Western Sun & General Advertiser, Volume 16, Number 45, Vincennes, Knox County, 24 December 1825 — Page 2

an expense within the present iheans of 1 circumstances of the state. The resothe state; when they will prove valuable ! lutions authorized the Governor to draw auxiliaries to the exporting citizen. This on the contingent lund lor the payment ot

subject ought to claim the undivided at

tention ol the legislature. I have said this much on the subject of internal improvements, because it seems to be demanded by the general necessity and spirit of the times. Canals for facilitating the means ot" commercial intercourse between distant points, are of acknowledged utiiity,as a means ol giving a new impulse to the agiicuuuial & manufacturing interests ot ihe country, and improving the finances of the stale, besides giving life and animation to the whole body politic. But schemes of this kind should not be hastily entered into, meiely from a spirit of emulation, or a thirst for ephemeral glory. We shouid be satisfied that the extent and commercial importance of the navigation o be connected or imptoved, are suffici' nt to place beyond doubt the success and public utility of the wot k. When atisfie i on these points, the means of the sta'e may be safely employed. The interest of no community can ever be jei.p, r ;iscd by borrowing money under these circumstances, to expend upon pnm nent and imperishable works ot publ c i t ity, for the internal improvement ol the ro imry, which is a common bent fir 'oall, wncn it is reduced to a teasoi aide certainty that the profits arising from such improvements, will annually exce d the interest of the !-um expended, and tadudly ex

tinguish the principal. It is I i policy

the expenses incurred ; and the commit

tee ot arrangements have reported to me that the vvnole expense amounted to tne sum contained in the accounts and voucheis which are herewith respectfully submitted tor your inspection. This reception ot the " fi ial disciple of Washington," and hiend of America and rational libeity throughout the world,

was, n is hoped, congenial to the wishes

shall be calculated to encourage intellectual, scientific and agricultural improvements, by allowing rewards audimmui. ivies tor the promotion and improvement ot arts, sciences, commerce, munufactmcs & natural history ;

and to countenance and encourage the prin

aples ot humanity, industry and morality,

The utility and importance of the measures contemplated by this provision will at once be admitted. The only diversity cf opinion will be, as to the means by which1 they are to be effected. Agriculture and manufactures are of the most immediate importance to the present and future growth of the state ; and

as these are the pursuits, wh;ch from our lo-

i t f . I. til til I l I

aim iteiuigs o. uie oenerai ssemmy, ; Cal situation, must necessarily eiv.Ldoy u large

under tne joint counsel Ot many who j proportion cf our population ; ami as these stand high in public esteem, was conduct- ! too are the pursuits that mainly contribute to ed with an eye lo economy and a decent the wealth and prosperity of the state, the

respect lor the character of the state. p-issage ot a lav authorising and cm-n:raging

urpose ot

if it were the object ul the resolution to maintain the honour of the government; and barely make a public acknowledgement of our giaticuuc to a national benetactot, with true and genuine republican simjilicity, that end lias been accomplish

ed. That 1 had the honour in coujunc- j constitution it is mane the duty Hon with so niuny ot my teliovv citizens! rai assembly as soon as circui

to greet the piesenceot this illustrious veteran in the cause of liberty and our country, and to express to him our unalterable sentiments of gratitude and admiration, will ever be a source of the m. .st grateful recollection. By the fourth section of the ninth article of the constitution of this state it i made the duty of the General Assmbly 44 as soon as circumstances wil permit," to pYov de one or more farms to be an

y4&ylu?n, tor those persons who by reason

the

me formation of societies f.,r

awarding premiums for the best specimens

ot agricultural production, and dome stic manufacture, would if caned into edict, be highly beneficial to thccouuti y, by exciting a spirit of industry and huprov client. Uv the 2d sec. of the same artic le of the

of the irene-

i

inn stances wni

permit, 44 to provide by law for a eenei al svs-

tem of education, ascending in a regular gradation from township schools to a state university, whcreintuiUoa shall be gr-.tis and cquaily open to all," There is no subject more worthy the attention of the represent itives of a free people, than that of providing means for the education of all classes of soci-

! ety, rich 5c poor together, in the same manj nerand at the same school: nor is there a j more effectiv e method of suppi essing vice, &. ! giving countenance to, and encouraging the : principles of 44 humanity, industry and mo- ; ralitv :" nor is there any better method of

alone, which will enable us to enjoy in an i of age, infumity or other misfortunes, j bringing nativ e genius to hgat c usefulness.

ample manner, the numerous advan'.ages may have a claim upon the aid and be- j it is one of the nrst duties of a government, with which nature has surrounded tis. ncticehceot society upon such principles, ; as vvc .'is of an individual, to provide the

It has been generally expected that du

ring the present session, the National road would have been permanently located through Indiana ; bui circumstances have disappointed our vvishes As this road proceeds towards the set'ing sun, we feel an increased anxiety that it may be completed as soon possible through this rising state Under the influence of t iese feelings, and with clue cliff... rence to the wisdom and good motives ot congress and to the zeal and industry of our own membeis, allow me respectfully to submit to your consideration, whether a memorial to that body, exps cssing the hope Vhich wc entertain, that respectable annual appropi Utions will be made out of the national treasury, towat ds the. continuation of that grand turnpike, would not fu nishour delegates in congress with miteria s that would enable them to operate successfully in this matter in our behalf, besides having a happy influence upon that interesting question. Hy virtue of the compact emered into between this slate & the U. States, three per cent, on the sales of ali public lands within our boundaries, was gi anted to this t ite, to be applied under the diiection of our legislature, to the making of roads & canals wittiin the state. At f e session of 1821-2, the legislature parsed a law authorizing the location ot a number of roads, a, d appropriated glOO,000 of the three per ccn'. fund tor opening the same.

At that time there was due to the state !

on that fund upwards of g40,000, and the law p.ovi led for a dividend and expenditure of the icsidue of the sum appropriate.! as :t may accumulate. It is well worthy of inquiry, whether the large expend iures that have alieady been made have answeed the expectations of ihe public ? Wh ther lai ge mih hav c not been paid to mime." us commissio'iers tor services th it cou'd a well have been rendered bv o.i- i. Hid of the number employed, and at little more than one third ot the expense ? "Whether a l umber ot the roads opened tl'idttr thi provisions ol the taw, are not entirely listless to the public, and even

S'ltVe.e I to become altogether impassable t

that such persons may therein find cm- i

ployment, and every reasonable comtott, and lose by their usetuness the degrading sense of dependance" 1 he uniLrm silence cf our legislature on this subject, is sufficient to induce a belict that mis benevolent provision has not received that consider atoti to which it is entitled. l ew things arc Letter caleulated to ensuie tnat honourable elevation to wnich our young state aspires, than for the world 10 witness the reptcsentatives ot our tree population, in the exercise of their high tunctiohs, engaged in laying a foundation that wiil guarantee comfort and happiness to ihe uniolunate poor. It is the poor and needy that can justly claim moie ol our delioerations than the affluent, vvhjsc wealth sets legislative in. erposition at defiance. Viewing the construction oi an Asylum or Asyums, as institutions, in winch tbe citizens of all the siatCi by some unhappy accident may be docmd to participate ; and as there is y et, within our limits immense tracts of waste lands belonging to Congress, wc ought not to suppose that an application to that body for a small tract of land to aid this philanthropic design would be unsuccessful. The existing law for the support of the poor, though pel haps as good as any that could be devised under the existing system, is rachcaily cielective in the principles of humanity to the unioi lunate, as

; well as in economy o! expenditure. These i unhappy objects of public chai ity are soid

like metchandize or catue, in a public market, to persons who are ganuraiiy m-

, duccd to become their pui chasers from i motives ot gain or avatice, rather man ! humanity and benevolence, and the pnb- ! iic charity thus offered, is often made a ; curse instead of a blessing. To me this j practice seems degrading to our charac- ; teras a christian people. Instead ot les- ; scning the sense of dependence as is con-

I tcmpiaied in the humane provision in

constitution, sr.cn a moue oi ic iiei is

means necessary for their o w n existence. It

has been wed said, that 44 kno- ledge is power," and that 44 ignorance is th'i footstool of despotism." Oars especially, is emphatically a government of the pea pie,' and its very

existence depends upon their v irtue nud in-

A well educated people will al-

irtuous. They only Want to know

their rights, to protect and defend them.

telhgerice

vvav s b

at 2 t.CCO ; in 1815, at 8 JSC ; in 1620, wfrerx a census was taken under a law of the United States, at 147, ITS; in lb23, on a fair computation, at SoO.CCO. Thus wc perceive that our increase since 1S00, proceeding in geometrical ratio, has amounted almost to a duplication every five years. Calculating upon a multiplication of inducement to settle our domains, and the continued expansion of our territory, by the year 1S30, we will appear respectable in the councils of the federal government. To know that at this time w e can number 40,000 citizen soldiers, gives us a presentiment of c ur glorious destiny. With respect to fixing the ratio of representation, I can do but little more than to say, that your own intelligence xmd knowledge cf the peoph s' vvishes, will enable you to make the most sa isfactory disposition of that difficult question. The ratio upon which the present apportionment was fixed, w as as near as possible at one senator for every 1&C0 polls, and one representative for every TOO. To' continue this ratio, would make a considerable addition to your present number, and to increase it s as to avoid an addition to your number, would necessarily lessen the number of senators and represcntativ cs from particular districts. You will no doubt enter upon the consideration of this question, with a proper regard to the rights of representation, at the same time keeping in view such, economy of expenditure as the situation cf our finances require. The agent of the state at tins place, will report to you the situation of Indianapolis affairs, by which you will see that a great number of oi- which were sold in the year 1S21 are likely to be forfeited to the state. Sundry resolutions from different states, relative to a resolution of the Ohio legislature oo the subject of slavery, have been re ceived, arid are herewith submitted: Also, some resolutions-relative to the proposition by the Georgia legislature, for an amendment to th; constitution of the United States, which are also submitted. , It will probably be necessary, for the purpose of av ailing ourselv es of the benefit of a law of congress, passed at the last session, extending to the adjutant, major and brigadier generals of the several states, the privilege of franking their communications, to

pass a law making it the duty of those offi-

b V A , , t 1 tcrs 10 roake the necessary endorsements hv a ".rant from congress, a section ot land : nn,,n nn n.te k, -. - , i ,i , , i i "pon ali letters or packages they may transeach township iu tins state, lias been in- , n.it tn nrh ...:.a.. '

in eaen luvwiamo m tuts siaee, u.ts ucen iu- mt -,- '

v ested m tne mliujitams ot such townships . turns or commissions. for tne use ot common schools: two entire . .

i ne mmtia law of this state, in defining

has

more responsible than those nf thn -wlint-n-

general, without allowing any compensation therefor ; the consequence is, that the office will not be accepted.

1 tie auditor anu treasurer, whose special

townships have been invested in the ltgisla- I 1 'c militia law of this state, in definir tare for the use of a state semnuu y,- and by ' tl,e d.utlf ie quartermaster general, h; a provision oi : our constitution, all lines as- ' reluirttl of him, services equally arduous,

sessed for a breach of the penal 1 ;ws, and all commutations for o.intia services, are apprqrpnated to me use of county seminaries. The ; comiiion school lands are estimated at608,!c0r j

acres, which, at S per acre, would produce ! , " dUUUl treasurer, whose special ... f.,,,,1 Mftjii Thiv sum :.r i,,t..,..wt elatv 11 ,sto report to you the situation of their

at six per cent, per annum, would produce eral departments, will lay before you the

- vi lli' rrifs t -.-.,. . .

iiiiaiietb. ii wni oe seen tnat t'aere is considerable diminution in' the an.ount of revenue from the last preceding year, growing out of the act of the last session, lessening the tax on land. The revenue assessed for the present year amounts to 40, 000 From former delinquent lists of almost Si 2,000, it is thought that the treasury will realize S3000. It may reasonably be calculated from past events, that SOOO of the abov e aggregate amount may be deducted fop delinquencies and commissions; leaving for the treasury S35,000. Of this sum it is believed about S5000 will be paid in outstanding claims against the state, and held bv the collectors.

yearly, l'heie is now 40,960 acres

ot college lands granted to the state ; all of which will show that we are furnished with means. It stiil remains for the legislature to improve and increase these sev eral funds, so as to carry this general scheme of education into complete effect. For further and better information on tins subject in detail, permit me to refer you to the able and lucid report of a committee raised by a joint resolution ot the general assembly, approved Jan. 9, 1821, which was made at the ensuing session, and is now on f.le in the olhce of the secivtary of state. This report is w orthy an attentive examination. 1 wiil remark, howev er, that this report is predicated upon a supposition that . the legislature can legally sell the lands for I

the use of township schools. Upon this point U1T on l,ie mst day of Jan. 1826, of available much doubt and great diversity of opinion fa"dsf the sum of SS0.000, to liquidate the exists, and it is believed that upon an atten- , demands of the current year. The ordinary

live examination ct tne terms oi the compact i-M'enscs ior ine year, lncluthngthe civil list

Thus there may be expected in the treas-

OUi

! calculated to lacerate anew the already wounded sensibility, to increase the sense

by a second gnwih, and neglect to keep j them in repai. ? Whether the ul.oc of the fund can be appropriated f r an inde-

of degredation, ai d changes the in fortu

nate dependent from an obj. ct ot public charity imo a means of fmvatc ,-?ccnaftntJ 'IK-it tliic c i of pth it; f I f t 1 v x 111

into pei lod, exclosivelv to roads, when ! . r A n . i . , i ., ... point ot economy, will at once appear obCana s are enioraced in the compact; 1 1, , , . ,r . , Al , . i . 1 vious, bv relernu' to the items ot expendyou should think it expv client to continue i , . . . . J, , . c , . - j nurc in the scveial counties in tins state,

ill's ia ill iwii.v uny 'oiicvn 4. i - it ?it.t- . i w J ' I inirfi I

luily sudmitlod to your consideration, whothc v wou.tl not render the fnnd

will enaeavour to procure and

lay liefoie you. It is submitted to your

more itTective, to reduce the number of i . , . r ! . . r , , ... above provision ot the constitmn cannot commissionct s, Sc ch.mirc the provisions i , i . t . n .; r

f M O I'll," i . . tl ni'iiluMt 1 flllcl' ak I J

VII t il- t. tl IW JIIUHIUIV U VII 1 I.HII' Vi I

the fund amongst the several commissioners until a certain amount had accumulated, anil to extend the scale of appropriation toother sections of the st;tc which have been settled since the passage of the law ? In obedience to the resolution of the last General Assembly iiuiting General Lafay tie to visit this state, and requesting the Kxccu'ivc and citizens to "receive him with the honors due io the illustrious Guest of the State and Nation," 1 proceeded in conjunction with many of our distinguished crizens, to the town of Jefferson ilU, w here he was welcomed to our oit in such a mpnner as was thought most consistent with the character and

viding the s'atc imo districts ot counties !

or larger, and making provisions for the establishment of an Asvlum in each.

where under the care of a single super- ! the result of the enumeration of the tree

granting these lands, the right to sell will at least appear questionable, and the reasoning to siq .port that position loose and unsatisfactory, unle ss the consent of the landholders in each township tan be obtained. It may he noticed th..t sec. No. 16, in each township, is granted to the inhabitants of such township i-r the use of schools ; and they may view i; as an incident to their purchase. There can be no doubt as to the right of die legislature to sc. il the seminary lands, for they are bv the terms ot the grant 4 vested in the legislature, to be appropriated solely to the use of a seminary by the legislature ; and the 1st sec. 9di art. of the constitution wisely intimates the propriety cf a sale of these lands after the year LSO. It may well be worth your attention to enquire whether they are not daily ihmhiisiUiig in value, under the existing mode t leasing them. The seminary at lUoomlngton, supported in part by one of these tow nships, is in as flourishing a condition as coultl hav e been anticipated. Tuition is comparatively cheap, and no pains are spared to make the institution respectable, it cannot. I think, fail to receive our patronage. It has been suggested, that it w ould be serv iceable to the seminary, to place it under a directory remote from the place of its location. The secretary of state w ill lav before vou

and contingencies, will be about S22.000 leaving S000, which may be appropriated

muring mc puonc oeot. i he public debt is Si 6,920 iic T3 cents, and consists ol t.ie following items, to wit: to tlu United

intendant, made responsible lor Ids con

duct, the prior, deal, dumb an unfortunate ot the distiici mav be collected ; and those of them, of capability occupied in some useful employment contributory to their subsistence. It is believed that upon this sy-tem the poor can be maintained ;U an expense litt e exceeding one halt of that w hich is paid bv the people under the present system, besides aflordinp; abundantly the milk of human kindness The 1st ec. of the 9th art. t f thee tistitu t;on prtvides. that 44 the central assembly shall from time to time pass such laws as

white male iiuiabitants o this state, anthori

I'.ed by an act of the last general assembly, to a conformity with wh'udi the rates of representation are at this session to be reduced. In noticirg the present strength of the state, it may not be uninteresting to take a review of its unparalleled increase for the last 25 years. In the year lfcOO, it is supposed the territory contained jCOO kouls; iu lfcOi, the population is estimated at 11,000 ; in 1810,

I he reader will observe that in tins estimate, the population cf what at this time forms the states c f Illinois and Missouri, and the territories of Arktnsuw and Michigan is embraced. Sua Editor.

! c nCS- abi,Sl4-'ts of the Vinccnnes bank, S2.313 3Cc, principal and interest; to the

loan cv canal lund, bt-,475 principal and int

erest ; treasury notes in circulation, and interest on the same, S1.5E0; to the seminary fund, Sl,2o2 37c, principal and interest; ci to F. Kapp, S5.300, pihicipaland interest It may be presumed that about S30C0 cftfiis debt will be demanded during the ensuing year hence there will be 5000 left in the treasury, subject to the will of the legislatuie. It is your duty to provide the wavs and means for the following year. To e fleet this purpose, the present posture of affairs will enable you to see your way clearlv. Almost out ot debt, and capable' of meeting all the demands that will arise on the treasury during the fiscal year, and with a great increase ot resources ; it cannot be doubted, that the existing revenue laws will produce an abundance ot means for the common purposes of the state It is believ ed that during the next season, there will be upwards of' five hundred thousand additional acres of lands subject to assessment, which have heretofore been exempted for five years under the compact. Fiomthe unparelleled migration to our soil this year, we cannot well a oid the conclusion, that with vigilence on the part of officers, there will be an addition to the poll list also, including the increase by emigration, of rising 7000. Taking this view as correct data, the next assessment will be upwards of fifty thousand dollars, under the operation of the present law. At a period like this, when the farmer finds it difficult to sell his produce for cash, it will not be expected that more revenue will le exacted than is necessary, under the most rigid economy, for present use. If improvements are contemplated let us resort to a different state policy to raise the means. As the tax upon lands was moderately lessened lan year, I