I compelled 10 fear
at no'n'ng snort OF an Increasing spirit Of mutual