The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1851-02-14

A suSJsct Int. resting 4, Humanity.
Our attention has been called 10 the following expose.
and we have had the pleasure Of eonversng with Mr..
Spear who has lately visited tis city for the purpose OF
forwarding The pshmenlof the object ia view The
OF this has been put into his hands
BY the present governor OF Massachusetts and certainly
conscientious ZEAL an untiring industry. and clear
hsalare sacsnt qualifications for the task he has I'M
deraken. we shall find MIR Spear successful in obtain
ing the desired information He is deiceat. many OF
our inends IN the riches OF the world that il be
comes the duty and the pleasure of the rich capitalists OF
our country TO furnish him with the necessary means
complete his task. and visit London al the time OF the
World Fair. We further respectfully Join in the re-
quest to the and authorities OF all the States
to furnish him with an authentic memoir Of the institu-
tons and results OF their respective States
There il country in the world which is making 80
many experiments in the political ethics of society as
the United States II isyoung and fresh in enterprise
covering immense surface Of soil, which thirty
sovereign States presiding with their distinct institu-
tons The best form Of government is now in course
OF experiment, aestsd by various conventions now
in full blast this very moment The various codes OF
laws relative to the preservation Of e the regulation Of
property, in fact. society all its relations are now
in Of progress One Of these problems is the
criminal laws OF all the States II is thus that our noble
country is not only advancing the liberty of the human
by her several political constitutions but testing the
efficiency OF reforms in all the walks OF life and the vnue
Of improvements in the different cangs OF agriculture,
manufactures. commerce. the fine arts The best forms Of
education, steam power, canals and railroads. and indeed
pouring out light into almost every department of human
w III
tribu,ons OF the results Of industry and ingenuity
along the human characters who will 20 there as the
representatives OF different portions OF our republic We
trust that this great convention of nations will not adj
journ before people have impressed them with the
peculiar force and value OF our institutions Americans
will then be better known to others, and they will know
others better. Mf HaaS
- From the Prsoners Friend (extra)
Anqunt from hs Btt.t Parliament fer iaio,mation
fi~g 10 the ertn~af taws Of the UAitsd States vi .a
portan movement in the British Parliament A reoaes,
ha. ,hs Hon. Abbott lawrence, the Amer
laws Of the United States Mr.. Lawrence forwarded the
request William B. Calhoun, late secretary of the
Stale Of Massachusetts, and as we had many facilities
answering many Of the questions they have placed
our hands and are us foiews. .
In how many OF the States does capital punishment
exist by law, and to what crimes is itat,achedl
2 Has capital punishment always formed part of the
dnced H4a
3 The number OF persons in each of such States who
have been executed during each OF the last years,
l. The NUMBER Of capital sentences which have been
comuued during the same PERIOD and the
ration OF the coinmuted sentence
s. The MAsssR in which capital sentences carried
into effect the allowed between sentence and exc
cuon the Of the criminal durug this inter-
val the intercourss with friends ne whether the
execution 10 public, ia whose
effect, and under what regulations tNaat.4 a..E
g. In which OF the States does pial punishment NOT
exist by law Has Il ever existed IN such States und il
whom was II abolished s 4
ed, especially murder f.t ft @
certaned Of these respective punshmsnu the highesl
CLASH of offences 49,. ~. n, #s,IE. - y
the punments for the hghc,t class Grimes ree
where cspay pun'shed fully carried out or are comma
TO facilitate replies to these questions from the British
Parliament, pris,nkeePeI. Judges statesmen csrgyen,
and others respectfully invited without reference 10
sa the pS on q he
To still further the object of mission
ensey important % the prosperity OF society generally
and the mutual goodwill OF Two great nations, have
consented spend al least months in travelling over
Europe Many advantages must result from such a
l. A valuable correspondence may be secured tss f.#H
valuable information in regard the treatment Of
criminals may he ascertained
The subscriber need OF n hearty cooperation
and he soicis such aid will enable him the
avodabo OF the journey. The necessary is
ows ho~sand doIars. Three hundred may be relied
and several distng uised Bosion have
assistance The time for leaving will be May I. ISL
Friends! the ume Is shor-.he m,sro ia i'm por,ant.
All invited In thus doing hunbly nita
unx Him who has said, ~ sick and prison. and yc
came unto me. Aes
rs CHARLES SPEAR
Editor of Prsoners' Friend, ) Coonhiii, Boston.
Bosros, January, 1851 5.
Commonwealth Of Mas.aehsstiis
COUNCIL CWAMbKR, Boston, Jan. "a, 1851.
mes m piienr