Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1832-12-20

foesufSo No ast INC now kcfn aftktc3 Oh f<0-
roPcan warfare, none viii pretend; but 40 4
organization which will infuse into every
man, confidence IN his neighbor. and in each
corps n reliance upon The other, and which
VII enable them 10 moro with celebrity, and
execute On order with despatch. Is what ell
believe sttainable.
A nation content 10 enjoy its freedom in
the quiet pursuits Of civil life, will always
be compelled 10 hurry 10 the field Of battle,
suddenly and in haste, and hence the neeessS
~, that knowledge OF military tactics ac-
quired in peace, should form an essential part
Of the education Of every citizen.
The present Militia Laws are deemed 30
defective, that complaints have been heard
from every quarter, and come with so much
weight and eamcstness, that they ought not
20 be disregarded. In order 70 inspire the
necessary confidence, and enable the State 10
avail herself ofthe great military power ather
command, il will be necessary carefully TO
revise all tho cnactments on that subject
The usefulness and efficiency Of every militia
~ force, depends much upon the excellence
Of its organization.
II well organized, Il Is enabled TO achieve
objects othe entirely unattsinable; and
In country like ours, where every citizen is
soldier, and accustomed To the use Of arms
from the time he !, able to bear them, no
thing Is wanting but proper organization to
render him truly what he has 50 often been
styled, his countrys best reliance. Infuse
into your officers q confidence in your laws,
and their pride, spirit and activity will soon
be manifest in 4 corresponding animation Of
their corps, and he who might mediate nm
assault nPou our rights, would ponder long
upon such an enterprise, when confronted by
a barrier Of an hundred thousand bayonets,
in the hands OF men, proud OF their officers,
and confident in themselves.
In conformity with the act Of the Goth Of
March last, in relation 20 the procuring Of
cartrdge-boxes, with belts, pistol holsters,
sword sings, &C., rs well as the construction
Of requisite number of gun carriages and
the mounting Of guns, four and six Founders.
had an interview with the Superintendent
OF the Penitcntiary, who was of opinion that
the desired accoutrements could not be made
In that institution rs readily, or Of rs good
quality as was contemplated by the General
Assembly; wherefore, contracts were made
with an ingenious workman for n supply Of
cartridge-boxcs, holsters, sc. &C., TO be de-
iivcrcd in the present month. In this trans
action We were much assisted by the United
states Ordnance Officer, who cheerfuliy Offer
ed his aid, aud proposed TO inspect the accou-
tremcnts when finished, according to the
terms OF the contract. The gun carriages
were ordered TO be prepared in the Peniten-
tiary, as far as could be done TO supply i'm
mediate demands, but the delay in completing
q contract previously entered into with the
Chesterfield Rail Road Company, and the
procuring suitable timber, together with the
dreadful epidemic which ragged in this city
and IN the Penitentiary, in the latter part Of
the summer, have rendered il impossible for
the officer Of that institution TO have any con-
structed during the past season.
In relation to the Penitentiary, building il is
proper ] should state, that from The observa-
tions and opinions Of those who have the best
means Of judging, the health OF that institu-
ton would be improved, by alterations and
eniargcments, which il is believed could be
effected ut a small expense, and which would
also afford commodious and we'll ventilated
hospital, greatly needed, to enable the sick
to receive all the attention due 10 them.
The Penitentiary system, well regulated, is
now generally regarded as capable Of confer
ring benefit, whilst 1t inficts sufficient punish
ment upon the vicious members Of society. In
stFaetion IN some useful mechanic art, ena-
bles the convict, when restored to society, To
procure subsistence with little labor, and
when conscious of his ability by the applica-
ton OF his art, to accomplish this object, all
the motives TO supply by immoral or disho-
nest means are Withdrawn. This Is sustained
by the fact, which speaks much In favor Of
the moral character Of our mechanics, that
during the past year, but FIVE have been adj
mitted into the Renitentiary Of that !aboring
class.
The report Of the Superintendent of the
Penitentiary, herewith communicated, will
inform you Of the present condition OF that
institution, which Il il hoped will be found
such as not TO disaPPoint public expectation
hra Rnfsa IL H..
the Commandant OF the Public Guard, are
likewise before you, from which will be seen
the strength Of our militia and the condition
Of our arms.
In relation to our fiscal affairs, II gives me
great pleasure to state, that they are in
prosperous condition, as will be developed by
the Treasurer and Auditor Of Public Ac-
counts IN their annual reports, which will be
laid before you
In my last annual message, the General
Assembly was informed that Thomas w.
Giiner, Esq. u AIbemaFIe, had been appoint
ed the commissioner, pursuant TO the act of
tho eth April, 1891, 90 investigate the claims
OF Virginia upon the United States, on ac-
count OF the services Of her officers during
the revolutionary war. II now gives me
much pleasure 90 inform you, that he has
performed the duty coBhded 10 him with great
fidelity and zeal, and have the satisfaction
TO announce, that Congress, by an act which
was approved by the President on the 5th OF
July last, entitled, Gan act 20 provide for
liqu'dating and paying certain claims on the
State Of Virginia" authorised the accounting
officers Of the Federal Government, 20 refund
TO this Commonwealth the sam which had
actually been paid by her 10 the officers Of
the state line, amounting 10 el3O,543 66 cts,
and also, the further sum Of e24l ,345, for
which The State had become liable, by judg.
ments obtained m The Superior Court Of
Henrico.
These two sums were received By the CON-
lalssioHeE az Washington. ard have been paid
~ hin into the Treasury. The former sum
Nhi remain 20 the permanent credit Of the
state, 70 BE- disposed Of In such manner as The
General Assembly shall deem expedient and
~ respect 10 The latter, Il will become ne
cesaaFy by an existing statute 10 make soc.
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