Vincennes Gazette, Volume 4, Number 40, Vincennes, Knox County, 7 March 1835 — Page 2
An art in amend meat fn no art entitled State, and in the liiTeicat States of the 'an nrt com e ruing cli ksv approved Feb. ; Union, in promoting hi? toUction. t(!L';l. " Resolved, That f highly as this meetT amend ,4an act to organize Probate - iog appreciates the Jietdorn of opinion r u! ..nii defining th power and duties and action, it deeply deprecates any att f x'i a'iru'i s and guardians," approved i irrnpt upon the part of the Stale of New
If! to. ;York, to cxeit her great monejcd mtiu
To ainmd an art entitled "an art
the duties ol justices nt
le-'ence in controlling the politico ot tin
the; State, and that it meet any such attempt
I'ci' appro ed Feb
Extendir. the tiiu
!0. 1P31 of final payment
as becomes the friend? ot liberty. Resolved, That this meeting does not
ti u smmaiy lanus, and lor other pnr i mean heie'-y to pledge use.u to mppori
(Jen. Harrison in all events, but will leei
dish imprisonment for
debt
m constrained to go for any honest and ca ! nable man. of any party, who will stand
i o a
tifie ol females.
To amend an act relative to crime and i the best chance of defeating, the caudi
j-niilimeut, approved Feb. 10. 11)31. I.ajingout all the unorganized ( e 1 1 1 toi v to n h t li the Indian title has been extinguished iii this slate in a suitable nuuibet of counties and for other purposes. Providing Hgainst trespassing animals. To amend an art entitled an act irgn
jdate to be nominated next cummer by the j convention of office-holders. Resolved, That the editors of the Wee I tern Son and Vincennes Gazette, be rej quested to publish the proceeding? of this meeting in their respective newspapers. ! WILLIAM BRUCE, Ch'mn.
and millets, approved j Sami fl Hill, Scc'y.
latins grist mi
reh. 10, 1831. j ?' !i" the encouragement of agriculture.; Supplemental to :n actio extend the! provisions of an act therein named to M.i-j i i-'ii county. ! Ilslative to the taking up of deposi ; tb-n. " 'Pn an-iatirl ft n art f r tt.p rplipf of tb.P'
TO THE FitEElIEN OF THE COUNT i or KNOX. Fki.i.ow-Citjzf.ns 1 avail myself of the press to present to your view a con densed history of the proceedings of the
Legislature during the session, which has
opposed each of those efforts, and om happy to state that they were not crowned with success. To have granted i.ew life to lint institution, which was created under the tentorial government, and
which w as corporately dead, would have, been, agreeably to my conception, not only a manifest violation of the Constitution
of the Sttite, hut would greatly have endangered the Branch of the State Dank, located at the afore-rnenlioned place; for how could that Branch, with a capital of
one hundred and sixty thousand dollars, successfully compete with the former, having a capital of half a million? An ad valorem hill of taxation, or, to adopt i 1 9 phraseology, "a Bill to provide for an equitable mode of levying the taxes of this
State, 1 which I Irusl I will he pardoned it) observing cn passant, is a sad misnomer, passed both Houses of the Legislature, and has become a law. Jt will not, however, have any operation until the year 1C3G, and time will thus be allowed to the people, through theirdelegated servants to correct any of its obnoxious provisions. I considered it my duty to record my vote against it. No impression, however, could be produced on the well drilled majority that befriended its pas saire. Almost every amendment offer-
it vva re-committed to a select committee,
and when ajrain reported, was supposed
by lie friends to be sufficiently strong to comma nd the suffrages of the majority.
The event, however, proved this opinion not to have been well founded; for afte? nrntrrtdl unrl PxrilinJT ftrUffCle. which
consumed a considerable poition of the session, and called into active exercise all the talent of the representatives of the
people, it was finally laid upon the tab.e to steep forever. Amidst the many oljects
proposed as worthy of the festering care and affectionate icarard of the state, the
Vincennes and New Albany road, which a wiseand jost policy would have placed in the bill as inferior to none and vastly
superior to others, was passed by, and the
lolly and injustice ol the omission grav eiy
tracts for the neromplbl rr r nt of such ol ject. Judging fiom tbe fijns of the
limcf, there can he out little doubt but that such a system will be agitated nt the next session of the Legilature ; nd with an eye to your own interests, you will
weigh its merits and proclaim tour senti
ments to those who, nt the next Aogu-l election, are candidates for your unbought suffrages, and destined to wield your delegated power. There are other subject connected with the legislation of the session which has recently rinsed, to which I had intended to have directed your at-
tention, but fearful of tresspassing too far upon your time and patience by expatiating on facts, the most of which have reached ycur view through the public papers. I will hasten to bring these observa
tions to a close. 1 cannot do so, however, without first giving an expression of the orateful homage of my heait for the con
fidence which yon rf posed in my integri
ty and ability in electing me to represent 'your interests and rights ('uring one of
but clo-cd That session, er.nsistir.gr of J l)y tne minority, was instantaneously
certain office rf. approved: ten weeks, has been an unusually long-; oieu ujw-n. unesna only one, did I sue
and contrary to lhe expectations of many)
securities of Feb. 1. 1331.
; i To amend an act for the relief of the! a highly important one to me people. -- jtoir approved Feb. 10, 1831. ! As ore of their representatives, I esteem To amend an act entitled "an act in-' it both a pleasure and duty to render an rT,m nine: conrress innal 'ownships and ; account to my immediate constituent?, of
public schools therein, ap
ceed in incorporating into this Bill, and
that was one which relieves revolutionary pensioners from paying taxes on real estite. The bill received amendments in the Striate which made it less ol jectiona.
ble than in the form in w hich it passed the
supported on the ground that it was ex
pected that the (Jeneiel uovemmeui would make a liberal appropriation on a road so important a9 a gieat mail route, and to the emigrants passing over it to the k,far west" to purchase and settle the pub
lic domain. Your representative was noljihe most important sessions uiai im et-f idle in exposing the shallow sophistry ofjbeen witnessed in this state. Doting such a plea. He, even against the formi-jthal session which was the first in which dable hi ray of opposition, succeeded in was honored with a seal in a legislative eetling in an amendment on which the j body, it was my fortune to appear without
w hole merits of the bill, in an uninterrupt
ed debate of three days, came up for decision; which amendment secured to the road in ouestion a bonus of two hundred
a ca'lleagne, single-handed and alone; and in vindicating measures of vital importance to your prosperity nd welfare, to contend atrainst a combination of talent,
thp mannpr in w hich I have discharged the
duties of the honorable office to whichi body of which ' had the honor lobe a
pro ifting to . ,,,,, 0,t lt.
it-i,; c'.,. V.,rr;.t;a f,,r thJ their kind rvirtialitv and favor elected me. I member, but still it is to he feared it will
v ar 1 G3 5.
y.i --r V'i ? W V1 f
.My time und attention, fellow-citizens.
I . 1 I. .. .!...,, I t
uae iet;n exciusneiy uctutcu iu interests. The pledges which during the b't canvass I made to you, have, according to the measure of my humble abilities, been redeemed iu the hall of representatives. In an early period of the session 1 in trodnced a Bill amendatory of the Execu-
l eracitij of the Cincinnati Republican and lion law, which provided for an exemp-
V 1 21 C ENNES. SVTITUIiW. MARCH . 183.
rnoM
Louisville Advertiser.
IIT. LOVISVltt E APVEUTI5F.H, OF
FEE .
!4, lG3c.
The Cincinnati Bepublican of the 17th inst. contains the following rrmaikf : j "i'y a gentleman, direct from the State of Illinois, we learn that since lhe first of; January, these Checks are there at a d i s j count of 10 per rent.; and in Indiana,; they are exchanged for Cincinnati rind;
Obiti paper at a discount of two per cent . -' .? -. r 1 1 n lor
i a-?s u l ie say ii works, .-is von a me f-istering care of Government is withdrawn, the Uniform Currency of Nicho1 is f dlows in the wake of Macbeth' witch-
tion in behalf of the Execution debtor.
! having a family, of a few sheep; or if such debtor should be a mechanic, of twenj tv doliais' worth of tools necessary to th e
prosecution of his profession. 1 o meet
the wishes of fome members whose votes in its favor could not otherwise be obtained, that Bill was so modified as to exempt seventy-five dollars, leaving it to the op tion of the debtor to 9clect to that amount fcuch articles as were most loudly called
by the necessities of himself and fam
ily. In that shape it was presented for the final action of the House and, much to my regret, lost. but only by five voles out of ge vent v-six. It has lonir been mv
i. . . i , . a .. ik i
Ttie checks spoken of are the Branch i r , r., ,- , c, tnB i sreat fe verity urion the uafortunate and rotes o! the Bank of the I niteo btstes. 1 . . ri ... , , . . i : the poor. lime, which tries all thing., lhe 4 ! i form currency." about which. ... ., . r , ...... , , i , will prove (he correctness of my position th bar-kites have boa?ted so much,"tai. . - 1 ,. . .. , , ., ii, (lni,;, I m this respect; and the obnoxious restrici i:cnnn n hiM nor fn IP illV "113
Does net this simple fact
1 1 1
tions complained of with so much jutice by a respectable portion of community.
pat er,"
.l,imnrt:lr.aa fliA ( r ii ! It 1 r, r rr cini-o nltpcrff.!
... , .7 . will yet be removed. t 1 t . ...... it. a r . i , t j. i 1 I. n (.ftiiorninfint J
ititi ii nnr lilt; tiruii ji uic riiiriiHin.ni; ii iiii t-ir it . . .i r, t i i ..:. I also had the honor to bring before the
noi oi me uan.; iiuvu us iiiea
cu rrenry I Tlte local Banks are also ii vailing and surpassing the Mammoth in conducting tr.e Domestic Exchange of the country. They have forced (ho U. S. Bank to reduce (be price of exchanges, and by iheir competition nearly driven her from the market.
consideration and delicate wisdom cf the House a bill which provided for the abolihment of imprisonment for debt except in cases of fraud. Misfortune and crime are as different ns light and darkness--an l yet the distinction has not beeu preserved by our laws, which blend them together and censiern the unfortunate and
the m'ilfv to a like f'arn. Indeed, if there
The veracity of the nhove-namerl Jack-, Le difference, they are more lenient son Pre?ses, may be tested by the tact j in iheir provisions to the last mentioned
that United States Br.nk Checks at which description of persons: for while the - -j- . . debtor is presume ! to h ive property to they ate io very indignant, are at a pre- .. . ' . ... . , J. J 1 ! pay his debts until lie proves that ha has mium from i to I $ per cent, in Vincenncs; nGnC( ,j,e a(tar are mercifully presume! even if Jackson gold bo proffered in ex-jtobe innocent until they are pronounced change. Does not this simple far t prove j y a j'iry of their peers to be guilty . If ,. r . ,i i , 1 I have erred (and we are all liable to er the confidence the people have n I r. e ; . . . r vr, -, . , j ror) in defence oT the pi inci pies contained Bank of the United Slates? hatdoyou( in (he bi!1 aIu(Ie(i t0 have erred on the say to this master Penn? j side of some of lh most -distioguiahed r j j'irists and profound statesmen, that ever In consequence of tha indisposition of adorned this or any other country, and the E'litor, he has not been able to give! 'night I not add also, cu the si le of hu , ,-, c i;.,:i . ,,r .t,- i manity . Owing to the great excitement the usual quantity of editorial matter this; , - , , . . , , J j and overwhelming interest created by uefek- other measures, tu the prominent feature -"--- - - - of which, I shall presently direct your atAt a meeting of a number of the friends tention, the bill could not bo reached ot General William II. Harrison, held at :n ,up rPfrn!ar order of len-i!afi' hm.
the Court House in Vincennes on Monday the 2d day of March, 1835, Mnjor Willi im Bruce was called to the Chair, and Samuel Hill appointed Secretary. The object r.f the meeting having been explained by the Chairman, the following named gentlemen were appointed a Committee to prepare and draft resolutions, viz: P. N. Carnan, II. M. Shaw, Joseph Chambers. James S. Edwards, A D. Scott, Audrew Purcell, Sen. and II. D. Wheeler, Esq who reported the following which were unanimously adopted: Whereas., the time has arrived, when the people of this country must cast about to find n successor to our venerable
ne, until the very close of the session.
when deliberate action upon its merits in the bustle and haste which uniformly chancterize that period, was deemed impossible. I take pleasure, however, in informing you, that female imprisonment, except where crime is proven , is no longer u part of the laws of Indiana. There will be none I trust to regret that such a barbarism has been erased from our Statutes. An act haa been passed incorporating the Vincennes Medical Society, which it is to be hoped, will promote the advancement
and diffusion of correct medical science, and thm add to the honor and well being:
of community. A sale of lhe seven ad-
Chief Magistrate, and wheieas our ditional school sections granted by Confriend and former fellow citizen, Gen.lgreas to the Vincennes Donation Tract, Wm. II. Harrison has been named in; in lieu of thosa partially or entirely env
different parts of the Union, among; ered by private claim?, has been authoroiher individuals, as a fit person to fill ised by legislative enactment. Those this high office and w hereas, also, this' sections worth perhaps from twenty five
iitmj;uihpd patriot deserve tor hisi to thirty thousand dollars, will form a val
uable school fund, which cannot fail to
great civil and military services, the hi'trhest office the people can conferTherefore, Retched. Tht this meeting do cordiallv larommend Gen. Wm. II. Harrison.
produce the mo?t happy effecls upo the rising generation in extending the circle of knowledge promoting the great cause
of science, and very materially increas-
the herool'Tir-pecanoeanrl of the Thames; og the facilities for intellectual improve
as a person fully qualified by his great msnt in those to whom in the lapie of a X(erif nee, tried patriotism and uucom-i fiv years, will be entrusted the interest nriniin8r integrity for the high oflica of j of 'Mir community. Repeated effoits were
JVf-ei lent nf the United States.
lleolved. That thia meeting will cheer f i'!y co. operate uith 'ho friends of Gen. IJtriison 11 the different part of Itii?
made to re charter the Farmer's and Me
cVianics' Bank of the town of Madison. Believing that such a measure would be both unconstitutional and inexpedient, I
prove a burden calling for tfie merited tebuke of the gieater part of (he people.
Under the act above-mentioned a tax will be levied on all lands and town lots, and on buildings erected thereon belonging to any individual or body corporate or politic; ulso on all personal property, on cat tie and hog; on all money loaned at in terest en simple contract, bond or wort gage, on the capital of all merchants and exchange broker, employed in this state, and on all capital in puLlic alocks or the stocks of moneyed or other incorporations The limits allotted to such an addres as the present will not permit me to go more into detail in relation to Ihis act, but thepe aie some of its most important provisions. It will , ippn that it will fall with a peculiarly heavy pressure upon the citizens of the older counties of the state. The tax upon the mercantile chss of community will eventually be paid by the
consumer. That upon hogs over a year
old, will be severe and oppressive to many whose property vests almost exclusively
in mem, ami ma agricultural interests
.11 :i j .i ii ....
ma ittuu uiiuer ioe mow. 1 tie act i
premature as well as unequitable. More time should have been allowed for the new and valuable lands to become taxable
by law so that lhe taxes of the inhabit
ants uf lhe old counties who at an early
penoo procured their lands at a com para
lively high price paid lhe revenue of
the government, and "bore the heat and i. .... .i r . i i
uuiub-1 m me. uay- might le more
equalized with thoe of lhe new counties,
whose territory was purchased bv their
valor and fostered by their care.
The subject which more than any other commanded the attention of lhe Legisla
ture, was that relating to internal im
provement. Having, from my early
youth to the preterit moment, been an ardent and firm supporter of works of this
nature, whether originated and prosecuted un !er the General or State Government, or by corporate enterpi ise ; and conscious that the state of which I am a citizen i greatly in need of increased facilities to carry off the surplus produce of the farmer to a foreign market to en courage thfe enterprise of the merchant, and promote the welfare of individuals in every department of business, it would have afforded me sincere pleasure lo have contributed my feeble suppoi t lo a system of internal improvements not incompat
ible with the limited re venue of the state,
and extending even handed justice to all. Such a system, however, was not embraced in the bill introduced by the repiesentative of Jennings; in which it was proposed to borrow one million four hundred thousand dollars to be appropriated on several thoroughfares, among which the Vincennes and New Albany road, the most important in the slate, was not included. I advocated its claims to st ate patronage, and dwelt on the glaring injustice of excluding it from any sys tern of internal works within our state limits, with a zeal at least if not with talent inferior to none. The gieat importance of this road, and lhe consequent necessity for its improvement, are greatly enhanced by the contemplated rail road from New Orleans to Louisville. It is no less your true policy than that of the state, to stand conoected at once with the South and the E ist, by a well improved
road from Vincennes lo the foot of the falls of the Ohio; and it is believed thai
the period is not far distant when a libe
ral appropriation on the part of the state (so much in conformity with our united wishes, and so imperiously demanded by
ils pre eminent importance,) will cease to
be withheld. The bill to which I have just
referred you, fortunately did not pass the
House. The partiality of its provisions
however, tvaa amalgamated with almost
all subsequent legislation on this subject
and pervaded in an eminent degree "lhe
Mammoth Bill," as it wa usually denorn
inated, reported lo the House by the
chairman of the committee nf canals an
internal improvements. Not embracing a sufficient number of routes in the estimation of its defenders to secure the requisite number of voles to secure its passage,
and twenty thousand dollars; but some of'such as would have adorned nny Keprethe friends of that" bill, apparently panic;?Pr,talive Hall in the Union. Unaided slruck at such exceeding geneiosily to the w as by a coadjutor from Knox, with south-west, and alarmed lest the Mam juhom it would have been alike pleanrg moth should tall under this fuperincum- nnd encouraging to have consulted, und bent weight, but which in reality whs one,iintrncted by you as to the nature of of the few redeeming features that ilpos-Jyour wishes on subject of deep moment e?sed, retreated from their hasty po?i ;ind thrilling interest, I could only act in tion moved a reconsideration of the obedience to the dictates of my reasr.ii
vote. and as ifunder the sudden inspiratiou'end conscience, and submit as I do now,
of the Oracle, requested the amendment! my legislative doings, to your candid con.
urt three minutes alter they in their w is-'sideration. Most happy snail l r.e u sucti
dom had consented to incorporate it with consideration should terminate in the apthe others contained in the bill. I was; proval of my course : fornfxttothe conopposed to that bill, nevertheless 1 wasjsciousness of hating done my duty, the Dlicilous if it should ufortuiialely become! prize 1 most value, is your approbation.
a law of the State, thatyeu who were des To have expected that I should tiav
lined to be taxed in common with others jbeen able to give satisfaction to all, would jo pay the interest on filteen or twenty, ; have been viionary. I never indu'ged
fur thy navment ot which oan the taithiin an anticipation so idle and vain. I well
, - ,
of the State slood irrevocably pledged,
and which would not have been luund
more than sufficient for lhe prosecution and final completion of the woiks propo
sed , should amply 6hare in its distribution
I wa9 opposed lo lhe bill, because a sys
tern ot fuch extended works had never
been fairly canvassed before lhe people,
or even anticipated by one out of u bund
red, previous to lhe convening ot their
iepreentatives in lhe last General As
sembly and because in the absence of all
insti uclioos in relation to the contempla
ted measure, I uenied the right of the representative lo pledge so many millious ol the people's money without their consent in lhe payment of the inteitst on which
knew that designing enemies and political juggler9 were not wanting to misreprepresent my motives and actions, and falsely impute to me intended or overt acts "never dreamed of in our phitaso phy." But in taking a retrospect of tho pnst. my conscience tells me now, as it did then, that the whole of my legislativo career was characterised bv an untiring zeal in the public service, and that all the ends I aimed at were the welfare and the hoo' r of my constituents. Party spirit, so far as I was concerned , was merged in the overwhelming desire to promote tha general good. In mv representative capacity I ceasd to m-ike a distinction fie. tween friends and eneirde, and tabored
ihey would inevitably have been taxed,! equally for all. Vet I will candidly avow
as the biate revenue riiea only a little above forty thousand dollars. I was opposed lo it, because it proposed a partial instead of a general system of internal jav provements, omitting important roU(t8 which would have given to the Slate a dividend of at leust fifteen or twenty per cent, and including others which would not afford more than two and a half. I was opposed to it, because no reports from . i. :u .. i i '
sikiiiui auu experienced engineers as to
that there are soma men whom I never
expected to ?atis."y, much le lo please, and whose approbation of my course would have led me tosu'pect some moral or political wrong in myself. But I knew too that the great body of my fellow-citizens would correct mUiepresetitation and do me justice. Near the termination of the session, a dispensation of Providence, alike melancholy and Hidden, filled the member? "f
gloom and clothed them in the hal l unenla
of mourning. Death, whirh Fparfs no ace or station, entered the Senate Cham
ber and lore from his seat, the Senator of Davie?, Martin and Knox. Duiing the period in which I had the honor to art in conjunction wi;h him in a co-ordinate branch of the Legislature, in'fgiity and stiict attention to the duties which devolved upon him, maiked bis career; and his repeated elevations by the people to legislative tiusf, aff.rd the best evidence th.it he had not been unfaithful iu their interrs'r. I am, felIo(v-citizfn3, with a grateful sense of past favors, your friend and servant, H. M. SHAW. n m nil mi ill TMagTOJBuwqwga
their practicability and cost? except inl uotM houses of the General As-embly wilh
one or iwo instances, had been made; and to have voted for it under such circum stances, would have been acting blindfold ly, and betrayed i,i my estimation, a reck ltssness on a subject of oiomentous importance by no means compatible wilh the duty which a representative owes lo his constituents and to the state. But the bill failed; much to lhe. joy of its opponents and equally, I hope, to the benefit of lhe people. Subsequently lo ihis period, the Canal Bill originating in the Senate, and proposing an appropriation of two hundred and twenty seven thousand
uonars on the Wabash and Erie Canal,
was presented ior the action of the Re
presentative branch of the legislature.
It met with my cordial approbation.
I Hat canal is a great State woik, entire y woithy of liberal patronaire and of all
the solicitude which has marked its com
mencement and continuation. I should
rave prefened seeintr i)at Wnrk stand
isolated and alone, as was proposed in lhe Bill of lhe Senate, instead of bein? con
nected with other
which may in time relard its progress, and prejudice it in public opinion. But
SUCll Wa3 not Ihs Wl.h nr Iha .. ill rA'
- - - w ii.iv r i i kj i n majority of the House, and it passed it in
conjunction with several ameudmeut
which authorize the Governor to employ
suitable engineers lo make dining: the en
suing summer, surveys on several routes, some of which are important as state
woiks, und Some quite lhe reverse, with
instructions (o report to the next General
Assembly. Asuivey is authorized lobe
made, lor a continuation of the Wabash
and Erie Canal lo Terre-Haute. O ie from Muncy town for a canal along the valley of the West Fork of White river, to some suitable point on the O do. One tor a rail road from Terre-Haute, via Vincennes to Evansville on the Ohio, and
one lor a arAdamizcl
a iu Adamized turnpike ro.id.
irom vincennes, vm Washington, Mount Pleasant, Paoli, Fredericksburgh and Greenville, to New Albany. These sur
veys, most interesting to you, as well a-
the most immediately connected with your interests, I supported, wilh a heart fell satisfaction, convinced as I was, that your just rights were si cured, and that
when the State shall adopt a general sys tern ot internal improvement?, your im
portant thorough la res will not fail to re
i -t - r
From the U. S. Gazette. RECEPTION OV THE PRESIDENTS 31 ESS ACE. The packet ship Havre, Caj-t Stodd a n. l, has arrived at Ne.v York fioin IJavie bringing dates to lhe 13;h ult., very late. We copy fium the New York Daily Ad vei liser all lhe important news which have been received ly this arrival. From the JT. Y. Daily Advertiser. - The news is of the highest importance. The Piesident's Message had reached Fiance, and the Journals are filled with comment. It appears the French Chambers had fixed upon the 12tb,to t;,ke up the
subject of the American Tieatv, nnd there
was a bur prospect that the indemnity would have been granted. The arrival of the message appeals lo h ive I een rnot unfortunate ; nothing had transpired as l the course ifi Government would take. We are therefore obliged to copy the impiessiona of the people from the tone and opinions of lhe French Join nals, w hif h we have done mo?t fully . From all that we can gather, it appear that the .Message w ill h.ie a very unfavorable effect. France w ill not be fi tight
ened into any mea?ures lr I he pi estivation of peace, and most if not nil the Journals entertain the btlief, that the U. Stulee, which has go much at stake, will not put the threats of President J.nks' ii in execution. With ihee iVeT.g and
sentiments, we lear an amicable
aii j'i-i-
ceive ;i liberal portion of any loan coa-1 ,ne,lt f ou-r difii.-ultirs uiilnotbe very speedily. We gave the following.
i
