Daily National Intelligencer

Messrs. Editors:

The defectiveness of the system of law in force in this district is generally acknowledged; and indeed how could it be otherwise, seeing that, by the adoption of the Maryland code pro tempore by Congress, the District has been completely isolated from the remainder of the continent as to its laws—having the benefit neither of our own intellect and experience, nor of the improvements made by our neighbors in their system, since it was borrowed from them for our use. Facts so undisputed could not escape the notice of Congress, let them have been as inattentive to the particular interests of the District as any one has chosen to consider them: and they therefore appointed a commission to compile and report to them a code of law for the use of the District, with a view to enacting it into a law. This code hath not yet been reported to Congress, wherefore I do not exactly understand, but should be glad to be informed through the medium of your paper. I am sure the delay cannot be attributed to indisposition or incapacity on the part of the Judges or Attorney General to act on the subject. There is ability and the will in the board, as constituted, adapted to a sphere more extensive than that in which they have to act. It has been said in my hearing, that the compensation allowed by Congress for this task, is scarcely sufficient to purchase the books necessary for use and reference, and that therefore the task is declined. Not asserting any right to know how this work progresses, if at all, the information would nevertheless very much gratify yours,

POPULUS.