Indiana Palladium, Volume 3, Number 49, Lawrenceburg, Dearborn County, 15 December 1827 — Page 2

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GOVERNOR' Gentlemen of the Senate9 and of the House of Representatives: On our assemblage as the servants of the people, and after an exchange of the customary 8alutations,letuscordially congratulate each other, that the last political year, has crowned with the most signal success the highest interests of our fellow citizens. To that Being in whose hands the destinies of Nations are, we next owe the offer of our thanks, upon the aljar of gratitude, for the unmerited blessing which He has tendered to felicitate our condition,- resolving not to abate our most fervent aspirations for their continuance. Our yeomanry, aided by a fruitful seaion, have extracted from the soil by well directed industry, every substantial ttecessary plentifully, and in that rich variety which our choice climate affords. To thi3may be added the welcome intelligence from each part of the state, that our inhabitants have been favored with a greater portion of health in the aggregate than theyhave for past years, giving us full evidence that our already acknowledged healthful country, is still improving in this inestimable enjoyment. .At a time of profound peace and without anv Drosoect of a rupture with any of j i a those powers with whom the United States have relations, inhabiting a country possessing superior natural advantages to mast others, and increasing in numbers with a rapidity which clearly foretelU our brilliant destiny, what is more natural, than that the attention of those whose whole interest is identified with their country's, and whose affections are fixed on its glory, should be principally directed in laying that foundation upon which the present generation may build their own, and their posterity's permanent prosperity T When we bring in review before us, the successive currents of emigration, which annually penetrate the deep recesses of the Western forest; when we behold the generous efforts of the enlightened Statesman and Philanthropist, for the establishment of primary and higher schools, that education may be equal and universal; when we witness the enterprize and industry of the people, their morality and order, the conclusion follows, that all the essentialelements are concentrating to prosecute and consummate the great design of the focia! compact. The acting population of Indiana being constituted principally by emigrants from each of the twenty-four state sovereignties, with a small mumber from most of the Christian powers of Europe, and possessing those prejudices and opin ions concerning government and law, im bibed in early life, from those distinc tive circumstances which surround sep arate communities, it is perfectly natur al to expect, at present, an indiscribable diversity of sentiment upon every pro ject or regulation which may be submitted by those in authority, for consideration. To govern, or legislate for such a discordant body politic at once, to the satisfaction of all, is wh it the ablest lawgivers of Greece or Rome wiuld not dream of effecting, were they present. We may aim, as we ought, to m tk public opinion our guide in matter of expediency, hut it will be for the statesman of some future age to shape the law which will-be executed upon our whole Bociety, without any indication of discontent. Then, if this is go, and wo cannot change it, let us begin our tak, and under the circumstances, make our best exertion in sincerity and honesty, ant with all our ability for the general interest of th se who have employed us. Before I proceed to lay before you those subjects, which under the constitution I feel myself bound to submit, allow me in the name of the people, whose government this is, to request mist' solemnly, that during this session, those highly interesting and important matters upon which we must act conjointly, may claim your whole attention. If nothing should obtrude itself upon your notice but legitimate subjects of legisla tion, then, we shall find at the end of: your labors, that reason, the soul of all good legislation, will hav triumphed; Whoever attempts to hoist the standard of party, in or out of your body, tending to make principle subservient to political calculation and management, should be viewed as aiming a fatal blow at the public tranquility. If it is kept in mind, that party is the folly and madness of many tor the benefit of a few, it will have but a small number of votaries. At no period since the organization of our state government, have topics ans en of such vast concern and deep inter est for legislative deliberation, as those upon which the members of the present tession will be called upon to act. Questions of such great moment, and involv ing so much, difficulty, responsibility and perplexity as those alluded to, require the most calm, disinterested and intense reflection. The public eye is fixed up on the proceedings of this General AssemSly, and it is expected that each member will do his duty, laying aside Within the space of the last fifteen

months, public lands have been granted

to the state of Indiana, through the instrumentality of her public functionaries, estimated to be worth about one million two hundred and fifty thousand dollars free of cost, for special purposes. The ohieeta and terms ot those immense f rants: rilav be seen bv a reference to j j f the two treaties made in the fall of the year t826, with the Miami and Potowa tamie nations of Indians; and two acts of the last Congress of the United States now in the secretary's ofhee, which will be laid before you. It is believed that the most sanguine politician, will be un able to point to any combination of cir cumstances, which will again place under the control of the state, in the same time, and perhaps not for a half a century -perhaps never, such extensive and valuable resource, for prosecuting a grand system of internal improvement to a successful termination, and for the ul timate production of a revenue that shall relieve our fellow citizens from taxation. Legislatures that have formerly sat, have been engaged in theoretical disquisitions into the expediency of making considerable commercial improvements in the in terior of the state; but not having the means within their crasp, which alone can give vitality to such gigantic undertakings as were conceived, no decisive step has yet been taken. What has been said and done, having but little other effect than to invite discussion, and enliven the public mind to its best interests, the honor seems to have been reserved to the representatives of the peo ple, now present, to act efficiently in re Nation to those public works, which the highest expectations are entertained. X A tract of land, five miles in width, and in length the whole distance of a survey now making by a brigade of United States' engineers, commencing at the mouth of Tippecanoe river and running northeast along the valley of the Wabash and its tributaries, to Fort Wayne; thence down the Maumee of the Lake, to the mouth of the Auglaize river, or lower, a distance of about one- hundred and sixty miles, is granted to this state for the purpose of making a Canal, to connect the waters of the Wabash with Lake Erie and the Miami treaty provides for its location th rough all the In dian reservations. Another tract of land ha6 been obtained by treaty with the Potowatamie Indians, during the fall of 1826, and since ratified bv the Senate, equal to one section of good land for each mile of the whole distance, from Lake Michigan to some convenient poim on the Ohio river, to make a turnpike road. These two grants are placed under the absolute control of the Indiana Legisla ture, for the purposes above mentioned. The road grant is without condition. The canal grant, though subject to cer tain conditions presents nothing in them th.it ought reasonably to make your bo dy hesitate to adopt that course, which will most certainly secure it from the contingencies, which the lapse of time, unimproved, must attach to it. Since the recent survey and examination of this long contemplated line of internal communication, to connect the waters of the Lakes and the Wabash leave no doubt of its practicability; and it being in our power to avail ourselves of the splendid donation which has been proffered to us bv the liberal hand of the General Government, the success of such a very valuable facility, should not be looked upon as anv loncr DroblematicaL , ,-j , By a letter from Mr. Moore the engineer, engaged in this business, which will be submitted, you will perceive that the whole of this survey will not be completed this fall, in consequence of sickness. The distance from the summit near Fort Wayne to the mouth of Tippecanoe river, that part ot the survey which is com pleted, is one hundred and three and an lalf miles. The lockage, two hundred and twenty two feet. I his may he all the estimate we shall have before us at this session. No data

is furnished as to the cost. But, most ofjburdena'to any that can be exported on , C-

u tt c V navigation injna may be transported on them, and with the U. S. finding their origin in the Ncwdmbls the velocity of wbici the former is sus-

York Canals, we may look to their suc cessful execution and demonstrated utilty, tor information and reasons to tain in making the adventure, which we are now called upon imperiously to make. Estimates of Canals have been made for a variety of widths and depths, and on almost every kind of surface, both in Europe and in America; so that the a ' Legislator may form an idea of the expense of almost anv imaginary route. The profits of Canal stocks, iudiciously invested in England, doubtless! v sugges ted to the Americans, the transportation of whose productions constitute their greatest burthen, the idea of a similar policy. In deciding upon these great undertakings, it will not do to test them by a too penurious calculation of dollars and cents. , Should the expense of our Wabash Canal exceed a million of dol lars, it must be recollected, that we have under our control means to that amount. If the profits of the Canal, when finished, shall produce the interest of whatever additional sum is required, and enough besides to extinguish that principal gradually, the credit of the state must remain unshaken by a loan. It is said by the most confidential writers, that all of the

three hundred British Canals, have given satisfaction to the public and the stockholders. Ought we not then to seize upon this opportunity to furnish a memorable demonstration, that we know when and how to act for the general welfare when the occasion demands it? Prompt and decisive steps towards the commencement of this work on your part, will furnish the most unequivocal evidence, that you are not indifferent to the great agricultural, manufacturing and

commercial interests which constitute the bone and sinew of society. . - Public men must be brave, and not suffer intimidation by the probable consequences that may arise out of fcthe chapter of accidents.' If you conclude to accept of this grant, as you certainly ought, the principal question which must next arise, will be: When and how shall it be disposed of? How appropriated, and to what objects? The first proposition resolves into two others, as follows: Is it better to sell the land now, or at a subsequent time? Shall it be sold for cash in hand, or on a credit?, After examining this subject care fully, I have become satisfied that it would he impolitic to require a sale of those lands, at any period prior to the. completion of whatever improvement may be agreed upon. And that when the auspicious time arrives for selling, thatne door to future difficulties should be closed, by requiring prompt payment. Were you to authorise a sale on a credit before the Canal is completed, with the view of raising the necessary means, ma ny years must elapse, and much ol the people's money will be expended, in le gislating on relief applications, in addition to the expense of a land office, before a fund will be raised, adequate to the proposed undertaking. Bt'sides,'retarding the work, it is jeopardizing the granf, for the time is limited for its completion. Were you to offer the land for ready money, it would be inevitably sub jected to a wasteful sacrifice; so great, in all probability, as to defeat the pro ject altogether, by its not producing the sum of money required or expected. Hence it follows, that a loan, should be resorted to as the least doubtful expedient, or, if that will not be acceptable, you might authorise an issue of paper, redeemable in the land at a minimum price, after it shall have been offered for sale. When it is considered that this land lies upon each side of the proposed Canal, you surely cannot rumain Ions impenetrated with the belief, that th? Jiff-renco in the amount of sales before and after it completion, will not greatly exceed any sum ot interest, which way accrue on a borrowed principal. Interest ought not to bi paid more than two years, which would be ten p?r centam on a given sum, whilst the presumption is strong, that the hod would be increased in value, by the commercial advantages which would he appended to it, at fliiisliing of the work mor than an hundred per cent. The most solemn acts of legislation, will supply the place of imposing reality; for the alarming idea of uncertainty will have its iniljencH until active operations are commenced on the channel. The treasury is the proper depository of the public money, r quiring an additional bond of its officer. 10 qiestion, however, cm now . a. . a arise, as to the sale keeping ot the proceeds, ex cept you dispose of the land very differently, from what i believe you will. The object to which the nroceeds of the? aaid lands must be aDDronriatud according to the terms of the act of Congress making the cession to the state, is a 'canal.y Whether this gratuity can be made by the best management, to produce a fund equal to the estimate for a Canal, is very uncertain. If the act had given to the state the privilege, to make use of the land, to construct either a Had way or a Canal, it could not be questioned that it would be altogether adequate to the finishing the one, though it might fall short as to the other Railways, are rapidly bearing away the palm of usefulness, from actual experiment, from all other commercial facilties. In latitudes as far north as the valley of the Wabash, their equal utility at least, may be fully illustrated. Their cost for the same distances, and constructed on the same natural surface,' would bi, in this mintiir ikiii( K.IT' id'ii nf a fV. r. -.1 Cnl ceptible. Duriog the season at which a Ca nal is closed up with ice the lltdw.iy is fit for

sus-ju6e. The Cnal is oftvn the harbinger ofentere int0 for the land itself vet this

disease, engendered bv tbe fr-quent overchar ges of water, that escapes ami fjrnaa reservoirs, and tbero becomes a stazmnt nool; whilst Railways, are exempt from this disadvantage. There being perishable materials in both, the one is not perhaps more apt to jpt out of repair than the other. Freight being proportion ed to the cost, would be less on tha Radwayj than the Canal. In connecting seas, lakes or rivers near the tropics, Canals may claim the pre-eminency; but to unite streams which are themselves only a part of the year navigable, the Railway appears to possess much consistency. A Railway would do tho Whole business a Canal could do no more. The former would bring as much money intothe treasury as tbe latter. It is said tbat Coogres would not hesitate upon your memorial, to change the act, so as to enable you to adopt the Railway, if thought most expedient. Suppose that the grant of land can be msde worth a million ori dollars: this sum will not make a Canal en tbe late location, but seven hundred thousand dol lars will make a Railway on it, leaving a surplus of threa hundred thousand dollars for some object. This sum laid out for the construction of another Railway, in some populous part of tbe state, would complete an additional lino of seventy miles. If this sum should ba

appropriated, with a view of er.richiftg the treasury, it is believed that there is no part of Indiana where; it could be more advantageously

expended, than in the White Water country, to make a Railway from Lawrenceburgh, on the bank of the Ohio river to a point on the national road, in Wayne county, and as much farther north ai the means will carry it, to wards Fort Wayne. Whether such improvements are viewed with reference to the markets, which tbey aim to make accessible to the people, or with reference to the revenue which they would secure to the treasury, tbey are thought equal to any other in importance. Were this fund thus appropriated, our inhabitants would soon be released from the payment of taxes, for the support of the state government. Three per cent, on the capital invested, would bring into the treasury a sum equal to the revenue of the present year, raised from the people of Indiana. t Were you to conclude that Railways are preferable to Canals, and not be disposed to appropriate the surplus remaning, after making one from the Wabasb to the Lakes, that sum might be advantageously applied, if not pro hihifid bv Congress, to the improvement of j - the various state roads, now discouraging to the travellt-r, in certain seasons. It is not my intention, by these remarks, to recommend to you tbat steps ought to be taken, to change the Wabash canal iuto a Railway; but merely to lay the subject, connected with a few remarks, before you for your consideration, at tht special request of many distinguished citiz ns ot In diana No one can be more iully impressed with the belief, than myself, tbat there exists an obligation upon us to take some prudent step to construct the best work on the survey now io progress, which will atford an outlet for the brtad nd meat of Indiana to the northern lakts: and in order that we may determine wisely, what is best calculated to answer the common object we have in view, the advantage and disadvantages of both tbese facilties my with propriety b compared. Our object must he to produce the greatest possible Rood, with the least possible inconvenience. What ever will carry the flour, pork, beef, potatoes, and o4ijer productions of our soil to a good market, with the most expedition and the smallest expense, as 'well as most safely and securely; and return those articks of merchandise which tbe people must and will bsve, in the aaras manner, i what is wanted. If, however, you prefer a Canal, as is most generally find reasonably supposed you will, 1 will cheerfolly devote a portion of my time and services, in co-operation with you, for the furtherance of this project, which has long since had ray approbation. Whatever has been said, as to the the course which suggests itself to me as the proper one, with respect to the ca nal grant, in relation to sale and loan, will apply to the cession to make the rotawatamie road. No pledges which you can give beforehand, will make the land near this road, sell like the finished tho roughfare itself. If my conceptions of the policy are approved of, as the best in the one case, they are equally deserving in the other. irou will, no doubt, organize a board of commissioners, to be appointed, composing of respectable men, to make the selection of the land ceded for the said road, so soon as it may be surveyed. Provided the present General Assembly fail to make a point on the Ohio river, at which the road shall terminate, the same board, composed of woll qualified citizens, might be authorized, by law, to perform this difficult duty, as well as to employ

an engineer and surveyor, and make themcni 1 De Pnmea io recommend a location to the L;ike. A provision inicarfj perusal of th.s intelligent book. Tha

the law. nntWWmcr thr hnnrH (a tl

...u i . i . i ir i I urnp-.kd roads, &,c. with the wtioie D an of such donations as miizht be ottered, mtoL . ... , . . 3 .. i . , .. A.;lormation, and thu machiaery used, are therein consideration, might be productive ot! , . , , . , . , ' r .i ,i satisfactorily developed. An investigation of some ood, bv increasing the capitali. .-... . , . . .

sIock wmch may be created, oome newspaper essays have appeared, suggesting the propriety of applying to Congress for an additional grant of land sufficient to make this a railway, upon a cheap and improved plan, which is at least worthy of your notice. I believe, however, that no Utopian scheme which may be brought forward, will find advo ' C ,i cates, tending to delay the commencemenl of the road. Contracts for finish ing it, ought not to extend beyond a year, from the time they are entered in to; and then let the land be brought into market, to put a period to the payment of interest. Labor enough can u- niuiiriiim:u : n is noi supposea uiai any unnessary delay will take place. It has ben said, that contracts might be K . .. , . .. ..j i. :a a j i would be a doubtful policy; but by no mans the worst which might be adopted. It is by virtue of that power exercised by Congress, delegated by several express provisions in the Constitution, and sanctioned by the Administration of the General Government, to appropriate a portion of the National Treasury, or its sources, to make internal improvement tliat In a l'rvnnrr isrito hia hnn c I ly placed upon that elevated ground it : " "l - now occupies, as to ability, to become one of the first stafes in the confederacy. And it is strange, that the exercise of a power, in the general dispensation of its; blessings, so just, general and equaU and as necessary to the national wealth and name and prosperity, as light is to tho material world, should meet with tho formidable opposition that is arrayed against it. It is somewhat unaccountable that it is so. Is it because the West ern and Northern states, by their masterly policy, are leaving their Southen. sisters far in the rear, in their march tt power? Is it because the literal construction phalanx, wish to scatter the pub-

lie treasury within particular tide water limits, to the exclusion of the grain growing states? Do the rays of a southern sun, give that peculiar energy to the intellect, which enable the politicians within particular geographical lines, to take the oily correct view of

the Constitution? With them, the construction of a light-house is a regulation of commerce; or the gradual increase of the Navy and the erection of expensive harbours, along the sea coast, are provisions for the national defence; but roads and canals running into the interior, though the exchange of exchangeable commodities are greatly multiplied thereby, is neither. Suppose that' the Western states were to submit passively to this new construction of the Constitution, or that it should succeed in becoming the rule by which Congressional legislation is hereafter to be governed, may not the inquiry be gravely made, of what use will the National Treasury be to them, or one half of the states! Seven or eight years hence, peace preserved, when the national debt shall have been extinguished, and there are a surplus of fifteen or twenty millions of dollars, to be disposed of, under the several powers in the federal charter, if this power is not sustained, how are these states to claim their just proportion from the Treasury ? No other power can be foand in that sacred instrument, which will authorize beneficial legislation for these states. We have no 6eaboardf consequently cannot obtain the passage of bills by virtue of the conceded powers. Yielding up this vital principal to this country, if a Western member introduces a bill for a road or a canal, he will be at once told that it is unconstitutional. Let us not treat this subject with indifference. To give vp this power, is to break the sfajf into pieces ichich supports us. Furthermore, it is believed, that we shall not be unmindful of the acknowledged maxim, that labor, and not our gold and silver or estates, constitute our wealth. This admitted, we shall not cease to venerate that course of conduct wheresoever found, in public men, which is best calculated to call into requisition, the greatest quantity of productive industry. To do this, encouragement ought to be given to every department of labor, and to none more so, than the enterprising manufacturer, on account of his risque, and his capital employed. The citizrns of that country, who cannot exchange the productions of their fabory for all their needful luxuries and necessaries, are surely rorogadingfrom national wealth. If this is our condition, let us at once begin to manufacture our necessaries, and abandon our luxuries. If the staple commodities of the country will not command our clothing, and other articles we need, the sooner we exchange our taste, and make at home what we want, the better. If it is true, as your intelliill inform you, tliat England furnishes us wiih clothing, and refuses our bread and meat, depend upon it the balance of trade is against us. ' Strickland't Reports which the last legislature required to be subscribed for, have bten received 'X o the friends of internal ininrsvePciples "d.ty of hallways, Canals, ! iui3 sui'irn. uiubi HvviKPnxnu in mi vnn. in j lobor for the construction of those vital arte ,----- j 1 - - ries through which public wealth & individui! property must flow. better the General Government ought to yield up its sovereignty over the public landi remaining unsold within the limits of the states, is a question which baa undergone mush able discussion in Congress, and in state Legislatures; and has been noticed in an appropriate manner, by several of the state Executires. Wbilsrthe general sentiment is collecting on so momentous a question to the west, tbe voice, of Indiana should not remain unheard. Tbo history of tbe American government and her legislation in relation to tbe public lands, fur nish undoubted evidence, tbat it wou!d not only be jttff, but tcise, to yield up the public domain to the State, either for general or special purposes. It would b justt because ecfc state ought to be placed on an equal footing, and tbe original states exrcied sovereignty over tbe unappropriated lands within their boundaries, and deposited the proceeds within their Treasuries. It would be irwe because the expensft of buying, surveying and selling the lands, and the legislation concerning thfia, reduce their value to an inconsiderable amount, at the Treasury. Nine tenths of the revenue are derived from dutii-s on imports, and tha public lands produce no more (ban about s idoll?rs. wh ch annua v arr t th . .. . . United , m -4 Nr States Treasury. Were the United State3 to relinquish to each stata h quantity cf land in. it. for the parooso of free schooh -nd internal improteinent in th stat where the lands lie the power which would be created by the intelligence suh potent moans would diffisa amongst all classes, and th works of art wbich would rise in imjastj. every where, would prove a better df-nce to tho Unioa, in an hoi ? of struggle, than an hundred thousand armeo soldiers This pjan failing the scle of depreciation should be applied Lands remaining unsaid after being ef&red, should be annu ally reduced in price, to the purchasers, under the true presumption tbat the best lods arts first takn. Lands remaining unsold for :t. suiHcient term of time, should then be given tu the acUal settler, after remaning oa tbsm ft?