In cases of extreme necessity there could always be means found to
cheat the law, while in all other cases it would have its intended
effect. I would not favor the passage of a law upon this subject which
might be very easily evaded. Let it be such that the labor and
difficulty of evading it could only be justified in cases of greatest
necessity.

Upon the subject of education, not presuming to dictate any plan or
system respecting it, I can only say that I view it as the most
important subject which we as a people can be engaged in. That every
man may receive at least, a moderate education, and thereby be enabled
to read the history of his own and other countries, by which he may
duly appreciate the value of our free institutions, appears to be an
object of vital importance, even on this account alone, to say nothing
of the advantages and satisfaction to be derived from all being able to
read the scriptures and other works, both of a religious and moral
nature, for themselves. For my part, I desire to see the time when
education, and by its means, morality, sobriety, enterprise and
industry, shall become much more general than at present, and should be
gratified to have it in my power to contribute something to the
advancement of any measure which might have a tendency to accelerate
the happy period.

With regard to existing laws, some alterations are thought to be
necessary. Many respectable men have suggested that our estray
laws--the law respecting the issuing of executions, the road law, and
some others, are deficient in their present form, and require
alterations. But considering the great probability that the framers of
those laws were wiser than myself, I should prefer [not] meddling with
them, unless they were first attacked by others, in which case I should