Indiana Palladium, Volume 1, Number 51, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 23 December 1825 — Page 4

GOVERjXOIVS message. concluded. By the 4th section of the 9th art. of the constitution of this state, it is made the duty of the General Assembly as soon as circumstances will permit,, "to provide one or more farms to be an Asylum for those personsy who by reason of age, infirmity, or other misfortunes, may have a claim upon the beneficence of society, on such principles, that such persons may therein find employment and every reasonable comfort, and lose by their usefulness, the degradingsense of dependence.'1 The uniform silence of our legislature on

this subject, is sufficient to induce a belief

that this benevolent provision, has not yet received that consideration to which it is entitled. Few things are better calculated to ensure us that honorable elevation to which our young state aspires, than for the world to witness the representatives of our free population, in the exercise of their high functions, engaged in laying a foundation that will guarantee comfort and happiness to the unfortunate poor. It is the poor and needy that can justly claim more of our deliberations than the affluent, whose wealth sets legislative interposition at defiance. Viewing the construction of an Asylum or Asylums, as institutions, in which the citizens of all the states by some unhappy accident may be doomed to participate; and as there is yet within our limits immense tracts of waste lands belonging to Congress, we ought not to suppose that an application

to that body lor a small tract of land to aid this philanthropic design, would be unsuccessful. The existing law for the support of the poor, though perhaps as good as any that could be devised under the existing system is radically defective in the principles of humanity to the unfortunate, as well as in economy of expenditure. These unhappy objects of public charity are sold like merchandize or cattle in a public market to persons who are generally induced to become their purchasers from motives of gain or avarice, rather than humanity and benevolence, and the public chanty thus offered, is often made a curse instead of a blessing. To me, this practice seems degrading to our character aa a christian people, instead of lessening the sense of dependence as is contemplated in the humane provision in our constitution, such a mode of relief is calculated to lacerate anew the already wounded sensibility, to increase the sense of degradation, and changes the unfortunate dependent from an object of public charity into a means of private speculation,. That this system is defective ki point of economy, will at once appear obvious, by referring to the items of expenditure in the several counties in this state, which I will endeavor to procure and lay before you. It is submitted to your consideration, whether the spirit of the above provision of the constitution cannot be carried into effect efficiently, by dividing the state into districts of counties, or larger, and making provisions for the establishment of an Asylum in each, where under the care of a single superintendant, made responsible for bis conduct, the poor, deaf5 dumb and unfortunate of the district may be collected; and those of them, of capability occupied in some useful employment contributary to their subsistence. It is believed that upon this system the poor oan be maintained at an expense little exceeding one half of that which is paid by the people under the present systern? besides affording abundantly the milk of human kindness.

the constitution provides that, "the General Assembly shall from time to time, pass such

laws as shall be calculated to encourage intellectual scientific and agricultural im

provements,, by allowing rewards and immunities for the promotion and improvement of arts, sciences, commerce, manufactures and natural history, and to countenance and encourage the principles of humanity, in

dustry and morality.'7 JLhe utility and nn

in a regular gradation from township schools to a state university, wherein tuition shall be gratis and equally open to all There is no subject more worthy the attention of the representatives of a free people, than that of providing means for the education of all classes of society, rich and poor together, in the same manner and at the same school: Nor is there a more effective method of suppressing vice, and giving countenance to, and encouraging the principles of humanity, industry and morality:" Nor is there any better method of bringing native genius to light and usefulness. It is one of the first duties of a government, as well as of an individual, to provide the means necessary for their own existence. It has been well aid that "knowledge is power" and that "ignorance is the foot-stool of despotism." Our's

especially, is emphatically a government of!

the people, and its very existence depend? upon their virtue and intelligence. A well educated people will always be virtuous. They only want to know their rights, jo protect and defend them. By a grant of Congress, a section of land in each township in this state, has been invested in the inhabitants of such township for the use of Common Schools; two entire townships have been invested in the Legislature for the use of a State Seminary, and by a provision of our constitution, all tines assessed for a breach of the penal laws, and all commutations for militia services, are appropriated for the use of county seminaries. The common school lands are estimated at six hundred and eight thousand, two hundred and seven acres, which at two dollars per acre, would produce a fund of one million two hundred and sixteen thousand, four hundred and fortv-four dollars. This

councils of the federal government. To

know that at this time we can number forty thousand citizen soldiers, gives us a presentiment of our glorious destiny. With respect to tixing the ratio of representation, I can do but little more than to say that your own intelligence and knowledge of the people's wishes, will enable you

to make the most satisfactory disposition of

that difficult question. The ratio upon which the present apportionment was fixed, was as near as possible at one Senator for every eighteen hundred polls, and one representative for every seven hundred. To continue this ratio, would make a considerable addition to your present number, and

to increase it so as to avoid an addition of

your number, would necessarily lessen the number of Senators and Representatives from particular districts. You will no doubt enter upon the consideration of this question, with a proper regard to the rights of representation, at the same time keeping in view such economy of expenditure as the situation of our finances require. The Agent of the state at this place, will report to you the situation of Indianapolis affairs, by which you will see that a great number of lots, which were sold in the year 1821, are likely to be forfeited to the state. Sundrv resolutions from different states, relative to a resolution of the Ohio Legislature on the subject of slavery, have been received and are herewith submitted: Also, some resolutions relative to the proposition by the Georgia Legislature for an amendment of the constitution of the United States, which are also submitted.

to the poll list also, including the increase h

emigration, of rising seven thousand. Tak

ing this view as correct data, the next assessment will be upwards of fitly thousand dollars, under the operation of the present law. At a period like this, when the farmer finds it difficult to sell his produce for cash, it will not be expected that more re-

j venue will be exacted than is necessary, un

der the most rigid economy, for present use. If improvements are contemplated, let us resort to a different state policy to raise the means. As the tax upon lands was moderately lessened last year, I am impressed with a belief, that you may safely diminish the assessment 6n the head one fourth. I have chosen this object, because a poll tax seems to be the most odious to the people; being often viewed in no better light than as a remaining badge of lritish vassalage For the harmony and good of society, it is equally as necessary that the revenue should be raised to public satisfaction, as that it should be demanded with certainty, and upon principles of equal justice. Knowing from experience, that it is more difficult to get rid of an evil, than to introduce one, it might not be good policy to reduce this tax' more than a fourth at present, and so on each year for four years, when it will be dismissed from our statutes. It will be found also, that the principal cause that originallyinduced it, is ceasing to exist. Many articles of pleasure and luxury might be selected with more propriety, than the heads of freemen. The additional certificates of se

veral clerks of persons unassessed,is an evi-

pose of availing ourselves of the benefit of a

law uf Congress, passed at the last :esjion, extending to the Adjutant, Major and Brigadier Generals of the several states the

sum at interest at six per centum per annum, would produce seventy-two thousand

nine hundred and eighty-six dollars yearly.lprivi'ee of franking their communications, There is now forty thousand nine hundred j to pass a law making it the duty of those offi-

and sixty acres of College lands granted to

the state; all of which will shew tnat we are furnished uith means. It still remains for

the Legislature to improve and increase j commissions.

these several funds, so as to carry this gen

eral scheme of education into complete effect. For further and better information on this subject in detail, permit me to refer you to the able and lucid report of a committee raised by a joint resolution of the General Assembly, approved January S, 1821, which was made at the ensuing session, and is now on file in the office of the Secretary of State. This report is worthy an attentive examination. I will remark. !hhv-

dence of negligence on the part of assessors.

It will prub ibiv be necessary lor the pur-twhich ought to be remedied. Before I con-

ciuue thifc subject, 1 must express my regret, that the Auditor has not yet been able to procure ail the registers and maps required by the act of the last session. It may bo well fof the Legislature not to lose sight of such an important addition to the revenue system. You have recently had occasion to learn that there is an alarming defalcation some where, in the discharge of a most important constitutional, legal and moral duty. It seem? that there are eleven counties in this tate from which no returns for Governor and Lieutenant Governor have been received. It is of no avail to impose heavy penal-

pensation therefor; the consequence is;lhut ties on Clerks, to induce them to put a sin

gle return into a post office, whilst postmas-

cers to make the necessary indorsements up-

ettcrs or packages they may transmit

to each othn-r, containing military returns or

The militia law cf this state, in defining

the duties of Quartermaster General, has required from him services equally arduous and more responsible than those of the Ad

jutant General, without alio

ing any com-

the office will not be accepted,

The Auditor and' Treasurer, whose spe-lters. through whose hands these returns rial duty it is to report to you the situation of pass, arc subject to no penalty whatsoever, their several department. will lay be .ore It will be vanity to labor to preserre the you the state of the finances. Ii will be teen 'freedom ant purity of elections too, if such

ever that this report is predicated upon a (that there is considerable diminution In the scenes as we have just witnessed are suffersupposition, that the Legislature can leg al-jamcunt of revenue from the laU prccccdingjed to pass unnoticed. A law requiring the

ly sell the lands for the use of township') ear, growing out of the net of the hist ies- clerk in each county to transmit to the

i - - 1 n iL : i .1 i t a i

scnoois. upon mis pami mucn uoum and great diversity of opinion exists, and it is believed that upon an attentive examination ol the terms of the compact, granting the sale

of these lands, the right to sell will at least'!. ns, i - thought that the treasury will rea

sion, 1 - Tiir.g the tax on land. The reve

nue assorted for the present year amounts to forty thousand dollars. From former de

linquent iits of almost twelve thousand doi-

appear questionable, and the reasoning t

support that position lose and unsatisfactory, unless the consent of the hind-holders in each township can be obtained. It m-v

be noticed that section No. 16, in each town

ship is granted to the inhabitants of such township for the use of schools, and they may view it as an incident to their purchase. There can be no doubt as to the right of the Legislature to sell the Seminary lands, for they arc by the terms of the grant, uve$icd in the legislature to be appropriated solely to the use of a Seminary by the Legislature; and the 1st section of the 9th article of the constitution wisely intimates the propriety of a sale of these lands after the vear 1820.. It may well be worth your attention to enquire

The first section of the ninth article of whether they are not daily diminishing, in

hzo three thousand. It may reasonably he

eah iiUied iron) past events, that eight thousa.d (h!!.irs of the above aggregate amount. ma Ho deducted for delinquencies and coin-

missions; leaving for the treasury thirty-five thousand dollars. Of this um it is believed t hat about five thousand dollars will be paid in outstanding claims against the tate, and held h the collectors. Tons there may be expected in the trea

sury on the iirst clay of Januirv of

a .'(ii'iulo funds, the iurn of 30,000 .dollars, to liquidate the demands of the current year. The-ordinary expenses for the year. including the civil list and contingencies, will be

about twenty-two thousand dollars; leaving

eigne iuoucann uolJars, which may be appropriatcd towards sinking the public debt. The public debt is sixteen thousand nine

value, under the existing mode of leasing

' jijundit u r.nd twenty dollars, and seventyThe Seminary at blootnington supported! tSiree cents, and consists of the following in part by one of these townships, is in asjitem j(l vvi(: To the United StaleSj agsi flourishing condition as could have been an-jecs a t!, Vincennes Bank, 2,313 3G, printicipated. Tuition is comparatively cheap,;cipai an( purest; to the road and canal and no pains are spared to make the insti-fui d? c;(;a75 P; jncipaland interest; treasutution respectable. It cannot I think fail torv na ri drculation, and interest on the receive our patronage, It has been sug-j5:iU-( K5?0. to the seminary fund, $1,252 gested, that it would be serviceable to the' 37. nril;rinMi a interest-, and to KroTlprirb

portance of the measures contemplated by Seminary, to place it under a Directory, re- Rapp, Xo',3'X principal and interest. It

this- provision will at once be admitted.

The only diversity of opinion will be, as to the means by which they are to be effected. Agriculture and manufactures are of the most immediate importance to the present and future growth of the state; and as these are the pursuits, which from our local situation, must necessarily employ a large proportion of our population: and as these too

are the pursuits that mainly contribute tol

the wealto. and prosperity of the state, the passage of a law authorizing and encouraging the promotion of societies for the purpose of awarding premiums for the best specimens of agricultural production, and domestic manufacture,:would, if carried into effect, be highly beneficial to the country, "by exciting a spirit of industry and improve.xneot. By the second section of the same article of the constitution, it is made the duty of the General Assembly as soon as circumstances will permit, "to provide by law for aeneral system of education, ascending

moie irom me piace 01 us location. mnv ho Prcsuu.f;d that about three thonsanfl

The Secretary of State will lay before dollar of fnis debt will be demanded during you the result of the enumeration of the free; the- ensuing year; hence there will be.$5,000 white male inhabitants of this state, autho-.'left in tue treasury, subject to the will of the rized by an act of the last General Assem- legislature. bly, to a conformity with which the rates of It is your duty to provide the ways and representation are at this session to be redu-'rneans tor the following year. To effect ced. In noticing the present strength of thej this purpose, the present posture ol affairs state, it may not be uninteresting to take a! will enable you to see your way clearly, review of its unparalelled increase for the last i Almost oat of debt, and capable of meeting

twenty-hve years. In the year 1800, it isiall the demands that will aiise on the trea

supposed the territory contained 5,000 souls:

in 1805, the population is estimated at 11,000:in 1810, at 24,000: in 1815, at 68,780:

in 1820, when a census was taken under a!

law of the United States, at 147,178: in 1825, on a fair computation, at 250,000. Thus we perceive that our increase since 1800, proceeding in geometrical ratio, has amounted almost to a duplication every five years. Calculating upon a multiplication of inducements to settle our domains, and the continued expansion of our territory, by the year 1830 we will appear respectable in the

sury during the fiscal year, and with a great increase of resources, it cannot be doubted, that the existing revenue laws will produce anahurdance of means for the common pur

poses oi the state. It is believed that dm

nve hundred thousand additional acres ot

land subject to assessment, which have heretofore been exempted for five years under the compact. From the unparalleled migration to our soil this vear, we cannot well

avoid the conclusion, that with vigilence on

the part of ofiicers there will be an addition'sorted to in vain.

Speaker of the House of Representatives,

and President of the Senate, duplicate returns by some special messenger, for whose integrity lie should be responsible, (but not for unavoidable accidents,) and also one by mail, might prove more effective in always securing to the people the person of their choice.

Having detained you long enough, suffer me to conclude by reserving to myself ther privilege of communicating to you in separate messages, the situation of the Penitentiary affairs, and some other matters of in tcrest. If my assistance and cordial co-operation, in any good measure will have the effect of facilitating your deliberations in the discharge of your high prerogative, and of bringing the session to a close as soon as practicable, I beg you, at all times, to command my services. JAMES B. RAY. December 8, 1825.

Chinese Dinner at Sineaporc. Sincapore is an Island belonging to Great Britain, situated near the southern extremity of Malacca Some time ago, Mr. Haki, a Chinese merchant, entertained the whole of the European merchants and military officers of the city of Sincapore, with a splendid Chinese dinner. In the bill of fare, were the following "delicious novelties:" soups of birds' nests, frogs and ducks' livers; a liasher of stewed elephants' tails, with a sauce of lizards' eggs: a stewed porcupine, served up with the fat of turtle; fish-maws,scrved up with seaweed; a platter full of snipes' eyes garnished around the border with peacocks' combs (this dish cost .200;) jellies made from the rhinoceros' hide; fruit from Malacca and Rhioj wines from Europe, &c. The party remain ed at the table until 3 o'clock the next morning; "about this time, the wine had made an impression on the heads of some of the party., and the glasssware was heard to tingle in different parts of the room; all, however, ended in perfect harmony." Bleeding of the Lungs. It is stated with unshaken confidence, and as the result of ac

tual and repeated experience, that a halT

ing the next season, there will be upwards of tumbler of gin sling, well covered with nowI A 1 1 1 - I .-.111. ,

dered nutmeg, proes a speedy and an effi

cacious styptic in that dangerous and alarming complaint, a bleeding of the lungs. It was the discovery of accident, but has never .

been known to fail, though often tried, even when all other known mean have bcc$ rc-