Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1832-12-06

PenltenarN, could
be done TO supply immediate demands but the delay
completing contract previously entered into with the
Chesterfield Rail Road Company the procuring suit
aole lumber together with the dreadful epidemic which
ragged IN this city and in the the latter part
OF Tue summer have rendered impossible for the officer
oil hat institution to have any constructed during the
past season.
In relation TO the Penenary building, il Il proper
should state, that from the opinions
VINO nave the best means OF judging, the health Of that
su.uuoh oud be improved by alterations and enlarge
ments which IL is believed could be effected small ex-
pense, and which would also afford comnodous and we'll
ventilated hospital greatly needed, enable the sick to
receive all the attention due to them
The Penieniiary system, weregulaed, is now gcner-
any regarded as capable of comforting benefit whilst in
hcs suihcien punishment upon the vicious mbcrs of
society Instruction in useful mechanic art enables
the convict, when restored TO society, procure subss
ence with little abour and when conscious Of his ability
oy he application oil his art TO accomplish this object all
the motives TO supply by immoral dishonest means is
withdrawn This sustained by the fact, which speaks
much IN iavor oil the moral chaac of mechanics
that during the past year, but FIVE admitted into
the Pcnitentiary Of that labouring class
Inc report oil Tire Superintendent Of the Pcni,cniary
herewith communicated, will inform you OF the present
condition oil that institution, which ii is hoped will be found
such as not to dsappoint public expectation.
Ihe returns oi the Adjuant Gene al and the Comman-
dan, OF he Public Guard, likewise before you,
wnch vi" be seen the strength OF militia and the
ditOn OF our arms.
In relation 10 fiscal affairs il gives me great plea
sure TO state, that they ia pro porous condition as
WIN be developed by the Ire and Auditor of Pub.
c Accounts In their annual repcrs, which will be laid
before you
In my last annual message, the General Assembly was
Informed that Thomas ~. Gilmer, Esq of Albemarc had
ueen appointed The commissioner, pursuant to The OF
me ON arTi, 1882, 10 investigate the claims OF Virginia
upon the United States account OF the services of her
ohcers, during the revolutionary L, gives me
much pleasure inform YOU that he has performed the
duty conlided TO him with great fidelity and zeal and 1
nave the satisfaction 10 anuounce that Congress, by an
act which approved by he Presidcn on the 5h OF
July last, entitled, An act vide for quida,ing and
paying cert in claims the of Virgira authorised
The accounting oil ceIs the Federal gov 10 refund
o uis commonwealth tic sum which had actually been
Pau oy her 10 the officers OF .he line amounting 10
SIoooi3 90 cts, and al,o, the further OF S2Il 3I5
lor which the state had become liable, by judgm.nt,
oo,ainei IN The Superiour Court OF Hemco
inese TWO sums were received Ivy the commissioner
AZ "asangion, aud have been paid by him the Trea
Sury The former sum ill remain TO the permanent ere
u OF me state, 10 be disposed OF in such manner as the
General Assembly shall deem expeden and in espect 10
the latter, will become necessary by an existing statute
10 make specihc provision for its Disbursements in dis
charge oil the judgments obtained against the common
wealth In making these appropriations the General As
.emOly WIN doubtless provide sufficient guards the
lust spplca ion of unI which is intended 10 compen
safe me remnant OF our revou ionary worhies their
patriotic tos
Owing 10 he frequent ants OF d cuncnis which were
SAID TO have been lost, presumed il possible that some
thing might be found which would be valuable TO the
country or beneficial 10 individuals by an examination of
tha' immense mass OF papers, which had been accumulate
IN the attic story Of the tapol Tor any yeers I'M
der This impression, | was induced TO employ Jno. III
smith, Esq, ag nllemsn highly qualified TO discharge so
aruos task, 10 examine and carefully arrange wa ey
Ell papers might be found worthy of preservation either
rom their furnishing information of history or
as evidence OF our claims against the u States kevo
lutonary disbursements.
That gentleman undertook the performance of the duty
assigned him. and has discharged with great abour and
accuracy and has recovered many valuable documents
which II Is believed will fully subsantiaie the claim of
Virginia against the United States for still larger sums of
money due Tor disbursements made TO her employ
eu against the common envy. His report is herewith
laid before you.
1t is probable that the of sufficient room original
y led to the practice of filing away the old cords pnd
documents In the upper apartments of he apo per-
maps dnriag tile late wal, farther Accommodations may
have taken place.
The Inconvenience suffered by some of the officers of
government in the transaction of the public business for
the want OF sufficient and convenient aparme now
such as TO induce to ask your attention that subject
he rooms IN the basement story small confined and
badly lighted and many of those confined them by Of
hcId duties during the summer find their health
by their dampness which is also believed be very de-
srucve 10 the records and documents themselves More
over the apartments now occupied by the Auditor of Pub
nc Accounts, are crowded by the annual acc,Inu-
latlon OF papers, that in short time there will not be
sufficient space 10 file them away.
Ii gives great satisfaction state 10 YOU the improv
ing condition OF our primary schools-sncc not doubt is
now entertained, that in time they will be found to an
swer uy the expectations of their friends The
number OF children sent to school annually increases aud
The operation oil the system has been improved by the
commcndable abour and industry of the Second Auditor
ID PcrechnS such regulations greatly assist the com
nssioners, who becoming attentive to tho sub
Jec' aud take audasle interest i'll bestowing upon those
around them, all the benefit in their power The prei,-
dces which felt upon the first enactment of this law
have almost wholly subsidized, and the plan may now he
said 10 meet appreciation every where and is fully sue
cesSul.
Whilst looking in this direction cannot fail TO ask that
your attention and fostering be extended TO our Uni
veTSy the nObest institution erected i'm the present age
and protected, destined in few years TO shed blaze of
light over this country, which will more than compensate
the COST ana all the dIcues Encountered in its erection
Let us constantly bear II in mind, that there fact but
little difference among except what arises from edu
cation, and which will be found in the day of trial strong
er bulwark for the defence of liberty than forest of bayo
nets piles OF gold. To con,roul money is an humble
ay but TO coatroul and direct those who possess it, is
an ambition worthy state, and only be achieved by
the superior lluninalions of its citizens.
Institutions OF this kind TO be extensively useful must
be placed in situation which will enable them to
educate our youth upon the cheapest terms All our
citizens know the value of mental endowmens; but here
toore the expense Of collegiate course has been such "a
10 put beyond the power of many parents to accomplish
Tor heir sons That which they most desire. There also
other institutions deserving your professors
are among the most psed and dsng used men
OF INC Onon ana Tor many years have given the best proof
tha The reputation they have gained is but lust tribute
paid TO merit Lberality towards literary institutions and
TO professors OF talents and learning, is true economy in
Republics, and cOnicr benefits o generation to genera
ton for ages to come.
The benefits which the youth of Virginia might re-
cei|c from the most learned and accomplished professors
IS not complete, unless those professors and students
furnished with ample libraries which they may refer
in order the easily arrive at truth explode error
aud Keep pace with the progress of learning Our unver-
siy - yet and is much in need the works oai-
nAy designed for its library We're the General Assem-
bly, to authorize the original catalogue he filled and
small annual appropriation for its gradual increase benc-
fit would he conferred greatly beyond the amount which
of science.
# is with deep regret have to announce TO WIN that