Vincennes Gazette, Volume 14, Number 29, Vincennes, Knox County, 19 December 1844 — Page 1

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ssrpsrva flrajras Tpfpw 1 - In .1.,

1 ' - mim- M Jl ffi M " TRUTH WITHOUT FEAR," VIXEXSES, BADS AAA, TUL'RSAir JlORXI.ta, JIEK 29, 2 81.1.

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JJ . - Gentlemen of the and of the Home j deprutntativea

We have cauae of deep thankfulness bonificent Providence, ih&t during the at yer we have been permitted, with it the limits of our own beloved State, in njoy th blessings of civil nnd religious iberty, unmolested by llie hand of mis guided zeal or lawless violence that the acred right of worshiping Almighty God ccordiiitr o th dictates ot conscience jo justly conceded to each Hud every in dividual by the Constitution, hea, in nrac tiee. been scrupulously respeclid that ihe bem fits of education have been in creased and extended in its various pariments that peace, mu.dity , and good order have prevailed, the supremacy of the lawn been acknow ledged, and the mild influence cf religion fell far flnd near. . The annual meeting of the Uepresen i . ..... . r . i . i . , ff'-i" my oiaie, i wiioe hands are 71 irTporarily committed the great and va ned interests and well being of a conti ding people, in itself, w eil calculate, to awaken that deep sense of responsi hilily which, it i confidently trusted will ensure wisdom nnd prudence in your council, and eventuate i-.i tne publit yood. s the public statutes of the Stata have recently undergone a thorough revision faud at great expense, the hope is indulged t.t.it but few feubjects of a general nature wnl, at tins t hi aid require vour considerution. All legislutiou, but especially that winch m gener I in us bearing, should be exercised with greatcare and deliberation, Miid (except in palpable cases) should be tested by tune and experience, bfore resoit is had to modification or repeal. The ordinaty expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending wiih "J I st day of October last! were S'J J 3G8 73. H' will be shown by the report of the Treasurer, which ha wil! shortly lay before you. Of this sum, howevei. 1 am auuionseil to state, that more thm SIT.'OO were on Recount of stationary for the revised Statutes of 1843. for 'printing and distributing the same, nnd for compensation of the revisers, and the same is therefore justly chargeable to the expenditures of firmer Venn A considerable portion, V.so. of the expense of the con-ung-nt liui't. included in toe first mmed sum. a-crued during the year 181'?, altmv.igh bud: ted and p,ul d in tg the preetu year. Hy the same report it will be sfen. tii.tt under ihe law of i?ie Lfgi?ltnre, the Treasurer etTecled a loan from t ie .Miehigm City, Vineernies, and FortWayne branches of lli2 Slate Hank, lo nibie him to meet the expenses of the Sia'.e. Provision, by law, was made at the aunt) session, which, it wa trusted, would ensure the faithful piying over to the I'reasurv.bv the Collections, the .ime currency by them received for Suite revenue; and as by the panhd absorption of the treasury notes in circulation, which are receivable for taxes, they had con-' eidrably increased in value, a ho: e fas. and yet is entert iined, thai a i amount of bankab'ff funds will thus be coSkete 1, suffi -lent to meet the loan refrred to. at maturity. Bui as laese oftieers are. by the present law, not required to p-iy into th 1 treasury the anvmut due for State revenue, belore the fourth Men 1-iy in February, it i- earn, stlv submitted whether early provi-ion should net be ma le to met a iV unforeseen contingency in rt-ferenee to this debt, as well as to defray the oniiuarv expenses of the ensuing ear. The auditor in his report herewith sub milted, estimates the sum necessary for the ordinary expenses of the current fiscal year, at S67.95J. in this statement, hewever, it should be observed, he does not include any estimate of unaudited claims due before the 31st of O -toh'r last the State house the new Stat- Prison, nor the restitution of trut f in is, which as 1 am informed by him. had been, in the exigencies of the public service, paid out from ths treasury in firmer years without appropriation. The subject of our Slate debt is of primary importance, an 1 demands our atten tion. On consulting the best sources of information, tho following it is believed, it a correct statement of the nature and present amount of all claims against us, with perhaps, a few unimportant variations. Funded Debt. On account of Wabash & Erie Canal, $ 1 .727.000 Internal Improvement, (proper,) 8,900,000 Bank, 2.113.000 MaJiion snJ Indianapolis Rail-road, 456,000 Lawrenceburgh & Indianapolis Rail-roaJ 221,000 Surplus Revenue 294,000 Interest and to redeem Treasury notes, 1,100,000 f 15,1 11,000 Of these there hare been redeemed and cancelled in Bonds, I.S29.000 There were cancelled without being put into circulation of the 1,000.000. being 7 pr cent. Bnch, 1X64,000 C,R93,000 Outstanding, Of these the bank rFJlr'y P"! the interest on J12.318.000 1,390.000 Levinj $10,928,000 On wilch no interest is paid, and no provision i afcT hs pjment. ICO.Ge ;:sixp?r ce.it ia'.-sr-

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iollars, 5 per cent interest, audiie other agricultural States to find a marrent, inteicst. 'ketfor their surplus? Or, should tliere

est, ttiereiore, mi t!;o juiuici! ; i-ert. (cxclu. . what is paid by the bank.) is mi 100,000 tltiliars al G percent., 36,000 dollars at 7 per cent., 10,692,000 at 5 pt-r cent.. i o.ouo 5:14,000 folJ.l-'O The Douieatic or uafanJe 1 debt may be staled 8 follow: ix per cent. Treasury ZS'ot out i-trtiiiling. f,77,oOO 170.000 513.000 Interest thereon H Ibt Jan., Five per cent. Tieasury Notes outsundin, Interet from. sy 1st June H12,tJ 1st Jjnn.try . 1815, ll.rroeu of Michigan City Bank, Vincennes Bank, Fert W a ne Bank, Quarter per cent. Treasury Notes, outf)G.':r,2 40.003 10,000 0,000 ttandin. 30,000 ?o,52l,'J.'i h d the loin by the To this may be former operation- of the Treasuiv, I rem v arious trust fund?; w hi-h should be replaced asspeeddv a posibi. , particularly ihe amount bono , veil from the 3 per cent. run. I winch is m u;h needed and loud JlKli called t.r by the various counties to which it heionjs. In this state of our a'dairs, and prepara tory to acuon on the subject, it behooves us, lo carefully survey the whole grouud, and 'note the obstacles which besel our path. It is far more difficult to pay the inter. est on a foreign, than on a dome-tic debt. In the former case, there i an annual drain of the precious metals, which directy (and under the present banking systliem to a far greattr extent, indirectly,) diminishes the circulation of the couniiy. n die i.uier case me interest is paid to the citizens residing in the same country. in ihe local cunetiey it still remains in tiie same comm iiniy, and no material imiuution in the circulation is occasion ed. The government of Great Hritain would he crusiied under the weight of its immense debt, were it n.t due lo its own subjects. Their onerous taxes could not be borne, if diey were not simultaneously received from, and paid out lo per ms inhabiting t ie Si,ine country. A constant dram of Speeie cannot be lono. ustamed bv anv counlrv. unless the aeuum thereby occasioned, is from time ) lime replenished by itie exoortation of lud istrial products. I'ii e same is tr ;e tf our f reigu com merce. Lasli pavmcins .r b.ilainxs in in favor ol imports would, if continued, iiorliy drain ihe w hole eti nitrv of suele. Hefore tiiat time should arrive, how ever, the greater cheapness of the staples ari-nng from the accumulation at home. ud ilte scarcity of money caused bv us eing sent abroad, would occasion the inner to be exchanged for the latter, and le equilibrium would be restord. The imperatively small nmount of specie rouoht into the United States, by emigraration. or piodueed from our mines, canot be relird on f .r restoring those bal ances, in as much u scarcely keeps ace with the rapi i growth of our popuatnm, as com pared wiih oilier countries. 'he balance of t.:e trade of the United States may at Umbo be unfavorable. lui in that case it will so mi lie r "Jloted by a orrespon.lmg exc.ss of exports. For, it it is at once restored bv ca-ii payments. i.l tueie uuMt be ,iu excess 'ictwaids, to sij)plv the Kof exports of currency Otva-ioned by cu n'i ja y n Mils, which amounts to t.ie same i:)ine. Thus, while our own cou.merci d hi-iory siio-s these vibrations in Ira le, it also establishes the fa l that tho average ep,ris ;ud imports of the United Slate ar.- eqja1. Tile apparent bdlanccs ag iin-i u-, wliile many of the tSiaies were e.igagtd in making loans lro!ii abroad, for objects of iuiprovement, and other purposes, arose from ihe fact that the far greaier portion of the loans passed through our custom houses in the suape of good-, into which they had been converted in Europe. These loans of the indebted States amount to above 200,000,U00 dollars, and it is manifest from what has been said, lhat this large balance when paid, with its accruing interest, must be met, directly or indirectly toiler or later by the increased exportation of our agricultural anil other staple products. If the foregoing views are correct, the discharge of our foreign indebtedness w ill I e more or less onerous, according as the tariff policy adopted by the general government, is more or less restricted. Indiana is now almost destitute of a currency, because there has been a constant drain upon it, to pay our largs balances due to the eastern cities. To supply this deficiency, we must have a ready anil profitable sale of our agricultural productions. A. common argument in favor of the restrictive, system is; that it furnishes a home market for the farmer. But a reference to the returns iu the last census, demon strates that the agricultuial productions of the Lulled Slates, far exceed any domestic demand for consumption. And they would be still greater, if the industry and enterprise of the farmer, were slim'ilaied by remunerating prices. Tha manufacturing Slates, are themselves, laigely agricultural. What they lack in supplying the demand within their own limits collectively, could be ettily furnished by ?- fcir,g";e western Stat?. Where thra re

be an increase of inauufao'urers, sullieient

to consume the surplus produce of the whoh- country, where would their fabrics n'ui 'M marUei' 1 'The we.ilt i of the country consists in the products of labor in its largest sense. The nggregato of this wealth cannot be increased by legislation it is limited by the number, strength, industry and skill engaged in its acquisition. Any legisia noil, therefore, that gives eertain individuals in the community, higher priees er tluir protlucis than they orginally g-it in the naiural course of i. a le, or in older words bestows upon them more than iheir share of aggreg-.ue wealth created by the j )int efforts of ail, muse do it at the ex pense of the others. We have nn illus tration of this truth in the operation of the existing 'pro:ec!ive system,' as it is styled ad i te. We re now paying increased prices for the fabrics of the large maimiacuirers. which are consequently dividing exorbitant profits, many of them H) to 3d per cent., on their invest, meius. And yet the prices of western produce, our almost exclusive reliance for meeting tiiis large and increasing drain ou our means, are at the lowest ebb. We need a system that will 'protect', as equally as practicable, the industry of the lariuer and small mechanic as well as that r . i i of the wealthy capitalist. The question is not, w hether dunes on foreign goods shall be abolished, but w hat shall be their extent? Any amount of duty operates as a corresponding protection to the large manufacturer of the rival domestic article, who, therefore, under this system, must always have an advantage to that extent over the farmer. And ouhl he not lo be satisfied with this protection when created by duties suhieieut for a reasonable revenue? It has not been proposed to Congress to reduce the t.ritf duties below those established under the administrations of Washington, Jefferson or Madison. Ou the contrary, a w illingness ha been manifested lo go beyond them, if found necessary, for the economical expenditure ol the government. Many f:dvocates of the so called t'jrotcctii e"' policy profess to be in favor of a system limited lo the lieal necessities ol the country, or as it is usually termed a revenue Tariff. Hut under tile existing land" regulations, we find that the revenue will largely exceed the legitimate Wdiits of ihe Treasury. This not only tempts to lavish prodigality on the pari of government, but it operat -s' as an -p-oppressive tax on western labor. Its effect is the greater or less exclusion of imports, which, a? his been shown, must limit tin; amount of our experts to a corresponding extent. This results di rectly as a two I dd injury lo the f ann r for, by the exclusion of foreign manulac lures the demand lor and price of the domestic article w hich he is compelled to purchase is increased, while t!ie demand f.r the produce of his own labor, ihuaccniiiulated al home, is limited and the price consequently diminisned. Tiie most thorough conviction is felt, thai our eiiibarias-uiionis uust, to a greater or less extent, he autiravateJ, while such a system continues to exist. The gteai m-ts of our fellow-citizens, I will not suffer myself to ilo ibt, are willing nay, anxious to meet all o.ir just obligations. With them ii is not a question of inclination b it of ability. Mm the extent of ihe debt, the actual condition, and means of the State, and a more thorough examination of the whole sub ject. have only seived to confirm me in the opmion I expressed on a lornier occasion, that it is beyond our power, at leat for th present, t ) meet our liabilities. Indeed so far as my observation has extended, ihe opinion advanced bv my predecessor in his last annua' message 'ilia: we cannot now pay the interest on our public debt,' is universally entertained among the people of the Slate. Since the bst adjournment, I have received a communication from Boston, en closing a memorial from sundry of our bond holders in London. It was only compoteut for me to acknwledge itsreceipt. express my individual opinion as to the ability of the State to meet their claim.4, and engage to lay the memorial before the General Assembly, which is accordingly done. Under all the circumstances. I would recommend that provision be made by law -for the appointment of one or more Commissioners, to receive any such communications as may be hereafter addressed to the authorities of the State, in reference to this mailer, in the hope of making an arrangement as to ail our just debts, which, while it will bring the subject within our means, will save ihe honor of the State, and be satisfactory to our creditors. Such an arrangement should of course not be binding until ratified by the Legislature, or what is perhaps, better, until confirmed by a direct vote of the people. The latter, it is understood, was the course adopted by Michigan in relation to a portion of her debt, and thil the arrangement was duly ratified at the polls by her citizens. Few among us, 1 hope would be found willing to repudiate any just claim against tho Slats, and I have great confidence that if iu the minnr propisrd, a pla:i f;r cx

tinguishing the ciebl is matured and agree i

upon one which in terms would be teasi hie and clearly brought within the ability oi wie ruue to meet, mat an nnpeal Vj the moral sense f llu citizen for iiis ap proval ai the ballot bo.. will not bo made in vain. Toe settlement of this question would infuse more of confidence throughout the community, worn I iiunrove the credit of our citizens individually, would encour age emigration and hasten the improve iiieo'.oi me country, uur creditors, too, when thoroughly informed of our con union, and the extent ol our means, will it is hopd, see their interest in an early ad justment of this matter, before the present anxiety of the people to discharge the debt is succeeded by apathy and despair. In some of the indebted States the payj :n-?nt of their foreign liabilities, bv a salt of their public works, has been agitated, In favor o: this policy in our own State, it lias been urged by some that our creditors advanced the loans, not on the ability of the Stale to make payment with its disproportionate, resources, with which they imist have first made themselves acquainted, but on tiie expected productiveness of the works for tiie construction of which the loans were made that they could be finished more cheaply and speedily by individual enterprise than bv governmentthat when completed they would be equully as profitable lo purchasers as to the State, if she were ihe proprietor; and lhat they co ;id make payment for them at the cost of construction, in our depreciated bonds at par. On tha other baud tiie advantage to tho State by the adoption of such a measure, it has been suggested, would be that these works would thus speedily be completed, which otiierwise would bo linnnssi e or the State wiih her piesent means and credit i . . ' i .i..i , io umsn iiiat i;ie ueneiit to our citizens would, in that case, be as great as though the works were constructed by the State; that the progress of the works would give employment to o ir labor and a mirket for our produce, and finally, that our Stale debt would thus be substantially absorbed. Provision might be made lo limit the sales lo ' e unfinished works, to prevent the exaclio -:-. travagatit tolls and e"'-f;,' and that tr. woi ks 'iin),0ol should ultimately revert to and be the property of the State. Odier restrictions might be added if found necessary for the rights of ihe respective panics. 1 am aware that bv nn act of our Leghlattice of IS -12, the privilege was extended to our creditors to purchase from the State ail or any part of these works, making payment therefor inour bonds at their face. Although no bonds have been received in ibis way, it nnv have arisen Irom the fact, that it not only requires the joint action of a considerable number of our bond holders to make such an undertaking feasible or profitable, but t lie v mht desire further le'riLlive action to secure their r :igLij. Power inicht also be conferred on the same commissioners to in goliate with our creditors in relation to the latter mode, subject iu like manner lo the ratification of fie I'eop'e, if the Legislature, on a full examination of the whole ground, shall deem it advisable. j Uy tiie ad jtiun of some such measure! lor rc'civing overtures from, and neiroliating with, our creditors, preliminary to a final adjustment of the whole matter, we shall give stronger evidence of that sincere desire, which I a in satisfied is felt among us generally, to rest re the honor and ci edit of the Stale and its citizens, than by vague and general professions against repudiation. Ily the accompanying report of the Ad jutant (ieueral it will bo seen, lhat under the existing laws, no returns of the strength of the militia of the State have been re ceived, and that i:i consequence we have been drawing our quota from the General Government ever sinco the year 1832, on the basis of the report then made of our military strength lo ihe War Department. That quota is estimated at the yearly value of S5.320 00, and as our population Ins more than doubled since that period, the just annual value, had we now the means of reporting our strength, would amount to at least $10.01 ) 00. I -sides tli3 loss already sustained on this account since ISi-l, it will be seen that in the ensuing ten years it would amount to more than ."0,0 SO, and lhat too, w ithout taking into consideration our future gtowth in population. Hy the report of the Q lattermater General, herewith submitted, it will be seen that no record or account has been found in his office of the arms received by the State from the General Government, tinder the act of Congress of 1808. until the 31st of December, 183'2, nor from the 22d of August, 1837, until the quota received during the present year, although we are advised, by a letter from the (Jriltn'mce of fice. of the 20th of March last, that "the State sf Indiana has drawn her regular an nual quota up to and including the year 1813." In this connection a few remarks will be submitted as to the security and preservation of the public arms. The usage has hitherto prevailed of loaning them to independent companies, organized from time to limp, under the laws. The law of 131 required receipts to be ttdten for all

arms thus distributed; yet by that report the desire of profiting by the experience it is shown that but one such receipt has of similar institutions elsewhere, the conbeen lound tliat the only record or ac- templatcd system, if found expedient, count lound of such distribution commences could not go into operation until the expim June, 1835, showing that the public ration of the term for which the State arms ihus distributed amount lo the esti- lVison has been let to the present supermate of lbo, muskets, amounting, with intendents. I am gratified, however, on the accoutrements, lo "Jli,570 0J. which reflection and inquiry, in being able toexfalls snort of what was received during press my conviction that whether the iu'he same period ao tue amount of IdOl sritution be conducted under individual or muskets, worth 31,(5 ()0, for which State control, the labor of the convicts can, there is neither charge nor receipts. In as soon as the new prison is comnleled, le consequence .,f this omission, the Quar- directed into such channels as will confino termaster General is mainly dependent on . them within ihe prison walls, and which, casual information, for a knowledge of the while it will be more profitable to the locality and condition of the far rreater State, will not enter into rnmttl:mn .;,.

part of the arms heretofore distributed. In many cases it is ascertained lhat compa-

nies receiving aims have teen subservient-; of minor offences punishable by indictly broken up or disbanded, and that the incut, under existing laws, might not bo arms have been scattered and injured; and advantageously transferred to the Justices in most cases, (especially as to those which of thef-aee, where the fine imposed were early distributed.) it i- feared thev ! would romf? wiihin il.pir ;.,r;s,!i;.. -,., -1

have been entirely lost to the Slate. Some y et be regarded as an adequate punishpuuhc spirited officers, a is understood. J ment. This course, if found nraerienble

have adopted ihe precaution of keepin tiie arms allotted to iheir respective companies, in their own care, excentin on i . . days when they are required for manual exercise. A3 ine comiuanuant ot the company is now made responsible bv law for the safety of the arms, it is respectfully submitted whether justice lo him, as well as the interest of the State, do not require that his personal custody of the arms, with the limitation referred to, should not enter into the bond which he is now required to give for iheir preservation. Unless our just proportion of the public arms are duly received and faithfully preserved, it is manifest that the wisdom and foresight of the General Government in piovidmg them at grest expense, for the different States, will, to a great extent, prove abortive so far as Indiana is concerned. It is therefore submitted to the w isdom of the Legi.-lature w hether some measure should not be adopted, to enable us to receive our rightful pioportion of the public arms. t No official information has as yet, efai received of the progress made duri:?f '.n'tr? present year, in the extension of th'iVa bash and F.rie Canal from Lafay'. Terr 1 M V -;'- od, Iip that the report of the Supermtenuensot be communicated io you, and lhat ohicer, Ine contractors and othors en-1 gaged in the construction of ihe canal, have been as actively employed as the embarrassments connected with ihe work would permit. It is respectfully recommended that every facility consistent with other interests, be afforded lo that important enterprise. As it will be attended with no further expense to ihe State, the Lnds granted bv Government being deemed sufficient for its construction, the sooner it is completed, the belter will it be for every interest concerned. Under tiie authority of a joint resolution of last session, John II. Robert", of Putnam county. IMwin J. Peck, of Ma rion county, and William Wines, of Vigo county, were appointed immediately after the adjournment to examine the foundation, materials, workmanship, and progress of the new State Prison. As iheir report, under the resolution, miht. bv its requirements. retiliT r-aily action on my part ml -visable, to avoid delay. 1 repaired to Jefferson viile, to aliord all necessary a-sht ance. Mr. Wines being prevented from meeting his colleagues there, his place w as supplied by the appointment of Benjamin Cornelius, of I'V.d county. The report of these gentlemen male it my duty, under the resolution, according to my judgment, "to cause the work to be suspended." On looking into the contract, it was next thought expedient to endeavor toeompoun J w ith the contractors for its relinquishment, as authorized by the resolution. As the contractors would entertain no terms of compromise, whatever, a new contract was entered into, by which ample security was provided for the future tho number of ceils originally contracted for. ami the form, dimensions, and untcria'.s of the work to be thereafter con-trueted, were made subject lo the alteration of the Executive, or tho I, J;islature. It was r.lao provided that all claims for damages or compensation on toe part of the contractors, by reason of the deviation from, or stoppage of the original contract, were thereby relinquished. Failing to effect a compromise, ss before remarked, the queslion whether any, and if any, what compensation should be paid for the work condemned by tiie examiners, (limited princi pally, if not wholly, to the foundation of the outer wall.) wes. by the new contract, lefi open for the future fteiioti of the Legislature. Toe report of the txaminers, exhibiting the condition oi the work in detail, is subject to the inspection of the Legislature, and their report, a visiters of the old State Prison, will shortly be submilled to you. The report of the superintendent nf,ihe work under ihe new contract, w ill also be laid before you wl.cn received. The preparation of a S3 stem for lite management, discipline, and government of the Slate Prison, under the exclusive control of the State, required by the last named resolution, has beeu deferred for ihe wantnf information on the subject from other Stales, which 1 am in the expecta tion of receiving. This postponement has occasioned the less regret, a, besides

( the mechanical industi y of the citizens. It is submitted whether the cognizance

would afford the circuits more time (Vene- . . , rally much needed) for the consideration of more imp riant business, relieve many i r . , im. , u many ! persons from a heavy tax upon their lime as witnesses in the circuit courts, for which, in criminal cases, by ihe present law they receive no compensation; exempt the defendant from a higher bill of costs, which independent of the fine, makes the punishment disproportionate to the offence; caue a more prompt and general execution of the penal laws of that grade, and tend to some extent to relieve the Supreme Court of its heavy and increasing labors. The amniount of business before tho Supreme Court, occupying nearly all the time of the Judges, with the prospect of its greater increase, in future, demands the early attention of the Legislature. It is unnecessary to remark on the great importance of prompt action in Oris matter to the rights of individuals and to ihe public interest. By a joint resolution of the last Legislature, the Executive was requested io communicate by mail with the GovernNew York, expressive t-f the de-jirn -t the privilege of a drawback nn salt faclured in tint State and delivered ,ayette might bv law be extended to e other points on the Vabai and .rie Canal. This duty was performed but no information has' yet boen received of the result of the application. I no annual report from the Hoard of Examiners of the Infirmary at Lafavetto -for the relief the sick connected with the navigation of the Wabash and Erie Canal, in which they set forth the causes ih3V have rendered the act of the last session providing for that institution, inoperative, has been received, but not in time to be noticed more particularly in this communication. It will at an early day be submitted to you for such action as you uuy deem adv isable. The Trustees of tha Indiana Asylum for educating the Deaf and Dumb, "have been organized under a law of the last session appointing them, and have been actively engaged in ihe discharge of their duties. The report of their proceedings, required by that acr, has riot yet been furnished by the committee to whom i'. preparation was assigned, but I am gratified in being enabled to state th?-t they have succeeded in procuring the conimued services of qualified teachers in the institution, that the instruction of a number of Deaf mutes has been continued without interruption, and that the success of thai benevolent enterprise, coesideiing ihe infancy of the establishment, and the means at its disposal, have fjllv equalled expectation. The report refeired lo, containing a detailed account of the progress and condition of t.'ie Asylum will shortly be laid belore the Legislature. While on this subject, 1 desire io ear nestly call your ; Ueutio:i to ihe importance of providing an institution for the education of the liiintl, and for ihe construction of a Lunatic Asylum. Modern philantiuopy hr.s happily devised the mcrms of educating those who are deprived of fight, and we should regard it as a sacred d.bt w hich we owe to those unfortunates to afford th:-m the benefit of this benevolent discovery. It is now ascertained lhat insanity, the most terrible disease which afilicis our race, will in a majority of cases, readily yield to medicine and kind (reatment. if these are resorted to in lime. Its wretched subjects would lhti3 be restored to the kindly charities of tho domestic circle, to the benefits of society, and to 'heir various relations, obligation's, and advantages as members of the State. Su r&iy these unfortunate classes are nil entitled to our warmest sympathy, eni iheir relief to the extent of our ability, is called fur by sound economy, by enlightened policy, by ihe gratitude we owe to a merciful Providence for our own exemption from those t i!s, and by the obligation of religion. Thai your deliberations may be cherrcterized by wisdom, moderation Mid hr.rmony. is my ardent wish; and nil u, ensures for sustaining thp honor nn i credit of ihe State, and for the promotion s ihra! welfare, will receive j ----- tli v hear ; co-opci atioii. JAMES VIUTCO;,iri. EXKCUTIVK ClJAMBEa.) December :t. 1811.

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