Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1842-12-08

'li"rcement Of the payment Of just debts,
are the wisest and best relief laws that
could be enacted.
l nayesno doubt that oul people will, if
let alone by the legislature, in a very
short time pay their debts; and when
they DO profiting by the past. they will
go 10 uebt no more. By industry and
economy they will be able to supply
their reasonable wants; and instead of
the rising generation being taught les
sons OF extravaganza and idleness. they
VIII nave impressed upon their Young
minds the salutary warnings of their ma
fents-never to 60 in debt beyond their
means, under the fallacious hope that the
times wall be better than they are.
Entertaining. as do, the opinion chat
well regulated militia, composed of the
| body of the people, trained to arms, is
the proper. natural and safe defence of "a
Tree state.' most respectfully invite
your attention to the existing militia laws
OF the state. BY the laws. as they now
are. 1t seems to me that 1t cannot be no.
+ ped even that the militia can ever be
well trained. would recommend the
adoption of some system by which the Of
ficers will be better trained. and the SOL
d'ers more frequently required to mus
ter. Ihe present system is radically de-
fecave, and in no part more so than in
relation to fines. The poorer part of the
people are mostly burdened by the pre-
sent assessment of fines: the poor man
Is unable to pay the fires, small as they
are, and hence he is compelled to at
tend sRustef-the rich man andsthe man
OF business, who could, without mach ia
convenience, go to muster, seldom ever
musters. This begets dissatisfaction with
the system upon the part of the poor,
and keeps down everything like proper
military spirit. would suggest the po-
Icy and propriety of increasing the fines
Tor failure to muster to such sum as
would compel the attendance of ALL
The poor could not complain of such a
law, because they are now forced to mus
ter; and the rich ought not to complain
at being forced to render their fair pro-
portion of duty to the state.
am pleased to inform you that the
banks, without waiting for the time fixed
by the last legislature for the resumption
ct specie payments, commenced paying
specie for their notes about the l5th of
September last. This move necessarily
compelled the banks to curtail their cir
culation. which doubt not will in the
end be highly beneficial to those nstitu-
tons and the people, if another suspen-
sion should not occur and | have not
the least reason to expect SO disastrous a
state Of things.
will mention in connection with the
banks, that | appointed Mr.. John n.
Tazewel. a gentleman in every way
qualified for the place, the proxy to rep.
resent the interest of the state in the
stock held by her in the Exchange Bank
at Norfolk. Mr.. Tazewen appeared at
the meeting, and claimed the right to vote
far directors, which was denied him by
the private stockholders, and he was ex-
cluded by their votes. Agreeing With
Mr.. farewell that he had the right un-
der the law to vote, submitted Mr..
TaZeWell's reinOnstrance against the
course OF the private stockholders to the
attorney general for his opinion, which
he gave, and in which he sustained the
position of the private Stockholders
Some legislation upon the subject would
seem to be necessary to avoid any diff
Guilty in future.
The act passed by the legislature, March
18th, 1841, entitled sAn act to prevent the cit
liens of New York from carrying slaves out
of this commonwealth h, and to prevent the es-
Of onv maroon oh wi n fLa commits
son of any crime went into operation on the
first day of May. 1912, in consequence of the
failure on the part of the constituted authorl-
ties of New York to comply with our reasOna-
bic demands. This law, SO far, doubt not.
has been productive of good, as have not
heard of the slightest suspicion being enter
tanned by any one, that slave has been carr
ed away by 2 northern vessel since it went into
operation. I regret much the necessity for
this law or any similar one, but it was forced
on us as the orly Ieaceable means OF protects
ing our property against the depredatlons OF
the foolish and mad aboltionist.s Unless some
thing speedily be done by the great body of
our northern brethren to arrest the mischleV-
GUS designs Of these fanatics, it will become a
question for the whole south to consider,
1Whether they will longer continue in union
with people who are resortiEg to every art
and deHice they can to rob them Of their PRO-
s - -.
Pesfy. >
BY reference to the report of the Nisiters to
the Military Institute, it will be seen that the
institution is in fourishing condition, and
bids to accomplish ALI its founders anticipated.
They SIX for small appropriation, and
think in justice they are entitled to it.
/ will suggest to you the propriety of pro.
vifling buildings for, the medical department
.of Hamlen Sidney ollege, located in this CT
ty. few medical entiemen founded this
institution four or 1--WE years ago, and whilst
they have so far overcome all as TO satisfy the
most skeptical that this Institutions suscepti-
bile of being made greatly beneficial to the
: state. There are now about sixty students at
1.-The college, which is clear saving to the state
of at least twenty five thousand dollars per
Iyear.
: respectfully refer you to the report of the
board of public works, containing full
statement of the internal improvements of the
state, and although the finances of the state
are in depressed condition at this time. yet
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