Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1853-12-14

presented, is recommended to yourfay
ble consideration. The melancholy fact
that a large increase of crime has taken
place inthe State, is clearly exhibited -
One hundred and nine free persons were
received in the institution during the past
year. They consisted Of so white and 90
free eolorcd persons. At the end of the
fiscal year e67 remained in prison-con-
sisting of 1so white males, but no white
females, a fact creditable TO the females
OF the State, 81 colored males, and six
colored fema,es-exhibitng an increase
of SO whites and colored conyicts IN the
year. The report presents the remarka-
bic fact, that in five years from the first OF
October, 1348, TO the 3oth of September
1855, no less than So4 whites and l02
free persons of color were impTisoned.-
five may regard this as an index to crime
IN The two races, we shall ind, By Toter-
ence to the tables cf population, that the
proportion among the free persons of CO.
Tor, is nearly Si4aeen times greater than
among the whites. This remarkable diff.
ference is not indigenous to Virginia or
other slayeholding states. A communi-
tertiary to q member or the Senate in
March last. exhibits the average proper
ton OF crime among the free colored popu-
lation of Virginia and Maryland together,
as equal 70 6.23 TO white. whilst the
average among the same classes In the
States of ofPennsylvania. New Jersey. New
York, Connecticut, Massachusetts and In.
diana combined, is in the proportion of
1920 OF the colored to one white.
Upon the sub ofthe increase ofcrine
generally, since tie adoption of the new
Criminal Code, it is shown that in four
years prior to the 30th of September.
I947, the annual average OF conVicts was
about al, whilst il the last year 100 were
received. 1t appears that nearly one
fourth OF the conviets are sent for one
wear, and more than one-half for less than
two. The superintendent and the board
of directors concur in the propriety of re-
sforing the minimum term of Imprisonment
TO three years, as the best means of check
ing crime and improving the convicts, MS
vel! IS soreader their lebor more prolita-
bic 20 the State.
The manufacturers hare increased pro-
baby in proportion 10 tho increase of pti'
soners; out in consequence of increased ex-
penses, no additional prcG: has been deri-
ved. For detailed statement, however,
ofits financial operations during the year,
respectfully refer you to the report and
accompanying papers.
In my frst message 20 your predeccs-
sors, l called their attention to the con-
tiuued increase of our free negro popula-
lion, and recommended the adoption Of
more energetic measures for their remo-
val. Ifany thing were wanting to remind
us oi the necessity cfrerroving this great
and growing evil. its furnished in the facts
exhibited in the report upon the peniten-
tisry. With sloh an exhibit before me, l
cannot hesitate to again call your atten-
tion 10 the subject.
By the act passed April 9th. 1853, the
sum of 80, 900 dollars per annum for Eve
years, together with the net amount 20 be
raised by a tax of one dollar per head up
on every male free negro between 81 and
55 years of age, and the tax on seals at
tached TO registers Of freedom, was appro-
priated to be expended by the colonization
board in the transportation Of these per-
sons to Liberia. Th.s act, though de-
signed to rid US of this evil. viii fail Of its
purposes, unless p,ore urgent inducements
be used 10. cause this class of persons TO
consent to their removal.
Under the provisions Of the act referred
to, colonization board" was duly or.
ganized on the second of May, 1853, and
| herewith submit their first annual re-
port. This report is highly interesting.
and TO its several wise aud judicious re-
commentators invite your particular
attention. II will be seen that, small as
the amount appropriated for this purpose
was, it is rot probable that the whole will
be called for. This is owing to the fact
that but few can be induced TO avail them
selves Of its benefits. The law Of 1850
was in operation three years. aud in that
time there were sen. from Virginia TO Lii
IBERIA 419 free blacks and slaves. at 2 cost
to the treasury of S5.4lo. Under the
present law, il the first six months, two
companies OF emigrants, consisting cf240
negroes, have been sent to Liberia from
Virginia larger number than have
gone from any other S.atc in the same
time-for which $500 dollars have been
drawn from the treasury, al ! 3.6oO dol
lars likely to be appropriated in a short
time.
The whole number OF euigrants from
Virginia TO Liberia since 1920. is stated TO
be 1900. Thus it appea,s that Of tht
anaUa! appropriation Of $4,000, Oniy
50. 400 have been expended il SIX nonths 5
The board is, however, in its infancy, anc
doubtless greater results may be expected
hereafter If the operrtion Of last six
months may be regarded basis fo
calculation and estimates, we should have
an annual emigration from this class o
480, which the board think would at leas
preven: any increase Of population. Thi
is perhaps CORRECT but by the census o