Western Sun & General Advertiser, Volume 10, Number 52, Vincennes, Knox County, 25 December 1819 — Page 1

WESTERN SUN & GENERAL ADVERTISE 11

TO! T St OsBOEll. ri.YCEAW V. (IXD.J SATURDAY DRCEMHi.R 5 1 19. Vol. 10.

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pAUGUHAL ADDRESS W ' i CJCCt it Jonathan Jennings, govern r i I iat on taking the cat a of offi, r ; dc Hxjh red before the ge-

nercla&xembl of the State of Indiana, n Wednetda . , Dt ci mb r, izl9. DEEPLY impressed with the solemity of tii ' occasion, and with sensations Le most cnateful towarfls my fellow-ci-uei's, i should ungenorously repress my SHrtifeeLngs, it on this occasion particu larly, i were not to offer my acknowled pnent , tor tin repeated instances in rhieh their con :dtncp.haa he -n so libe-

I iJly bestowed. To discharge with into F ity, the du ies incident to that coi.fi-

tcc, and connected with the important situation which it assigns me, is required, not only bj those ties which cement the - ial compact, but by public and most

I l i 1121 appeal. Directed by such COU-

uaercuicns, ana sensioie ol my own ina--.1.5 v, I slid! again enter upon the dhv .' :i i' .i ;rv i.hfiri I flit; o ni1vina m . forbearance of the community, and , generous support from its reprcsentafves. Before retiring, however, imposing precedents seem to require some general declarations, and it may be proper to sonnect them with tne constitutional term .viiich expires with the present eent. From the nature of the change which v have lately underg ne, from a territoftal irovernnient to an indent nrtent

m . - i lereiguty, reflection was only necessary

to tow see, mat to unite public good and public opinion m the discharge oi miporuit duties, would thereby be rendered re intricate. The great diversity of political maxims and opinions, to which mr citizens nave been accustomed, their habits and maimers differing as widely. ajjts those of the States from whence they emigrated, and entertaining likewise, the prepossessions and prejudices which L Vitj common to the rounds of their for-Lin-r residence; are considerations, winch Conspire to render time M'ith prudence and perseverance necessary, if we tiat! proximate towards an uniformi ty and stability in our public regulations. la' ing little more than entered upon the t ireshoid 01 sell-government, experience i necessary to alford correct icws ot 'our duties and enjoyments. , Differing opinions will arise, however in rel ition to the practice and construction of the principles of our government, 4 but the more important the subject matter upon winch opinions may differ, so rnch the more does tlu nature or our nst tutions, the genius of oar citizens, as

u wcii ah ojr best future hopes require.

in ... moderation ana propriety should be num. conspicuous. 1 he wisest results are only to be expected from calm deliberations, and such objects will be host

L secured by tlie dissemination of useful I & It nAU i.. . nn.i i i . itllnfmf n . .... . . . ... ...

pectfor the government and its laws, b"ta emanating from the great fundamental principles of free government, t that the will of the majority shall rule, when constitutionally expressed. The free communication of thoughts and opinio; being wisely and amply secured by our constitutor, it is to be expected that every subject of general Concern, whe ther constitutional or otherwise, will , produce conflicting opinions; but from these tlie welfare of the communitv has I little to apprehend, if decorum be retired, and the important idea, of divided, powers and coum uent responsibility, be ; t confonnded with views ofexpedienrhe powers of our government are v pressly dra vn from the people to proLe the welfare of ail, and those powt which are not granted remain with the people themselves. These granted po ' d I the wisest purposes, are , and their exercise committed to i T re ; magistracies; that each should : its proper sphere, producing mutuiiecks, and at the same time moving c " nm li n the discharge ot their r tf t of t V To e a ..... . neil i.r exercising4 any hovtsr ftroficHy attached to either r,M exj.pt in the nut mces permitted oy t.ie constitution, the ex rc.se, b one branch of gover . :. it, of a? power i..v lashely vested in another, w aid. equally endanger tii d istitution, as the i v -v.se of any o: t: ers which ..rv r served to 1 would be d mgerous, lously to affect public lil order. Every new sys- . nt, as w li as that under ie pa-op. calculated inj brty and so. tem tf go-, t. r which we a produt e i np tint questions, which at an umev n ui o. aer a sion to t o it J iv 1 r, wl Indisputable but .put lance of winch s n rred f -r ... iV.- jurisdiction :s ons, the imporiictate the oropriety of suv ii .1 course, c m safeiv be referred for a.'ja iicut o:,, to the integrity of public opinion, rime will be indispensably requisite, to settle the princip e. fjf our constitution, and den isiona theret n, en if del r, should b ... rived from Toat tribunal, ic rision v hen had

would be paramount to every other, but the original power by which the insUUm at itself was constituted; and in settling constitutional difficulties, there Can be no concurrent jurisd cain, unless expressly provided fur, whale the exercise of such jurisdiction in any other instance, must be by implication, and against the let! r of the constitution. Whatever may arise however, to agigate the public mind, the most certain means of adjustment will be derived from consulting the good sense of the people, in whom is vested the dernier resort ; and let the exciting c iuse be what it may, to disturb the peaceful feelings of society, much should be yielded as an offering to social intercourse and tranquility, unless it be intim itely connected with settled principles or positive duty. T ) promote the general happiness and security of the people, is the object of every wall regulated government, and should be the intention of every of its members, when it is recollected ca.it individual welfare, as well as that of posterity, is intimately blended with tr.at of the community, livery citizen indeed, should consider hi nself a guardain oi the j)uhiic welfare, tocwrect by r asou u.:l fierttuutkm, the errors of h.s o wn t: ol, and to mspire those, to whom : ibl c trust is or may be connded, to estimate t..e public weal, as pre-eminent to every person dor local object. Li a republican government, there are political maxims indispensably to be regarded, rf wliich an undeviating regard to public justice, and a steady adherence to virtue, nay b considered among the most lead ug k essential, and ' no mischief, no misfortune, should deter us from a strict observance of justice and public faith." A different course, must invariably produce a gentral want of confidence in our government, s receded by a train of evils calculated to undermine the basis oi its superstructure, and destroy tiie drm t pillars of its support. Such, fellow-citizens, are in pari the views and opinions which have and w.il predominate in my mind, especi dly ... the discharge of public trust; uicending at all times to pay due respect to public opinion and consult it when it he practicable, through the channels of puoiic welfare. In the discharge of my duties, however, difficulties were expected and such expectations have not been disappointed. No assist mce could be ri d from the practice of predecessors 4 e ery thing was untried and withou; precedent, unless derhed from othj r ues, while the principles ot tat governiueut were to be applied, so floras was pi ictlcable, to the cnaracierand habits oi die people, li uotwitastaiiing, under these ana other difficulties, m) official conduct siiaii nave niec tne approbation u my constituents, 1 have Kaiized that reward for my exertions, whicn equals a. fondest uopes; 6c

ami satiSi.es ny lug Corydon, la, L) i expectations. Govenors Message. Tl' l.;J)A , iec. 7. This day at 11 o'clock., the following Message was received by bot h houses of the Legislature. GutnUemcn of the Smate and of the Uouhc 9 Refirt sentative. AT no period perhtps. smcv the operation oi the State Government, lias the situation of the country at large been more emb trrassed, nor required more of the fostering interposition of legislative support. Enough oar citizens generally be much less snackled with difficulties than those ol a. jau ging States; and although we can derive troun such reflection no consolat.on whatever, it should nevertheless stimulate us to renewed exertions, by wise and timely measures, to avert public and private distress, so far a ultimate good of the whole will render our object practicable and proper Under the existing pressure, the extent of which is almost unlimited, we have however ample cause to call forth ou r gratitude towards the Omipotent Disposer oi event, whose goodness, during the past season, has bl ssetl us with unbounded health, the enjo mcnt of pe ace and a s ifficient suppl) the productions of the earth, notwithstanding the unusual season which we have experienced. The subjt cts which appear to require more immediately the deliberation of the General Assembly, although limited in t: v r number, are'" lor the most p irt important to the community, and demand the united efibrts of the w isdom and exi erience of the Legisture. I he system, under which the Revenue is a-vssed and collected., recpnres a thorougii change to insure an impartial assessment and punctual collection, as well as prompt payment into the Treasury. The public credit must be supported, or tlie public faith will be materi ly injured. The former cannot be consider I as secure, without the present system shall be materially changed: or ge. 1 place to another substantially diftercnt in it.- provisions. 1 'he assessment. th present system, is unnecessart-

which affords so much the less time for individuals to prepare for payment, and for the officer to collect t ie taxes. An annual assessment for toe state purposes might be rendered unnecessary, when ome being faithfully performed, if afterwards, the owners of property subsequently becoming subject to taxation, by payment b-n.g made to the U. States were required by law to report such property to the proper officer, for the purpose of being enrolled witn like objects of taxation. Toe proper vouchers for theorticer changed with the collection of the revenue should be placed in their h inds as soon as practicable after tiie tune required by law, for the annual payments into t:ie treasure; and their property as well as that of their securities, from the time of executing tlie bond reqiired, s;.ouid be held subject to the claims of too governue. nt, until they s'lall have been adjusted and satisd. kaal tied, buj.i a co .rse would render unnecessary the enactment of laws t r the reiiei of code rt rs, so common to our statiU:9 y racil tat g their coliecti ms while u.s. . irgiag more directly cotmected with their omcial situations, with much convenience to the people; In in collection of the Reveune there is too much uncertainty and delay, when coercion becomes necessary, growing out oi the present regulations. It is hardly to be expected that either of the Tre isury officers should attend tlie courts at different points throughout the State, to urge the legal measures for collection. On the part of the several pr -secuting attornies of the different counties, there is not such responsibility to the Treasury Department, as to secure tlie punctual collection of tne Revenue, in cases of delinquency. Tne frequent changes o; those officers; by the Courts in many instances, require that all legal proceedings, necessary to our tinancial s stem, bistituted in the County, where t e :itat oi Government is or may be caced vnere the public recor .s ill furnish, at cll times, such evidence as the interest of the government may demand. C onnected With this subject a law autikoiisnig the appointment and derimng the duLes and emoluments, as may be deeme i proper, of an Attorney-General, is recotaineaaed to your impartial considerat ...1. Questions frequently occur, w u.ca re pi.: e tae aid 01 legal anilities, in ail the araaches oi fie Executive L)epart.neat. Sometime! ...s.s are Oro ig it up to the Sup reuse Court, in which tiie State is interested, & no oMt t r to prosecute in its benaif An Attorney General might oe made tiie responsible officer, 10 prosecute and collect all sums due to tne at.de from delinquent collectors or otherwise, u ider su .1 regulations as may be prescribed for tiiat purpose. To collect the revenu wit . certainty, and with the le tst distress to the community, is materially important ; audit ought not to be supposed mat the citizens will hesitate to defray the necessary expenses of the a Government, when the public money is guarded with economy, and disposed of only as they, by their Represent .lives, may direct. But those who manage tne mou.ed concerns of the State should not be considered accountable for the public credit, if the necessary measures are not provided, and the power afforded to render secure such provision as may from time to time be made. The resolution of the last General Assembly, M authorising tlie reception . banknotes for debts clue the State,; uid for other purposes," is quahned to produce, ami has in some instances, produ ced difficulties in making payments to the Treasury. The paper of a portion of those enumerated banks have been current in one section of the Mate, and entirely the contrary in another ; and although such notes may have been current when the collector received them in payment of taxes, yet in the laps of a short period their credit may have been materially injured, ot of course the Treasurer of the State neither authorised nor bound to receive them. When collectors receive them, under the authority of the resolution, and the same instrument in such cases requiring the Treasurer not to accept them in payment of the Ke enue, any loss which must thereby accrue should be sustained by the State, and not by the public agents. Moreover, the practical opt ration of the resolution has given currency to depreci.ite foreign paper ; and what is much tube regretted, has prevented the payment of th annual interest on the public di t. The embarrased situation of 01 r cirt ulating medium has produced effects distressing to the community, especially to the farming tnU rest, and those who are indebted to the U. States for the pur c . isc of lands. The balance of trade in its operations against the Western country, and the vast consumption of objects of luxury and articles of foreign manufactures, have chiefly produced the difliculties untler n hich we labor. The late war with er.t Britain, from our loca. and export -in; inning inpai

lv and unreasonably del a 3d,

the scat of war, necessarily threw int i circulation among us a greater quar.t tf of the circulating medium than we had been accustomed to witness, producing an inordinate disposition for speculation, which, together with the enormous quantities of foreign merchandise intrntl o ed into tlie country with the return ofpeace have created numerous delits, & mi some instances of consvie-able run .out. The. payments which these debts rcojaire, together with the payments to the l S. for lands, have drained to a Considerable degree, and will continue to draw from the country its most substantial capital; and it will be difficult to extend relie f b legislative provisions without doing injustice t.i some, or interf ring with loi.g established principles. nether additional time shall be allowed for replevy; after judgment rendered, and the bonds arising thereon be mad.- assignable by law ; or whether the creditor shall be obliged to accept the property of jus debtor in the discharge of bis demand, at a valuation, will require tlie wisdom of the? general Assembly to determine. If the embarrassments of the peoi le should require the adepts ms of either c ourse, both of which are encumbered with numerous difficulties, and more panicjlariy the latter to it course ought to be preferred winch would operate most impartially on the com nunity. It csnnot be presumed that present judgments can be afiected by laws subsequently enacted, which would place the unforbeanng creditor in a better situation than those, whose humanity and forbearance presents a different character. Besides, if the latter be once adopted, it will be difficult on the prmeies of justice, to ascertain the period when its opperations should cease. Tne demands in favor of the IT. tatcs on many of our citizens, which must be pai i in money or subjert them to consequent forfeitures, present a still greater objection to such a ch mge in theTsatfc taction of debts, and v. id n doubt meet that attention to which it .s entitled. VVhenev r, throughout the country, 1 an.ount of debts contracted exceed the means of payment, a genei al pressure must inevitably ensue, and the deleterious efi' tsof which wiil extend to all the mcnied institutions 01 tne country, as well as to mdi iduals. In this state of general pressure and alarm, the suspension of specie payments, which has become so gentuai in the We tern country, lab afforded an opportunity for speculation in bank paper, which iias been practised up- . u the unwary and unadvised to an enormous extent ; unci it is now dihVult to determine whether the situ at ion of the banks, or tlie demoralizing practice ol shaving their paper, produces tiie greyest injuries to the community. The State Bank at Vinccnncs has recently furnished such report as may develope the concerns of the bank and its branches, which will be submitted at an curiey period of the Session. Whatever provisions may Le deemed necessary by the General Assembly, in relation to the bonks within our ow n Sute, it will be important to have a clie ic gard to the couisesof the banking institutions of adjoining States, that no ad untage may thereby be taken ol our own institutions ; anel to guard against increasing incidentally the existing difficulties. 1 he JefiersoLville Ohio Canal Company has mane considerable piogress towards the accomplishment of the object to their association, and should be aided by the resources of the Government : A township of land situated intue county of Orange, which was reserved by Congress, and afterwards gi anted to the :tate tor the purpose of making Salt, has proved to be of no importance in respect to the original objtct, and with the consent of the General Government might be sold, & the proceeds vested in . anal Stock in behalf of the State. The application of the funds arising from such a source cannot be objected to by Representatives in congress itom oti.ei States, and it is hoped that tiu ultimate execution of an object so interesting, will attract the particular attention f ti.r General Assembly. '1 he dividends arising therefrom might be directed to further objects or internal improvements, or the puip. m s of education, rs t' e rei)' -- latives ef the U. State wd ol . hi Slate might deem the mod exped : nt. Tin Conspiration baa made it thc dutv of the General Assembly, as soon as circumstances win permit, to ptovide bv law for a general ss'en ot

education." T iest:cd for