The Wabash Courier, Volume 16, Number 20, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 15 January 1848 — Page 2

THE COURIER

JESSE COWARD, KUitor.

SATURMV^JAN. I5,!84a

Editor absent.

NEW CARSIIB.—Should any of our subscribers in town fail to receive their paper, we hope to be immediately informed in order that all mistakes may be prompt ty corrected.

The Governor'* Memgt, which will be found in our column* thi« week, wasde livered oo Tuesday afternoon, and ia the only item of importance we have from Indianapolis, since the recant meeting of the Legislature.

The Democratic Slate Convention, oo the 8ih inst., appointed the followinf elector*

FOB

STATS ELICTOAS.

Robert Dale Owen, of Posey county and Ebenezer M. Chamberlain, of Elk hart county. rou coifTisoiirr STATE KIECTOBS-

Andrew L. Kobitnon, of Vanderburgh county, and Walter March, of Delaware county.

FOB CONGRESSIONAL ELECTORS. 1st Dist., Nathaniel Albertson. of Har rison co. contingent, Smith Miller, of Gibson. 2d Di»t., Cyrus L. Dunham, of Wash ington contingent, John F. Carr, of Jackson. 3d Diit., W. M. McCarty, of Frank'io contingent, Isaiah W. Robinson, of Ripley. 4th Di«t., Chas. H. Test. of Wayne contingent, John S. Reid, of Union. 5th Dial., James Ritchey, of Johnson contingent, H. H. Barbour, of Burtholomew. 6th Dial.,Geo. W. C«rr,of Lawrence contingent, D. M. Dobson, of Owf»n. 7th Dist., Henry Secrist. of Putnam contingent, John B. Nees, of Clay. 8th Dist., Daniel Mace. of Tippecnnoo contingent, Lorenzo C. Dougherty. 9th Dist.. G. N. Fitch, oi' CHSS contingent, Gilbert Hatha way, of Lanorie. 10th Dist.. Andrew J. Marino.ofGrant contingent, Morrison Ruton.of Jny.

The extreme length of the Governor's Message excludes much other matter pre* pared for this number.

LATER FROM MEXICO. The steamship

Neio Orlean*

arrived nt

New Orleans on the 28th ult., from Vera Cruz, which port she left on the 24th.— We are indebted to the N. O. Mercury of the evening of the 28»h for the following items of intelligence:

The Free American of the 20th, announces the arrivnl nt Vora Cruz on the 18th of 68 wsguns from Jala pa escorted ty 95 men only, under the commit nd of Lieut. Tilghman, of the Baltimore batallion of artillery—and says "After loading tho wagons with provisions and ammunition, tliry will return to Jniapa. The troop* und*r Lt. Ttlgh* man's Battery, 15 dragoons, and 50 infantty of the New Jersey batallion commanded by Lieutenants Young and McDowell. It is rumored that Gen. Marshall, who is tit Jala pa, will march on Orir.aba, as soon as he can get the necessary ammunition. Pudro Jnrautn the known guerrilla chief, is now recfiiiting in that city. There aro about 2,000 men in Ja lapa."

In the Free American of the 2lst, we find the following "This morning several persons of note arrived in this city from Mexico, among whim we noticed Gen. Pierce, Col. Tal* bot, Col. Smyth, bearer of despatches to Washington, Mr. J. H. Peopl™, editor of tho American Star Dr. Burton, Lieut. Lewis Dixon, late ot the Alabama Volunteers he was wounded several times in the battles of Mexico. Those gentlemen left Mexico on the 8th inst. with the train, which thay left at Plan del Rio day before yesterday. We have converged with onr of those gentlemen, who i»*ld us thai it was his opinion that peace would soon tie made. Gen. Pierco wul leave lor the Stales in a few days. "We had the pleasure of meeting Mr. John

II. People*, editor of th« American Star, published in the city of Mexico. Mr Peoples has been in thw country since the commencement of the war. He wis*, mong the first who volunteered to shoulder tho musket when Gen. Taylor called upon Louisiana, and he was the first man who published an American newspaper in the Republic, as well ss in the c:ty of Mexico.

4,Gen.

Twiggs who is now in command:

of the train which ts on i*s way to this city, appointed Governor of the Department of Vera Crux, and will remain in command here until the arrival of Gen. Jessup. Gen. T. will then go home as Quartermaster General. ••We understand that Gen. Pierce will reeign his commission in the army, as aoon as ho arrive* in the United State*, "On the 27th inst Gen. Lane with detachment foughl the Mexico* «i a place named Xlaiamoroe, whipped them and captured several prisoners. We have lo regret the lose of L»eut. Rtdgeiy, of the Artillery, and Asst. Adj.General to Geo. Lane."

From the Fr*a American of the 23d. we learn that Geo. Twiggs arrived to Vera Crux oo the previous day, end a bo the train which he commanded. A great many wounded officers and soldiers were to thetrain.

The ship Texas arrived yesterday, in six days from New Orleans, having 270 recruit* on board, under Lwit. Howard.

The officers stationed ai Puebia Have resolved to present a medal to Gen. Lane. Oo one side of it »s to be the General's likeness, and on the other aide he will be represented entering the city of P««bla. Tho medal i# to coat 1.00(1.

The New Orleans brought oeera targe number of passengers also the remains of CokneU Bmier. Msrtm Scot^jpd Ran»om.

COVERNOB'S MESSA8L. GemUtrntu if tit Smtau *nd tkt HomMtJ Rtpnttntmlnti

Hsvisg eeaveaed Cor ihsperterroaiiea of the important duties commuted to roar charge by lbs Mopto ol tbs State, it becomes my duty (a dutjr which it is regretted I was prevented Irwa performing before four Isis adjournment by severe bodily injury, the rceuh of a recent accident) to commsnteste to yon tbe condition ot the commonwealth, sod to suggest tocta treasures as rosy seem

IO

be demanded tor the preservation and increase of the public weliare. doing so, it affords me a heartfelt pleasant to eoogrataiaie you upon the geaerai prosperity which has prevailed wiibin oar borders daring the pest rear. We hsve enjoyed the blessing* ot health in an anusual decree, the supremacy ot the laws has been maintained, and the Isberof the husbandman has been bountifully rewarded by luxuriant crops, which he has been enabled to dispose of at liberal prices, thus giving a renewed impulse to business ot every description. Evidences of great improvement in the condition of the people are every where visible. Out cities sad towns ate steadily increasing in wealth and population, and the primeval forests which still cover tsrge portion of the country are rapidly disappearing, to give place to the rich producir whtct. are drawn by the band of industry from generous and fertile soil. For these, and the Bum bertaw other advantages we enjoy, we owe unbounded gratitude to Uod, in whose hands are the destinies ot nations, who has placed us in a land of religion, liberty, and plenty thus enabling us to advance our moral and social condition, and to acquire thst political and physical independence irora which so Urges portion of the human iamilr is debarred. It becomes us, therefore, to acknowledge IIii goodne*s with suitable reverence, and to invoke a continuance of flu Messing* upon our belovrd country sod upon our eff»rt» to discharge with fidelity the trusts which have been committed to us The increased prosperity ol the country, I cannot, but think, is, under Divine Provt dence, in a great measure to be attributed to a wise change in the policy of the general govern mentot the Union, with regard lo our commerce with foreign nations The repeal of the high ts riffof 1842. and the adoption oi a more liberal sys tern ot duties by the set of 1846, has not only had the efleei of producing an increase of revenue to the national treasury, but an increase of profits to th® agricultural* I'hHi ctiM of our fellow ciu* sens, constituting ths main foundation of our national wealth and prosperity, has, by means of diminished duties on commerce st home snd abroad, been enabled to find a market for a greater proportion ol their surplus products iban they otherwtsecould have disposed of to advantage. Making every allowance for any influence on prices hich may have been produced by a season of unusual scarcity in Europe, vet when we consider that how great soever nisy be the necessity of the people of other countries, their ability to purchase lood from us is limited by their ability to pay for it by the produce of their own labor, it is evident that every restriction which prevents us from receiving such produc in return, must reduce the q-iactity or value of that which they receive from us. Happily lor all parties,—for the over-produ-cer of our own country, aa well as the stsrving consumer abroad,—upon the occurrence of a general failure of the crops in Europe in 1846, the restrictions which had formerly existed were, ins great measure, removed, and we were prepared to reap the full benefit of the increased demand thus created. It is to be remarked, also, that while those engaged tho cultivation of our soil have been so greatly benefitted by the opening of a for eign market, the manufacturing and commercial classes hsve enjoyed at least their lul I share ol the common prosperity. The great increase of manufactories. and of manufacturing and commercial capital, since the patsage of the comparatively low tariff ol 184f», provrs that these interests are in a most flourishing condition. In fact, the agricultural interest so greatly predominates in this country. thst most others are in a great degrw dependant upon it. and must, to some extent, flourish or Isnguish as that becomes prosperous or depressed. Indiana is especially an agricultural State, and it is of theu'most importance to our citizens that the sound and enlightened policy of low duties or a revenue tariff-ol striking off alt restrictions upon trade not acquired by the wanta of the public treasury, economically administered—should continue to be maintained. Many of our fellow citi zens who entertained serious apprehensions that the establishment ol this policy would he fraught with great evil, if not with ruin to most of our leading interests, sre doubtless gratified to find at lenath that their apprehensions were not only without foundation, but that the very reverse is true. ItafTords mesull greater pleasure to be able to remark that the prescn: increase of prosperity appears to be fouuded, at least to a fir greater extent than heretofore, upon a solid snd suhstancial basis It was not brought about a« merely by a wUd and extravagant spirit ol speculation, nor by a simitar expansion ot the currency, but mslnly by the gradual and wholesome operations of a profitable trade, confined within its legitimate channels. There is now no great hanking institution under national authority, overshadowing all the other monetary institutions of the country, capable of wielding an almost irresistible political power, and able, by means of a vast capital and the control ol the national treasury itself, to contract or expand the amount of currency in circulation throughout the entire country, and consequently to ct»use the prices of every kind of property to rise or fall, as it might supply or withdraw i!te means of payment Since the exis'ence_of the la» institution of the kind in the United Stales, more than ten years have elapsed, and more ihnn six since its gigantic substitute under the same name, created by the Legislature of a sister State, ceased ns operations as a bank of circulation The whole country, since their extinction, has been stmdily advancing from adversity to prosperity, and our subsequent experience has, it ts believed. bnen long enough to settle the so much agitated question, how far auch an institution is necessary to the trade, the productiveness, the enterprise. or the general welfare of the country.

The constitutional treasury, by which the col* lection and disbursement ot the national revenue are entirely disconnected Irom hanking operations, has been in full operation more than twelve months Yet the inconveniences which many no doubt honestly apprehended from the absence of a National Bank, and the establishment of an inde pendent treasury have not been experienced. On the contrary, during the time which has elapsed since tts establishment, the largely increased disbursments rendered necessary by the existing war. have hern mads through iisagency.at various and distant points without loss, and with the requisite ease and promptitude. A far greater amount ot gold and stiver is inltwed into all tho channels of our circulation, than at any former period of the history of our country. Kxchanges upon all points are uniform, cheap and readilv to be obtained, and thee* rs»p«cis the* favorably contrast, it ts believed. wtih those of any nme during the sway of a Bann ot the United States They are not based upon fictitious movements of Hank credit, but upon ihe true snd only sound principle upon which hey can be well rrjiifated, namely, upon ac ual hustneast transact tons between different sections ol thecoantry. When it is constdred that during the experimental operation oi these leading menaures ot national police, it hasbern their lot to en counter ths adverse influences of a foreign war. which cannot tad more or Im to affect the trade, and resources of a country, their intrinsic merits and the wtodom of their adoption most be still more manifest. In fine, every thing indicates that the present appearance of financial improvement throughout theeoontry. no iHuswwt, snd that a fair promise is a#»rded, ol its being sebstamial and permanent, nevertheless it should be remem berrd that when the tide of prosperity •welling: to ns greatest (wight there is ths greatest need of caution. T*« rmpfesathls energy and love ©fee terprtee of the American people, are apt to induce, them, when fired with snecess, to overleap the bKHindsul preoence snd fall into extravagant and mitiMt speculations The sore and the only ware tenwey a garnet this threatening evil, ts ibeotosrvancv olWnomv and industry.and shove all, t» relief

(it mtUtfmmi* »f er*4*t

that

Oceaston was ta­

ken tn former communications to express my se.-t-ous convictions that the observants of thiscestMn it essential to the connnuance ol our welfare and prosperity, lmpetlei hy a filial regard tor the State. wh*eh ts the seat of my house and

mf

at

teehnteats, snd which has la»d me under deep snd renewed obligations, cannot omit, in this errtw of eet (flairs. eaet mors mation my leltow ctt-

twma

a*anst a

practice

which

«pernt®«

has

pro

e*e to h« fraught wtihrvta It ts earnestly te he hoped

white tbej »i»iosirtot»» and v,g*

ly improve the sdvaatsgse that sre now w.:..*e itK«r reach, they wilt he snScientty oarefai a* void the evils tate srhxh they have lailee W" itrts cause on former SCCHMM.

The present war with tfttet is deeply te he re* gt»tt«rf, iMwncfe as the oowseqoeoees vf

a reasrt

to anew, are at all times seneasty he deplored, end *es sslti a psopte blessed hya gov. eran •. sa-_ .jrttm .-us mit* ners. Nevtrtholess the Congwes sf the Hatted 5tat«*. veeted hy the eonetttntwM with tfee f. p«*«r. MVta* iietlswd, hy ewe nsa Atiig untAttattv, that war ex*-*, and hy the set *1 Mextea. it l» wxaee w, Ameeteaa tkmm,

to uphold the

right, tit henee, and the lawre el o«r common itry. at sit h*t»rds and ta e*ery emergency 1 hweey irf owr rsos has hot tee fctaacwtahlf proved, that hew great soever my he its d*r«, poses is not the aw**t of anv aatteo thepeeiftcswrtt awl eaitey «L O«M power AIMNHY a cot sondtng ep»rit oa ths part of ethera. the ^ses «a dwpete are Istft is the *st rvoort t« the •(hitrattee eT the weed, Few Nmensee. it Is he* iieeed, ate to hr the page of hetory„a« war. mm* jss f'»-• ly r4e leaw «f tsofew# iar as the Unnod Stats* ate eewenrned. than that »h»ce they ate «ew e*f»jr»d with Meuoa fsestng by a lettg SMTMS OI aggfesmoea, runs tag lack tons the y«ar lift, wh»ch was thefrst of her asserted tadnfeadeece, age tost the

pn^tarty ol our citi sens, for which reparation wse promised by its aeeredited agents, only to be followed by dissppwntmeot—passing by the patience and long auflenag of oar own government, under the Isst six sdmimsirsitons, Mexico at last brought on the war, hr striking the first blow, and shedding the first blood.

Nor can it bo successfully maintained, that the advance oi our troops beyond the N ueess, was the real cause of the tear, when it is considered that long before that advance,Mexicohad distinctly snd repeatedly taken the ground through her Minister at Washington, tier government at home, and her generals in the field, thst ihe annexation of Texas was the true cause and origin ot the war which ins ensued.

Before the sdvsnce ol oar troops too, it was repeatedly snd formally published by different commanders ot the Mexican armies, that their okgeet and mission, was to conquer snd wrest from our possession, one of the Sistes of this Union—a State which had been made auch, with the due solemnities of law, and that loo, from territory ae quired before the preeeni administration ot oar government came into power.

This war then, it is true, was a war of conquest, hot it was so on ihe part of Mexico. Such cerisinly is the fact, if any faith is to be plseed tit the solemn declsrslions of a nation, made through its authorised luncttoaariee, and followed up by corresponding sction. lt ia demonstrable then, that the war waa brought about by the unjustifiable sets and aggressions of the Mexicsn Governments for it :s assumed aaa proportion that is incontrovertible, that whatever difference of opinion may have exiated in our own country as to the mere policy or expediency of the acquisition of Texas so fsras the United States were concern*!, yet that Mexico had no reaaon to complain of that mea* eare That territory was st that lime, both by right and in lact, as independent of the control ol Mexico, ss was Mexico herself of tbe crown ol Spain, againat which she hsd also previously rebeled, snd was so reoogn ised bv the principal nationaof the civihxed world. Under these circumstsnces, to hsve oeen deterred from doing sn set not improper in itself, clearly justified by the Isws of nsiions, and cslled for by the unanimous votce of those interested by the threats of party, who was not entitled to interfere, would have involved further aggression from the same quarter, snd lowered the character ol our country in the estimation of all other nations. In the progress ol the war thus forced upon us. fsr from bein^ ac:uated by a mere spirit of conquest or of rapine, the olive-brsnch has been uniformly borne in advance, and the cruelty and faithlessness of an insidious foe, have been met on the part of our troops generally, with a forbearance, a kindness snd a magnsnimity rarelv equslled. We have desired only to sustain the nsttonal dignity and honor, and to secure such results as would afford some guaranty lor the peaceful conduct of an arrogant and faithless race for the future, and a full and ju*t indemnity for the past. Being engaged in the war, humanity itsolf would seein t* require its energetic prosecution, as well for the purpose of saving the effusion ol blood bv bringing it to a speedy close, aa to inspire thst snd other powers with such a respect for our prowess as will, for a long period, it is hoped, save us from the necessity of again having recourse to arms.

Thst the indemnity to which we are entitled, should consist of territory, is manifest in view of the crippled resources and exhausted revenues of Mexico, the instability of her government, the revolutionary character of her people, her fickleness in relation to her past moneyed arrangements, as well as from her immense nominal possessions, which lie conterminous with our western boundaries. which to a great extent are unreclaimed Irotn the hand ol nature and uninhabited, and which in the hands of the present possessors aro likely to remain so for an indefinite period. Ami while such an indemnity will, ic is believed, best comport with the interest and ability of Mexico, it is the most desirable for the United States. Our numbers which increase at a rate to which the history of the world scarcely affords parallel, and the unequalled enterprise and industry ol our people, will soon require additional lands lor their accommodation.

The citizens of this Slate have not only responded to every call that Itns been made upon them by the Genera! Government for «id and assisaianco but they have tendered the services of many additional companies, which could not be accepted. The three regiments of volunteers which were raised during the year 1846, have returned home with honor, after having seen much arduous service. Owing to some misapprehensions or misrepresentations of the facts, much injustice was done to one of thoao regiments in the accounts which were first published ot the brilliant victory ot Buena Vista. Since then, however, public opinion hss been set to right upon that point.and it ts now universally acknowledged that no troop* upon the field contributed more brnvely and effectively in deciding the fate of the day against greatly superior numbers, than the two regiments of volunteers from this State which had the good for tutto to be present.

Besides several companies of regulars, chiefly raited tn this State during the two lust years, two oth» regiments of volunteers have, in the last summer and autumn, departed lor the field of ac lion, the dels iis as to which are contained in the accompanying report of the Adjutant General. 1 cannot too strongly recommenu to your attention the careful preservation of the rights and privileges of the brave men who are thus absent in the service of their country. In every constitutional men lure, having for its object such protection or extension of the politicsl or personal rights as the circumstances may seem to demand, or to evince the gratitude so justly due thein Irom the State for their services and sacrifices, I assure you of my thorough co-operation.

The ordinary expenses of the State Government for the fiscal year ending on the 31st day ot October last, were 190.762 67.

The ordinary expenses for the year 1848, are estimated by the Auditor in his report at the present aewioi:, at $71.900- The number of polls returned for the yfrar 1847, fes'imating for thecounties of Cass. Crawford, Jefferson, Lake. Pularki and Weils, Irom which returns have not been received, as being only the same ns last year.) are V29.857. being an increase of 2,762 over 'hat of the preceding year. The value of the entire taxable proper ty returned for 1847, (estimating in like manner for the same counties., is $ 124.558.060, leaving an increase of 91.904.506, over that ol last year

The amount ol revenue paid into the State treasury during the last fiscal vear, including some previous arrearages, is $362 347.07. being $68.• 486.07 more than was paid in during the previous fiscal year.

The assessment for 1847 is, for Statea purposes #450 574 77 snd for county, township, rosd and school purposes collectively, $562,671.20 Add to these sums the delinquencies ol former years $127,258.47. and tho totsl amount of the duplicates lor 1847, it $1,100,604.43

A slight examination of our present revenue srstem will be sufficient to demonstrate its great susceptibility of improvement Under its workings, it is quite manifest that a large amount of the invisible wealth of the community, such as corporation and other stock, cash on hand or at in term, and the more portable and valuable kinds ol property, he is not found on the sssessinent rolls This description of taxablee is generally ownsd by those who sre bat able io pay, and their non-aaseitement leaves the burden of taxation so much the heavier on property which is visible, and especially on lands, which cannot escape notice and scrutiny, and which the true policy ol our $tate requires, should not he visited with d-slavor. The assessment sheets of 1347 as compared with those of 1846, show a decrease on personal pro periy. in some counties.to the amount of $20,000. in ons county to$40.000. in another to $50,000 and in another to $75,000. The Auditor of SMale has presented soms further facts and reflections, in relation to the present mode of a*e«*smeni*. at the close of his report made at the present session, to which your attention is invited.

Although careful and elaborate legislation is probably necessary to make the system such as it ought to be. yet it is bolievpd that very little labor will be found sufficient to remove its most glaring evils, and the subject recomrtieoded to your early consideration.

By an act of Congress to establish a uniform time for holding elections for electors of President and Vice President ia all the State* of the Union, approved January 23. 1845, it ia provided that the electors shall be apfomted in each Slate on the Tuesday next after the firat Monday in the month of November of the year in which they are to oe appointed. As tbe day for holding such election heretofore, in tlits State, has been on ihe first Monday in November of such year, and as by the existing Stale laws, the returns of the same from the several townships are required to be delivered to the proper Clerk of the Circuit Court on tbe following VVed needay* the postponement of the time of tfe'tvery of such returns until the Thursday after the electron, is rrepectfuMy rec ommeodedk in order that the eatne time may be sflbrded for matoring the returns ander (be present, aa was alloared ender the former law. By the present lav, too, the Governor is required to transmit to the ejectors, certificates of their electtoo, by the hands of the marshal, or of speetal Rxseengers. Prom motives of economy,

it ia presumed that tho marshals will always be employed in the iransmiasbn, unless in case of emergency. If they are so employed, it is desirable that the Leg islature should settle the mooted question, whether they shall receive any compensa tion for that service in addition to that which the present law gives them for trav elling and returning, over nearly or quite tbe same ground, in making their returns* to ihe Secretary of State. And if it should become necesaary to employ one or more special messengers for the performance of that service, some provision should also be made by law, settling the amount and pointing out the mode of their compensation*

By reference to the Auditor report, it appeara that the principal of the late sus pendad debt of Indiana, now amounts (or rather at the commencement of the opera lions under its late arrangement it did a mount) to 911.065,000, in the shape of outstanding bonds. On this amount, no interest had been paid, until that arrange menti since in the year 1841, when the credit of the State was proairated. The amount of the annual interest on that debt, is over half a million of dollar*, [#554.770.] payable half yenrly. This debt, large in itself, was therefore increasing at rapid and fearful rate, and in view of that and of our limited resources, many of our best citizens, involved in despair, and anxious lo leave their property unincumbered to Iheir children, were sacrificing their homes for far less thon their vulue, and leaving the State. The eame causes were preventing men of capital and industry from coining among us to purchase property, improve the country, and add to our weulth. All this, it is ev* ident, had a tendency to increase the gloom mid despondency thai pervaded our bu?ines* affairs generally, and to diminish the ability of the people (the great mass of whom were nlso involved in debt) to meet their individual engagements. Add to these considerations ihe example already set hy other indebted States in resuming payment of their obligations, and it is not surprising that a general anxiety should have existed in Indiana, that its character, if possible, should also be vindicated. The great obstacle that presented itsolf to so desirable a result was the great disparity between the nmount of the debt and the ability of the State for its discharge by means of tnxation. lt WHS under litis conviction, generally, if not universally entertained, that I favored the principle of disposing of the profits of the VVubash and Erie canal in satisfaction of so largen portion of the debt, as to leave the balance within the ability of the State to pay from the treasury, as the only practicable means left the State whereby lo ovoid ihe evils enumerated, and to wipe off the reproach of repudiation nnd 1 earnestly recommend tliut the proposition should be respectfully considi ered. in Ihe hope that it might eventuate in nn arrangement honorable to the S'.ate and satisfactory to its creditors. The result was the passage at the sume session of tho bill, which received my approval on the 19th of January, 1846, to provide for the funded debt of ihe State, and for the completion of the VVubash and Erie canal to Evansvtlle.

Early in ihe following July, a letter was addressed lo my department on the part of the commillee of bondholders, under whose authority tKe proposition had been mude, which had resulted in Ihe passnge of 'he bill referred to.) enclosing resolutions adopted by the committee, in which an opinion wns expressed fnvorable to the principle of Ihnt bill, namely, "the payment of one half of the principal nnd interest by taxation, and the other half by the property nnd tolls of the cnnal, from the Stale line adjoining Ohio to Evansville such property to be assigned to three trustees, nna the Stale to be freed from responsibility on that portion of the debt and interest so lo be secured.1' in my next unnunl message, that of Inst session, communicating the fact that the p.'tncipie of the arrnngement offered by the bill, hnd jec«ived the nssent of the committee, occasion was taken to stale that within ihe sphere of my own observe lion, and so far as mv information extended, the expression of the great majority of our own citizens wns nlso decidedly in its favor. It wns further stated that the bondholders desired somi? modification ol the bill by the Legislature, which I wns informed would not conflict with the principle* of the bill, and yet were not deemed essential for carrying into full effect its fair nnd obvioua intent, and that any such modification* if they addeu nothing to tho burdens of the people, would, it wtis believed, bo responsive to their will, and, it wns also trusted, would receive the fa* vorable action of the Legislature.

The action on Ihe projiosed modifications resulted in the pas««ge of ihe supplementary bill, which received my approval January 27, 1847. Both of these bills contemplated that on the surrender of any of the State bonds, they should be cancelled,and new certificates issued to the holders in lieu of them, and that only onehnlf of the interest due on them (which is fixed at the uniform rale of

five

per cent, per annum,] should be paid from the treasury, and tho olher hslf exclusively from the profits of the cnnal. Roth of the bills also contemplated that the bondholders whoehouldcome into the arrange* ment, should finish the canal to Evansvtlle, at their own expense, aided by the proceeds of ihe lands, dec which were gran' ted to the State for that purpose, and they were lo took to the profits of the canal alone, to repay them the costs of itsconstuc. tion and management.

But while the original bill gave the Stale the option of afterwards throwing one-hslf of the principal also, upon the canal for payments in the supplementary bill, (and consequently hy the law as ii now sis ads) that object ia *t one* affected by em half of the surrendered debt, both principal and interest reeling exclusively upon the canal for payment, tbe State being released from all further responsibility in reUtwwi to it,

Tbe great and leading principle therefore of tbe drat bill, namely, the satisfying of one half of tbe surrendered deb' from the canst, remains unchanged, nor does the •opplemcntary bill involve the State any ftmher in debt. The main difference between the bills, consists ia the latter giving ihe priority in tbe payment of their claims and expeoaea about its coastroetiea, out of the lolls sod profits, over those who would not joie to its constn»ci»oo. Tbe latter claaa however, by surrendering their bonds, would still have

the interest on one half of their debt (equa! to two and a half per ceni on the whole) tstisfied from the treasury aa io the case of the others and they would also be paid in whole or in part the interest oo the other half, from the profits of tho canal if any remained, after paying those entitled to a priority, as before stated. Even if they received nothing from the canal therefore, the amount of interest paid lo them, by heir acceding to the present ar» rangement would be only one sixth less than they would have received under the rival plan introduced into the legialaiure, which proposed lo give but three of the five percent which their bonds called for. By the rival plan too, ths canal would not have been finished, as the credit of tbe State was broken down, and she could hardly have been expected to construct it, with only the lands granted by Congress for that purpose.

This munificent grant then, amounting to about 800,000 acres of land, would in lhat case by the terms of Hie grant, have reverted to the United States, and thus have been forever lost lo Indiana.

By the supplementary bill, all bondholders are allowed to subscribe towards the completion of the canal until as late a period as the first of November last, snd lo surrender iheir bonds any time before the first of the following month. It was also provided that unless tho subscription towards the canal was made, and bonds to the amount of 84,000,000 principal surrendered hy the times limited in the bill for those purposes respectively, the arrangement silould cease and be void.— Apprehensions were expressed on the part of some opposed to the measure, that a comparatively few wealthy persons control ing bonds to that [or a little larger] a mount, would gel possession of the canal to ihe exclusion of the residue of the bond holders, who on account of their supposed poverty, would be unable to pay their quo ta towards completing it, and by reason of the priorities already spoken of be excluded from any snare in the profits, ['he objection was not that Ihe bill of last session imposed any greater burdens up on the people of tho Slate than did the bill of the previous session, (for there was no pretext for (hat,) but that one part of our creditors would be benefitted by it more than the others, and lhat a largo portion of them being unable to come into the arrangement, their claims would thus be virtually repudiated. The fear indeed was expressed by some, lhat but one half of our debt would be brought in (being $5,545,000 of principal, wiih tho interest) that amount being necessary, before the deed of trust for the canal, and its appurtenances should be finally executed.

The right to priority of payment, however seems in practice to have produced an effect precisely the reverse of that apprehended by some, namely, the rapid surrender of a heavy amount of bonds, in the hope of benefitting by the priority while as the first bill, which did not contain the clause in question, no: bondholder wouid accept of its provisions.

It is now cause of congratulation with all tofind that at our last advices more than $9,000,000 exclusive of interest,had already been cancelled under the arrangement. was also informed at tho commencement of the present session, by the trustee residing at New York, that when he left that citv, he had information that the surrender to the amount of about half a million more was shortly expected, and hopes are entertained that tho bulk of the remainder will finally come into the measure. Having been satisfied that the re' qtiisite number of bonds had been surrendered to ihe Agent of Stute for exchange and cancellation, and that the proper amount had been paid over towards the construction of the canal, the deed of conveyance bearing date the 31st day of July last was duly executed to the trustees, as required by the 9th section of the supplementary bill,and consequently the orig inal bill as modified by-thiil, is in full force and operation. Whatever differences of opinion may have existed heretofore in relation lo this measure, it is confidently hwped that now, as the law of the land, and closely connected as it is with the character and prosperity of the State nnd of its citizens, it will receive, as in mv judgement it justly merits, the support of nil, nnd that nothing will bo done or omitted which may be calculated in the least to violate good faith, or to impair tho efficiency of the arrangement. The first half yearly interest was promptly paid on the first day of July last, and although it was found necessary for the legiflature at the ptesenl session to authorize a losn of (he amount of the interest due on (he first day of January, yet not because the present rate of taxation is not sufficient to comply with the new ar rngement. [for it is deemed amply sufficient] hut because the revenue is not required by the existing law to be paid into the treasury until the 4th Monday of Febuary and hence it became necessary to anticipate ttfe revenue by the loan in question.

It is respectively recommended to your enrly consideration, to adopt some permanent measure for preventing any such temporary embarrassment in future.

The final arrangement cannot fail to exercise a favorable influence upon the properly, the morals, and ihe character of the Stale, and is cause of heartfelt congratulation to all. We have suffered much th'rough past fmprovidence, may we never neglect the lessons it has tsoght us. Let no debt be incurred hereaOer, unlets in case nf the most imperative necessity, and not then except provision at ihe same lime be made to pay the interest, and for the extinguishment of the principal. Few will be found hard enough lo advocate annther system of improvements. But Ihe danger lied in commencing one by degtees. If a favor is granted to. one section of the State it gives rise to demands from another, and finally there is eminent danger of irresistible combinations of interests for the prosecution of a number of works, neither of which could find favor alone.

kAsa

general rule, such works are

far better leA te individual enterprise, under the great (aw of supply and demand. Already we have a targe amount of capital in the country, with the prospect of its progressive increase. The inducements for its investment in works of this character, are very great, and the only apprehension that now need be felt i«, that sufficient care witi not be taken in the chartering of companies for Iheir construction, to protect the rights of the public.

If capitalists would not be justified in risking tbeir means to tbe construction of

a particular work or works, the State now just emerging from insolvency, should not berequirwlto do so. The ievel surface and fertile soil of Indiana, offer great inducements tor the construction of railroads, with a view to profit, and the most profitable because the most needed will be first undertaken. When constructed by privste or associated means, there is less extravagance, and leas danger of the faithlessness of agents, than if they are constructed by the State.

In dismissing this topic, beg once more to recommend tbe most rigid economy, now rendered, if possible, more desirable than ever. Our faith is restored, and it must be preserved.

Let the resolve of every heart be &at it shall be preserved. Occasions frequent!f arise for making requisitions upon the Executives of other States and Territories, for fugitives from justice of this State, and provision is made by the existing law, that all expenses incurred in their recapture "if tbe Governor shall allow the same, shall be paid out of the monoys appropriated by the general assembly, for such purposes."

As no such appropriation has ever been made, the law has remained a dead letter, and the custom has been to make the required allowances, in the specific appropriation bills. By this omission, not only has there been a delay of payments fur the services and expenses of the agent, but in the absence of correct information, the treasury is exposed to the danger ol exorbitant claims. A standing appropriation of a small amount, would be sufficient for this purpose, and the adoption of a rule, requiring a satisfactory verification of all claims for such services and expenses before the same shall be allowed, will serve the cause alike of justice and economy.

The views and recommendations contained in ihe accompanying report of the Adjutant General, will doubtless receive at your hands, that attention and consideration, to which they are entitled. The commendation bestowed upon this officer in my last annuul Message, in relation to the discharge of his duties during thai year/has been fully merited by the zeal, fidelity and promptitude, with which lie has performed those of the present year, varied and laborious as they have been. The nature, extent and valueof these services, can better be ascertained from the report itself, and I suggest ihe justice and propriety of making lum an additional compensation for the same. It will be seen from the report of ihe Quarter Ma*ter General, also submitted, that that officer has been engaged, since your last session with characteristic energy and faithfulness, in the collection and repnir of the public arms, which had been lost and scattered in various parts of the State, besides attending to their reception, preservation and distribution. The increase in his correspondence, and in tho regular duties of his office, also merit, in my judgment, further compensation.

Occasion has been repeatedly taken in my former messages, to allude to the great amount of our local or special legislation, the danger of injustice by its means, lo individual interests, its expense to'.he treasury, and the large portion of lime it necessarily occupies, lo the detriment of that mature and thorough consideration which is due to subjects of a general character.

It was also recommended lhat the necessary powers should by general laws be conferred upon other and more appropriate tribunals, to afford the necessary relief. sought by means of private sets.

The subject has been deemod of so great importance that the constitution of New York, as lately amended, has a pro* vision against this evil engrafted in it. 1 was therefore much gratified to find the attempt to obviate it in part, by the passage, at the last session, of the act to authorize the formation of voluntary associations, approved January 27, 1847.— It is hoped lhat no bill will now be introduced into ihe Legislature for an object, the accomplishment of which can be se cured under that acl. It is not intended to say that tho act is not susceptible of amendment on the contrary it is believed it might be made lo have a wider scope with advantage. But that or any other defect can be easily remedied.

It is earnestly recommended that,as far practicable, the residua of the trond fie!d of private legislation be occupied by a few general laws. Permit me also, again to call to your favorable attention, the subject of giving justices of the peace exclusive jurisdiction of divers trivial offences now punished by indictment in the circuit courts, at great expense to the county, and operating, by means of costs, and loss of time, as a disproportionate punishmcntto the individual. 1 also commend lo your favorable regnrd the policy of establishing houses of Refuge, in districts embracing a sufficient number of counties, for tho purpose, of the punish* ment and moral discipline of female and juvenile delinquents where they will be beyond the contsgion of confirmed vice and hoary crime.

My reasons in favor of these measures are given to some extent in my last two annual messages, to which you aro respectfully referred.

The steady and successful progress made on the part of our benevolent institutions, as will more fully appear from the annual reports in relation to them, is a subject of just congratulation. The Asylum for ihe Deaf and Dumb was commenced aa a State Institution, as late aa the 1st of October, 1844, (although it had existed as a private school, with a few pu* pita, for about one year previously.) and it already numbers 80 pupils. This ia understood to be a much larger number than is found in the institution of any other State, in proportion to population, although eeveral of them have been established for more than a quarter of centurr.

The fnttifute for the education of the Blind, commenced its operations only on the 1st of October last, with 9 pupils, which are now increased to 25, and several others are soon expected.

The erection of suitable buildings Tor each of these institutions, on the eligible site* already purchased for that purpose, is much needed. The| financial condition of the State require*, that while they should be comfortable, commodious and permanent, and so constructed ae to be susceptible of snob additions as may be required hereafter by an increase of pupils, without marring the general design and sppearanoe, yet they should be in a

ityle or simple elegance without unoeces* sary expense or a useless display of mere ornament. It ia gratifying to learn that the hospital for the Insane will probably be so far constructed by he 1st of July next, as to be ready for the reception of a few patients at that time, and that the work will rapidly advance to entire com* pleion. gsr su

I cannot doubt that each of these

instir

tutions will continue to receive, at your haods, that aid and patronage to which they are so well entitled.

The people of Indiana deserve great credit, and they will doubtless receive the prayers and tearful thanks of many of these unfortunates, for the cheerfulness with which they have paid a specific tax, in a time of great adversity, for the establuhmect and support of these benevolent institution? and, it is hoped, it will not be forgotten by lho»e concerned, that tho belt relurn that can be made in behalf of (he inmates for this kindness, will be a strict economy and fidelity in the e*pea« ses and management of the establishment.

The facta and suggestions contained in the accompanying report of the Visitor of the State Prison, will commend themselves to your consideration. Since its preparation, it has been gratifying to learn tha the convicts have been removed to '.he Now Prison, which will operate much to the advantage of their health and comfort, it will be seen that two of the convicts aro represented as insane.

In this connection, and in view of (he expected early completion of the hospital, I beg to call your attention to the importance of providing by law, that whenever a person is acquitted of crime on tho ground of insanity, and he is found by the jury yet to be insane, or whenever a convict becomes insane while in the State Prison, he shall forthwith bo placed in the Hospital. The former should not be suf« fered to go at large at the peril of life and property in the community, the latter is not a proper subject of punishment, and both require that moral discipline and medical treatment, which wouid be found in the Hospital, and which recent experiments have proved so frequently effective for the restoration of reason.

It is upon the intelligence and virtue of its citizens, ihe State must chiefly depend for their social elevation and hoppiness—• for their just and equal participaiion in the advantages of an enlightened freedom --•for the perpetuity of our unrivalled institutions in their originul purity and republican simplicity, and for that" progressive reformation of abuses, and lhat political amelioration, which are the results of independent thought and free enquiry. I am therefore much gratified to perceive the increased interest which has latterly been manifested by the people of this State in relation to the important subject of education.

Our nighcr institutions Tor the iustruc* tion of youth in literature and science, are a source of just pride and of great usefulness lo the State, and it is gratifying to believe lhat they have never been in more flourishing condition than at present.

In relation to the for more important subject of common school educstion, it is much lo be regretted tlist at present, when the Inith ami credit of tise State ore in processor resuscitation, and itsnvsilsbie means are urgently required to meet the engagements entered into with its creditors. n» well ss those occasioned by our benevolent institutions, we sre unable by legislation, to alTortl such immediate snd substantial aid, as in a moro nourishing condition of the finances of tie Stuta would be more in accordance with ourdesires, and with a sound and enlightened policy. Much however may be done, it is hoped, towards the adoption ol a system to he more fully matured in future, which will increase the usefulness, the ftlliciency, and the amoun of the present sclion! funds —secure their faithful application, extend tho benefits to os derived from thom more equally and satisfactorily—and especially which will ensure great«r degree of uniformity and promptitude in the collection of school returns and other statistics bearing upon ihe question which ia almost a prerequisite to any prudent and useful legislation, upon a subject which has caused so great a divsrsity of judgment.

Pursuant to resolutions passed by both branches of the General Assembly at its Isst session, recommending she friends of common school education

10

I*8®' conre,,ion

01

Indianapolis on (he 26tli

ot May last, such a convention did assemble utiJthree gentlemen were appointed to dralt a bill for the purpose of remedying the defects complained of in tbe school laws now in forc«. These gentlemen hnve fulfilled the object of their appointment by prepsring a bill to provide for the improvement of common schools, to be laid before the legislature. From the source whence it originated, and the care and labor which have doubtlessly been bestowed upon it. it will no doubt reneive a mature and attentive consideration at your hands As by a provision of ihe bill, it will not go inn operation, nntil approved by a majority of the people, it will be proper in case ol its passago, to publish snd circulate it extensively, in order that every voter may hsve an opportunity of fully understanding its provision*, before he is required to pM* npon it at the ballot box, on the 3d Monday of March.

I am aware that I have touched upon severs 1 fopics, in mv views as io which, shall no*, be so fortunate ss to have the concurrence of a portion of vour number: topics too, which some may reffsrd s*of national concernment only, and therefore as insporopnate.

Bni it will, it is trasied, be sufficient to say thst ss the prevailing utsge in this regsrd. must hsve crested a general expectation, that soma expression nn mv part would be msde on the present occasion. In relation to these quest ions silence would give rise to miseonstrucion. Feeling it to be my dntv to meet frankly every such expectation, believing these questions to be of wide cud momentous b»arinf: arrd regarding tha present crisis in oar sfTsirs as imminent. I hsve freelv advanced such views, snd indicated snch a course of policv, ss sre, in mv lodgment, most conducive to tho prosperity of the people, and to the honor and ehsrseterof the eountrv. In doing so however, it has been mv wish tost)h**rve 'becauseof truth, without wounding tbe feeling nf any. The greatest advances in the onward tide of humsn improvement, hsve taken place under free governments. snd hsve msinlv resulted from freedom of thought and speech. Mete difference of opinion? therefore so fsr ss it excites candid discussion, is promotive of the discovery of truth, snd is far from being subject of regret. But when the too nsnsl. hut by no means neeessarv sttendsnts upern. party divisions, psssion snd prejudice, are found so fsr lo prevsil, ss to estrsnee hearts thst beat in nniton upon other great questions of bamsn eoneernment. to sever the ties and (**den tha hnmsn charities of socisl intercourse, sod to blunt I lie perception of troth itself it exhibits a mournfnI picture of hnmsn weakness ami is cause of *"rTOW

lo

'h* citis-n and patriot.

However we ma? differ in re la tion to s»eh question*. let ns not forget that there are many others appertaining to os ss a Stsfe. and important to tbe prosperity and happiness of onr

f^ftow citterns, to

which it is hoped we can aordialfy agree and coopwste. In eonclesion it becomes to implore the sid ofHm in whose hand* sre the destinies of naTions. son without whose aid sit onr a tremors wonld oo wain, thst he will be pressed to smile epoe onr enwtcils, and bless our efforts for the common welfare.

JAMES WmTCDMB.

Iroujurotr?, Jsnuary Ith, 18#.

learn^

MILITARY Arroumcstrr—We that it is the intention of the President to^ appoint Wm. J. Hough, ex M. C. from, this State, lo the office of Brigadier Genera!, to take the place vacated bv thedeath of Gen. Hopping—N. Y. Herald.

The Telegraph poets between .V. Orleans and Mobile have att been put up* andMi the line was expected to be in operation by the middle of thra month. So goes lh* Tetegreph.