Indiana State Sentinel, Volume 10, Number 24, Indianapolis, Marion County, 14 November 1850 — Page 1

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VOL. X. INDIANAPOLIS, THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 1850. NO. 24. I ' t , ... . -

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INDIANA STATE SENTINEL: A GAZETTE OF THE PEOPLE, ETOffice in THE SENTINEL BUILDINGS North Side JVashington, near Meridian St., OPPOSITE ODD FEIXOWS TT ATI.,

AUSTIN II. BROWN, Publisher. THE SEMI-WEEKLY EDITION I puUished erery Wednesday ami Saturday and Tri-WaeVly dur1115 the Sc)!! 01" the Legislature, at TOTTR DOLLABS A TEAE, Invariably in Advance. THE WEEKLY EDITION I published every Thursday, and ia furnihed to suUcnber at the lollowtug very low rales: Chi Copy, one yar, no Three Copies, one year, 5 t0 f'ia topic, one yew, 8 CO Tau Copies, (in CtubJ oue year, II) W) Oue Copy, muiilM, 1 "0 One Copy, three months, 50 The Money, in all casea, to accompany alicripüone. t"r"Auy perrn sending uj a Club of Tin, with tah. at the rala J J t 00 eacn. shall have a copy gris for one )ear. For a greater nuTiHer t'iau ten. t: gratuity will be increased iu proportion. 7" All Post Mauer are requested to act M Aceuls, and. a auch, fcy a recent decision of lite LVpartincul, tkey are authorized to frank leitera for lii-lit of ut-H-r.l-tr. GCAil papers Will be stopped ri the end of the term paid ftr, unless the uixcnption ia renewed, except to those witn whom we have onctt!rd business accounts. (CF tf"P Lttters, addrcsstd to ttiis office, artf not be taken out tum fie pniaire i paid. -y Tru'iri A1crtmmtnts, muat be paid for when presented, r tier will nut appear. y-.o Anonymous Communication will receive attention at this lice. Z7 Adcrrtittmtnts must be banded in by 10 o'clock, A. M , on Monday, Wednesday, ami Friday, to insure üiserüou in the TriWeekly. lThi Paptr offers inducements to Adverser equal to anj ether establishment iu the State. RATES OF ADVERTISING. XV wul advertise at the following rate iu our respectiva Weeklies . Patent Medicine, at. 8150 00 per column. Business Advertisements, 23 W) per qr. ol. Isral an I other advertislii. at 50 cents per square of 250 ems, for first uisertiou, and 25 cents lor each subet)f ut msertiou. AUSTIN II- BROWN', JOHN D DEFUEE3. INDIANAPOLIS, NOVEUUER 7, 1830. My Course on the Proviso. "When canvassing this district for Congress, I everywhere declared tbat I believed the Proviso unnecessary, and that I should not vots for it, unless I was instructed. But at the same time, I did not hesiute to avow my opposition to the extension of slavery and that should any attempt be made to repeal the laws now in force in the territories, by which slavery is prohibited, I should vota against it. In my card after I was defeated for Speaker, I avowed my determination not to vote for the Proviso, unless instructed. Mr. Toombs, on or about the 13th day of December last, made a violent speech, in which he charged the whole North with being abolitionists, and invoked a union of the South against the North in the election for Speaker. He eulogised Taylor as a true Southern man. I confess tliat in ihe moment of excitement, I would have been willing to havo seen him tsstid, and I so wrote several gentlemen. These letters were private, and generally referred to what I should do if instructed. An extract from no of these lett is hunted up and published in the Statesman, in which I am made to say: ' Pass the Wilmot Provise and we will stick it to Old Zack." I do not know the name of the person to whom it was addressed. I only know tbat about that time I determined to vote for the Proviso if instructed. It was a private letter, and the member who handed it over to Ellis to publish was guilty of an act which should disgrace him in the eyes of all gentlemen. I have bundles of private letters, among the rest, some very important ones from Dr. Ellis. What would be say, and what would honorable gentlemen say if I were to publish them without first obtaining his permission? He need have no fears. His conduct, however infamous, shall not induce rne to so far forget that which belongs to the character of a gentleman. Self respect shall be my dictator, and not the low feelings of malice and revenge. But to my course: I afterwards, on cool reflection, determined to support the compromise measures. I did so in good faith. If I changed, it was because the interests of the country required that change. I have often changed, and shall' always change when convinced that I am wrong. Dr. Ellis has always been a consistent freesoiler. He has never changed. There is the difference between us. He now makes war on the compromise measures; yet he says he is no abolitionist, whikt he denounces me as a Northern doughface. There is nothing in tbe letter that I am ashamed of. I would much rather he its author than the instrument of its publication. The one is a frank production, the other a mean and dishonorable transaction. I am willing to risk my reputation at the bar of public opinion. They can decide which has pursued the most honorable course. WM. J. BROWN. N: B. I have a good many letters scattered over the country, and if Dr. Ellis will continue to publish them, it 'will add to the interest of his paper, and procure him additional subscribers, which he no doubt needs." W.J.B. Concerts. On Saturday evening the first Concert was given by Messrs. Pearsall and Downic. at the new Concert Hall, on the corner of Pennsylvania and Washington streets, and was well attended. The Hall is large, well ventilated and lighted, and can be rented of its present proprietors. (Pearsill and Downie,) on reasonable terras, for Concert, Fair, Stc The Promenade Concert given by and for the benefit of Mr. Sashnor, at the Masonic Hall on Monday evening, was numerously attended. The re-unions were not unpleasant ; and the music undoubtedly good, hut not properly appreciated, owing to the great ''noise and confusion" which pervaded the Kali. The latter part of the entertainment was enjoyed by many, who joined in the paazy dance, to tbe sound of merry music. Dollar Iadependent. We have received several numbars of a new and handsomely executed paper, of the above title, pubiished weekly at Lawrencebargh, Ind., by Brown 8c Golde. Oliver B. Torbit, editor. Neutral in politics. We wish them success. Hon. E. "W. McGanshey. The Lafayette Journal is down on our friend, the lone tax of whiggery from Indiana. He says as "Ned was one of the immortal three whig Represetativcs of the free North, who voted in favor of the present nigger catching law," h must "Han; np the fiddle and the lew." Now we will bet tho oysters that Ned gets the nominationand that every whig paper in Iiis own district, and out of it in tho State, will ehout "Hurrah for the lave catcher." It would be consistent, and therefore we expct they will do it. We call attention to the letter of Hon. Ethan AlJcn Srown; published in our paper of to-day.

Constitutional Convention.

Tcesdat, November 5, 1S30. The Convention was opened by prayer, by the Rev. Mr. Crumbackir, a Delegate. The President laid before the Convention a memorial from the Grand Union of the Daughters of Temperance of the State of Indiana, praying that an article may be inserted in the Constitution, to prevent licenses t- vend spirituous liquors; which was referred to the committee on the Legislative department. Mr. Cole prescuted a petition on the same subject; referred. Mr. Hamilton, from a majority of the committee on currency and banking, report.-d the following article; which was read and passed to a second reading: The brines of banking shll be free to all, on such terms anil restrictions as the Legislature shall impoo, in general laws, for such purpose, including the following principles, winch shall be obligatory on all persons, associations or corporations, ac ting under such 1 jieneral laws sec 1. No Bank shall receive, directlv or indirect y, anv more interest than shall be allowed by law to be received by persons loaning individual money. rEC. 2. borne oliicer of the Mite shall register nil bills or notes issued or put in circulation as money, and security shall be required for their redemption In specie, by stocks of the United States, of this State, or of other interest paying States, at their market value, and not above par. bEC 3. I he bill holders shall bi er.t. tied to prefer ence of payment over all other creditors, in case of insolvency. bEC 4. 1 he stockholders shall be individually respon sible to an amount equal to that of their respective shares of stock, for all the debts or liabilities of every kind. Sec. 5. No authority shall be rriven, sanctioning in any manner, the suspension of specie payments. Mr. Hamilton also reported the following from a minoriry of the committee, to-wit: Sec. 6. The Legislature may authorize the establish ment of a new State Bnk, with Branches, to go into operation after the expiration of the present bank char ter, under such regulations as may be provided by law. But, in no case, shall the State be a partner, or have any interest therein, or in any Branch, except as may be occasioned by the investment of any trust funds of the State tlierein, as loans ; and the safety of any funds so invested, shall be secured by their preference in pay ment, in caso of insolvency, over tue tocss Ol any inuu vidual in the bank. Mr. Hamilton also reported tho following from a majority of the committee: Sec. . The State shall not be a stockholder in anv hank,rtcr the expiration of the charter of tho present State Bank. Mr. Hardin, from the minority of the committee, nbmitted tho following article, to-wit: Sec. . The Legislature shall not have power to create, authorize, or incorporate, by anvrreneral or spe cial law, any bank or banking power or privilege, or any institution cr corporation, naving any unman"; power or privilege whatever, except as provided in this ar ticle. Sec. . The Legislature may submit to the voters at any sreneral election, the question of"bank or no bank," and if nt any such election, a number of votes equal to a majority of all the votes east at stich election, on that subject, shall be in favor of banks, then the Legislature shall have power to grant bank charters, or to poss a reneral bnnkin? law, with such restrictions and under such regu'ations as they may deem expedient and proper lor the security of the bill holders: 1'rovuli'd, 1 lint no such rrant or law shall have any force or effect until ihe same shall have been submitted to a vote of the electors of the State, at some general election, and been approved by a majority of the votes cast on that subject at such election. Mr. Dcxn of Perry, on behalf of himself and Mr. Watts submitted the following sections, to-wit: Sec. 1. There shall not be established or incorporated in this State any Bank, or banking company, or tnonied institution for tho purpose of issuing bills of credit or bills payable to order cr bearer: Proviitd, That nothing herein contained shall be so construed as to prevent the General Assembly, at any time alter the adoption of tins Constitution from' establishing a State Bank, and branc h es at such places as the directors of the State Bank may direct: And prodded, That the capital stock of said State Isank and branches shall not exceed the um ol Three Millions of dollars: And provided also. That, the capital stock of said Bank, and branches shall be paid in, in specie by the stockholders of the same. Sec Z. Any Bank established under tins Article snail not, either directly or indirectly charge, or receive any more interest for monies loaned than the law of this State for tbe time being shall allow individual citizens to charge or receive. Sec. 3. The stockholders in any Bank or branch es tablished under this Article shall be liable to be taxed on their stock at the same rate that other property is taxeu lor Mate, county, townsuip, anu corporation purposes. Sec. 4. The Legislature shall not have power to grant or approve of, a suspension of specie payment, by any Bank, or branch established under this Article. Sec. 5. The State hall be bound for the ultimate re demption of all bills or notes issued by any Bank, or bran h established under this Article: Ponded, ftoi'crer, That no act of incorporation passed by the Legislature in pursuance with the provisions of this Article shall go into effect, until the same shall have been submitted to the qualified voters of this State nt a general election, and shall luve received the approval of a ma jority of the votes cast. Sec. b. Any State Bank and branches established under this Article, shall annually pay over to the Treasu rer ol Mate one-nan oi one per ent. on me capital stock of the same, which is here set apart as a common school fund to be applied under direction of the Legislature for the use of common schools. Sec. 7. The branches of any Bank established under this Article shtill be mutually bound for each others lia bilities. Sec. 8. The Legislature shall provide in the charter of any Bank established under this Article, a supervisory control of the same. Sec. 9. The Legislature shall not have power to extend the charter of the present State Bank, nor allow it anv more privileges than it now possesses and enjoys. Sec. 10. In no Bank or branch established under this Article, shall the State either directly or indirectly be a stockholder. Sec. 11. Every stockholder of said State Bank, or of any of the Branches thereof, shall be individually liable for all debts contracted by t-aid Bank or any of the branches during the time he shall be such stockholder, to an amount eqnal to the stock owned by him at the time any such debt may have been contracted. Mr. Mcrhay from the select committco on that sub ject, reported the following article on the subject of a homestead exemption ; which was read and passed to a second reading: Sec. . The Homestead, owned by any person, the head of a family, in the State, to consist oflandortown property, not less in value than $500, shall be exempted from seizure and sale by any legal process whatever, for any debt contracted after the adoption of this Constitution: Provided. That such exemption shall not effect, in any manner, any mechanic's lien, or any mortgage thereon lawfully obtained ; but such mortgage or other alienation of land, by the owner thereof, if a married man, shall not be valid without the signature of his wife Sec. . The Legislature shall, in addition to the present exemption of personal property, add to it. in t5 e case of those persons, who are not landholders, such additional amount in value of mechanic's tools, farming utensils and other personal property, necessary to the business and upport of such person, as the said Legislature may deem expedient and equitable. Sec. . The Legislature shall pass such laws aa are necessary to arry into full force and effect, all the provisions of thia article. Mr. Hovet, in behalf of himself and Mr. FiATnia, a minority of the committee, reported that it was inexpedient to engraft untried experiments in the Constitutionthat the matter would be more safely left in tho hands c-f the Legislature. The Convention then took up the article in relation to the election and terms of ofiice of Secretary, Treasurer and Auditor. After considerable discussion, an amend-

ment oflered by Mr. Newmajt, was finally adopted, pro

viding for the election of a Secretary, Auditor and Treasurer, by the voters of the State, who shall hold their offices for two years; but shall only be eligible four years in any terra of six years. Thus amended the article was ordered to be engrossed for a third reading. The Convention then took up the section in relation to imprisonment for debt ; when, after discussion and proceeding had thereon, an amendment was adopted, offered by Mr. Owiv, providing that "there shall be no imprisonment for debt; but a debtor, fraudulently concealing or refusing to give up his property may be imprisoned until -he surrenders up the same." Mr. Dr.vji of Jefferson then moved to strike out and insert an amendment, that "there shall be no imprisonment for debt except in case of fraud ; and the debtor shall not be continued in prison after he shall have delivered up Lis estäte for the bene fit of his creditor or creditors, in such manner as may be prescribed by law." Before the vote was taken on Mr. Dcnx's amendment the Convention adjourned. Wednesday, November 6, 1S50. The Convention was opened by prayer, by tho Rev. Mr. Crary. Mr. Graham of Warrick, presented a communication from A. H. Brown, in relation to tho amount of printing to be executed by tho Convention ; which was referred to a select committee of five. The resolution in relation to the number of the Journal of Debates to be printed, was then, on motion of Mr. Foster, taken up and referred to the same committee. Mr. Borden, from the committee on the practice of law and law reform reported the following sections: Sec. . All prosecutions shall be carried on in the name of, and by the authority of the State, and the style of tho process shall be "The State of Indiana" Read and passed to a second reading. Mr. Barbour, from the committee on county and township organization reported the following section: Sec. . No county shall subscribe for stock, in any incorporated company, unless the same bo paid for at the time of such subscription, nor shall any county loan her credit t , or borrow money for the purpose of taking stock in any incorporation. Read and passed to a second reading. The Convention resumed the consideration of tho section, in relation to imprisonment for debt. After considerable discussion, the section was committed to a commit.ee with instructions to amend, so as to read: "There shall be no imprisonment for debt, except for fraud." The next section was then taken up, and amended, on motion of Mr. Bascom, so that, in all civil and criminal cases, the right of trial by jury shall be inviolate. The section, in relation to taking privata property without compensation being first assessed and tendered, then came up for consideration, w hich was discussed by several gentlemen. Several amendments were proposed, but before action was had thereon tho Convention adjourned. Agitate ! Agitate ! I We understand that Mr. Julian is addressing the people of his district oa the subject of the Fugitive Slave Law. He is said to be much exercised in spirit, and is terribly ?verc on Fillmore and his Cabinet. He spoke at New Castle on Thursday evening; addressed the great abolition meeting at Centerville on Saturday, and will address his friends at Liberty, in Union county, on next Saturday. The free-soil paper at Centrcillc, speaking of ihe Union meeting, says: "We hepc the people of all parties will turn out. The crisis demands agitation." Here is a frank, open avowal. Agitation is to be kept up against a law before its practical operation is tested. Agitation on the subject of slavery, in all its bearings. For what purpose? Not for the purpose of eradicating the evils of tho institution, but to keep the public mind in a state of tumult and excitement, for their own selfish purposes. When South Carolina attempted to resist the tariff law, these very men cried out treason. " Let them be hung high as Human. Now they are doing what they condemned in their neighbors. The odious system of protection oppressed tho whole people of that eratic nnfl sensitive State. They determined to resist, and that resistance was defeated more by the conciliation of Clay than the nerve of Jackson. If it was treason to nullify a law of doubtful constitutionality, what is it to resist by armed violence, a law strictly constitutional ? If one was treason, what name do you give to the other? But Julian has a good time of it. In his fight with the Whigs, we stand off and look on. He kicks and lampoons their President and his Cabinet, and their orators are dumb, they open not their mouths. The Whig press will not speak out. They are fishing for the free-soil vote, and dare not defend Mr. Fillmore, Mr. Webster or Governor Crittenden. The Democrats look on. If Julian succeeds, they have a man who will vote with them on all questions, except on the abstract question of slavery. If a Whig is elected, ha "will vote on the negro subject just as Julian would, and with the bigs on everything also. I Tree Soil. The editor of the True Democrat, the free soil organ for Wayne county, seems to be greatly exercised in spirit about the doings of the Convention on the negro question. He is terribly alarmed at tho prospect of excluding the black man from equal privileges with the white. Speaking of the Convention be says: "The Constitutional Convention of this State is likely to out-Herod Herod surpass even Congress in the work of infamy. Congress being composed in part of slaveholders anil its legislation extending over slaveholders as well as non-slaveholders, there is borne pretext for the cruelty of their legislation. Not so with a free State. "It will be seen ly reference to the proceedings of the Convention on Monday last, that it lias determined to exclude by constitutional provision, Blacks from giving testimony against w hite persons in courts of justice, so called. Nor is that all, but colored persons now resident in the State are to be prohibited from acquiring real estate hereafter." Don't be alarmed Mr. free soiler. On the first trial you had ona vote for your favorite project, universal eqaality without regard to color or smell. ' Send up your petitions as you propose, and you may in the end, if your efforts are zealous get three, a number that would have saved Sodom in its darkest days. A new "Whig Issue. The Logansport Journal is very severe on Dr. Fitch, because he voted against the following resolutions, offered by Giddings: Resolved, That we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal ; that they are endowed by their Creator with unalienable rights tj life and lilicrty; and that governments are constituted among men to secure these rights; Retolved, That in constituting governments in any Territory ol the United States, it is the duty of Con. press to secure the people thereof, of whatsoever complexion, in the enjoyment of the rights aforesaid. Equal rights to all persons, without regard to color, complexion, or smell, is the issue upon which the Whigs are to defeat the Doctor next sumrrfcr. Tho editor had better commence Iii lecture on the Convention. -We think some of his Whrj? friends will need a little drilling before he can get them to swallow such a dose.'

Indiana Swamp Lands. The following letter of Hon.R. W. Thompson should have accompanied the circular of Gov. Wright, which a ppeared in our issue of the 2d instant : Washington, October 24, 1850. His Excellency, J. J. Wright, Governor of Indiana: Dear Sir I received, on the day before yesterday, your letter of the 17th instant, in which you request me to furnish such information as I can obtain, in relation to the recent act cf Congress by which all the unsold lands in Indiana, "trrf und unfit for cultivation? are given to the State. I have, with very great pleasure, complied with your wishes, as far as is in my jwwer at present; and hasten to send you the result. The Department has not yet completed the necessary instructions, nor sufficiently matured such a plan of operations as will be likely to secure full justice to both the State and the General Government, according to the true spirit and meaning of the law. These, however, aro in progress, and will, I am informed, be completed by the first of November when you will be furnished w ith all the details. In the case of the former grant, of this character, to the State of Louisiana, the examination of the lands, to ascertain whether they were unfit for cultivation, was made by agents appoiuted by the State, unde-rthe general superintendence of of the Surveyor General. A like course cannot be pursued in our Siate, as there is now no Surveyor General who has jurisdiction over it. It will, therefore, become the duty of the Secretary of the Interior to substitute for this some equally efficient plan of operations. That gentleman is now absent from the city, but will return in a day or two, when I shall endeavor to havo him act immediately. I have to-day bad an interview with the acting Commissioner of the General Land Office, and be has indicated a course of proceeding, which I think will prove to be a better one than that adopted in Louisiana. He will submit it to the Secretary for ratification, and there is no reason to suppose that it will not be adopted, as there is no officer of the Government whose opinions are more respected. By this plan, it is proposed to charge the Registers and Receivers in the several land districts, with the duty which, in Louisiana, was devolved upon the Surveyor General. Thev wiil be instructed to receive such testimony by deposition or otherwise, as may be furnished by the authoritifsof the State, to show what lands are "wrt and unfit for cultivation." . These instructions will apply, I think, to all lands not entered, whether subject to private claim of prc-en"ipt:on or not, for as the grant

in the law is tn f.resenti. the title to all unsold lands, of tlio character mentioned, parses immediately to tho State. The language of tho act is. "the vhole of the swamp and overflowed lands, made thereby unfit for cultivation, which shall remain unsold at the passage of the act." Sc. By this construction of the law nnd plan of operations, we will not be limited, in any way, hy the reports heretofore made to the General "Land Office, ol the quantity of wet and untillable land in the State. Wherever any lands can he shown to be "wet and unfit for cultivation," they will be conveyed to the State, without regard to the description of them on the plat books or field notes of the office. This mode of selection is much more favorable to the State, than if the Government fhad ref t'-icted it to such lands only as had been reportpu iiy tne ourvrycrs as utmi ior cultivation, a great deal of tho land must have been surveyed in dry weather, when, from its appearance, tho Surveyor would have been justified in reporting it as suitable for agricultural purposes. I do not doubt, but that a large portion of what has been thus surveyed, in the neighborhood of the water courses, will be found to be of the kind contemplated by this net. The testimony of persons residing in the neighborhood of these lands and who have known them nt all seasons of the year, will be necessary to shov.- their real character. If, when subjected to this test, they are found to be unfit for cultivation, the State will be entitled t them. The act requires that an "accurate list nnd plats of the lands," shail be mad out nnd forwarded to you. This is now in progress and will be completed in a "few days. They will also be furnished to the Registers and Receivers, so that they may be enabled to report with accuracy the true description of the land, by its legal subdivisions. The Government has not in its possession any other evide.jccof the quantity of wet and untillable lands in the State, than that which is furnished by the field notes and plat books reported by the Surveyor General. By reference to these I find the amount thus reported to be Ü81.6S2 acres. which, I am very confident, wo may regard as the mi i,i a um quantity to which tb3 State will he entitled. When I first received your Utter, it occurred to me that the better plan for the" State would be, to c!etnajid a patent in fee :imple, at once, for the quantity thus reported. Upon examination, however, I found an insurmountable impediment to this course, in the fact that the lands nre not reported by their legal sulnlivisions, but by only a general estimate of the quantity of acres in fie several townships, with no description, by metes and bounds or otherwise, of their part icuJar locality. But, independent of this difficulty, I do not think the mode of ascertaining the quantity, either so fair or liberal to the State as the one now projiosed by the acting Commissioner of tho General Land Othee. The Surveyor General made his estimate upon the following principle: that as the whole number cf acres in any one entire township was considered to be jnst four times the number of chains contained in the boundary lino cf all fie sections composing it, the estimate of the quantity of swamp lands in each township was made by multiplying by four, the number of chains of swamp land found by "the township plats on tho east and south boundary lines of each section. This, as you will readily see, does not give tho true amount of swamp lands for anyone township, and is only regarded by the Surveyor General and the Government ns showing the aggregate quantity in each land district, within r.liout onetenth of one prr cent, of the actual amount that would be obtained by actual survey. I have, therefore, a very strong confidence, that by the mode of proof we shall be permitted to make tho amount to which the State will be entitled w ill lc increased, considerably beyond the 931, 6S2 acres already reported. Tho total of the offered and unoflcred lands in Indiana, which remnined unsold on the 1st of January, 1349, was 3,271,730.53 acres, I have not had time to examine how many acres have been since sold, nor have I any means of making any accurate calculation of what portion of these are actually swamp and overflowed lands. But I feel altogether justified in saying that we shall receive a much greater number than have been reported ?.i the Government. An actnf.l examination in the State of Louisiana has shown that rather more than one hundred per cent . over the quantity reported, was "wet and until for cultivation." Wo may safely assume, I think, that a like inerearc of tho quantity may be made in our State, and if it shall so turn out, it will give us 1,013,364 acres. My present belief is that the increase will be greater than in Louisiana. I suppose that many of the surveys were made during the dry seasons of the year. In this case, the most of the lands is the neighborhood of the wcter courses which nre subject to overflow, and especially thosejupon the Kankakee and other northern prairie streams, have been reported by tho surveyors as suitable for agricultural purposes, when, in fact, they will be found to be of the character contemplated by this bill. As it is tolerable certain that our amended Constitution will provide for biennial sessions of tbe Legislature, it is important that these lands should be in possession of the State for disposition, by . the Legislature at the approaching session. To secure this, you will pardon me for suggesting, in anticipation of the instruction to the Registers and Receivers, a speedy plan oToperations. It is, that you immediately address a circular to each of the counties, recommending that the county surveyors or some other competent persons, make examinations at once, of the lands in their respective counties, and that they embody their statements in tho form cf depositions, setting forth the legal sub-divisions of such lands as are " wet and unfit for cultivation." These can be laid before the Registers and Roceivers in a few weeks, and their decisions can be reported here and confirmed in time to have the necessary patent issue before the close jo the month of December. , Prosuming it probable that you may agree with me as to tho importance of immediate and speedy action, and that you may adopt the plan I havo suggested, I havo endeavored to gather, from the past practice of the Government, such rules as it will be necessary to observe. Although I send you theso before the instructions are prepared, I think you may rely upon them as embracing all the leading principles that the Department will adopt. I shall endeavor to bate them followed as narly at possible: - . 1st. The lands referred to in the act. will bo consid ered ns embracing all lands, the regular cultivation cl which is rendered unsafe by the .ordinary cAeruow pi

rivers, creeks, Stc,, taking the average of the seasons, for a reasonable number of years, as the rules of determination; and this will embrace aillands, which, through a cfry part of the year, are not subject to inundation at the planting, growing or harvesting season, as to destroy the crop. 2d. When the gnater part of a legal sub-division is subject to overflow, the w hole will be reserved to the State; where the greater part is not so subjeet, the whole w ill remain the property of the General Government. 3d. Where the swamp or overflow has not leen meandered, and consequently, where, upon any field notes that may be ia the possession of the County Surveyors or others who may have procured them from the Land Office, the only points given are the intersections, and all legal sub-divisions, the greater part of which is within those lines, will belong to the State the residue re

maining the property of the Government, if it has not been sold. 4th. Where a whole township or several townships are unfit for cultivation: as may be the case on the Kankakee, they can at once be certified to the Register and Receiver without survey, or without noticing the legal sub-divisions. . 5th. If a liody of unsnrveyed land should be found, of tho kind contemplated, it can bo embraced in a general description, in the evidence of respectable persons. and so, where there is a region of country, not represented by the field notes es swamp or overflow, bnt which shall turn out to be ofthat character. In both these cases, it may be descrilied, in the evidence taken, either by reference to surveyed lines, or natural oljects. 6th. Where a survey may be required to determine a boundary between swamp and high lands, the boundary alone should be surveyed, taking the necessary connections with the nearest section or township corners. Or tho same object may be obtained by running ordinales at suitable intervals from a surveyed line or water course to the edge of the swamp or overflow, and by connecting the ends of these ordinates next to the swamp by straight lines drawn from the one to the other. By either of these modes the boundary of the swamp can be obtained with sufficient certainty. 7th. In nil cases the line of overflow which renders the rarvlar cultivation of the land usafc, should be adopted as that which regulates the grant. You may inquire whether an order cannot be obtain ed, that no entries of land be permitted until the applicant shall have proved that more than half the lot is dry tillable land. As the Department declined to adopt this rule in the case of Louisiana, they do not, of course, feel justified in now doing otherwise, especially as it is supposed that there will not be much land entered before the patent can issue. If any such entry should be made, you will upon reflection, find, I think, that there is no power, in any authority, to cancel it. The entry must stand, but it w ill present a question between the General Government and the State, as to the rightful ownership, of the money received for the land, I am very clear in the opinion that the money would belong to the State, and hope that, so far as our State is concerned, this claim will not be abandoned. All other matters to which yon have particularly turned my attention, I think you will find sufficiently answered. If anything else'should occur, necessary to be communicated, I will write you again. I have prepared the accompanying form for the oath of the surveyor or such other persons ns may be required to examine the lands, and the acting Commissioner of the General Land Office has expressed his willingness to adopt it. This plan of operations will, as you will perceive, supercede the necessity of appointing the examiners, in the mode suggested by you. I have the honor to be. very respectfully, Your obedient servant, . R. W. THOMPSON. Industrial Exhibition of all Nation. To the People, and especially to Persons, immediately inttretted, of the Slate of Indiana: Whereas, An exhibition of the Works of Industry of all Nations will be held in the City of London, May IstlSöl: the same being under the patronage of the British government, according to the regnlations imposed by the Royal Commissioners appointed by the Queen; And whereas, The Government of the United States having been officially solicited to aid in promoting the great undertaking, and action having been taken by the appointment of a commit:ce, of which Milliard Fillmore, then Vice President now President f the U. States, is Chairman: And whereas, The Governor of the State of Indiana, having been requested to act in the same premises, has been pleased to appoint a committee to aid the Central Authority at Washington in the performance of their duties. Now, therefore, the undersigned gives notice that they are in readiness to execute the duties according to tbe appointment of the Governor, and under the regulations necessarily imposed by the British Commissioners, to ensure a successful and satisfactory consummation of the vast undertaking in which they are engaged. ,The regulations to which we refer are contained in two pamphlets, published by the Central authority at Washington, the one containing 32 pages and the ether 40 pages, octavo. It is considered impracticable for this committee to republish the whole of these regnlations, but a few of the primary ones are here mentioned for the information of all concerned. Through the Central Committee at Washington alone, and by their sanction, can any article obtain admission to the exhibition. And it is understood that the endorsem;nt of the committee appointed by the Governor of this State will be required I y tho National Committee in favor of any article presented for exhibition by a citizen of Indiana. The British Commissioners 'will be prepared to receive all articles which may be seut to them on and after the first of January, 1851, and will continue 6o to receive goods until the first of March, inclusive, after which dav no further goods will be received. The articles exhibited will be divided into four Sections: Section 1. Raw Materials and Produce illustrative of the natural productions on which human industry is employed. Section 2. Machinery for Agriculture, Manufacturing, Engineering and other purposes, and Mechanical Inventions illustrative of the agents which human ingenuity brings to bear upon the products of nature. Section 3. Manufactures illustrative of the result produced by the operations of human industry upon natural produce. Section 4. Sculpture. Models, and the Plastic Art generally illustrative of the taste and bkill displayed in sgcIi applications of human industry. Judicious arrangements will be made to award prizes for excellence, in bronze medals and in money to the amount of twenty thousand pounds. It is the intention of the Commissioners to reward excellence in whatever form it is presented, and not to give inducements in the distinctions of a merely individual compction. Although the Commissioners have determined on having three medals of different sizes and designs, they do not propose to instruct th Juries to award them as first, second and third in degree, for the same class of subjects. They do not wnsh to trammel the Juries by precise limitations; but they consider that the Juries will rather view the three kinds of medals as a means of appreciating and distinguishing the respective characters of the subjects to be rewarded and not making distinctive marks in the same class of articles exhibited. They fully recognize the excellence in product ion is not only to be looked for in high-priced goods, in which much labor and skill has been employed, but they encourge the exhibition of low-priced fabrics, when combining quality with lowness of price, or with novelty of production. They can readily conceive that Juries will bo justified in giving the same class medal to the cheapest calico print, made for the Brazilian or South American market, as they would to the finest piece of iiiouteline de toie or musciine de laine, if each possessed excellecve of its own kind. - The wholrt of the goods will be admitted, in the first instance, without payment of any duty; and if they are not disposed of in England, they will be delivered up for re-exportation, free of all charge lor duty. If, however, they shall be disposed of in England, the duty chargeble thereon must in that case bo paid before they are removed from the place of exhibition, but they cannot be removed until the Exhibition is finally closed. We understand that the Government of the United States will fit out a vessel, expressly for the purpose of taking out to London such articles for exhibition as may receive the sanction of the Central Avtbority. From a Circular of the Central Authorities at Washington we extract the following: "The committee cannot but view this great exposition of human industry and productive skill, as one in which every nation on the plobe has a direct and positive concern.. Its results and history will go down to future generations, marking the- actual state of arts and civiliza

tion in tho middle of the nineteenth century. It will stand as at once an evidence and index of the progress which the humanizing arts of peace have made, and are now making in every Empire and Republic, Kingdom, Principality and Province of the world. "The productions of American industry, w hich will li entitled to places in the exhibition, are not limited to articles of manufacturing, mechanical or any other single department of labor and skill. The farm, the garden and the dairy, the forest and the mine, the factory and the workshop, the laboratory and the studio, will be entitle to theii respective positions; and it is earnestly hoped that no consideration w ill be allowed to prevent a full and honorable representation of every department cf our natural resources, ingenuity, and industry. To convey some impression of the number and variety of the objects which America is capable of furr.iih:i;g for the exhibition, we may be permitted to enumerate a few of the prominent classes. Among the animal substances, it is believed that samples of beef, bams, pork, butter, and cheese wool and hair, feat hers, down, and fur, lard and lard oil, Sterine candies, honey and wax, spermaceti ; skins, hides, and leather, with articles manufactured from the same, may all be with advantage sent from the United States. "Many of our dealers in provisions can now demonstrate that they understand bow to cater for the most refined taste, as well in the s' j!e of putting up, as in tho intrinsic qualities of their articles. "Among vegetable productions wa shall not forget tosend samples of wheat, flour, Indian corn, cotton, rice, tobacco, hemp, and cordage, the starch of wheat, of potatoes, and especially of Indian corn, sugara of both cane and mablc, raw nnd refined, timber, and articlesmanufactured therefrom, especially when made in large quantities and by machinery. By taking longitudinal and transverse slices or sections one or two inches in thickness from the trunks of trees, we may at little expense send the most striking proofs of our forest riches. Tho sycamore and white wood of Kentucky, the cypress of Mississippi and Louisiana, tho live oak of Florida, the pine of Carolina, Maine, Minnesota and Oregon, tha oak, hickory, cherry, and black walnut, of numerous States, the cedar and locust, so famed for resisting decay, the hickory bo tough and durable, the ash so light and yet so clastic; the bass wood, adapted for coach and car bodies, the bird's-eye maple for ornamental furniture,

w un mumtuues ol others, may by this means be displayed with surfaces smoothe or rough, varnished or unvarnished, and form a novel and striking feature of the exhibition. Will not some of our enterprising lumbermen take this great department in hand? In making crose sections of trees, the bark should be carefully retained when practical ly. a We must have ploughs and cultivators, reaping, cornshcliing, threshing, aud w innowing machines. Nor must we forget to shew how we save labor and diminish toilsome drudgery, by our card making machines, our screwmachines, pin machines, hook and eye machines, nail and spike machines, and percussion cap machines, as well as by our cotton gins, ouiadrcdging machines, our quadruple printing presses, our brick machines, aud leaden pipe and leaden bullet machinery. "It cannot be too earnestly impressed or tbe minds of all local committees, that to whatever class of the exhibition objects may pertain, they ought, in order to warrant their being sent forward, to possess the merit of either novilty, rarity, or high excellence. "They ought to represent in some one or other of its departments, either our national industry and ingenuity, or the natural resources on whivh they are employed. "The form of a return for at exhibitor is hereunto an. nexed, in which the amount of space, vertical or horizontal, is to be set forth. "In conveying articles from the place of production t that of embarkation for England, it is hoped that steamboat and railroad companies in the United States w ill treat American exhibitors with the same lilicraliiy which 1 as been manifested abroad, where good destined to iho exhibition are conveyed free of charge." Form of notice to be addressed to the Secretary of State or committee, by owners or exhibitors of article designed for the Word's Fairi 1st. Give the name and address of owner cr exhibit, or. 2J. The natare cf article or manufacture. 3d. Amount of space (area and height) it will require, and whether designed t occupy floor, table, or wail. 4th. When will the article le ready for inspec tion? Preserve a copy of the notice sent to Com mit tee. J From the foregoing some general knowledge may be derived as to the essential steps necessary to le taken by those desiring to avail themselves of the advantage of the exhibition. . The undersigned will, however, take great pleasura in giving more particular information to any person defciiing the same. It should be understood that this, on our part, is altogether a "labor of love" for the general good, and that we act without any pecuniary reward or consideration. It cannot, thcrelere, be expected that wc should be subjected to unnecessary expense, in the way of postage or otherwise. Persons addressing tho c-otr.iuitt e on this subject must rav postage in all case. SAMUEL MI'IUULL, JAMES BLAKE, CALVIN FLETCHER, i Committee. JAMES SULGROYE, J. P. CHAPMAN, Scc'u. October 30, 1S50. To the Editor of the Indiana Stale Sentinel: Sir A friend has sent me the Indiana Statesman of the 23d current, in which piy name is brought before tha public in connection with a certain resolution passed in the Democratic State Conveution, on the 8th of January, 1349. The public announcement that I had been appointed one of the members of the committee on resolutions, has, unfortunately, given the publisher of that article too much reason to class me among the free toilers ; but he does me great injustice, notwithstanding. All my acquaintances, w ith whom I have conversed on the subject, can testify, that ever since Wilmot introduced the Proviso which bears his name, I have steadily opposed that, and every other measure of the same nature, as wrong in principle, productive of no good, bnt replete with mischief. Though I should have deeply deplored the introduction of slavery into the territories) acquired from Mexico, stili I conceived that Congress had no constitutional power to dictate to the inhabitants in this respect; and if thev bad, it would le unwise to exercise it. I could not, ofconrse, have favored, in com. mittee, the resolution quoted without considering it an abandonment of the principle of non-interventien, w hich next to his fino mind, sound judgment, and large experience, I, at least, esteemed the strong ground upon which General Cass had been supported by the Democracy, in view of the agitating circumstances of tho country. Of the concoction of resolutions at the Talmcr House, referred to, I. know absolutely nothing. The chairman of the committee never summoned me; nor had I the slightest knowledge of my appointment as a member of it, until I afterwards read it in the published proceedings of the Convention. Respeetful'.v, See., Sec., EATHAN A. BROWN. ITOne of the Hutchinson family, Judson Hutchinson, we see it stated, is insane. He left Syracuse Octolcr 21, for the Lunatic Asylum at Worcester, Mass. Insanity is said to be hereditary in the family. True Democrat, (F. S.) . This is a great calamity. . The Hutchinsons done up the singing at the Abolition Convention and good singing it was. It is said that tbe disease was brought on by severe exercise of mind on the subject c-f the fugitive slave law. The first symptoms of his disease were discovered at Cleaveland, just after Giddings lad delivered one of his terrible speeches on slavery. The friends of Yailo are much alarmed for fear a similar catastrophe will befall him. We arc told that ho was wonderfully excitjd last Satnrday, under the influence of Julian' speech. Insanity is said to be hereditary in his family. ET Tbe ranting abolitionists are raising $20,000 for Chapin, the kidnapper, who is now in Iimlo in Maryland, but they will cot give a dime to purchase the negroes he stole, or attempted to atenl. A small part of the $20,000 would answer, this latter purpose. They leave, however, those who tofitc their fanaticism i to liberate the negroes, and they expend their means to liberate the thief. Louisville D wiocret. K7-Let thv discourse about God be renewed each dar rather than thy meals. .