1840.] INSPECTION LAW. 451 The course pursued by the Legislature of New York has left it doubtful whether they entirely sanctioned the refusal of the Governor; but no efficient measures were taken to surrender the criminals. (1841.) Virginia could no longer submit without retaliation. On the 13th of March, the Assembly passed a severe Inspection Law, requiring that all vessels from New York entering the ports of Virginia, should be placed under the control of inspectors, and should not be permitted to leave port without a certificate from one of these inspectors, testifying that they had no concealed or stolen slaves aboard. This act passed both Houses by a decisive majority, yet not without opposition. Wyndham Robertson, the delegate from Richmond City, presented a protest, after its passage, alleging many objections to the law. This was signed by himself and twenty-one other members of the House. Hardly had this action been taken, ere a circumstance occurred which enabled Virginia to show to New York an example of obedience to the Constitution in the very requirement which the latter state so deliberately infringed. Robert F. Curry, charged with committing forgery in New York, fled to Virginia. Governor Seward, in proper form, made a requisition for the fugitive. Governor Gilmer, acting with conscientious regard to what he deemed his duty, declined to comply with this Protest, Enq., March 26, 1841. b Enquirer, March 16. The law was to take effect in May, 1842, un less previously suspended by the proclamation of the Governor. demand until justice should be done by New York to Virginia. But the House of Delegates having obtained official knowledge of the facts, passed, on the 20th day of March, a resolution, expressing confidence in the patriotic motives of the Governor, but declaring that if the demand had been legally made, the fugitive ought to be surrendered, notwithstanding the conduct of New York. Immediately on the receipt of this resolution, Governor Gilmer addressed a letter to the House, in which he vindicated his action, and declaring that he was unwilling to oppose his individual views to the wishes of the other department of government, he resigned his office! On the 22d, Curry was surrendered by John M. Patton, the Lieutenant-Governor, who accompanied his act by a renewed protest against the conduct of the executive of New York. A calm review of the events of this period will convince us that the Assembly adopted the proper course as to the requisition of Governor Seward. The infringement of the Constitution by the executive of New York, would not justify a similar infringement by the executive of Virginia. The federal compact was still binding, and it was a duty which Virginia owed, not merely to New York, but to every other state in the Union, to surrender fugitives from justice when properly charged with crime, and demanded. Yet all discriminating minds have recognised the purity of the motives which impelled Governor Gilmer in the course he Enquirer, March 22. 1844.) HIS DEATH. pursued. He was a patriot statesman. 453 Those who knew him best in life found in him the chivalrous traits of the gentleman, united with those nobler qualities that distinguish the Christian. The appalling accident which cut him down in the very strength of his days, filled America with mourning, and history can offer no solace for his death, save the sad privilege of paying an impartial tribute to his memory. Subsequent years have presented few causes which have materially affected the individual fortunes of Virginia. It might not indeed be difficult to tell of scenes which have moved the very heart of society, but the lessons that are to be conveyed by these events must be left to the future. Time must heal wounds and alleviate sorrows, before experience will venture to record them as admonitions, alike to those who have felt, and those who have escaped them. The retrocession of the county and town of Alexandria, will appropriately close the history of Virginia to the present time. They had been originally granted as part of the "ten miles square. It will be unnecessary to detail all the causes which made them dissatisfied with their condition, and induced a wish to return to the parent state. One who has inhabited the "District," has compared his feelings on a temporary visit to Virginia to those of a man who had been gasping in a vacuum, and had suddenly been granted the enjoyment of a pure and healthful atmosphere. How far his • Philip Fendall, of Washington City. The remark was heard by views have accorded with those of others in the same circumstances, we cannot say. The Act of Congress authorizing the retrocession was approved on the 9th of July, 1846, and the vote of the county and town having shown a large majority in favour of the measure, nothing remained but its ratification by Virginia. On the 13th March, 1847, the Legislature passed an act, by which this part of the "District" was reunited to the Commonwealth. Provision was made for extending to it the judicial rule of the state, and for organizing its internal polity. The county and town were joined to the county of Fairfax, for all the purposes of suffrage for representation, either in the state or the General Government. Such an occurrence has novel and interesting features for Virginia. She has sent forth many emigrants, has been the mother of many states; she has been impoverished by the very generosity which has enriched younger sovereignties, and few indeed have been the direct benefits she has derived from her munificence. But when she finds a number of her children voluntarily returning to her bosom, she may hope that she has not entirely lost her claim upon the affections of those who have gone out and established permanent interests in distant parts of America. the author in a speech delivered by * Sess. Acts 1846-47, pages 41 CHAPTER VIII. Review of the present condition of the State proposed-Her LawsChanges in the Civil Code-Amelioration of the Criminal Code-Penitentiary Statistics-Free coloured population-Laws as to slaves— Courts of justice-Delay in Court of Appeals-Proposed revisal of the law-Literature in Virginia-George Sandys's Ovid-Munford's Homer -Poets of Virginia-Lighter prose works-Historical works-Newspapers-Southern Literary Messenger-Colleges-William and MaryWashington-Virginia Military Academy-Randolph Macon-Emory and Henry-Rector-Hampden Sidney-Medical department-Lunatic Hospitals-Institutions for the deaf and dumb and the blind-Religion in the state-Freedom of conscience-The Baptists-Statistics-The Methodists-Statistics-The Presbyterians-Division in 1837, 1838— Statistics The Episcopalians-Progress of their church-StatisticsOther sects-Jews-Roman Catholics-Religious incorporations-Petition to Legislature of 1845-46-Debate before Committee of Courts of Justice-Agricultural interest of Virginia-Statistics-ManufacturesMining-Finances-Subjects of taxation-Population of the stateVirginia compared with Massachusetts-Statistics-Sluggishness of Virginia-Three causes assigned-Want of education-Ignorance in the state-Want of internal improvement-Old James River Company -James River and Kanawha Company-Work accomplished by itOther improvements proposed-Slavery-Its evils-Public sentiment with regard to it-Its decrease-Statistics-Virginia Land Company in England-Conclusion. HAVING attended Virginia from her birth, through the varied fortunes of her life, to the present time, it will be proper that we shall now present a view of her general condition and prospects. This will lead us again to speak of the past, but only so far as shall be necessary in order to illustrate the present. Important as may have been the action |