The Hillsborough Recorder

[Commercial Advertiser]

SOUTH-CAROLINA.

The legislature of South-Carolina commenced its session at Columbia, on Monday the 27th ultimo. From the governor's message we make the following extracts:

In bringing to your view the incidents most deserving of attention at your present session, I cannot refrain from reminding you of the abundant causes we have for mutual congratulation and thankfulness. Our institutions guarantee to us the enjoyment of civil and religious liberty—the earth has amply rewarded the toil of the cultivator—our country is at peace, and there is reason to hope, that under Divine Providence its prosperity will keep pace with the spirit of general improvement, and the prevalent disposition to meliorate the state of our society.

While pressing on the attention of the legislature the advantages of a revision of their criminal code, he exhibits for their adoption the following important improvements:

Allow me at the same time to suggest, as highly important, a classification of prisoners, distinguishing them according to the grades of their several offences. This may be done by having additional apartments in the jails, which would preclude also the necessity of crowding many together. For want of some arrangement to prevent communication between the prisoners, many of them, after being released, are thrown again on the community, with morals rendered worse by the habits of gaming and drinking and the dissipation they have indulged in, during their confinement.

Before I dismiss this subject, I beg leave to submit to you whether it would not be advisable to pass a law, authorising any of the judges of the court of general sessions and common pleas to call a special court to be held at such time as he may appoint for the purpose of trying prisoners charged with offences. The operation of this law would be, to release the innocent from imprisonment—to punish speedily the guilty, and thereby render the punishment more impressive—and to save the state a considerable and unnecessary expense.

On a subject which has deeply engaged, and probably will soon again deeply engage the attention of the different sections of the union, he thus remarks:

The Missouri question, which was agitated during the last session of congress, and may be revived at the present, has given rise to the expression of opinions and doctrines respecting this species of property, which tend not only to diminish its value, but also to threaten our safety. We cannot for a moment suppose that congress will ever consent to be instrumental in disquieting the public mind, by legislating on the condition of our slaves, since it cannot do so, without a breach of good faith, and a violation of the constitution; but it is not to be concealed, that in the discussion of that question, principles were advanced which should put us upon our guard, and the mischievous effects of which we should counteract by the most efficient measures. I forbear, however, to enter into detail on this delicate subject—satisfied that your own discretion will readily suggest the proper course of conduct to be pursued.

In connection, however, with this subject, I deem it proper to inform you, that a number of free persons of colour have emigrated, and are daily emigrating to and settling in this state. The policy of our country forbids the increase of this class amongst us, and under existing circumstances, imperiously calls for the adoption of the strongest measures to prevent it, and it may be deemed a duty to oppose, at the threshold, every thing likely, in its consequences, to disturb our public tranquility. The restriction on emancipation might be dispensed with, if persons emancipated should be obliged to depart the state within a limited time, and not be allowed to return to it afterwards, without your authority, on pain of seizure.—But lest such a condition annexed to emancipation should be deemed void, owners of slaves might be allowed to release all right to their services, provided they remove out of the state within a certain time, and the release to be in force only during their absence from the state; and a slave to whom it may be given to be liable to be seized as a slave on his being found within the state, at any time after the period fixed by law for his leaving the same.

Among his observations on the insolvent laws, the following sentence evidences the progress of correct feeling on this important subject:

As no benefit can result to the creditor by the confinement of the body of the debtor in jail, would it not be more consonant with the spirit of our institutions, and the principles of humanity, to pass an act declaring that if a person be taken under execution or held to bail on mesne process, he shall be discharged by the sheriff on his giving good and sufficient security to the amount of the debt for which he is taken or arrested, that he will give the notice required by the act, to appear at the time and place appointed to take the benefit of it, on the terms prescribed by law.

The internal improvements of the state are thus noticed:

The board of public works, created by an act of the last session, for the promotion of internal improvement, will lay before you a report of their proceedings, by which you will perceive the progress made, and the extent to which the patriotic objects of the legislature have been realized. With a view to improve the navigation of Savannah river, the governor of Georgia expressed a wish to be informed whether this state would unite in the accomplishment of such a work and as to the most eligible mode of commencing and perfecting it. As this subject was so intimately connected with the improvements authorized by the legislature to be done by the board of public works, a copy of the communication was delivered to them, and the result transmitted to the executive of that state. Herewith you will receive the documents on that subject.

I also transmit a copy of the constitution of Missouri, received from the convention of that state; and certain resolutions of the Legislatures of the states of New-Jersey & Ohio, expressive of their opinion respecting the Bank of the United States.