Daily Richmond times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1849-1850, 1849-12-04


OF members engaged in and identified with agriculture
but to this time they have been content to labor for
other interests thought to be OF more pressing import
ance, and to postpone with liberal disintereStedness
| that which pertaned more particularly to their own
pursuits. Ii there is in the commonwealth a pursuit
which deserves encouragement from the legislature I'M
doubtedy is agriculture Ii you take the planters gra
Zies and farmers OF Virginia together they constitute
body unsurpassed for all the qualities of intellect and
character that adom peoples and, if some
adopted by the legislature to concentrate their efforts for
the advancement OF their occupation very little time
only would be required to improve the agriculture ofhe
state TO its highest pitch
bill of the last session, providing for the appoint
ment OF an agricultural chemist for the state one of
great merit and calculated to promote the interest of the
commonwealth Think its passage matter OF the first
Importance.
| would also recommend to the favorable considera-
on OF the legislature, the propriey of appopriang
nualiy such sums omoney as may be necessary to
tam properly organized state agricultural society,"
hs course has been pursued by several states OF the
North, and IN every case with beneficial results The
amount to about $4,000; and as far as can learn have
given the greatest impetus to agricultural prosperity
all its branches
You will perceive from the report of the superipten-
dent of the pententary that this institution continues to
| be prosperous and useful The order and system
which characterize its management, strict dsci
pine, and as large profit be realized from prison
labor concur fully in the suggestion of the supernten
dent touching the minimum term OF Imprisonment. One
year is wholly inadequate for any beneficial effect upon
the prisoner The is too short to acquire any
knowledge whatever OF trade whilst the degradation
and disgrace are great asfor the longest period ofcon
tlnement The labor OF the convict for so short Pc
ROD Will be wholly unproducve to the state, and the
term OF discipline too short for even hope of reforma-
ton. The transportation of the offenders from the re-
mote parts OF the commonwealth, will be serious item
OF additional expense. am satisfied that the minimum
period OF punishment in the penitentary should not be
less than three years; it gives time to acquire some
knowledge OF trade whilst the discipline for that
! length oftime will afford some hope OF reformation-
For crimes OF less magnitude than those deserving this
length OF confinement imprisonment in the county jail
and the intlctlon ofcorpora punishment would seem to
satisfy the ends of Justice.
also transmit to you report of the adutant- general
relative to the condition OF the volunteer companies in
the state The views 1t embraces, recommend to your
| particular attention.
Recent events in the campaigns of Mexico have de-
monsraed the utility and efficiency OF this description
OF troops even In an army onvasion For purposes OF
defence at home they would be scarcely if at all ipe
nor to regular troops Virginia possesses peculiar adj
vantages, growing out OF the system OF education a,
her military institute, for rendering this ofthe mi
litia perfectly effective. The encouragement of yolm
teer companies in the large towns and cities of the COM
monweah, is most obviously proper and to this end it
very desirable that the men should be exempted from
service upon Jures. he tax in time and money, ne
cessarly imposed upon the members ofvounteer COM
panies is very onerous; and, when augmented by the
probable call to serve in the jury box rendered nsup-
portable to men who depend upon their personal exer
tons for their livelihood To relieve them from this
duty would be source OF great encouragement TO the
volunteer SYSTEM and therefore recommend it to the
Legislature
A society has been organized by number of gentle
men otaent and responsibility, having tor its object the
COLLECTION and preservation OF all the facts connected
with the history OF Virginia The usefulness OF such an
association is evidently matter OF the greatest i'm
portance to the proper elucidaon of early history
It. IS to be feared that many valuable facts IRENE
dIaby lost through the neglect OF this precauon The
Warfare which won the territory OF Virginia from the
aborgines of the country OF the most remarka-
BILE to be met with in the records of any country Ex-
petitions OF the greatest danger full important conse-
quences to the infant settlements were frequently I'M
dertaken prompted alone by individual prowess and
terprlse This desutory conflict being perpetuay
waged, resulted finally in the conquest OF territory
to the banks OF the OHIO. In its progress many scenes
OF thrilling interest and startling adventure characterized
the strife. These incidents will be regarded by future
generations as essential munments OF title nation
al glory and renown.
This society has already entitled itselfto the gratitude
OF the state from the publications it has made connect
ed with the early voyages to America. Virginia owes
to hesetto give her legislative countenance and
sistance to this moritorious undertaking.
The attention OF the Legislature has been earnestly
called several occasions to the subject of the free
negro population in the commonwealth but yet
system has been adopted concerning the future DISPOSE
ton OF them am strongly inclined to think that the
most feasible plan, yet proposed Tor the reduction OF
their numbers, give ample assistance to the Colo-
nzaton society. The best and wisest of our ma
ton have gwen their counenance and support and
cannot perceive that any practical Improvement upon it
has ever been suggested. 1t is subject which demands
your particular attention.
herewith transmit you resolutions of the Missour5
legislature touching the subject OF federal interference
with slavery. They are wise temperate and patriotic.
Ot
every Vrgnian.
also transmit resolutions passed by the legislature of
New Hampshire, OF an opposite character upon the
same subject 1t is painnl to principles and opin
IONS, so dsorganzmg and runous in their tendencies
those embodied here taking deep in the minds and
feelings OF people richly deserving of our admira
ton m many particulars as those of New Hampshire.
ms fearful question now aglatlng the country its
entire length is one fraught with the monlentous
consequences, and upon which the destiny of the
Union itself seems to hang. The free soil" party
n iu1a
the territories OF the United States and acting upon
this assumption, they declare their purpose OF prohibits
ing the southern man from emigratmg with his slaves
any OF the national domain not erected into slave
state.
1t is difficult for those beyond the influence of the
anatcsm which suggests and sustans these dangerous
and dlsoganlzng doctrines, to bring themselves be-
eve that such gross injustice and wrong could be seri-
ousy thought oil by any deliberate body The tendency
OF the movement is directly to disunon the
nation OF it will be the overthrow of our free instu-
tons Ii any great question OF human liberty in
voyed IN the issue II any grand striking system OF
policy affecting the glory OF the nation defended upon
Its success then there might be found
excuse the jeopardy into which the country plunged
by it, But we look in vain for any justification OF the
sort. The movement originated in wild lanaticsm,
and is persisted in from mere wantonness and lust OF
power. Not even the Hlnsy veil OF transcendental
for the negro slave is offered to conceal the
revolving features of the black treason against the con-
stulion OF the nation for there would not be one slave
the less in all America, even should congress append
the Wimot Proyiso" TO every law upon the statute
DOCK Ii TINS party were sincere IN their desires to wipe
out " the blot of slavery" from American SOIL they
SHOULD seek to introduce it into that portion of our coun
try where the climate, soil and productions would all ap-
peal with power to the master to liberate the slave.
Let the slave be carried where he is burthen rather
than source OF profit and selmterest will prompt his
liberation there, much more certainly than the jealous
efforts OF dsnteresed pety in the regions where
ton and tobacco grow. But the tender consideration of
the free soier" for the African, confines him forever
in the country where it is profitable to keep him per-
petual bondage. 1t is very evident that if the slaves of
Virginia and Kentucky were distributed over all the
country ceded to the United States by Virginia in 1887
the probabilities OF their liberation would be increased
many hundred fold even without the appliances so free
y but Intellectually lesorted various parts OF
The Union.
The terms OF deep and bitter reproach (which the
fanatics of the North heap upon the Sonh as being
lisiigured with the blot of African bondage "-a land
whitening under the curse OF slavery are to be
reconcled with simple desire to exclude slavery lron
hat aJob;a I,