The Wabash Courier, Volume 18, Number 15, Terre Haute, Vigo County, 8 December 1849 — Page 2

THE COURIER,

E S S E O N A E BITOKA

T'E:

E eTTa jT

pi

IATURDA1 /.\\DEC.\V5T, 1819.

Deatk of Col. Blake

had

just

We last week announced the death of rut marics in the Courier, the Journal SOTS: COI.THOS. n. HLAKK, the news of which

been received irom Cincinnati.

ceased are on the way round by water to this place, under the charge of his brother. Dr. JOHN BLAKE, of Washington City.

Of the deceased, we have been furnished with the following: THOMAS HOLDSWORTH BLAKE was a native of Calvert county, Maryland, born in June 1792, and, consequently, was in the 68th year of his age. While yet a

In 1816, Col. BLAKE removed to Henderson, Kentucky, and, after a short residence there, came to Vincennes, Indiana, early in 1017, and commenced the practice of law, and subsequently removed to Torre-IInute.

When quite a young mnn, he fil'ed

E

lIlO

A

office of I rosocuting Attorney and

President Judge of one of our Courts. !p»d

In 1826, he was elected lO Congress, af-

tcr hard contest, over Lolonel JVATLIU'

Col. BLAKE was, without any knowledge

or atrency of his own nominated by the

*nd continued to perform all its duties

(inventor** Hfc**Hgr.

say

-ii

Indiana Legislature will ho found in our

mediately issued in an Extra. Tho

of iiu rocouimendaiions wo think meet general approbation. And

„f tho Tnriir „f 1D46. the Mc»age „„is „p

Foreign News.

The news hy the lasi steamer, Cana- ', da, is not very important. From France the most gratifying fenturo is tho interview between the Presi-j dent and Mr. Rives. Tho American! Minister mado an address on tho occasion, but observed total silenco respect Ing tho misunderstanding betwoen United Stales and France. The Presi-

tlont, howevor, alluded to the affair in terms flaitoritig to the American Minister and his country. 11 seems return to Rome one moment was actually announced

tho IV.no mcditntos nn earlvi

omo. act artna

tlomoti on this

proprietors ot tne .Morse anu

—-—-—-—-—-—-—-

Mrs. BYRUM, wife of DAVID BYHUM, liv-

bove Mr. DOLE'S, was killed by being

thrown from a buggy Thursday eve-

ning last. Mrs. BYRUM, with her daugh-

ter and little child, had been visiting Mr.

DENNY, at Spring Creek. On return-

ing, .the horse became restive and ran off coming down the hill to the creek. At the top of the hill this side he turned

into the timber, dashing against the trees. Mrs. BYRUM daughter and child were thrown from the vehicle—Mrs. BYRUM striking a tree, was almost instantly killed. Some persons coming in a wagon behind, immediately took the body of the lifeless woman to the house of her husband about half a mile distant. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-

AnvRHTtSTKMicfTs.—In order to make room for the Governor's Message, we have been obliged to leave out much advertising this week. .„

iNAWsrtAt,.—The Inaugural Address of Gov, WRIGHT is received, but too late for our paper this week. It shall appear in our next.

Illinois Rail Road Policy. Two or three weeks since we made some remarks in reference to the adjournment of the Illinois Legislature, without making any Rail Road provision—and also on the policy persued [sic] by Illinois on that important subject. For all this, the <Springfield Journal> takes us severely to task. Referring to our re-

The editor proceeds to read our Legislature a

We now learn that the remains of de- tVettIvt^/w^,*fix^on^,^I^'5lat"reoflnBuna. Illinois lie supposes, has no nght to control the route of railroad* for Ifcrr own benefit, while she, this said State of Indiana, directs, wiih scrupulous care, tn what direction railroads shall run within her limits, ami wlpi points these railroads shall strike. We area little sarpnsed at the inconsistency, injustice and illiberality manifested by theTerre-Ilaute editor—and in all kindnm assure hiin. that if he does not discover the unfairness of hia eensurt*, the people of Illinois

lecture for withholding a passage across this State

do. The object

of

youth, he removed With bis father, Urt welfare of own .Slate, in tb« building up ot 'short JAMPS RIAKK tn thp ritv of Washington

,belr

/, I I ..,I„,I.„. eastern itriprovenirDts. This may L»e contrnry to

late Gov. NOBLE as one of that Board,!

»,» lllahed in .84., "in M.y. I8«.!m"k'-

he was appointed bv President 1 YLKR as

1

r\C

Commissioner of tho General Land Of-

fice a. Washington, which place he fill-

etl until June, 184". lie then returned

to Terre-Hauie, and in 1047 was elecied

nal, the duties of which he performed

the foreign interests which have

attempted to control our Legislature, is to pass across Illinois with railroads, tor the great design

of beneficing cttie* ami towns in other Slate*.— Strange

as

it

may

our people

seeiu to the Terre-Haute editor,

are

r,

opfiosed to such projects:—like the

people of" other states, they feel

an

,owni*"nd

JAMES tLAKK, to tne City Ol »v asmugi sighted policy but the precedent has beeti it and spent his earlier years in that place.

In 1814, when the Capital of the Union was threatened by a hostile British force under Admiral Cockburn and Gen. lloss, young BLAKE (though then a mere boy,) volunteered, joined a company commanded by Capt. Cartterry, and prooeeded to the seaboard to contest their descent upon the city.

interest in the

Thls

maZ

"set

8,lor

L'""nh^rci­

even by Indiana, and we have never heard her citizens complain of it—and this precedent will be likely to be followed by our State.

It is about time that the talk of "Alton Policy" should cease by those who are opposed to our State Policy. We were well aware of the object of the cry of "Alton! Alton! Alton!"—when the people of our State were called upon to act on the question of railroads. It was designed to raise a prejudice against Alton, as alone interested in defeating the selfish projects of foreigners in relation to railroads, in this State. The time for exciting such prejudice is now paused. Even the TerreHaute editor admits this fact. He now intimates that the north "has used Alton for her own selfish purposes." Alton is no longer the potent power that controls the Legislature of the State. This we have long known, and we are glad that even at this late period, the enemies of our State interests are compelled to admit their wrong to the peopie of that city. But the Altonians are not <even now> suffered to escape without obloquy. They are now, forsooth, tools of others! "The grand object" of all the late movements in the Legislature, as we are informed by the Courier editor, is to secure the route of a rail road

~~,I across the northern part of the State.

object. The people of this nn^vi!. Minn iliat there shall I** a roil ruati ncro&s tiw

nortliern part of the State to connect with eastern

iii improvements and they trust that there will lie

BOON. In 1836, when Indiana embark- i« rapid"progress of constntciion, and there can be no doubt that the legislature wnl ed in her lntornnl Improvement System,Igrant

|0|)e Krom i.'hiengo west to the Mississippi river

the privilege of connecting that line with

tl„. wiflhl,s'o( tlje |M*jicy

t|int

understands the character of our re-

wiih great zenl anil fiiUliiv till that Board tlio cliarauer ol

marks. We made no allusion to any

Louis—nor Alton route, or Rail Road.

What we complained of, was that no ac-

tion was had at all, by the Legislature—-

that no charters of any kind for any f'"Tr"

praoiioal uiiiitv,

7' v- 'pression was this, that

TruNtee* of tho Wobash and hrieLa- ,1

1

by the Creditors of the hiate,oneol the „^„Uion of a low rate of tariff duties in 1046,

pression was this, that

sla',d* a,0"r

until the lime of hi. d.atlt. V7

Kail Road purposes. Is that not true poqt

w|,ich

ll|)ou,

Covernor DIINNING'S Message to the Certainly, no charter was granted, of nue, but »lso to incrtase ..

any use can be made.

document is a pretty fair one. Many control their Lcirishuure—and claim' more favm ab mar *et

wm

kVll!)!of

typed Locofoco nonsense about ihe great

1

ol

mlgltt be cnnsidcroil very rc^-cuAlo. a sample of indnlging'

a,5

., l%ostcrn market—and as such, answers

ur

.,

os0

purpose

gen-

subject, and also to ex-!

line* «rection of RelUontain. has been

Itesides this, Indiana has her charier

re-Iiaute with Indianapolis. Dr. IIAS-: construction through considerable por-|dtiot of the patriot and' ^a^maf'-

TINGS slops at tho Prairie-House, whoreson of Suno. Thts mad at its ^as"|^^er^ouT'rilrhts members or the he will bo pleased to consult any

tern termination has been responded

SAD ACCIDENT.—We understand that

s,,n^nr c'lftr,er

S

ing in Otter Creek, a short distance a-

J,0

AN

shc

t0 mc1 or C(10

,illu0

GOVEItftOK'S MESSAGE. Gentlemen of the Senate and

of

the House of Representatives:

Having assembled as the representatives of the people, in obedience to ih8 requirements of the constitution, for the purpose'of deliberating upon such measures of public policy as are best calculated te maintain and advance the political aiid social prosperity of the people of

Indiana,

,ncrce

the right to judge lor themselves, C^c.. it

alf which, we never heard any doubts

the exception of a fow lines of stereo-! nor with which. Iiavo we seen anv millions of owr population, will be

uucmr,ts

to interfere. Tho

wosl

hv

ihuSioit

,- „mnm.ndwi

rKums of

off coining down, ,c hill ihe creek. !sin:!ll,eT((rreJ,,ule„nd RichowndR.il A. the .op of .he hill .hi, side he .umed yet no action

A letter from our interesting correspondent at ladiafilapols was received a little too late for publication.

Cc*r «r T« Ft*s •». P*«*A.vr.—TW York city qmkrm* ril

has

to

to fhe letter! Did she not withhold?, United Sinies a greater amount of rove-

1 hc

papor of to-day. Tho Message was re- Springfield Journal and several other [n,^' Should this beneficent system, by ceived ky us on Wednesday, and im- j,

ers

in the State »f Illinois, talk muchj

same Jour-J

the same policy in reference to Kail

unable to coniprehend. tered Kail Road in Indiana brought intoj use, leads from Indianapolif to Madison on the Ohio River—making oommtini-

navigable stream. Of the noccssiiv for the

l',is n,,u'*jusl

amount of business done, and the per ce tn age divided, amply testify to every inquiring mind. Thai road terminates on the river, and was intended for

the acknowledgement of

oUr gratitude is* dtie to the Almighty God for the manifold blessings wiih which he has crowned the year.

This assembling of \he people'? representatives. devolves upon me the performance of a constitutional duty*, which I discharge with cheerfulness, yet I trust with becoming diffidence.

A retrospective view of the affairs of our Stale presents as many substantial causes for congratulation as at any former period of her history agricultural industry, the great and reliable source of the prosperity of our people has met with its merited reward, and the enterprising spirit of our citizens has been crowned with that success which it so richly deserves the people of our own, in common wiih those of many of the 'other States of our beloved country, have been during the past year severely afflicted by the cholera—that desolating scourge of mankind, ^et it is gratifying to know that the melancholy reminiscences of its fearful march through our midst are being obliterated by the smiles of returning health.

The general prosperity of our beloved country is a just source of pride and congratulation to every American

ilinir

simple vet sublitno in their structure—

I A I N

,l»o nfT.irMiniis

...v- based the nflections, lueniineu witn

t|ie

interests, incorporated with tlie leel-.

sllslninei]

This we

IHM we

ujaJjiy ndinil, was one object, though not the

and

intelligent

domestic

controls the Terre-

I Hautu editor, hut it is in contormity with the lib-

'era! policy of Illinois.

The Springfield Journal entirely mis-

ITlllSt

"lad"

1

,,

n"US'°"

particular route. We mentioned no bi.j Slale.s in

particular route. We mentioned no St.

i:«y

ir ex-

were granted. Our ex-!

Illinois now W

Illinois now

her

ivg the right of jtassageover ihe Stale jor.

peo[»le, are diffusing over

their citizens ihe benign influences ot!llcllt

mainly rely for the great bulk

our national wealth, I cannot but think is main! attributable to the healthful in-

(Ilttcuce of the national revenue system

by .ho Congress of the United

1846.

ton route, or Rnil Road.i It is a political axiom, too obvious to plained of, wM,.b«.noaoi be controverted, that the ability of the

placed upon a durable na.M.s.

„cr ...d p.nlc I -Tho

i"

bring into the 1 rearusy of the

MM nroius oi un* agricultural, manufactui-

nI1(| co,nm(.rcial classes

whi,-h

of coiumu-

the millions engaged in agricul-

foroi^n inlluence. in attempts tujiure are enabled to procure a wider and 7"«nnl—m«^«*p*rtVcV.V»Vw tlVo"-iti*enH of that

1

,e^url)1,ls

rnlltrol their L#tMriSiaiUI JUKI CUIMII I n* IFTUIT? HUM ITII|»"*II«N VI

products

of their labor, be

suflered

is confidenil

lh(»,

believed that

Rq)ul |ic Mexlc0, ollri?„ver„n,fnt

nCquirod

Road*. Wliat i» meant by this wo .re] which must .. ni distant day bo j{^^3 The first char- separate btate governmeni.s and pro-,

cation from tho centra of the bmte to al game laws, to he pas.sed o\or in. ticnce

a large extent of territory..

vided with organic laws

upon the present occasion. 1 here IS

nl'1 m,,t*

*v',ere made, the great

of human slavery:

are the opinions of

onr

an ll,u

fosted

nn

in this instiltitton, wo have ever

the constituVional rights of

nf tho si»vo States upon this very deli-

cnlc

for which it was designed, quired hns coine to us free: the ques-

TRUSGRAI'H.—Wo are authorised to br roads across the Stale, from oast to that Dr. W. F. ». HASTINGS, tho ap-i west, designed as great thoroughfares, pointed Agent for tho O'REILLY line of for other States. Her Terre-Haute Telegraph, is now in Tcrre-Haute, for.*«/ Richmond Rail Road passes almost tho purpose of oxtending the Q'ReM$,! east and west across tho centre of the line from Lafayotte through Terre-Haute State. 1 his road was chartered three pn|jtjraj brethren uf the slnve States of to'nearlThnlPnmiVlifm of dollars—«teniitrnieUie to Vincennes, and also connecting Tor-j years since, and is now in the way ofj

,0'Lamp

bv a charior from Ohio in nontinuaiion |by

plain the conflicting claims between the of the route. Another Rail Road char-jthe further advancement of slavery into^ nmorietora of the Morse and O'Reilly1 tered fmm Indiayapolis east in the di- territory belonging to the general gov-J fhH

neu.j v»

a!j

metb,er"

,n co, u,l,n

of 0hio%

Rm |,ow „f Illinois? Ln

n{.^ is.

charters,

Rai| Kuads

Indiana, passing .he centre

RrM1 eu

|or[) md w(ls|ent th(lroughri(res Tllree

cln„je,_,nd lw0 irnol

,hree

,)lT.I„inis I^isU,ure

ne

ld

by which these great routes can be resiprocated [sic], or extended, by and through the State of Illinois. "Thus far shalt thou go, and no further," as we said in the remarks so much objected to by the Springfield Journal. We attempt not to interfere with the rights of Illinois—but surely we may comment upon her policy, if for no other purpose than that of awakening the attention of her own citizens. —-—-—-—-—-—-—-

ajspropnawd

tl

tfwwmiwfdBBar* to j*y the r«j*aw of dMfttMr-

«if Worth, bnttcta. sad Gin*.

acU*

subject. I ho territory thus ac-

tion is now presented to the American people, whether this territory shall remain free. It cannot be doubted bui that the response of ihe people of Indiana to hi si no me lousq lies ion will be, july

unanimously in favor of freedom.—

Whilst we are in favor of freedom, let us The

exercise

thls

Union, which characterizes the con-

family and manfully resist

reat

|egai

nnd

constitutional means,

Umment. That Congress possesses this!

-1 .inr]j

Congress

possesses

.• u. .kl'power does mrt ndmit of a doubt, and

need only glance over the history of our beloved country: the rise and progress in the arts and sciences, in manufactures, mechanics, internal improvements. and every other great element of social and political happiness in the States of thir Uniou, but two plainly admonish us that bounds should be prescribed to the baleful influence of huhatn slavery. It may be said, however, that this territory was acquired by the common blood and treasure of the nation, and c»nsequently we should not agitate this subject. To this objection »t may well be answered, that this territoty is commdtt property the people of the Union are the owners they constitute one great confederacy of States, and shall questions involving common property and the common welfare, must ever be submitted to the wisdom and discretion of Congress. The propriety of expressing by a joint resolution of the General Assembly, the voice of Indiana upon this exciting subject is respectfully suggested.

It wKsoaree of to be m- «d to •tat*, that our .-—...ton gall cn~.~n«» in Improve. It is ike mast BoerriBg mbsce of th UKcountry, "1^ of tbe Swsa farwrnnieat for tbe fiscal jr««r«Mitaroa da SlstAsjrof October, 1st?, w*» $14,«S

,iThe ordinary expenditures for thp current fiscal Tear, Mi estimated by the Auditor of Slate at |7sl»?

000. Tne amount of revenue paid -in to the State treasury daring the last year, on aft scconnts, was *441,650 22, which exceeds the amount paid the prrmu«year,t2S,9pl «.

d°7l»™

den

Whilst some of the oldest gov

citizen. ernments of the world are tottering to

full bv the revolulionary spirit of

tneir tan, oy Hie

exclusive

for

The assessment for Stat* purposes, wr «®Y» (estimating the counties of Ca*». Fountain,

of

UVUt CAt. I tiai VI I««w »»».».

quiet, wholesome laws, and the ... ...... preservation of their civil and icligious rights and privileges. "The permanent and continued prosperity of our country in every department of business, especially in the agricultural portion of it, upon which we

Sl)SOonns

1

v..

people of one nat.ott tobi.y_.ne

of another, is limited by the ability to

ame

I

ducts of their own industry. The adop

ducts

.t a

of their own industry. The adop-

on o! mw

I ,r ___nf,nfT ^lnYn|in|1

a corresponding relaxation

^7* of the stringent restrictions upon com-

mRrce n|

have not «»nly had the ef-

n")roaj, ronu'

Jack­

son. Lake. Pulaski, Spencer an.l Whitley, Irom which no returns have been received, as UieV were last year.) is *508.537 81 and for codmy. foad, school, and township purpo9wcoiiectmlyitt30.570 90 adding to these sums the deunquencirs ot former years uncollected, amounting to $16S.0Wj a'iji

the #hdle amount on dl%)li»aleslor 18^ Will be

$1,302,202 09.

The number of polls returned for 1849 intimating the seven counties above mentioned, .from wtfch no returns have bee* received, as they were last year,) is 14$,720. bene an increase 6*er .the returns of last year, of 7,445C The value of the entire property of the State subject to taxation, as returned for 1849, (estimating tlie wnnufnoti*turned, as they were last year,) is which is an increase over last year of 4,453,070

rate of delinquency, in the collection of taxes for 848) is about fifteen dollars sixty-five cents on the one hundred dollars, or a little ie$s than one-sixth: the average delinquency i* very much increased by a heavy delinquency which has tieen continued from year to year, on the dun.I* rates, much of which will never be collected-— The delinqncncv in a large majority ?f the cotmties is small. an1 the collections creditable to the people and the Treasurers.

It will be seen from ihe foregoing statement, that the increase on tlie number ol polls, taxable property, and amount of taxes, has been greater for the past year than that for many preVions years,

:„ia.

It

is

confidently believed that much improve- sjlotJj{j

a large" amount, which too frequently escapes tax ation. such ascorporation and other stocks, money on hand or at interest, and many other articles of a valuable nature, thereby lightening the bur­

of taxation, which now rests most heavily upon the agricultural portion of the community. I respeciiullv submit for your consideration as a matter 6f justice to the Executive, and of sound economy to the public service.the propriety of reestablishing lite office of Private Secretary to the Governor, with an annual salary sufficient to comnensntp him for his services. An officrr of this character can very materially aid she Executive

jn fhe performance

I

their cjtizens, our republican institutions,

of"

t0

incur

ry properly allowed

many official duties. The

I incidentalexpenses which the Executrv-e

during

is

at

bound

the year, added

to

the amount ve-

every session

identified with fieient to procure the services

plv ufie(Hor tlw di8chargeof

officp an(j

jn

|,y the will of a free could be reposed.

of theLegis-

Intnre. to an Executive messenger, would be suf-

a

eentl^eman

am-

of the duties of tbe

whom

the neqessary ,confidence

IN 1847 when the arrangement of the States

crwjitor9 t},e

interest was ii.04.*».000

there

has been surrendered and converted into new stock to the 1st of July last, •9,530.000'dollars. Since July 1st, 33,000

Making. 9.5S3.000 dollars leavin" vet to come into this arrangement, 14SS eminent, bonds, or 1.438.000 dollars. Those Solids are held in Europe and in this country, are coming in gradually, the Agent of State informs me, that he entertains but litile doubt that all will be mirrender-

nrrnngem^nts can he made by the

holders, to obtain the consent of the parlies interested I am induced to concur in opinion with this

officer for the additional reason, that the holders

The semi-annual interest due to our creditors. .jon\

under the two actsof the Leui«latureofMfi and

providing for

of

to

bv the surplus

pro-

rplus pro

'PU^ ineFnnd and of the Banks--the authority to make

tbe settlement of our State debt, was I importance lo tho people ot the Stale, punrtnaUv paid Wl the Indiana Agency, in the city hns also occasioned a corresponding ._!

300. A nortion of jhis'sum, say^$79.000.

was borrowed of tbe'ommissioners

or

the Sink-

iiif/{on,Vis"given by the 4th scction of an act of

the last legislature entitled "an act makin*

prn, appropriations.

trea-

fee., for the year W9.nn.Hor

other purposes." (spproved January l.». 1H4.'.) to the (Governor. Auditor, and Treasurer of State, to

be exercised in their sound discretion. no divrrsity of opinion na to tho fxporii^ncy of exercising that authority—many considerations

prompted us to adopt the course' indicated

innrnivsA iffP'tilv tl\o (i\\v rcflerrcH to, some of the most prouiinpiit of

I state by havinff'thririnterest

Thorp

is

conpm,otion or

line bornntp loo much agitated up- wnnting aid, and seek it in many instances away nillld lias l)CCO O fnim home—the mo«t certain method of securing on a question of vital importance con-

nnnk wo p|| intrr,M

Il)09t P„iirelv

hut little diversity of sentiment amongst I herself, which makes all the profits accruing from

Vi 1. the loan "ith Bv pavin* in monev the State he people of Indiana upon thequestion expenw' of issuing certificates for the

yet

as

decidedly

,nani"

unwillingness to interfere with

our

in the

which, are 1st. That the State stock was then at jnmfJe jn

price, which placed it by the side of the stock of

tho rpjyulnr divitlewi pnyinir Statrf*: to withhold or postpone dividend would inevitably have depreciated it, anil impaired the re-established credit of the State. 2d. The S'ntp was. and is now deeply interested in the completion of the WnbaSli and

fertile and improwinir: noriion of it from I «rre-

to! jjnnt010

Evan-ville, which has never heretofore

received the encouragement and lcsnslntive ntten-

ltVUliloic iwi mm i"-'"

lermanent prosperity of ihe toiling| foVwHrhnrrllv "mnplUh

1

jt—if our bondholders, bv our conduct are assured

nf

»j.P AfnhiUtv, infr^ritv. nnd r^ourrp?* o! tho

S certificates, (manv of which are for ten ond twenty dollars,) and of the keeping of complex interest accounts.

The interest paid nt the Indiana Agency in the city of New York, 1st July last, was as before stated 15.300 dollars, being two per cent., on 4,76:i,000 dollars, the debt nt that time, under the new arrangement.

In January, 1850, we shall probably have to p»v. 0,000 dollars, ns two and thirty bonds

jhundredwill

t0

IPO

nnuary

amrtnn\

forbearance towards our 1 -»nd to the present"time has paid five se that torucaraiiCB aru uuri

mj nnnnal pnvmrnt

n*

the onlv remaining question to be deter-^fbout ibemwma to nay onr interest a# it

whether it is expedient to ex-j becamedae-for tbe paw dividends this deficiency

right to pass her ercise that right. To decide this ques-J ^^k"a^0J,e^^ch^Tmmipa?d,nex^!

tion affirmatively, thfe reflecting mind the one made to meet the interest in July last.)

State, on the calling of a convention, to alter, amend, or revise the constitution of this State" (approved January

ITIIU LLIC iiiiitJ JUT iiuiuin^

(|1C

regulnrlv pni'l. they

scarcely any portion of our

State

contemplation,

ii

neoted with the character of those or- j* not onlv rich in resources, but prompt in pay1

with

a

the public ahle hope of ullimate completion: these roads arc

reason-

toentnhlish to iho world, ihnt theStnte

4 I

t„nn institution owned al-

within tlw Slate, and by the State

as u„pny,| imeresuas well as the^ payment of^"tor-

people opposed est upon the certificates so issued for an^indefinite

opriod of time—the expense of which, from a re­

,)0r, nimle nt previous session of the

legislature, rf»°wn

to grently exccedI the interest

breihriMi on the simplejoan.to say notlnngof the cojifu-

sion, necessarily growinff out of the issuinsr of

make up that

State commenced paying interest,

with Ju

a^mounting in the aggregate

ancing .ents on ..._ ... .. cent, interest per ennum, ns the stnMdard.)

niiuiiiK im »i *. 7cents on the dollar, 'its fall value taking

fact must be gratifying to the friends of the State —more especially to tho«e who took so deep an Interest in the honorable adjustment of the State's indebtedness

it furnishes unmistakable evi­

dence of an increasing confidence in her resources. as wefl as a firm reliance upon her integrity. The large amount of Treasury notes common-

of

Tn*»nry

'cominon

ly denominated scrip) whichihas heretofore beei

this! ly denominated scrip) whieh hns heretofore been

paid

for

taxes, has somewhat embarrassed the

uenUv we hnve altimw

To avoid this embarrassment upon the Treasuiy ami to enable the State*to make her regular semiannual payment from die taxes annually paid by her citizens, the legislature by a joint resolution pasmd at the test wasion instructed the Btate A* gent, to negotiate an extension of the January

K'June

yment of interest, until March of each vear. last the Agent of State prepared and addressed circular to oar bondholders, (a copy of which was also transmitted to the Executive Department.) in which he proposed a postponement of the paynvtot of tho January interest, until the first Monday of the succeeding March, at which time it w»s farther •posed that the deferred dividend or interests).

id

b* paid with six per cent

interest thereon. Up to October last, he bad receiTed answers

from two hunofwi and eight of our bondholder*!

received acr to the terms of the circular— •gree to the terrtts upon condition, that all theoth«r* will nambef yielded reluctantly— not wisl 4 to oppoee any reasonable request tlie State may make tn re' sn to this question, aad

mrtfnm

Heve they do it i* pwriswB be wade bf law to aatt

SCQS4

oot of fit* hundred aad lorty-mne—a huge pro-] „___t. ,(*»« portion of t' from whom answers have be«i sees of water-power on the canal, tbey contend, (as he informs qe,) that the

poe»tiv*ly -. remaining ttoee hun

"T -.- .Wr in UnTn, if- ,f.

#t5,

1849) a poll was opened at the annual ©lection held in August last, aithe places of holding elections in the several counties of this State, and from the returns made to the office of Secretary of State as required by the act referred to it appears. that there were cast at said election, in favorof calling aconvention 81,fiOQ votes and against it. 57,418 votes the total vote of the State for Governor js 147,250 the total vote of the State is 149,774 (in this latter statement the vote of Fayette county for Governor is included, the total vote of that county not Having been returned) showing a majority of 6.618 votes, in favor of a call for a convention over all the votes cast at that election. The duty of the present General Assembly is plftin. It will become necessary to provide by law for districting the State with a view to the election of delegates to that convention—to determine the number of delegates which shall compose that body and the time for holding the same. It

L,,V

the discharge of this important duty

divest themselves of all party

and make such nn

"T"

tionment as will insure to the people ol the State, a full and fair representation

in that body—this being done a great initiative step is taken, which will tend as much as any other to predispose the people of the State to adopt the new constitution which the convention may present to them for their ratification.

Whilst upon this subject it is proper to say. that it will be necessary to levy an additional tax to defray the expen-

sesof the convention the amount ue-\™ -•^TheTefusnfor

cessary will depend much upon tuc I |Vnrd

length of the present session of the General Assembly. In all probability the organic laws of the State will undergo in the course of tho ensuing year many material alterations, which will at once suggest the propriety of passing but fow general laws, inasmuch as they may become inconsistent or inoperative under the new organization of the State Gov-

Special legislation is a growing evil, which has attracted much attention amongstthe nias*ses of the people, and to which much well formed opposition exists in the public mind indeed it hns lor

VRnrs

must he satisfied tint the State will not soon (it p„n»i.ol Accoinlilv 10 even make anv different arrangements for their: the tune of the General Assembly, 10 liqtiidation. the exclusion (from their due consiuei a-

t,Qrr.|«

Vork. on the proportion of the expenses of our legislation. To avoid this evil, 1 earnestly

nf tho Suitfi*

recommend to you the enactment of such general laws as will confer upon the proper subordinate tribunals of the country, the requisite power to adjust all such questions as are properly and exclusively the subjects of special enactments. If this course bo deemed impolitic I trust that such provision will be

,,0w contemplated conslitu-

tion ns will effuctualiy prevent it. Believing that the interest and welfare of our country demand grenier security to ihe families of large and respectable portion of our unfortunate fellow citizens, who are often over-reached by the superior knowledge nnd cunning of their follow men. or become embarrassed in their pecuniuiy affairs by ihe vicisitudes of trade.

It is respectfully recommended thai such a change bo made in our execution laws (to "operate prospectively) as will exempi from execution and sale, in flavor of any resident defendant and his family, a specific number of acres of land or specific nmount in value in all cases to include tho homestead or so much thereof as it will embrace ihe details of such a law are left to the better judgment of the General Assembly. Should a law embracing this humane principle not meet with favor at tho present session of the General Assembly, I trust thai before the next assembling of the people's representatives, this principle will becoino a constitutional provision, thereby placing it beyond the power of unfavorable legislative action.

Hy this provision many an innocent wife and her unoffending children would be provided with a home, sufficient, by indutry and economy, to afford a comfortable support, thereby escaping a life of wretchedness and want, it may be said by those (if unfortunately there nrcany) opposed to this humane principle, that it will encourage fraud and dishonesty not so—the man who is industrious, but who lias nlso been unfortunate, would feel grateful to the country whose laws had protected him and his family from ruin he would make much greater exertion to recuperate his broken fortunes, and to extricate himself from his embarrassments moreover, it would tend as much as any other single measure, to check the credit system, which has been so often abused, and has brought so much distress upon the country.

Since the adjournment of the last Legislature, a vacancy occurred by the death of Basil Brown, the then incumbent, in the office of Superintendent of the northern division of the Central Canal, including that portion lying between Broad Ripple, and the Bluffs of White River that vacancy was filled by the appointment of Henry Nelson, who held the office but r^bort time, when he tendered hisjreJ^B^n he was succeeded by the "ajpp^tment of Robert Greenfield, the present incum-. bent, who has faithfully discharged the duties of his office.

There seems to be some difficulty be

lween

wiirfi the same force now beretofbref tbe-1 ties, under their several contracts, th«j jshould be definitely settled before the ju-

he Superintendent and the les-

State ha^Torfeited her contract, much to iheir damage, by failing to furnish the necessary quantity erf" water-power, and he upon the contrary contends that the State has performed ail that she is bound

do. Wiibout deciding upon tho sub-

of tbe Agent, do not the reasons which'ject matter of controversy, it is cotifiiietetofore nrftoeoced the proper offiorre, to dent)y believed that tbe interest of the tollM MvwMntl* lk« .i ie to tin

canal in repair. 1 therefore recommend the enactment of a law, making it the imperative duty of the superintendent to institute suit against ©tie or more of the lessees, who may be in arrears for the non-payment of water-power rents, to the State, with a vie\y, to testing the contracts heretofore alluded to.

It is not right that the citizens of ihe State, (living remote from the cShal,and who cannot by any possible means be benefitted thereby) should be compelled to pay taxes annually to keep it in re-

Pa'ln

conforming with the provisions of a joint resolution authorizing the Gdver^ nor or Agent of State, to make sale of all or any real estate owned by the State of Indiana, in the State of Georgia, approved January 16, 1849,1 sold in February last to Martin R. Green, Ivq».all the interest which the State had, either legally or equitably in and to what are commonly denominated the '"Georgia Lands." The State simply quit all her claim to them, I conceive the sale an advantageous one to the State, although the price can scarcely be considered

*,,W I

is most respectfully suggested that in nominal, compared with the Supposed

1

the members of the General Assembly

quality of the lands. By

the provisions of another jmt resolution passed at the aamc session, entitled joint resolution in relation to the contract between the State and her bondholders," approved January lb,

1R49, a suit had been instituted in Montgomery rire.it Conn «?in.t tfe r™..™. W' holders for an alleged violatmn of ^e contract on the part of said Trustees. The case has not yei been decided. Complaints have Executive department ofother alleged \iolaiioryi of the contract on the part of the Trustees accompanied with urgent appeals to authorixe suits to be instituted. ^W uhoul ipg to determine the question of alleged violation Of the contract. It is respectfully miggestwl a»n mutter of relief to the Executive and of justice to the parties, that the joint Resolution should be amended as to require tho complaining party file a written specification, of the alleged violation of the contract with the Board of Trustees when

the

•••When tho

laid before

lions

righf *,he

gnoaiu oe ucimiwi

lhm

irJ^r -n.i.T wi.h the provisions ot tho St.te .honld (if .he cn by

of the qualified voters of thc nual expenses she incurs in keeping the 11#**

v-

failure

of

to tnke immediate nction on

the

complaining party may file a certified copy of such written specification and the promsdmgs ol the Boanl thereon with the Executive, whose duty it shall be to cause suit to be immediately instituted under tho provisions of the orignal joir.t resolution.

It has been represented to me, that the accounts subsisting between the State and the General government, fn reference to the "Three per cent I' umr' have not lteen finally and correctly «wl.i»sted, am thnt an amount ransing from fifty to oho httnnren that an amount ranging thousand dollars is vet due from the United States to this Stato. Application was made during the present year for authority to examinc into tlie accounts with a view to their final and satisfactory adjustment that authority was delegated so far as"

W.^p«^^i^he"\wwer

rnngenieni was entered1 into which wns

der

pnst engaged full three-fourths of

0f

many other questions of great

the control of

a

which the

not

subsequent legislature and

Stato incurs

less a balance is found duo

hundred patients have Men ndtn its wards and enjoyed the blcss,ngsof sanitary treatment.

l»y

no

expcn«oor

liability

un-

to

the, Ptatc, and al-

lowed by the proper authority—this ed from the principal Universities and arrnntffMiiont \vn* mntlf with ^entictlioli ,, of confidence and entirely competent to the per form a nee of the task they have assumwl. A let

vet l»een received. Ins delav hns hi»en oeen-!

sioneil

bv

the recent death of thq

State from mv

gentleman

with

By the carejfet^atid ski^rol treatment adopted itt thii-Instiiuiion,!'#^®^ unfortunate class of our ractf 1 reatiy been restored to healtb 3®®I have gone forth, to again fill station^o*

lion of the officers ol the Prison, to iiuprove the r* rnitklili l.-ollcgO numbers 135, tnuking mennsof comfort to the sick, hy the erection of a „.ror(M'raio ..f 9(3B, of the Vuulll of suitable Hospital for their use. nnd nlso to presents the health ol those convicts who occupy the pro-j our country wr\o have been receiving per prison cells, by providing additional ineansofj collcgiato instruction within the past ventilation.

report is received it wnl donbtlass be

you

accompanied with such

as

its importance

runy

merit.

The report ef the Adjutant nnd Quni

construction and the ability of tht. agri-,

Some of theSiates of ihe Union have expressed an opinion favorable to the establishment of an Agricultural Bureau in the Department of the Interior at Washington, whose province it shall be to superintend and promote the groat interest of agricultural improvement in tho nation.

If the existence of this Department is continued at Washington would it not be proper for the General Assembly to express an opinion favorable to the erection of this Burea.

The propriety offurnishing the Washington National Monument Society, with a block of Indiana marble to aid in tbe erection of monument in that city to the memory of the Father of his country is respectfully submitted to the patriotic consideration ol' tho members of the General Assembly.

dicial tribunals of the country, and that eed Physician, a portion of the ndtana

My

•n K. envied "An .« for .,k)i« .Keihonorible herwlf of .he.n- he wyrtoi. rf pwwyiwi lf««Wr

The Indiana Institute' for the education of the blindstill continues to increase in usefulness, under the superintendence of it* present able and efficient betid, Mr. WiUinm 11. Churchman the number of pupils now in attendance is tbinyeight, showing an increase of ten since last yehr's report. It is trufv gratifying to learn that the excess of receipts, tor work performed by tbe pupils over the cost of the raw materials for the present year is five hundred and fourteen dollars—the present buildings are insufficient to accommodate to advantage the present increased and increasing numbers. 1 earnestly recommend to your favorable action the sufmesttons contained in the Third annual report of tne Trustees of this Institution upon this particular subject.

The jpeaf snd Dumb Asylum has continued to increase in prosperity and usefulness, and the same retrenchment in current expesses so. favorably noticed in tbe last Executive meossge of my predecessor has continued. The new buildings are so far progressed that fhe walls are completed stid secured from imttry fay mots

Owing to tbe careful management of the current expenditures, itwifl not be neceassry to increase the rate of taxation for this purpose «s ft is supposed that the revenue for 9 and 1850, wMJ be amply sufficient. It will merely he desirable to provide some means by which the Trustees trtsy anticipate apart of tbe revenue of 1850—after that time it is believed thnt a material reduction can be made in the assessment considering the crowded state of the present inewnvepfent rented buiWmgs —the amount ^aid for th ir use which is not less than eleven hundred dollars per annum, and the fact that the labor of tbe pupils can be rendered but slightly profitable, there can bee doubt of ihe propriety of providing for the cor ti«ol tbe new teylum during the approaching season.

Under the superintendence of R. Patterson, M. P., an able and experi~n

Ho.p,M| for the (««,«,. .«

Since that period more than two

sugges- Indiana Asbury lnuvorMty has

.j,y

fjusjr0

command useif to the public uith more fevRjon. pYuuklin Colleire lias succeedfavour, tlinn tlini of Plank roads so far, ,.xljnjr(|jslnng a heavy debt which as experience teaches nnvihing on hitherto crippled her energies and subject, it is in fa vor of that character jrnpuired her usefulness—u is now hoot improvements from the cheapness or

few years to become "the chonnelsj'Pi,4Ja.(,(nt(8 through the surplus products of the, country will find an outlet to the great'

thoroughfares of the fijiate, such as roil roads, canals and navigable rivers.— The propriety of granting liberal, yet safe charters to companies desiring to construct this character of public improvements is respectfully suggested.

use*

fulness in society. Among the of this institution are to be found citi. zens from ihe various classes in sociOt^ afflicted with a disease the severest to which the human family is subject, aiid which seems to be no respecter of per. sons. Thaw portion of tho, buildings how Completed is ct^wderf with imwues, and-many rtre still seeking adraiuange but are for the pr^scnf denied a place for the want of room.

Doubtless it was the intention of jhc last General Assembly to provide am.| pie meatiis for the completion of th«f Hospital buildings during the present year. A bill for that purpose was reported, which passed without objeotion, (as is believed) through both branches of the Legislature, but by accident was lost or mislaid, and const* quontly did not become a law. By rea« son of the failure of realizing the bene|| fit of this bill, the work has been most* ly suspended, and any such additional apartments completed as were absolute, ly demanded lor the relief of some of the most pressing applicants for admis. S

Tho subject of education is one at all times of paramount importance, and should engage the most vigilant ntton-

'and a conditional ar lion of our legislators. I cannot close

to be {this coilimunicaiion without leaving my

it is very det-iralno that enrly'nroviffon !e mad« for the speedy completi ui of the Hospital buildings entire. It is believed that no Slan in the Union has done as nftich iri so

short

a period of time,

ameliorate the condition of her own unfortunate fellow-citiseQa the State of liMtiann, nor has

tho

same success attended the lienevolentlnstitutions of any others, that

has

blessed those of our own

State. The promptitude and cheerfulness with which the people have responded to the call of their Representatives, for the means necessary to support these public institutions will redound in all coming time to their honor and prosperity.

A proposition to found an A ay I ura lor the poor and destitute orphans of the State is rcspeetlully yet earnestly recommended to yutir favorable' consideration. No enterprise reflect more credit and glory upon the people and ibeir Representative!* than that which tends to the elevation of the poor and dostilue orphans. Nothing has so great a tendency to attach the poor man to his country and her glorious institutioue, aa knowledge that his right's are protected whilst he is living, ar.dthat his children will be cared for when he is dead.— Certainly no true christian or philanthropist can or will Ira lotind in opposition to such a niouBurc.

humble testimony in lis favor.

Accurate in formation has been recoiv-

Colleges of tho Staio from which I ntn enabled to inform you, that at no formor

|.«iod h„vMl,Py ehjoycl «,

tjons*. grco ol prosperity ns at ihe present titno. The ri'port of the isiter to the Stnte Prison linsj n] in rut Asbury I'niverslty preseilln

fuwt

'appointed to perform thnt duty. enn howeverhy-fivo

cntalmige

ernl good order is pres.trred by th« present worthy nnd eflicient Wnnlcn, nnd that the convii-ts nrei^ll, Hanover Uollcge zo3, ahash Lolwell aunplied

suitfihU foo I and clothing.— h^gc 140,

Kr,at.d».

of two

hundred nnd mn«-

sludents Intlinnn University

ono hundretl and ninrtv-sev".

wiih a library

of

six

thousand

«»a n«h cabinet:

or-

jgaiiizetl Meilicnl DepunnieiU at this

(Imlinnnpoiis,) whh an able

ter Master Generals present nu!liing:lv 'J'he lirsi session nf this Depuri-^ which seems to require any lfigisl.ime

m(1|n

action iho business iti their respective f(Jjr j,r(S|M?f.| ,»(' «n,!Cf»ss. Departments lias been icgularly and 'J'liero is tt law riepaninent attnclied promptly attended to during the year.—-jto

(|u,

'I lie public mind seems to be awakened Huirge of two nblo Professors, to the necessity of improving the clian-, /jll(lj?eM Mrlh.nald and Oim,) which nels of intcrconimunication in our Slate.. .)romjsc great 'isefulness to those who and no public impro\emcni R»etns to

Kacul-}

coruineiiccd in November last,

^,al(, (Juivtu-siiy at Illoominginii

instrnnion in that learned pro-

t.vc(|

thm

she

cultural portion of ihe community to fur- ,,nparailed prosperity, is doubtlfiss nisli within themselves the means jtl very great degree to two construction. I hoy aro doubtless tn a

romjn tlt

will renlixe the brightest

her

fnends, is believed that

causes the ubiliiy of our

Presidents and Professor* to irnpnrt a thorough and profound courso of collegiate instruction to ihe students, and to the moral associations.

Ii is a source of unmingled pleasure, to he erinbled to slate that ihe importent subject of female education is rapidly gaining a strong hold upon the feelings of our people. There are already many .flourishing female institutions in our State, such as the Greencastle Female Seminary, under the charge of Mrs. Larabee and other accomplished assistants, numbering for tho past year, ono hundred nnd fifty students, of which number about ninety wero in constant attendance.

The Bloomington Femnlo Institution under the superintendence of' Mrs. Pherson, assisted by competent and accomplished young ladies, which also presents a catalogue of eighty or ninety in regular attendance—The Fort Wnyno Female ^College—The Centreville Female Seminary—The St. Mary's Seminary. Indianapolis—nnd St Mary of the Woods, Vigo County, all of which are in successful operation, besides tho Princeton and New Albany Female Seminaries with others that are iA process of organ!zation.

The time will soon arrive when the fair daughters of Indiana will be enabled to acquire within the bordersof their own native State, an education which will place them in favorable comparisonwith those of the most highly favored portions of our country.

However, gratifying it may be to witti«8 the rapid advancement of a portion1 of our population in the higher branches of tho Arts and sciences—here is yet another subject which attracts our attention by its greater importance, halludo to the subject of Free Commo» Schools, in which the masses of the people aro

more

immediately and vitaNf interested it is upon them that our country mainly relies for her permanent peace and prosperity and it is to-their advance­

ment

and improvement in knowlegethat our legislative action should be mainly directed.

It is a favorite axiom of our republican creed, that all our citizens are politcally equal. To enable the citizens tc enjoy the rights and privileges granted to his by our constitution, it is n*cessar that he should receive at least, a good elementary English education^. If he ha* this, he is capable of understanding the tendency and hearing of all political question# which are brought forward Cor public discussion—-he is ca-