Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1862-1865, 1863-01-08


and its importance the present generation and those
who are to succeed was unwilling to DO anything
to arouse reudices excite III feeling between citizens
Of States where cordially and kindness Row existed and
whose sons martyrs in holy cause sleep quietly aud
soundIy in common grave, the dust OF each commin-
ling with the other. .-
NorpWas willing to interfere with the counry aud
corporation contracts The counties and corporations
which had made these contracts had exhibited conmen-
dable forecast and judgment 10 making provissh Tor
their .citizeps Suo spirit thought deserved encou:
rigement The contracts made in &c oa faiththe
object laudabe, and every principle OF justice ~ my
Judgment demanded their observance aud strict fulfill
meut declined, therefore, tofhterfere with these con-
tracts to leave the contracting parties unembef,
raised by any OF mine Their contracts were left as
found them in every respect nndsurbed by the contract
which had made with Stuart Palmer 4 Scott ALI the
contracts previously made were made with Stuart Bue-
hanan & Co., separate aud distinct firm.
copy of my. contract with Stuart, Palmer Scott is
here with transmitted; also copy OF my proclapAon,
providing for the distribution of the salt acquired under
that contract aud the previous proclamation issued pro-
hibng the shipment of salt over the railroads OF the
state. :.
In making the distribution, such counties only were
embraced could be reached the object being to make
the purchase available to great extent as possible
for the relief of the people All doubtful counties
included in the distribution, and those only were eH
cuded which were in whole or in part under control
of the enemy.
eShortly after the adjournment Of the Legislature l
directed Quarermaster General Smoot TO adopt such
measures as he might deem advisable to procure salt
from the Kanawha Works copy Of the order and
instructions are herewith communicated If the orders
issued 10 the Shes OF the eoahtes had been promptly
complied WITH would have secured at least hun
bred housand bushels Of salt from these works; but
parties in the counties immediately went to work
to defeat the object of che orders. Owing to this
fact the movement Of the wagons was delayed until
late period to prevent them from reaching Ka
nawha Valley before our army was compelled TO retire
fromit Ny object was therefore defeated, and the
supply anticipated from this source lost TO the people
of Virginia The report Of Major Smoot this sub
ject is herewith transmitted.
Defeated in procuring salt from the Kanawha Salines
determined TO make additional contract with the
proprietors at Savile. With this view, directed my
ad-decamp Col & Bassett French, repair to Salt
yie aud make au additional contract 10 amount not
exceeding eighty thousand dollars and to secure lis de-
livery at the earliest period practicable. After much
trouble and difficulty Col French succeeded in making
contract for thirtyior thousand bushels deliverable
in the month OF March next upon the terms specified in
my contract with the parties of Scott Co. Copies Of
his contract and report are herewith communicated.
ascertained during the visit Of Col French at SAILS:
VILE that the State Line required eighteen hundred
bushels for immediate USE for packing purposes for beef
and pork and instructed him to procure the quantity
required supposed it would be furnished without de-
lay or difficulty but much to my surprise, the proprc-
tors, who had agreed TO furnish much salt as the
State Line might require in addition TO the amount
agreed to be furnished the State declined to supply
this demand therefore directed Major Smoot to pro-
coed without delay SaviIe, and impress the amount
required under the act oe&Rsembly; for which, see
Code edition Of 1860 chaptefg2 sections LIST aud I'd.
The matter arranged without resorng to the cIer
else of the power referred to- copy OF Major Shoots
report is herewith communicated
The reports of Colonel French and Major Smoot pre-
sent clear aud intelligent views OF their action in the
important matters committed to their management
Their duties have been performed faithfully, promptly,
and to my entire satisfaction.
have endearOred TO perform my duty faithfully in
the execution of this act Of the General Assembly 1t
has been the most perplexing and embarrassing duty
that has devolyed upon me as the Executive Of this
Commonwealth. If the works had been purchased last
Spring, as thought they should have been, by the
State we would have had abundance Of salt for the
wants of our people and could have realized from the
property sum sufficient to have paid the purchase
new or the greater portion of it. the past year. In m
ture years il would have paid handsome revenue into
the treasury.
In my management Of this matter | have honestly
abored to meet the just expectations of the general
assembly II have succeeded, will be grathed. II
have failed will have the consciousness of knowing
that have faithfully endeavored TO execute the law in
its spirit and letter.
THE PRNITRNTIARI.
communicate herdnth, the report of the directors
of the peuitenay, accompanied by the reports Of the
superintendent and the surgeon Eight tables, designed
to show the operations for the year ending the Both
September last, and to present comparative view Of
its operations under Colonel Morgan and the late in
cumbent accompany the superinendent's report. /
frankly confess do not understand these accounts,
after the most careful examination 1t appears from
the figures that the profits on manufactures in the
several wards have amounted for the year TO upwards
of S35 900, and yet the balance against the institution
for the same time is upwards of $4,000. In other
words, do not how profits should have been made
upon every branch of manufactures and yet the nst
tuition should not have been able TO pay its expenses
and at the same time yield something very handsome
to the state treasury.
On the 9Th day of December last the aggregate
number Of convicts 4l2
White male conyicts, 240
White female conyicts,
243
Free negro male convictS, IS