Cheraw gazette and Pee Dee farmer. [volume] (Cheraw S.C.) 1838-1839, 1838-12-05

deadly weapons, which has become too
common among The more unthlnking part
of the community. This practice is highly
reprehenslble, offensive to good taste, sub
versive Of the peace of the country, and un-
worthy of an advanced stage Of christian
civilization. Revenge and resentment are
bad counsellors under any circumstances,
or for any age but, when they operate on
youthful incxperience, they have peculiar
" baueful and misclievievous effect. 10
carry secret weapons for an unarmed ad-
vcrsury 10 be used on an anticipated occas-
sion, is but to arm revenge; and to pro.
vide them against casual emergency, is to
afford a criminal temptation to resentment.
The transient ebution Of passion thus fre.
oucutly results in the commission of ire.
parable crime. This vulgar and unmanly
practice should moi only be discountenanced,
as is by the virtuons and intelligent part Of
society. but it should in some way be inhib.
tied by legal enactments. It would not
perhaps be proper 20 prohibit the wearing
of weapons about the person. Such law
would be impractcable from the difficulty
and odium of enforcing it. But when death
ensues from The use OF concealed weapons,
in contest which commenced apparently,
upon equal terms, it nigh, be, and | think
ii should be regarded as a capitol felony.
Such law, however, should be we'll guard
ded, to exempt it from objections. ln MAX
ing these remarks, am but conforming TO
the presen,ments Of grand jurles, and 10 the
Indications of public opinion, in every par'
of the State.
Another subject to which would invite
your attention, while engaged in the consId.
Grafton of The criminal laws, is the trial OF
slaves, especially in capital cases. These
trials are frequently conducted in obscur'
quarters of country, remote from ooserva-
zion, by ignorant mn, frequently excited
by timidity, or immoderate resentment.
The consequence is that there is more de-
mand for executive interposition 10 this class
OF cases, than in any other; and probably
there are many instances of gross cruelty
and Injustice, which are never heard of out
of their neigeborhood. This evn might
perhaps be remedied, in part, by requiring
all trials ofthis character to be held at the
Courl Honse Of each District respectively.
At any rate humanity requires that some
thing should be done.
With view 20 elicit information which
might be useful to the Legislature, have
obtained from the Sheriffs and Clerks Of the
Courts ofeach District, their several opln-
ions in regard 10 the existing defects OF their
Offices, besides list Of the indictments,
convc ions, &C.; which have occurred in
the last two years. Of which condensed
repor! is Submitted.
The tribe ofCatawba Indians, holding a
Reserve of fifteen miles quare ofland on the
Catawba River, in York District, among
the most fertile in the State, is daily dimn~
ishing, and is already reduced to the mum.
Der Of about sixty or eighty. The revenue
derived by the Indians from the Lease OF
their Lands, is received in form to be of
very little advantage to them 4; while ut tho
same, time, the title of the whites Is unsettled,
and the State is deriving no revenue from
productive section of her territory. This
subject appears to demand inves isatlon'
and is Introduced to your notice at the solc~
ta,ion of parties Interested in its adjustment.
[ recommend, therefore, the appointment
Of commission 10 ascertain and report
upon the facts. The conduct Of our State
towards the indians, has, fromthe beginning
oecn pleasing feature in her history and
humanity uni:es, with an honorable prtde'
in demanding that full justice should be Sc.
cured to this last remnant Of the original
holders of soil.
Such are the suggestions arising out OF
an earnest use of those facilities Of obserVa.
ton afforded by my official position. They
are yoursubmitted to superior wisdom, with
my full confidence that. however our oPn-
ions may chance to differ upon details, we
are cordially agreed in The spirit of mutual
assistance 10 promote the great end OF oui
political organization, the prosperity OF the
State ofSouth Carolina.
Pm. BUTLER.
NORTH CAROLINA.