to the perseverance and efforts of Governor Clinton

,
are certainly correct, hut in speaking of Colles he is
in error. I was well acquainted with Colles, since
the year 1773; about that time he arrived at Phila-
delphia, from Ireland; he was a very honest man,
but did not possess as much knowledge and experi-
ence as many ascribed to him; he was never in our
western country, and certainly never projected a plan
of canal from Erie to the Hudson; but possibly might,
merely by examining the map of the state, have
spoken of it as an event that would, at some future
period, take place.

I am, with regard and esteem,
Thy sincere friend, THOMAS EDDY.
To ROBERT TROUP, ESQ. New Orleans, May 15th, 1821. RESPECTED FRIEND,

The reasons which prevented me from doing more
than merely acknowledging your kind letter of Sep-
tember last, and thanking you for the valuable col-
lection of pamphlets which accompanied it, have
continued ever since I wrote; but being now (as you
will perceive by the enclosure) seriously at work in
the formation of a criminal code for this state, I am
extremely anxious to receive the report of your com-
mittee on the penitentiary system; from which I
have a right to expect so much important informa-
tion, I hope you will not fail to forward a copy to
me as soon as it appears.

I regret very much, that for the reasons I formerly
stated, I could not contribute any thing to the work.

Unless I hear reasons much stronger than any
which have been presented to me, either by reading,
conversation, or reflection, I shall not give the pun-
ishment of death a place in the code which I shall
present; it appears to me to be a most inefficient pun-
ishment, to say nothing of its irremediable nature;