Vincennes Gazette, Volume 10, Number 28, Vincennes, Knox County, 19 December 1840 — Page 1

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"TRI'TIf WITHOUT I'E.VR. VOLUME X. VIXCKXXES, INDIANA, SATURDAY 3IORXIXG, DECEMBER I J), 1810. NO. 28

1

Governor's le.u'ic. (laitlcmea rf the Senate, anl Jjtisc of leprescnta'ires: Ttu f";iit, in many rocj.) eoto, I.;-.-; l-een to

the nation at Iars?e. a rcmarkr. ol v .--ptritstirmgand everitlui year, j i h of h'jjnan liber fy of im;;i j c r!f-g nernmenr have be-' r aJvoe; ;k;Ch v with abundant evidence oiucnhitod to c-ni-lirm rhem in their principle-::, r: ri-.i t r-tim-ulato the i ii to continue 1 eer!:o;;. The friends of our great and, as t : . unbroken confederacy, have not bt-t-n ieir without came for congratulation; they. tu1. 'oiitiJenrly renew their faith in strength, wisdom, a id reeunerrd ergics of the eon:i:u:io:i. in - !1 ol capacity of ;i::f;:i::j.r i:-lf rote through the fierce;.?: i. im .-:' no!; rention. The f.larmlut; ::t w Inch the experience of ''. ; years trover to be. est'V. in tithe Executive branch of the b '.: ml v t eminent, nas u-'c-n also ? r v m w u - L? more than counterbalanced i-v the c-r.-at i coaler vntive n .ever c-ntra::-- ; : 1 th-- koc-:-1 1 ing of the people- The c t between tu'?o power? has been trulv e;rea: an. I -c'ting. and we have overv r-a n k r--; :- over the result. Ti: ;. ; U' ha. , in oe-- 1. acquitted themselves iu!.'v, i .. , i resisted and repulsed !' r.i-.oiiv ft ail point.-: and what i.- bv for ''' m rr fving, thev have t- ined i 1 th-' world that the r.hl f pru.cripti'!i cams:-.: intimidate, that bribery cannot p;-ch.!.-e. and that fraud and corruption rannot s -luce them from the faithful discharge d ur an 1 solemn duties. Mav sucii rj-.u; 11 1 ie.-. therefore, beuluav exhibite.l bveerv succeeding generation of American freemen, and then our union and iibertie..- will oe mimorta ! as tin rmio.rn ot achieved them. DO Ke-trictiiii; iot ' r . . n- ' :e :;ar5'.' :ind. rowei sphere of o-.i,- o ;i S even fhroucfli th" rr. -;?i.iitiT ti.ai v. lii.ai h gat lie re. I over the peomrarv condlrioti of our citizen. -v. iirh ( c!e'm ear m . t fervent ncknowl'-.Itrmelits I too (liver of all z '! We have rec-ive i tV. n 1 )iine hand t!ie cl;e.;ee:-t tokens of v'i'e.vor. Th" teeming ca : th r-- . a rd'jd the tiller of ho soil. o deso';,.t'i1i i)-'st'i--i.eo ba.s ina led our lim.t-. ati'' t.d -d o :r hnith lamontatiou an ! v.m. The r- ivin spirit of enterpr'r has awakmied t its lab ir-. an I che- rfui in iuctrv has resumed it s gainful M i r suits. Tne m.-uo S educa tion, moral improveue d. nd re! iou' cut,,i e .TV C : a--S, ts are fen. a ture. have bem e .x t - r ; b !"l i their auspaeou-: cite well in tbo g.ue rai ibtlus enee. as in the elevated cb.. neonle. Tiie sover"i::t v o m ol intedira -ter of the f.h laws has been rerpecfcl. A j.-alous observance of the public peae has e'.h:vmf ly .listinguis'id the conduct of our citizen'': for although we have just closed one of th" mo-t heated and excuine: contest recorded in our historv. yet. they in no in-tane u a far as mv knowledire exten I iave permitted riot to disturb, bl ndiba-d t ) intemperance to degrade any of thmr trequent and numerous a"embhvr"i. I 'or a (hdailed aeouuit of the eondd;on of the Treasury, you are respectfully referred to the report of tie Treasurer ot State, which will, in due tim . be laid, before vou. Acc inline to that Report, the receipts of the. fiscal mr. en lin- dot .her 1U. 18-10. amount to four bun iro-l and four thousand, one hundred an-! iii;y-o:g.it lar.i an! thirteen c-mtu and ihe expen htures to three iiundr d and n'mety-ilve thousand nine lemdr; 1 and tiiirty-six a1. Ilars and nine; v cent-: leaving a balaae'- m the Treasury of nuii 1 laouat! d' '.;a rs lamtit vdred and eight v-on-1 V three ceni. Inasmuch as the character ot t ;e tnaes. and the invol vein--nts of the State imperatively demand a system of the r Everest eoonomv.it may not, perhaps, be unprodtnMe to enumerate some ot t.teit m-ot expenditure with which the people are burthened, in or ler thai you may ttm better see wherein tV principle '.f reform may be niosi safelv and advantageously r.ppl'od. The ler'tla?ive expenses this vea- a a-iunt to fortv-four thou-and nine Irai-.'re I and sevenf v-one dollar.? and seven ;.--n re;:; two thiusanl fou- heulr--d en! : -1!ars and five r-n'r- nnre than in 1;. The account for pubbc pruouii. co;;s;,. ing that no extra .verk was re-p.nr.--! or performed, reached the heavy and mmoc---s.in-iim fd" twelve thouum 1. lour uun'l and fiftv-seven ,1,rgot V cents. To ner e x - p.-nsesof the Executive Department, three thousand eight bun ireJ an 1 luty :yTr-; eif the Judiciary, sivte-o! &.-rvr.n 1 three hundred anl thirteen d.Vlar--; of prebato. three tliousan l seven Imti lr-i an I sixtyfive dollar-: of Prosecuting Attorneys, one thousanl r.evr-n hmidred an-1 twenfv-hve dolhrs; and of the State's Prison, nineteen thousand, six bun Ire ! anlfiity-ono dollars. As tithe item lirst named, prnvt nyto rav, that it will b in vour po'A er to c.tminish it grentlv her-if;.;;. For when vou come n discharge, the- eonFtitut-nntjl duty whiMi devolves upon yon. at the present session, of fixing the eppe-intment of Senators and Representatives, for the next live years, a reduction of their number would greatly contribute to curtail tluyonerous expense, of this branch of the Government without j-opardizing,1 I ran -o?; ny of the great interests of the State. Indeed, mv experience teachec m-1 thid a Hou-e of ' TJepre .entstive; ro.isrtmg of

d.:y m-T-mberr-, and a Senate of thiriv,

uoaiJ tranract more- !)ii?ino. in a u"?3 M ? lo t ie ftiti.s-laetit-n if tiie people, than ca a hundred ni"inb-er.s. a;d a Se A 1 t 1 . ileuo'd i.i i.u o -ii!o m i;ne ina.nner w i t "l v !l ! tiie i.t.ier branciiei.d ex 'ti.nt are a;ov i" vou can do mr.ci;very much --towards K-rreiniiir ie:r r(-snecnvo amounts. iiilnln' eey tiriii'y anu racr'.liee on atr; tiie . :.aa.; v I tar of tubli good, a portion of vour individual, sectioni i a; itia couiiiy lntcfsts. Jn tae midst oi the extraordinary pr. ..-parity recently en-! .i io class; i ... -V. ,1 IV, .-.n .1 .. I i ,on were, mot'iar lleCe arv nor d'-; n.r-n wer ,-e-p 1 1 1 . r ur," If ti.a it Il-el i 'I t.ie Mate, s..--j?e;i cor- j : a i : or ei! tauce. t :.? :e. w:tiiout , out r:o i ; i ; ; e r : o j; ..v. .n. ;:ct,t t hem ' , 1 ' cf dat; . t- ,r n o ; ao sr.". ; p; ' with ;!.r-. a-'cept:. than l " t-iaaao d' the ( I-wer;: present a'fii.tv eiin. !K.'a. in my b , vit-vl ti.e at!'- ! Icon- ' :l a. aleil th.- ; sslt V te j.r. ,,n , i jjcet c i 1 1 1 tnen , .- . e d ol niaKiiiu s ,:,n' ,-.i , o , sen: sv;-un of orgau-!0.-nt. Xo legislative . l ad on the .-.abject. i man,. e. 'e was. no it-vin hat the defect which have caused such frequent and just complaints require the ellicient exercise of your authority. 1 am again induced to ak your serious consideration to the propriety of an immediate re-orcraniaiion of the institution, or of such alterations in it--, government and discipline, as you shall be on exnodi uit. Tae time is certainly promtiou--. i ne outstan : 1 1 1 or ciuitraet witil ;.( -ssrI u-. on and I len syv win sa.or,: exnu Vi,atever change keref ire be mad.'' sre nee r. ! should for mini: existing U)ort of an n ev e;:g Tiie u: !eme!it.j utlde r t.i ie and satisfactory i-siter, 1 doctor Havniond. is !;e with :i- :a-s-ibmiit -d. Ilr- views, an 1 reeonr lions eon -rnlna; the in-titution ge;; are worthy of respectful attention. 1! IV. With instea.l him. am ( u. ar.y oi ojunion u:ai l.-irm-ni: out the prison i. eret.uore. e. she.uld take it into iser own hands. ie and tv t;i unpointnient of eliicioni otlicer; w.tli cou!t'- e'd sa dfirieq n "ri icf id the su:..'ri'itendance d it !ie4-se!t. 1. 1 . . -, , 1- r.-m an ex'uninaiion .t the return' ot me to s axables. ot the present a ear. 1 rere y that it is not in my power to speal as favorably of the prosperity d" the a. need wealth 1 I T anu ure. State as my do would otherwise dictate. I ne suspension of the Public orKf, and r.ie general stagnation of all business;, have sensible a fleet - ed the value of every s Tiie diminution ha. in mere so. by far. th.en rroun Is to anticipate. 'eft,..--, ot propv'rtv. ef(i we i i i -o;i great tad anv just 1 find also that ti: -""ersoien!--.. v. i t Vl'.'iP complau i-t. have termed a mor every ibp'Ct ot m ae ii any l'.x. cut:ve mcssai;-. ar thine, more g'armnlv anu unj;an a defective than ever. This continue, i careIessr,ess on the part of tke .r j has tni' trro n to a.n evu oi re.cn mage.itude. that some poeu aim cae-, u, .un .i ci . .1 is loudlv called for by every prmcii.f r"r-h: and intice. It 'h now viri . . tukv tie-ca-e, that one portu.-n ot tae oommnnltv is burthctv-il w:;h taxai.a t the exemption of -mother: a s.tat- (if thinirs Avhollv inadmissible. Th Audi; number of p-lis r ;m 1 ? ru;i, '.::: to otie uuu ire t lou-ano r bv f '.r eiit v-ii ve " and --ixt v-s: ; eiHo hiuidr.- l and s on tubund: rand. :i in sed aopeer i'he c.-.u-.r.tiiv of leu i s.''i i.truu aer 's. ) N2?:i.'MM) acre. ued at iii'y-e.ght millions thr. i. niuio o and fortv- thro- moe-and. n;:ie tumdred an. mir -two i oe.r.-- ,p.i.r .-oi inarea.se oi 707.00 ceres, and a decraase in l i ie i r r e . r . ofi. va ue, nt seven :o.! .ii"". I V .'11and lortv teons-i eight hundred 1 u like manner i reached oll'v eiuldv-seven dollars. rh. tw ' of '.ion live -wn l s lve '. an to ban ired. 1 and nki ii throb iimdi-e t V d :rs; i i -' ! a i i i ,11 :U. rixtv1 :!' li,.e' ( :!ie 1 i ; :no I ;v! ree ( ar. !' -tV ! " IloO't id f-e t- t' -'ii iOlhioi'S, !'.o- an h one leaking the e; t.-. .o -r t v oi l a a . e, r-. a ; o ninety. ;o'! iio-. sevf-n iiimured an iif.--. ..ilx !i:oe..--oui and nuudeen d.Uiars ler"; tkati in ls:V. bv fifteen im'oo;v, live hundred and c igb.tv-. ;;e thousanl .-ix hundred and ninety -.-ox dollars. b'ertunat-dv. we have it In our power to disperse a portion of tiie gloom which such results a re' but too well calculated to proTk( ov ;,re not true: and, unless 1 ...,,1 pnrrof.f PV. nro ttv c nt ra.. oe t eu ihl :e;i 1. much to our p-isdion given, wo mortdieaiion. to mace the rtr.te in a icese l poi.-i.on in the eye of the public. Take, for example, the "number of polls returned, and compare that number with the vote east at ihe late Presidential election, and vou etonoe see the-t between eighteen and twenty thousand polls have been altogether omitted one-fifth, nearly, of the whole number has been relumed. Nor is tins the only error susceptible of detection. ccordiri" ro the Report of the Commissioner of the General Land Oilic?, 10.. bOkhO-f) acres are legally taxable this year. ;ae is; tctuin

: 120 acres.

already e tr.ted li.235.Wli ' acre3 less than fbo rr .!." .Mmonnr. IT il,ntore, we acknowledge tlie.su e.xrnmles as !;:?t criterion.'.. l,v which to judre. ef the o.uo.nee. we cnan -l v. it- ' v avo:u t.:e inicrenre. t!:a: lea-t one-iil tu o tiie enescapen of lands he seven The tire taxable pr-pertv of the taxation t!::--Are ; Jut farther: the average val:i. .throughout the State imoears to ic debars and iie cents an acre 2'5.iKM5 acres, therefore, not nsesr-ed. is . . . .... , worm, lor tax purposes, iitteen mi;Ooin, reven hundred and sixteen thousand, one unurea tliirtv seven dollars, which. with tiie ninet v-ene millions, sa en oreana iiltv-s;x thousand ft Ma nineteen do'!a.r a -efi!, would ri vo one iiun.lre.i sovi.ii miiiions. live hundred and ni;ieilio lutnlred and liftv-rx owes amount wu'c.i alio.o 1 upon the assessment r; --lis et t taxath -n. ( ,ie iauinnn thon--and dollars above ;nt in i '-oib the dimiimtion 'irrtv t the contrary. nd- - o -a me ami. ..i , 1 1 1 ue m pr wi tu dan ung. 1 hone 1 rla 1 Xil l -C e euse r owe t i.r.-j ! ing

m- up. .n t.us s;h. toltveetMd: first.'

i.'Ct. IV t . ! extv ise "'ei! j "o; i : i ( r v part ot our oresen ! 1 e , n ; ,. . c - cate the c; t stem: and se;-;.ni,iv. t' tit and character of t'i mmi . i im tne lmputa on oi' bavin ' retr :rau in ealtii and res. urces. A thorough revision of the Revenue law h the oniy cbeciiv e remedy that 1 can su'TL'e: t against th" recurrence of shmhir eih; and when vou are advised that in 1Mb i:$.7."H.2:ii 'acres in 1 S 12. 1 o.OOS.. (Sol acres, and in l81o 1 ."," 1 1 !, 17 1 acres b.-e-iine publect to taxation, the necessity for the 'ei' rchin exerci.-o of vour supisofv I'liHiTi o or the "uiueet neeus not to be enf .re. .1 ie u; il bt of the Stat" ; ! i ded in th Fund :'t'.) do! ia ort of ( len. Stapo. ..no of oar mmissioner-' tuiiinmt to lt.S7.ars ;)..Ko..VV) d -liars f -r intt.rnai J mpr o em -nt lars for Surplus r s: Vid . OM d .i-b-.;ids: -J-il.t-O') " r' enu1 ' ! if Miars fu- the Lawreneeburuh and m1 j.:ioi).- . 'fhe lobs Rail Ilo;e! ' 'oinoan v: an UCO dollars for Prinking purpo Internal !miro'ement debt consists et the follow in; item-', to-wit: to the State Pank, t'.;2.i:b (lobars: f r the Wabash and Krie uui!, 1.2,'H!U doi.ars: i..r tiie vftem prooer.O 2 oo.O. d i dobNoser,' l.o I U7." do . r reer-urv rs. ( f the 12.S7lho(0 doilarr on;v ii.i.ut).ii.r. (! .pars 1 , have a" vet boon received leaving 2.Sti(.N."7 dollars due f-.jm the purchasers of our State lnds. This circumstance is mt ih to be regretted a-i it appears that a very large proportion of this indebtedness is in a most hazardous condition. Indeed. itishigl.lv probable that the greater port on of it mav be ultimately hot to the State. The efforts, however, of General kapp I am happy to cay, l ave been faithtullvand unremittingly e.xerte I t prev. ed I 1 1 1 I T - -et! a Uisa or. lie pas laooi-e,; saiif! v fojiroeure from the respective deldi rs ! no furnish ed tie. i :'.--; securit.eo m their power to To what extent he has r-ueeeed-or.lv can determine. It is pr line jo vou aii'i : tne e..ner i-und .o;.i!mssioner, .n. i. i ..n. - . , i...-q. testate that he differ w i'!i Gen. Stapp as to tin- amount of the Ihihiie debt. l:i lies exhibit to the Executive, w hich 1 herewith transmit, h - fixes it at :).::) 1. 7AY.) dollar i . i - - -v - i - iv i.e.,. being 1 . .0. r 1 11 It 1 o ,! '..v - more I '"11 lo r-O1-Mr. r.-i!mer having th1 is furnish , i . to-cut of the supposed i b anv exiibeia.forv na ufo en; a . 1 do ;i dn'.on. a:e ret'err. Ci ii i i i . iitu. ill.e ng t t t to tl irtiueu m .i facts , w hen widely toe r-. ;n -. a i variiint. I de. refer yr.i to tiii-v seed 1". th: t tiiey wll ne-eessar'.' to L' 1 ill f .- ' e. n.o-t pr n it. f. iier their re-specfive report h.id b; fbre yott, pros contten all fhe infer: ?nabie vou t i arrive who I umiiv. red conclusions. larg" inde i pi'.m curtaining it. neoSLH tr.e i we should enou; public funds 1-,-iv. re in w uit manner ten e been appropriated, an .-oeeived in OY .1 ef;m a:ent t ze them.' Ti lie query i. n-wt"ve.i 1 lo ri-ar in: Tweutv o ! f public worh.-: niuioreo one.: of Rail Road trt-two ot live Ar..lanii,-..l rea-1 and two 1 K-,.0 more on thirf mi !,t: of Canal: to noa -.-!;. !io:i:.' of dollars m 15a ::h and Sin o n -, i. und lion oh of a half ;i: to u;wa e o ar; tor Canal h-mh oo. i a i im-por-ed o: o The a.mount of interest chargaiil: upon bt i; easily calculated It tae pooii' supposed he niter-rod on eboutS.l 'b 7 dollars of tided debt 'i!l brthe pronuptlv paid by the holders d our fctate uon.cV..abt mc t ing this amount from the sum total of th- debt, would leave 10,708.021 drllar.i. a-the amount upon which interest has to be provided for by the State this year. This nt the rate of live per cent, including contingencies, will be about SbOo.000. The important nne-tion. therefore, oc cur?, what means, independent oi taxation. have v.e to pay this heavy rum. as follows, to-wit: The State i'nk of InJiini, Interest on Canal lan 's, Xiimliw Tlovenue. Thev are S71.023 22,000 32.000 T l 1. A. !'0..,n,,!ulh l. Co. 11,050 l a rem ci'ui -- -- Canal to!U, Maduon Kail KoaJ. 5,000 10. 000

j ' - J'm m a.jri i mm ig

This deducted from t la; ;'.i5.((0' would still leave -IMSm (lobar? unpai-l. Thiris crtainly a formidj-bb- deficit, requiring, to meet it, at least, a lew of between forty-live and fiftv cents oucvrv b.u.n .Ired dollars worth of property throughout llie str.fe. Are -ou pre;ared t' lav this tax.' ih in other word:? can vou avoi-l it vrithout jeopardizing the credit and character of tne State: Lc-fore atisweritu- or attemptitig to answer queries so int-?restn it is ne ssarv that we ionld lirst determme tne extent and character of the means vou will, or mac, I ;ave under your I name to vou control. For this purp1 m t ie jir.-t juace t:;u surplus revenue, which if .mlc stick C,0,(!(ii) .in. Miitt 1 1 Jtr to rs3.'jrl doharu c. n v into voul I pr: 'duee 10 per cent o r rinr.ing fund. i"h! ro!y, 2 per Cent, stoek. on t.a iK c, ).0i(.) .Ma r i.-om ur :, ars, wluc ie inter' l?S'5g the liquidation only -JGb.Od;) pe ple bv taxot t. won id lea.v ai 'd from th u . .a r : ati1 n: dolleon well a . that 1 sh.'-.ll probable be Id tl at euect r-u-'ii a n mst be taken wiiicii, a mere seek)f ,;'i'e-" v. would studiously avoid. I 'rant ;t tru.': out men 1 flatter mvsell tuai the-re are n xu- r.uch h Certainly th' i n. irani la-oin nit"!-'"!-- ot the Mati ati onr proud recoHectioin ot tne pat and ;ol!e( our dearest hon-.'S of t'ue future require that there should b-- n.-u:e. Jn the present momentous crisis of our affairs, wise head, honest hearts and fearless spirit can alone eonduet us safelv and triumnhaiitl v. W 5a a lan i ? direct, r. uieh to lead u; there Ours arc a debt paying people; r.nd the promp'm ss with winch they have denied their confidence to every imprmcip.C'. de in 3 co cue. w ho (hired to preach a contr.irv doctrine, is tiie proudest evidence of tiie stern moral koue:y that pi rvades the mass. They have complained, and perhaps in many instances justly, of mismanagement in the conduct of their r.ffnir: but then, whoever infer? from that, that they could be persuaded to repudiate their honest debts, is ignorant of their character, and but poorly apprechles their f.nnuess ami integrity. The point, with them is, not how to avoid their contracts, but how they can best fulfil litem with the least possible oppression and difficulty. These facts, therefore, unerringly designate the course you are to pursue and the duties you are expected to perform. They are evidently to curtail every expense as far as practicable, to husband our resources caief lly, to apply them judiciously, to resort to taxation only when all other just and proper expedients fail, and to maintain at all hazards the credit of the State unimpaired. With a view to relieve the people from the oppressive taxation which we see otherwise awaits them. 1. on a former occasion, urged the propriety of claiminsr our distrihutive share of die pioceeds of the sabs of the public lands. The singular and unprecedented couise pursued by some of the distinguished leaders of the present administration in Congress, renders it i-uore imperative than ever upon the states to contend for the strict letter of their rights. 1 speak, at least, for Indiana. She has not aked; n .- lias she. directly or indirectly, inf mnted an intention of asking, the (General Government to as.-ume the payment of her debts; nor. to mv knowledge, has any o( the states: vet we have witnessed a mot disreputable effort; in a certain quarter, to discredit the good f-.iih and resources of the states, upon the gratuitou-5 assumption that there wa an intended movement, on their part, to accomplish that purpose, through the national b-:isbtute. Hy the deeds of cession of the several states, and especially Virginia, the ceded lands were designed as a common fund for the use and benefit of all the states then admitted, or that mlcht afterwards be admitted into the Union. The General Government was created a trustee, with powers and duties cleariy defined. Its onthoib.y over the national demain evidently consists in faithfully car rying into effect the beneficent object of the ceding state?, and its obligation to do so is solemn and imposing. From 18 -to September the :Vhh, 1818. the fund derived from the sales of the public lands amounted to SO 5,11:5.308, and the sales since made have largely increased it. Have we not, therefore, a light tr demand of this trustee our share of the fund, and especially of that portion of it which has accrued since the extinction of the public debt? According to the distributive principle of Mr. Chy's laKil bill, Indiana would be entitled to snout $3,000,000. The fate of this bill is known to the nation, and is a subject of poignant regret. Congress having, by appropriate legislation, given utterance to the public will, that will was contemned and defeated by the arbdrary and unprecedented action of the Executive branch of the Government. The aggravated injustice of that act of the late President is equalled only by the presumptuous insolence of the" friends of the present Execimvo in ('.-mirrpss. 1!1 I n r 11C 1 1 11 IT 1 1 1 (! IlOOU l ' 111 -jviii v. ' j -7 or of h sovereign stitcs which form our

glorious Union, Had demumciiio; them as bankrupts in fortune and in fame. We are cheered, however, by the auspicious promise of the futuie hv the hope that

the constitutional limitations of the Gov eminent will b resieclcd whilst its pow

ers are fxenusei! wisely for the cood ofjterest on the balance due for one ycai tiie whole people, and that the public vriil.jin advance, giving the sum of $33,8S7 .".t

the only legitimate foundation of repub lican institutions will be obeyed by the public servant. I beg lo suggest to you the propriety of instructing onr Senators and requcstinir our representatives in Congress to demand, as a matter of right on the ps.rt of Indiana, her distributive share of the proceeds of ihe public lands. With those funds at your disposal, you can exempt the people, in a measure, from taxation, promote- the cause of education, prosecute our system of Interna! Improvement, and gready i-e-rea3e the wealth and prosperity ol tne .-date. In corinctiiii with tkis s;a geet, I have the hoiHir to inf irm vou (k it I have receive.! from their Excellencies, (!rvre:ni of New o:k, . om nit, ( .onnertirnt and K. i.-.u ";y, certain reoolaiions adopted lv the jlestisLuurcs of their ri'spevtivc state., in reliti.'a t the jmhiie domain. In compliance with their reijtiest. I lay th.'ni l'fore vou. Yon will perceive licit the icws I have expressed arc f .riili -.i bv their entieurrin opinion?, in reference to this vit.tlly in-terc-tin su'.ije.-'. I have received fio-n the Secretary (i Stitf of the j-'t-ite of Mii-Iiian, a memorial ami joint resolution adopted !y the lei-1 iture thereof, f )- liritinc (onqress for an nppropmtion to eon strur.l a up caiiai aroiuui the tads ot tiie river de Sr. Marie, reir ihe runlet of Luke S.ei rio 1 and froiii the (lovernei of Connecticut rer'am joint res.!utiofm of the leeid;Uure of that Siste in relation to the duly of the (Jener-il (Sovernnient to protect the domestic indu.-try of t!ie country. I herewith suhniit them t yi.u for sueli ncti on tliereon a' yoa may deem expedient and proper. Concerning; the Surplus llevenue fend, I wish ti I e clearly uni'.cr.O.ood. I contended, oiiiinallr, for the policy of converting into bank stock, instead of seatterint; it amoiu t'.ie counlie". Experience and su'tise.jueiit retlectim have continned mv opinion as t .- the propriety of the view? I then mtr-rt-iiiifd. In my !a-t annual n:e-s:ie, I sne'.'es'pii the exjiliency of restrict. in-4 ihe loans of t'nt fend to -cch borrowers as could tf-ni'er seccritv upon renl estate. '"lie recommend ition not meetitiir the views cf the h--ui-'at'.ire, the law remains unchanged. The o'.acer in rhare of the faruU reports, this year, that the interest upon nliit n fourth of the j.tincip d has not hern paid or accounted for. Vou may judje from this f.ict wh it is the prohahle cordltion ( f die priaeij-al. 'h:t ?inuii::tee, I a-k, hav- we that, in twenty year hence, we shall not have, by such improvident Icjitdalinn, permitted every dollar of it to he squandered! If you decide acr.aint the replication of the proceeds of the funds temporarily to relieve the peopU from taxation, tail!, in justice to the interests of education, some Military measure shoi.h! h- adopted to make it more productive, and to secure it from loss. Loaned as it now is. it can only yield only f 1-1.000, subject to all the contingencies consequent upon careless, dishonest nd impotent ajent.. lis converio;i into bank stock would produce nearly fiO.OOl) annu a!iv, well the undeniable adantaces taut the profits would be more certain, that it could be distributed to the several counties with less expense, ar d last, not least, that it would be meic immediately under the control and Kup?rv'iMon of the Legislature. By an act of the la?: C'csKral Assembly, it was made the duty of the Executive to appoint two individuals to assist the Commissioner httving charge, of the Wabavh and I - tie canal, in making; a further and final selection of the lands due to the 8tate for the cons'ruction of that on of the work lying between iort the mouth of i ippceanoc river and the )hio state line. The peisons appointed were the Hon. lla-ud Ilillis and .lord .in Vice.-. Esq. The;r report, in conjnnctuin with the commissioner. J. i. U illiams, accompanying tin- message, will satisfactorily show the manner in which thev have discharged the important duties assigned them. This repott. areenbly to t lie Act of Congress upon that subject, has been transmitted, ly me, to the Secretary of the Treasurv ol the I.. S. I he object of the Legislature in expediiin these selections was, to rahe funds for the completion of the canal by effecting a speedy sale oi the lands. By the commissioner's leport you will be advised in detail of tiie result of Lis operations; and to what extent that desirable object was nttained. The late treaties with the M :::mi ! Tribe of Indians, proved exceedingly del-j rimental to the interest of the state. In. consequence of nearly all the numorous Indian grants having been located upon the laiuifc which fell to the lot ot Indiana, the state loses tiie benfu of their greatly enhanced value by rea on of their contiguity to the canal. It appears that on ihe regular alternate canal tiers unappropriated by these grants, there was found to be only 01,111 acres subject to di-v noal by the state which have been classed and rated as follows, viz: First class. 1,7 17,01 at s? SI 2.23 G Second class, IS.'.". 3,27 acres at $5 1,'doo 33 Third class, li,000,.'i act est at .s-i 123, CO I 4T Total rated value $230,1930 Of the lando that have been sold at public sale and private -ntry up to the ISth Nov. inclusive, as follows: Of the first class 17".03 acres at an average of $7.19 s 3.701 00 Of the second class IT. 120, fil acres at an average of sto.oS 3D 9 1 17 Of the third cfas 13.10, 2 acres at an average of S3 1 31201 11 Total SjIcs tj 5

Showiiiir a total pale of ti b70",6r acrei for an aggregate 5inn of 97 .G S8, inak ing a general average of s-1,13 per acre. On these sales there have been received s-2i.,M'9 ,")7 for the first payment on

the principal, and aIo Vl.079 OS the inas the total receipts up to the time named. (Jn the ISth ISov. there remained unsold of the above lands. V.S.Ol .")..? I acres valued at the sum of $1 It,'. 3 10 18, which are subject to entry. Of the grants made by the treaties to individual Indians and cthri? . j i.-J'.Uh.-o acres have been located within the regular canal tier: thus depriving the state .of by far the most valuable portion of the hinds, upon which she lias heretofore relied as a source of income. In lieu of these grants there has been selerfed cut of other lands belonging to the L S. GO.!?-.'' acres, which is m. posed to form but a fur cquivah nt for the land with-hedd from the State. These -! : ... t i i-r.rci.ou, no-.vprer, muter the construction rjiven to the law, cannot be disposed of hy the state, until the tide be perfected by an act of (.'ongres?, as in the case of the .-elections made in IS'ty, in lieu of lands sold run! reserved in former treaties. In mv communication to the Secretarv of the Treasury these facts were partially noticed, and I expressly advised htm that the state rclinpii'hed her claim to the "J J.'-biO acres only on condition that Corvress confirmed th selection of the. 69,VS acre supposed to be a just equivalent for their loss. The grounds upon which 1 predicate this claim of tiie state are these: tirt, that the fee simple to all the unsold lands whether Indian or otherwise resides in the General Government: secondly, that the Indian title b a possesor one merely: tbirdlv. that the act of Conjrres of I'JT. under which the state claim-, operates a a deed of conveyance; and fourthly, that it is not competent for the Government, bv any subsequent act to transfer to otherswithout the conr-cnt of Indiana, the fee simple to the name land'. There bein no mode of adjusting the difficulty without the intervention of Congress, I respectfully requested the Secretary of the; Treasury, to withhold the 0983 acres from public sale until an npportunitv could be riven to that body lo meet ami net upon the subject. The oppration of the Board of Public works have necessarily been limited. Their duties have been confined principally to closing the outstanding contracts with contractors; the assessment of damages; the preservation of the completed portinns of the public works; the construction of a part of the Madison and Indianapolis Rail Road: and the completion of the Wabah and Krie canal to Lafayette. To accomplish the bitter object, the Legislature, bylaw, pledged to the contractors the proceeds of the salps of the canal lands already named. The 33.SS7 dollar, therefore, reported as having been received from this source has been applied, by the Commissioner to the pavment of their claims. The result of the Legislation of hist winter on the jrcneral prosperity of the Suite ha- been the reverse of beneficial. It may be sera for example, in the icductioii of between fifteen and tutntv millions of dollars in tiie value of all real ami pctonai property in the augmen tation ol the public oeht some k 3,0: o dollars in the way of damages to contractors: in visiting distress, and frequently ruin, upr n the working and industrious portions of community by refusing them employment and paying them in fund which ruhjecttd them to the tender mercies of the broker and shaver and ali this too without a step being taken, an effort made, or a measure suggested eithei to liquidate the public debt, or to meet the annua! interest accruing upon it. The amount of tolls collected on the Wabash and Eric canal is about ii, 000 dollars; on the Whitewater canal 1 ,."-00 dollars; on the Madison 2nd Indianapolis Kailroad 1-1,000 dollars, and on the New Albany and Vmccnnes McAdamizeil road. nothing; that I know of. The individual having charge of this work has not seen fit to make any report to the Executive. Indeed I am not aware it was made his duty to do -0. The policy of completing two or thrco of our public works is to my mind unquestionable. Through the politeness of the. Marshals employed in taking the census, I have learned that about 0 U) -0 bushels of corn t'.7,000 bushels cf oa's, 38,000 bushels of wheat, and 20.000 head fof hogs have been raised in Marion county this year. A belter or more striking illustration perhaps of the disadvantages under which the farming interet-t of the interior labors for the want of some cheap and convenient thoroughfaie to market cannot be well offered than by simply stating the difference of value between the foregoing articles here and on the batiks of the Ohio last summer. (Horn there commanded from 10 to 13 cents a bushel. here, from ' to 2h a difference of one half against the farmer of Marion, or upon 0 0.00 Ini-ht Is of 180,000 dollars. Stnribng and incredible as this fact may at proci.l appear, though limited to a shone coui.tv. so. I 11 what must be its eh ir11 the prodm e ot all the sursc!er wh. r counties shall be iricluing inieri'