Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-07


knowledge Of military tactics acquired 10 peace.
should form an essential part OF the educati"n u
every citizen. The present Militia Laws ars
deemed so defective that complaints nave oeen
heard from every quarter. and come win ~
much weight, and earDestness. that Tue! o's"
not TO he d,sregarded. In order to inspire the
necessary confidence and enable the State to
avail herself of the great military power az ner
command. il will be necessary carefully TO revise
all the enactments on that subject. ! ne use
fitness aud efficiency OF every military force ne
pends much upon the excellence oil It's "rSani'
cation If well organized. II is enabled 20
achieve objects otherwise entirely unattainao'e;
and in country like ours, where every citizen
is soldier. and accustomed to the use OF arms
from the time he is able to bear them, nothing Is
wanting but a proper organizations 70 rehder
him truly what ne has so often been styled, nus
country S best reliance. Irfuse into your ofii
GERS confidence in your laws, and their PRIDE
shirt and activity will soon be manifest IN
correspondin ny animation q their corps; and he
who might mediate an assault upon our rights,
would ponder long upon such an enterprise.
when confronted by a barrier ut an hundred
thousand bayonets, in the hands OF men proud OF
their officers and confident 10 themselves.
In conformity to the actof the Goth OF March
last, in relation to the procuring OF cartridge
boxes. with belts. pistol holsters, sword sings.
&c. as well as the construction OF requisite
number OF gun carriages, and the mounting vi
guns, four and six pounders-l had an interview
With the Superintendent of the Penitentary, who
was Of opinion that the desired accoutrements
could not be made in that institution, as readily,
or of as good quality. as was contemplated by
the General Assembly; wherefore, contracts were
made with an ingenious: workman, for a supply
Of cartridge boxes, holsters, &c. &c. TO be dev-
cred in the present month. In this transaction
we were much assisted by the kindness Of the
United States Ordinance Officer, who cheerfully
offered his aid, and proposed to inspect the ac-
coutrenents when fnished, according to the
terms Of the contract. The gun carriages were
ordered to be prepared in the Penitentiarv as far
as could be done. to supply immediate demands,
but the DELAY in comrletnga contract previously
entered into with the Chesterfield Rail.Rua
Company. and the procuring suitable timber, to.
gether with the dreadful epidemic which ragged
in this city, and in the Penitentiary. in the lat
ter part of The summer. have rendered it lmpos-
sible for the Officer of that Institution to have
any constructed during the past season.
Ia relation to the Peniteniary Building, it is
proper should state, that from the observations
and opinions of those who have the best meaos of
improved, by alterations and engagements. which
it is believed could be effected at small expense
and which would also afford commudious and
well ventilated hospital, greatly needed to eoa
bic the sick to receive all the attention due to
them.
The Penitentiary System well regulated, is
COW generally regarded as capable Of comforting
benefit, whilst it !nhcts sufficient punishment
upon the vicious members of society. Instruc-
ton in some useful mechanic art, enables the con.
yct when restored 10 society, to procure a sub
.istence with little labor, aud where conscious Of
his ability by the application uf his art. to accom-
plish this object, all motive to supply by immor-
raj or dishonest means is withdrawn. This is
sustained by the fact, which speaks much in ia.
vOr of the moral character of our mechanics, that
during the past year, but five have been admit
ted into the Peniteutiary Of that laborns class.
This Report OF the Superintendent Oftbe Pen.
Tertiary herewith communicated, will inform you
of the condition of that Institution, which it is no.
ped will be found such as not to dIsappoint public
expectation.
The returns of the Ad]ntant Geaeral, and the
Commandant Of the Public Guard, are likewise
land before you, from which will be seen the
strength OF our militia, and the condition Of our
arms.
u
sure to state, that they are in prosperous con.
diton, as will be developed by the Treasurer
and Auditor of Public Ac counts. IN their annual
reports, which will be land before YOU. In INV
last annual message, the General Assembly wa.
informed, that Thomas w. Giiner. Esq of Al
benarie, had been appointed the commits -ioner
pursuant to the act of the 9Th of April. 1851,
to investigate the claims of Virginia upon the
United States, on account of the services Of ner
officers during the revolutionary war. II now
gives me much pleasure to inform YOU that he
has performed the duty con6led to him with
great fidelity and zeal. and nave the satisfac
tinn to announce. that Congress, by an at which
was approved BY the President, on the 5rh Of July
last. entitled IAN act TO provide for the qui.
dating and paving certain claims of the State of
Vir4inia." authorized the accounting officers of
the Federal Government, to refund to this Com.
mo6wealth the sum which has been paid by her
to the officers OF the state line, amounting to
SlS9, 545 66; and also. the further sum of 24l,
S45 tor which the State had become iiabl- BY
judgments obtained in the superior court Of Hen