Governor's Message and Annual Reports of the Public Officers of the State: And of the Boards of Directors, Visitors, Superintendents, and Other Agents ... or Interests of Virginia (Classic Reprint)

Forgotten Books. paperback. Acceptable. 5x0x9. No, this is not the reprint by Forgotten Books but the original document published by William F. Ritchie, Richmond, 1857. It is in four "messages," the first with tables. 186 p., many unopened, on strong only mildly age-toned page, but with occasional stains and an open tear on lower margin of p. 186 (clx xxvi). The textblock, comprising sewn signatures, is firm but wrapper is missing. As a result the t.p. is much smudged. Former owner's name, a member of the family of Gov. Cabell of Virginia, is written on upper margin of the t.p. Full title: DOC. No. I. GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE and REPORTS of the PUBLIC OFFICERS of the STATE, of the BOARDS of DIRECTORS, and of the VISITORS, SUPERINTENDENTS, and other AGENTS of PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS or INTERESTS of VIRGINIA printed under the CODE of VIRGINIA. Message I: "On The Present Commercial Crisis, and the Condition of the Banks of United States and Particularly Those of Virginia, December 7, 1857. Message II: "Specially on the Subject of the Legal Rate of Interest, and the Usury Laws of the Statte of Virginia. Against their Repeal. To the General Assembly of Virginia, December 7, 1857." From p. lxxvii: "Free Trade in Money, or Note Shaving, the Great Cause of Fraud, Poverty and Ruin: Stringent Usury Laws, and Best Defence of the People Against 'HARD TIMES' An Answer to Jeremy Bentham by the Hon. John Whipple, of Rhode Island," and various letters. Message III.: On Miscellaneous Subjects, to the General Aseembly of Virginia, December 7, 1857." Message IV: Relative to Reprieves and Pardons, to the General Assembly of Virginia, December 7, 1857." This last section includes cases regarding slaves, among them a certain "Suckey" who had committed infanticide but the sentence of hanging was considered too harsh considering her "previous good character." Another slave who was to be hung for "conspiring with other slaves to rebel and make insurrection" was spared (though sold) because of "the unnatural testimony of his son," who was the only witness, and "the conviction in this case was made under popular excitement." Fascinating primary source for historians and collectors. Deserves binding.