The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-02-01
Our Virginia Correspondence,

Ost Egtnts COrresponoehees
RICHMOND, Va, Jan. 2e, 1858.
EnS!scews<u af Free Nsgross-Harooring Of Runa-
scas SIG oes 10 b. made PsaiisNtiasy Ofescs-
IN BIRTHPLACE Of Washington Insurance Of the
LSJI af a Husband by his WVe-ErectioR Of C
,Zaonument commemorative Of the Declaration of
Independence by the Thirteen O'igi.a' Ssatss--
The Walker Padding Resolutions in tar Lesisia-
a,,-Mount Vsrnon-1Hs Ne,e York Herald.
A bill Is now before the Virginia Legislature to
provide for the enslavement of free negroes under
certain circumstances. II proposes TO hire them
cut for period Of three years from the date Of the
passage of the act the proceeds of their hire TO be
appropriated 10 their transportation from the State
The hiring shall be managed by An oversee, to be
chosen by the county courts Of the several counties
Of the State but il shall be competent for any free
negro within the limitation above assigned, to emf
crate voluntarily or enslave himself at his discre-
ton Al the end OF three years all free negroes
found in the State are to be sold into slavery, the
proceeds OF the sale to be deposited to the credit Of
the State.
This bill was the special order in the Holse Of
Delegates yesterday, and while some few members
seemed disposed TO favor the principle they objected
~ the limitation within which the discretion Of
esnigration voluntary enslavement could be
sised, preferr5ng that the period should be
extended 10 five years more l doubt
whether it will pass in any form, the prevailing con-
saderatons of its inhumsnity being such as to over
rule the moral and social necessities which are adj
advanced as pleas TO Justify its passage. The dan
yserous effect upon the slave population, arising from
their intercourse with this class is advanced as the
chief reason for the change which the bill proposes
IN a moral point of view they are vastly below the
slave population. The records of our courts exhibit
much larger proportion of criminals from that class
than from the Writes and slaves both But this will
not be held TO Justify the disposition of them which
TIE bill proposes while there is every probability Of
some law being passed in reference to them which
will doubtless be exceptional in its character and
less stringent in its application to those at whom the
bill was originally designed TO aim.
all j. u. before the Legislature making il con-
lAenent in he penitentisry for any white person
Z perod not less than five more ten vesrs-to
harbO- aIunaway slave, or in any way aid in enabling
him 10 abscond II also gives the jurya discretion 10
condemn such person TO he whipped to such an extent
and at such times as it may see fit And il provides
that slave found guilty OF such an offence shall be
whipped and afera ards sold 10 be carried out of the
State. II gives reward of $500 to any white per-
ION giving such information will lead to the con
yiction Of any white man engaged in carrying of
slave.
Some two wears ago member OF the Washington
family, named Lewis W. Washington presenNd 10
the State, through the Governor, the sites Of the
birth place Of Washington and of the home and the
graves Of his progenitors in America, situated in
Westmoreland county, upon condition that the
State should cause these places to be permanently
enclosed by iron fence, and tablets with suitable
inscriptions, TO be placed the several burial
places The State accepted the offer, and in accord
ance with these conditions, appropriated sum Of
s., 600 for the purposes indicated. The bill making
this appropriation passed the Legislature few days
The Legislature had under consideration a few
bays ago bill making il lawful for a married wo-
man 10 insure the life Of her husband, and gusrsn-
seeing TO the insurer exemption from any claim
Of the representatives of her husband his creditors
This exception. however, was only 10 apply when
the amount of the annual premium did not exceed
s. 900. This bill was under discussion few days
ago in the Senate but is yet not finally disposed Of
Such law as this can hardly be enacted. IL
would be offering premium TO swndle, for the
wife would necessarily have 20 draw upon the
resources Of her husband to pay the premium
on the insurance, and TO this extent would,
m all probability, be defrauding his credit
ors. Indeed, the very necessity for efecting
the insurance favors such a presumption, for had
the husband sufficient means over and above his
lawful debts 10 provide for the future wants Of his
wife, the necessity for an insurance on her part
would not exist. The fact of his resorting 10 such
an exledient argues a condition of embarrass-
ssent nco mpatable with an ability on his part 10
divert from hts legitimate liabilities sufficient
amount 20 pay the premiums as they became d1e.
Moreover u NOli DE Oftrlfg an INCENTIVE 10 future
marriage the part of the dear" and afflicted"
widow, which il not az all recOnclable with that
true fidelity and affection ~ often known To survive
death itseE II j. an unwise law, and should not
be enacted. Bnrng the session of the last Legisla
hture Of this State, two years ago. proposition
was made to that body through the Governor by the
Governor Of Massachusetts,. If mistake not, asking
that Virginia would cooperate with the other
twelve original States in the erection of monument
IN the public square adjoining Independence Hall. in
the city Of Philadelphia, 10 commemorate the De
elaration Of Independence. Tin Governor Of this
State submitted the matter to the Legislature, but
owing 10 a want of sufficient time 20 act upon the
matter, its consideration was postponed until this
session. A bill il now before that body authorizing
the government 10 appoint a trustee or agent 10
represent Virginia In the Board Of Trustees that may
be appointed by the other States respectively 10 un.
dertake the management OF the affair. The duty Of
the Board Of Trustees specified In this act will be
~ determine the design plan, materials and expense
OF the monument, and 10 prepare statement exhb-
ning the proportion 60 be contributed by each Of the
thirteen States assuming a. a rule for that proper
lion the numerical representation Of each State In
Che United States House Of Representatives. In de-
termnng the design Of the monument an appropri-
ate place it, exterior shall tic provided for each
contributing State, wherein such inscription shall
b placed as the State may direct, commemorative
Of such citizen or citizens Of her own took part in
the responsibility Of the Declaration OF independence
When the trustees shall have reported 20 the re-
spectve States interested the plan design and the
expense of the monument they shall each re-pec-
lively make provision for the payment Of the proper
non assigned 20 them. and then the work shall be
immediately commenced The compensation Of the
trustee appointed shall be provided for by the Legs
hture, apart from the contribution made in aid Of
tbe monument.
The Walker.Paulding resolutions, offered some
weeks ago In both Houses Of the General Assembly
Of this state still lie on the table In the respective
branches Of that body. Since the message Of the
President on the subject of Walkers arrest, de-
eided reaction has taken place in the feelings Of
members in regard TO the matter
The az fhr rpzglufinuG In view Of this
change, have not attempted 20 call them up and now
Chat the Committee Foreign Relations have taken
such positive stand in opposition % Walker, Il Is
probable that action will never be taken upon them
A. the administration goes, goes Virginia, and in
this policy ste u IN small degree governed by the
presence IN the federal cabinet Of her distinguished