Public Leger, Volume 2, Number 88, Richmond, Wayne County, 17 December 1825 — Page 2

fciries. water a verY considerable portion j him with the honor dcs to the illustrious

tjruesi Ol incsirtie anu n.mon, i procecaed in company nith cuiny of our distinguished citizens to the town of Jeffereonville, where he was welcomed to our soil in such a manner as was thought most consistent with the character and circ umstances of the state. The resolutions authorized the Governor to draw on the contingent fund for the payment of the expenses incurred, and the committee of arrangements have reported to me thnt the whole expense amounted to the sum contained in the accounts and vouchers which are herewith respectfull) submitted foryourinspec-

tion. I his reception of the "filial deciple 1 of Washington," and friend of America &, 1 rational liberty throughout the world, was, it is hoped, congenial to the wishes and

ii,. atitt and at certain smshm nf ilip

Ol u ic I

year, are navigable nearly two hundred miles from theirjunction with the Wabash. It is believed that these obstructions may be reooved, and the navigation rendered comparatively secure, at an eipense within the present means of the state; when they will prove valuable auxiliaries to the exporting citizen. This subject oucht to claim the undivided attention of the Legislature. I have said this much on the subject of internal improvements, because it seems to be demanded by the general necessity and spirit of the times. Canals for facilitating Che means of commercial intercourse, between distant points, are of acknowledged

utility, as a means of giving a new impulse

to the agricultural and manufacturing in- i, feelings of the General Assembly, and un

tcrests of the coantry, and improving the j! dcr the joint counsel of many who stand

finances of the state, besides giving life and animation to the whole body politic.

But schemes of this kind should not be hastily entered into, merely on a spirit of emulation, or a thirst for emphemeral glory. We should be satisfied that the extent and commercial importance of the navigation to b connected or improved, are sufficient to place beyond doubt the success and public utility of the work. When satisfied on thase points, the means of the state may be afely employed. The interest of no community can ever be jeopardised by borrowing: money under these circumstances, to expend upon permanent and imperishable works of public utility for the internal improvement of the country, which is a com caon benefit to all, when it is reduced to a reasonable certainty that the profits arUit't: from such improvements, will annual) exceed the interest of the sum expended, and gradually extinguish the principal. It is thi policy alone, which will enable os to enjov in an ample manner, the numerous advantages with which nature has Surrounded us. It has been generally expected that durini: the present season, the National Road would have been permanently located through Indiana; but circumstances have disappointed our wishes. As this road proceeds towards the setting sun, we feel an increased ami ty that it may be completed as soon as possible through this rising slate. Under the influence of these feelings, and with due deference to the wisdom and good motives ot Congress, and to the zeal and industry of our own member", allow me respectfully to submit to your consideration, whether a men orial to that bodv. expressing the hope which we entertain, that respectable annual appropriations will be made out of the national treasury, towards the continuation of that gr a- d turnpike, would not furnish our Delegatei in Conercss with materials that

wou'd enable them to operate successful! jj in this matter in our behalf, besides having'.

a 'Mppy influence upon that interesting

question. I5 virtue of the compact entered into bet C this state and the Ui it d Stntes, thr. e per rent, on the sales of all public la rid - within our boundaries, whs granted to thi state, to be applied, under the direction of our Legislature, to the making of Rnn'h arid Canals within the state. At the session of 1821-2, the Legislature passed a law authorizing the location of a number of roads, and appropriated One Hundred Thousand Dollars of the three per cent, fund for opening the same. At that time there wa due to the state on that fund upwards of Forty Thousand Dollars, and the law provided for a dividend and expendi ture of the residue of the sum appropriated as it may accumulate. It is worthy of inquiry, whether the large expenditures that have already been made have answered the expectations of the public? Whether large sums have not been paid to numerous commissioners for services that could ag well have been rendered by one third of the number employed, and at a little more than one third of the expense? Whether a number of the roads opened under the provisions of the law, are not entireh us'-let to the public, and even suffered to become altogether impassable by a second growth, and neglect to keep them in repair? Whether the whole of the

fund can be appropriated for an indefinite period exclusively. to Roads, when Canals are embraced in the compact? If you should think it expedient to continue this law in force any longer, it is respectfully submitted to ylir consideration, whether it would not reVderthe fund more effective, to reduce the number of cmmiKsioners,and change the provixians of the Ihw,ko as to prohibit a division of the fund arnonfist the several commissioners, until a certain amount had accumulated; ai d to extend the scale of appropriation to other sections of the state which have been settled since the passage of the law? In obedience to the resolutions of the last Gei-eral Assembly inviting General La F ivette t vijt this state, mid re;nrtn.g

high in public esteem, was conducted with

, an eye to economy and a decent respect for the character of the tsate. If it were the object of the resolution to maintain the j honor of the government, and barely mike t a public acknowledgement of our gratitude to a national benefactor, with truend 1 genuine republican simplicity, that end has j been accomplished. That I had the honor in conjunction with so many of my fellow citizens, to greet the presence of this I illustrious veteran in the cause of liberty and our country, and to express to him our ; unalterable sentiments of gratitude and admiration, will ever be a source of the most grateful recollection. j By the 4th section of the 9th article 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 bean .Issylum for those persons, who by reason of age, infirmity, or other misfortunes, may have a claim , upon the aid and benevolence of society, I on such principles, that such persons may (therein find employment and every reasontable comfort, and lose by their usefulness, . the degrading se nse of dependence. " I The uniform silence of our legirlature t 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 exer I cise of their high functions, engaged in laying a foundation that will guarantee comj fort and happiness to the unfortunate poor. It is the poor and iydjr that justly claim more of oui deliberations than the

aflluent, whose wraith sets legislative interposition at defiance. Viewing the construction of an Assylum or Assylums, as institutions, in which the

ing citizens of all the states by. some unhappi ... i . .

accident may be doomed to participate; and as there is vet within our limits im

mense tracts of waste lands belonging to Congress, we ought cot to suppose that an 'application to that body for 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 devisfd under the existing system, is radically defective in the principles of humanity to the unfortunate, as in economy of expenditure. These un

happy objects of public charity arc sold like merchandise 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 charity thus offered, is often made a curse instead of a bles.ing. Tome, this practice seems degrading to our character as a christian people. Instead of lessening the sense of dependence as is contemplated in the humane provision of 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 in point of economy, will at once appear obvious by referring to the items of expenditure in t lie several counties in this tate, whit h I will endeavor to procure and lay before yoii. It is submitted to y our consideratioo, 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 laiger, and making provis ions for the establishment of an Assylum in each, where, under the care of a single superintendent, made responsible for his conduct, the poor, deaf, dumb and unfortunate of the district may be collected; and those of them, of capability occupied in some useful employ ment contributory to their subsistence. It is believed that upon this system the poor can be maintained at

m expense little exccedinc one loJf thut

ie Executive a.d dta. nbicb' i, paid b, the Pco;,lc 'u,V the

j present system beside affording abundant

ly the milk of human Kindness The first section of the ninth article of the constitution provides that,the Gencreral Assembly shall from time to time, pass such laws as shall be calculated to encourage intellectual scientific and agricultural improvements, by allowing rewards and immunities for the promotion and improvement of arts, sciences, commerce manufactures and natural history , and to couutenance and encourage the principles of humanity, industry and morality." The utility and importance ofthe measures contemplated by this provision will at once be admitted. The only diversity of opinion, will ho, as to the means by which they are to be effected. Agriculture and manufacture! are of the most immediate importance to the present future growth ofthe 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 to the wealth 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 impiovement. By the second section of the same article of the constitution, it is made the duty

of IhcGeneral Assembly as soon a circumstances will permit, 'to provide by law for a general system of education, ascending !in a regular gradation from township school to a slate university, wherein tutision shall be gratis and equally vpen to all."1 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 meth

od of bringing native genius to liht and usefulness. It u one of the first doties of a government, as well at of an individual, to provide the means necessary for their own existence. It has been well said that

I "knowledge is power" and that "ignoinncc j il the footstool of despotism." Our's especially, is emphat'u ally a government of the I people, and its very existence depends ; upon thoir virltic- inJ I jjfr-. A well educated people will be virtuous. iTheyonly want to know their right, to '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 school; two entire townships have been invested in the Legislature for the ue of a State Seminary, ,and by a provision of our constitution, nil fines Assessed for a breach of the penal laws, And all commutations for militia n r- . vices, arc appropriated for tha use of county seminaries. The common school lands are estimated at six hundred and eight I thousand, two hundred and seven acres : which at two dollars per acre, would produce a fund of one million two hundred and and sixteen thousand, four hundred and forty-four dollars. This sum at interest at six per centum per annum, would produce j seventy-two thousand, nine hundred and

j eighty-six dollars yearly. There is now j forty thousand nine hundred and sixty! ! acres of College lands granted lo the state ;

j allot which trill shew that wc are furnished Tvilk means. It Mill reamains to the Legislature to improve and increase these several fund, so as to carry this general scheme of education into complete effect. For further and better information on this subject in detail permit me to refer you to ! the able mid lucid report of a committee raised by a joint resolution of the General ! Assembly, approved January 9, 1821.

.mn vi .s niftoc ui me ensuing session, and now on file in the office ofthe Secretary of State. The report is worthy an attentive examination. I will remark, however, that this report is predicated upon a supposition, that the Legislature can legally sell the lands for the use of township school. Upon thu point much doubt and great diversity 'of opinion exists, and it is believed that upon an attentive examination ofthe terms of the compact, granting the sale of these lands, the nght to sell will at least appear questionable, ami the reasoning to support that portion luoe and unsatisfactory, unless the consent ofthe land-holders -in each township can be obtained. It may be noticed that sn tion No. 16, in each township is granted to the inhabitants of such township for the u'e of schools, and they ma if view it as an im ident to their purchase. There can be no doubt as to the riht ofthe Legislature to

sell the Semiitarv lands, for i .-.i-,. Iv il... :! I ..' rr u: :. :.. T. i: I i ..t A voi

. " ' ' ,J XJl llll Mil!) II 19 IMIlt UI

five, thousand dollnrs will be tl, we"-

lure,1 to be appropriated olelv l0 tu, of a Seminary by the Legislature- annT 1st section of the 9th article of the C0l V? tution wisely intimates the propriety sale of these lands after the year 1G20 i may well be woith your attention to quire whether they are not daily dimi ishing in value, under the existing mode leasing them. . p ' oi

The Seminary at Bloomington support ed in part bv one of these tnwnti.r. ' .

as fiourishinir a condition as r..i.i l"

i i t . . u 'lave been anticipated. 1 uition is comn.-,r lively cheap, and no pains are spared 7 make the institution respectable. c. not I think fail to receive our patron .'l It has been susted. that it would be S;C' viceable to the Seminary, to place it ui (c a Directory, remote from the place of jj!' location. J The Secretary of State will Lit bcf you the result of the enumation of iic f white male inhabitants of this state, autL ized by an act the late General Assem! lv to a conformity with which the nttsif representation are at this session to be reduced. In noticing the present strength ofthe state, it may not be uninlereMir take a review of its unparralled increase for the last twenty-five years. u (lG year 1C00, it is supposed the territor contained 5000 souls. In K 05, the po)ijl,,tior is estimated at 11.000. In 1 010 at 21000 In 1816,at GC.7C0. In IS 20, when ren! sus was taken under a law ofthe United

btates,at 147.1 In 1826, on a f.iir ( c ntputatioti, at 250,000. Tims we peiriVf that our increase since 1 &00,prt ci dir g h; geometrical ratio, has amounted a!mnt to a duplication every five years. C.;lnjl. tii upon a multiplication of indm eunj.t to settle our domains, and the contimu (j expansion of our territory bv the tr 1830. we will appear respei table in tie ( ount U of the federal government. To know that at this time we can number fortythousand citizen soldiers uives a rjentment of our gloiious destinv. Ui;!, respect to fixing the ratio of represei tatio:; 1 can do hut little more than to $.;v i'.,,: your own inte lligence and know! ,u.f the people's wishes, will enable v u make the'' most satisfactory disposition nf that ditiicult question. The ratio, urn:, which the present appointment was tivji!, va as near as possible at one Senat r lor 1800 poles, and one Representative. f.r 700. To continue this ratio, would make a considerable addition to your present number, and to increase it so as to avoid un addition of v our number, would r.eces;irily leen me number, ot Senators and He: rr sentatives from particular ditricK Vnti will m doubt enter upon the conider;ition of this question, with a proper reran to the rights of representation: and at be same time keeping in vhw such an eroi-o-my of expenditure, as the situation of our finances lequire. The agent of the state, at this pi ire, will report to you the situation of Indiciapolis atlairs, by which you will see that a threat number of lots, whii h were sebi ir the vear 1321, ;:ie likelv to be forfeite d k' the state. Sundry resolutions from dilferent s'ab'f relative to a resolution ofthe Oiiio L' :'M lature, on the subject of slavery, hnv-i. en received aid are herewith subir.itteci: Also, some resolutions relative to the ruposition by the Georgia legislature l r an amendment of the constitution of the United States, which are nlso submitted. It will probably be necc?ary, fer the purpose of availing ouisf lies of the benefit of a law ofcoitgress, passed at the last session, extending to the adjutant, major aid brigadier general ofthe several states, ti e privilege offranking their communications, to pass a law making it the duty of those officers to make the necessary indorsements upon nil letters or packages they inay transmit to each other, containing military returns or commissions. The militia law of this state in defining the duties of (juarter in aster-general, ha recjuired from him services equal arduous and more responsible than those eftbe adjutnnf-encral, ' without allowing :,n.v compensation therefor; the consequence is that the office will not be accepted. A. he auditor and. treasurer whose spec duty it is to report to you the situation ci their several departments, will lay before you the state of the finances. It will seen that there is a considerable dirninulieu in the amount of revenue from the hproceeding year, growing out of the act c. Ihe last session lesenin-r the UiX on l:n.d I he revenue assessed for the present r:,r' amounts to forty thou.-and dollars. I' '11-1 former delinquent lists of about twtlve thousand dollars, it is thought tfut t'l treasury will realize three thoiisard. 1 may he reasonably calculated from y iil events, that eight 'thousand dollars ot the? above nreg Ue amount, may bedrdtift ed f"r delinquencies and commissions, b avin a i'r,r flu. i -ic - o . I mi .and i?o

- piwi.ii, u l 1131(1 III! I I t li I I ,.-

sum