Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1829-12-08


= revision OFFS much OF an Act of March 6th 1919
respecting the Penitentiary establishment, as pre-.
sc.loes the punishment of stripes for petit larceny
onencSs. The punishment seems to me to be gene
rally disproportoned the offence and the FREQUENT
urgent petitions to the Executive, for dispensing with
that portion of the punishment inflicted for such of.
iences prove that it is repugnant to the moral sense
OF the Country. 1t is so ignomnious in it's character
as TO deprive the sufferer of every vestige of hope
1eng again restored to society after having once I'M
dergone that punishment and the consequence is
tnat he becomes vagrant for the of his life
MS remark VIII apply particularly to young offend
ers, who IN the first instance, may be heedesIy led
INTO the commission of crime without duly thinkin
OF Its consequences, and after being made sensible
.neIeol' oy less ignomnious punishment, may re-
peht ana become reformed, i'll the hope of being again
restored to society. 1t is the certainty and not the
severity OF punishment, which deters evil disposed
persons from the commission of crimes; and moi hing
tcEos more to the uncertainty of punishment than
seventy revolving to the moral of the country
:, tis with the most lively sensibities of nv heart
mat now do myself the honor of layinp before the
o Assembly, the copy of letter from the A
pose OF Liberty throughout the world and the friend
ana nenefacto Of Virginia, General La Fayette ac
hhowedglng the receipt oftwo new maps of Virginia
0 %cm haa caused to be forwarded to him. in virtue
OF resolution of the General Assemble of Tho octb
OF February, 189G.-Ths well tne, act ~ ofsct;orot
respect OH the part of the General Assembly afford
my new testimony of the unceasnr gratitude
OF me people of Virginia. towards their
u'SNilercsted and heroic defender nearly half n cen
Jury ago, has called forth from him reciprocaiinr
SeSoiiltlcs Amidst the various manifest atoms of "a
rayelteS gratitude and affection displayed through
uuS MS Wloie letter, the following expression must
can INTO action the best feelings of every trun heort
Gu FirginIan, and inspire sense of thankfulness
towards the General Assembly for affrdnu to their
ieiu ana ncnefactor this new demonstration of Viz
Iihia unVafled and grateful affections Bound as
nave been during half century to generous and
PlrioCic VIRGINIA not only by the generous devotion
OF an american veteran, but also by the particular
ties OF State connections State confidence and State
iusurS, Oh WHICH was the conScjous md
Ject have be IL truly delighted at the recent mark
"a remembrance, esteem and affection which YOU
a.dn 'e gooaness In so very kind terms to an
honnce. And these feelings must be still further
ehhancen' by observing the solcitude with which he
ncgs that the General Assembly should be assured
me homage OF his warm gratitude, constant
more TO The qualification of the General Assem-
oy 10 nave observed that La Fayette is now ms
nnch esteemed and honored as the Apostle of
c..oetty 10 ms own country as he has been in this
.ot hei'y nan century, and that in q late tour
Lhfough Franco, he has been hailed bv the
Iehch people every where, with the same joyful de-
OF love and gratitude, which were uni
pefSaiiy awarded him, in his recent visit totbe limited
i3tates-thus affording the most consolatorv reAec
tohs that the love oflberty and The Improvement of
Tug huiai intellect are putting down all the dcspo-
ss OF the Ola world and liberating the great mass
| OF mankind from the intolerable Impressions which
nave resulted from the combinations of the few from
time immemorial " -
IL Is ut the same time with the most PLEASING emo
w i!'Jf cli Tue nOnOr OF laynT before tho
General Assembly a translated cow ola Intter fo
Iheir fFes dent III behalf Of the Geographical soci-
Guy OF raris acknowledging the receipt of the large
nap vi virginia which with the advice of council
caused TO be forwarded to that society in virtue of
resolution of the General Assembly of the dov
| OF ~ ihs honorable and appropriate testino-
mar OF tie nigh value placed by the General Assem-
oily upon the establishment of this highly useful and
respectable society, has called into action the hest
feelings and Sympathes towards Virginia which
aney nave not only expressed in the most appropri-
c'e asa beautiful language and sentiments but have
urther eclnced: by presenting to the General AS
sehoy OF Virginia, for the library the two first vol
u1nns' most spenddly bound, of Tie memoirs of the
society, winch at the request of their President
io" uo HySeIl te holor OF laying before the Gene
| raj Assembly for its acceptance
The reciprocal good feelings which have bee n
caheu forth by the liberal distribution of the new
maps of Virginia amongst the Urited Stotes tba
several States, General LAFAYETTE and the Geooro
Phical society of Paris, certainly afford inducements
to the General Assembly to extend similar acts of
hDeray to other nations States and useful learned
socleIicS' ana am happy to find that the General
Assembly has already anticipated this nmation in
their act OF the 28th of February last impowernp
the joint Library Committee, to cause one COPY Of
oces IN Europ: and the United States as they shall desg
nate These reciprocal kindness amongst nations
Sate anu societies. not only serve elicit reciprocal good
feelings but must tend ultimately the Improvement Of The
human @ the extension of knowledge, and consequently
Since the last session of the General Assembly, have re-
ceved map OF the State of New Jersey tin cam address
|
.c or explanation as TO the object of its destination, and
% PROBABLE mat some communication in relation ereo
was intended and probably mscanied.
IN compliance with The requests of the respective Governors
OF he seYcFa States of Missouri Mississippi Connecticut
nov DO myself The honor of laying before the Assem-,
Gt us consideration copies 0: certain proceedings CT
legislatures OF those States respectively
In consequence oF many radical changes nropo n bc
made i'll the present Constitution by the Convention now si,tino
deem unnecessary call attention of the General A.
s"oy 10 any subjects Of general esisation presumng
SC changes should finally take place, corresponding changes
VIII take place in the administrative policy of the practical
goyemmeni 1t You'd give unspeaka6le pleasure TO be
enabled 10 assure the General Assembly happy results 10 the
Connon%eah from The proceedings Of ColventioD but it
Is WIN unic'sned sorrow Of heart that find myself compelled
~ canor 10 state, that from all the prognosics bsore u.s.
anticipate the results Of its proceedings spirit of
mah OF nope Most reluctantly compelled to fear that
noung short OF mutual concession and mutual conciation
amongst US or special ncposion of experimenting Provi-
aenc can save us from the msces of
! tons. OF ~ ~ pew
lnaddessng this last message you elow-czsus should
not 10 justice TO my feelings present TO you my