Daily chronicle & sentinel. (Augusta, Ga.) 1837-1876, November 05, 1840, Image 2
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UHKOM-;LiK AxSb SKiSTiNfcIL.
AUGU S f A .
THURSDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 5.
The Electiifcms.
In this morrdng’s paper will !>»’ found the result
■of the Electoral election as far as heard from, which
is truly gratifying to eveiy ft tend of Reform thro’-
out the Union. There is a icTdar increase, which
extends throng!i every county. Rut in none have
we noticed that increase with more unalloyed
pleasure than in old Republican Burke, whi h has
wheeled back into her former track. tVe have
long been "satisfied that her intelligent and patriot
ic sons cou!d not be long estranged from the re
publican TWnlts, and the election on Monday has
fully attested the justice of our estimate. She is
now in her ancient moorings, from which she will
not again be hauled out, particularly in the devi
ous sea of Locofocoism.
Governor’s Message.
In this day’s paper will be fuond the Message
delivered by the Governor to ffie Legi'lature on
Tuesday. And now that we a:»e on the subject,
we must take the opportunity terder our ac
knowledgements to his Excellency for his promis
ed copy, as soon as he could “do so with propriety ,”
and we must admit our enlightenment by his con
struction of the phrase “do so with propriety.*’
by which we infer he meant he would forward one,
when every other editor had been supplied.
Os the merits or demerits of the Message we
shall say but a word —and we are confident wc do
it impartial justice in saying that i s brevity is its
only recommendation. We confess we have been
much disappointed in the ability displayed by his
Excellency. For whether we an.vize it for argu
ment or as a piece of finished eorrr>( sition it is both
weak and defective,
A few Shares of Georgia Insurance Company
Stock were sold on Monday, at an Estate sale, for
- cash, at $54 per share, for 75 paid in; which is
• equal to $79 for full Shares. •;
Off A friend informs us that Mr: Thomas Flor
* ence, of Lincoln County, has raise l a politic that
measures 28$ inches in length, and 23 inches in
‘ circumference, and weighs eight poi.nds. This is
a .genuine Tippecanoe potatoe, and no mistake
Mr. T. challenges the Locos to produce a larger
‘one. ;
The Southern Recorder says:—V;’a had hoped
to be enabled to gratify our readers ;by presenting
them witlr the fine speech wiiich. Mr. Speaker
Jenki-.s delivered to the House, on assuming the
chair, but we are disappointed, as Mil, Jen ins de
clines furnishing his remarks for publication. We
can only say, then, that the speech was a most
happy effort of this highly talented and accom
plished gentleman.
The Augusta Chrenicie calls a n|>ccting of the
“Bloody 600” boys. What does Le mean?—
Butcheis / Crescent City. \
Yes, they have butchered the LociA'ocj party in
•this county in away that is “■shocking— positively
■shocking.”
ELECTION RETI I£ NS .
PRESIDENTIAL. COrp i RESSION AL
VOTE. : VOTE.
t A 'l ( • * y
< 1 •’ > n
“ S i! O
COUNTIES. z- » ! = H- 2
o S » S •
3 IS
* 3 ’ >
• . I m
. . / 1
Appling, -M 100 115
Baker .... .... \ 199 239
Baldwin,.... 731 533 ••• 4 r 330 323
8ibb,....... IS ; j 675 676
Bryan, 69 36
Bulloch, 25 356 i. 7 365
Burke, 593 195 .... 523 27!
•mi 11 •• • • •• • • . •.. 23 i
Camden 190 227
■Campbell 199 530
Carroll, .... .... .... 256 451
Cass .... • • 469 662
Chatham.... o9\ 647 . ...I; 556 6U
Chattooga,.. •••♦ I; 211 268
Cherokee,... 7361 504
Clarke 630 319 i.619l 360
Cobb,.. .... ■ 407 659
Columbia,... 470 223 .... J 479 274
Coweta, .... 652 654
Crawford,... 435 459 |j.4!7 448
Dade, •••• ; 23 145
Decatur, 4'M £4B
DeEalb, .... .... ...• | 6J6 "753
D001y,...... | 228 330
■Early, ... .... ....j* 240 354
Effingham,... 158 55 ....1,173 75
Elbert, .... d 909 133
Emanuel,,... • | 124 170
Fayette, if 406 513
Floyd, 26 i 281
Forsyth, 330 511
Franklin, •••• f 33 815
Gilmer, 84 338
•G1ynn...... ?l0 28
‘Green 594 127 •••• ;840 106
.Gwinnett,... 125 703 689
Habersham, 1 344 802
Hall 1 527 024
Hancock, ... 482 ' £4l .... 469 243
Harris, .... ' ....i, 933 386
Heard,.. I 32 v 374
Henry,
:j 853 752
Houston, ; p;>7 6.7
IrWin, ; i>o l s ß
Jackson, i 534 569
Ja-per, 495 494 1 HO 509
JeiTefoon 93
Jones, j 456
Laurens, i 2 <2 4
Lee, 3v2 153
Liberiy, 1:51 121
Lincoln, 317 123 .... -«94 154
Lowndes 4d:2 1-3
Lumokin, 1 244 718
Macon, *.... | 535 325
Madison, 324 297
Marion, i £57 312
Mcl«osh lOt 145
Meriwether, 7 Jt> 790
Men.oe, 796 675 31?- 733
Mobt:omery. .... , 25? 7
. Morgan, 478 27S .... 48* 330
Murray, 23| 481
Muscogee, ; j 9v J 848
Ne wton •• ....| 9V$ 39s
Cglrthorpe, 655 132
Paulding 8-p 263
2 »rke, s;j*? 626
Pulaski, 2*i 315
Putnam, 316
Rabun,
Randolph, I ••••
Richmond, .. 939 4'b ••••;
Sr riven, fi'iO 199 .... I’ih? k3<
Stewart *
Sumpter, |£? 3/1
Talbot .... .... -U
Taliaferro,... 431 47 ....1 33?,r 61
Tatnall, 2% 24
Telfair, I | 131
Thomas, 447: 145
Troup 11 Vs 463
Twiggs, 37if| 423
Union, 94 422
Upson, 632 293 I 6'd 308
Walker, I 38C 509
Walton, 62* j 681
wave, 2(1 *! 46
Walien, 552 243 5K:,; 336
Washington. 593 433 •••• 57 I 517
Wayne,.... 7d. • 80
Wilkes 433 353 4€ ; 3SI
.... * .... j**
-1 From the New Orleans Picayune of the 30th.
A ICoyal Conflagration.
The Empress and the Monarch »two majestic
boats, were completely demolished hy tire upon
the river early yesterday morning. The Empress
was up for St. Louis, and would have left at me
ridian on Wednesday hut for the violent rain
storm which prevailed at that lime.—Between
three and four o’clock yesterday morning she was
discovered to he on lire, hut so rapid was the pro
gress of the flames that all elfors to check the
conflagration proved unavailing. There being
no possibility of saving the boat, and her pre
sence placing the other boats in manifest dan-
I ger, she was at length cut loose and suffered to
j float off into the slieam. This produced a sin
i gularly novel and magnificent spectacle for those
j who left their beds and sought the Levee at the
: sound of the fire bells. The blazing boat, one
sheet of flame from stem tos'ern, fell ofi into the
; current, illuminating the vessels and houses along
i the Levee, spreading a broad glare of red around
i the sky and lighting the deep Mississippi with the
long quivering reflection of her flames.
She floated almost directly across the river
touching the opposite shore at Slaughter-horse
Point, and communicating her fire to the Mon
arch.. which was there at the ship yard, under
going repairs. Both the doomed vessels were
from here towed out in the stream hy a ferry boat
and cast loose from whence they floated down the
river, and the two hulks sank in fifteen feel wa
ter some six or seven miles below the city.
'The Empress was owned principally in Frank
fort. (Ky.) and partly in t>t. Louis. She was
commanded by Capt. Bacon, who never left the
blazing vessel until she was cast loose by the fer
ry boat ami actually sinking. It is possible that
, the fi.e of the Empress might have been quench
ed on this side, but the risk to the adjoining boats
| was so great that the other crews cut her loose.
| The loss of boat and cargo, which was principal-
I ly salt, is estimated at $30,000.
The Monarch was va.ued at $40,000, upon
| which there was insurance to the amount 0f25,-
| 000.
| A Negro Peot. —A plan of revolt has just
1 been detected among the slaves in the Parish of
Bt. Martin. Ten have Keen arrested on the in
| formation of r negro woman, wife of one of the
I leaders. The chief, on being apprehended, hung
i himself with his handnercuief. It is said that
two white men are concerned with them, and
i were to have lurnisheh them with arms, at a place
in the rear of St. Martinsville, called the Big
I Woods. 'Those who have been arrested are to
be tried in a few days, when we sincerely hope
that the poor slaves may be rna ie to tar, feather,
and ride the white rascals who misled ihem upon
rails, according to the most approved decisions of
the venerable Lynch.—A. O. Picayune.
Annual and Bjennial.—ln our last number
an important error was command in slating the
■ vole on this question. We were led into it oy a
I misapprehension of the statement furnished us
Iby a friend. The vote as exhibited by official re
turn. stands for annua! sessions of the Legisla
! ture, 5,672 —for biennial, 37,911. —Southern Ke-
I carder.
Three White men Taken.—The Apalachi
j cola Gazette of the 24th ull. stales, that a few
i days sime in Middle Florida, three white men
were raken on suspicion of aiding the Indians, in
j their depredation on the lives and property of our
i citizens. It seems a company of men were on a
scout in search of Indians, accompanied by sever
al of the blood hounds and were led by sevetai
trails to the house of the men, which at length
| induced the commanding officer to have them
arrested, and on examination, found tbe\‘ had
scarcely freed themselves from the paint with
which they had been painted to prevent detection.
They also found on still closer examination, oth
er proofs of this connexion with the Indians.
This is, we behove, the first arrest ever made of
, white men tor a connexion of the Kind, and is a
convincing proof of the utility of the dogs.
GOV EK NO It’S M ESS AG E.
Executive Department,
Milledgevillc, November 3, 1»40. 5
Fellow- Citizens of the Senate
and House of Representatives :
The recurrence of the legal period for the us
se nbiageof the Representative* of ihc people, liluJs
UUr country abounding in plenty. The uleasiugs
which daily surround us, cai! Jot the response <>t
grati-iul hearts to their benificenl Author, and a
proper ceaeideruliun ot them, should impress on
us the high obligation we are under to regulate
our conduct by his v ill.
The difficulties which have embarrased the
commerce of the world, and produced in many
places distress and ruin, have been fell by our
! people, but not so severely as in many States of
the Un on. The restless sp.rit of speculation
which seemed to have taken possession of the
country, exciting the public mind to a slate of de
lirium, abstracting many of the people irom their :
j customary pursuits, with the inspiring hope of
j the sudden accumulation of fortune has been the
chief and prolific sources of our embarrassments.
| Debts were contracted without leflcctiun. or upon
; the wild supposition that the staple commodT.y of
the South, the great regulator of the value of p/o-
I perly, would maintain an undiminished price, and
habits of prodigality as extravagant as this un
warrantable expectation, were indulged. Men
i who never before yielded 10 delusive temptations,
j caught the contagion, and those alone escaped
who trusteu themselves not within the sphere of
4ls infection. When the paroxism was o.er, and
; tne day of retribution came, and brought with
I it that sober consideration which Tne debtor, di -
i appointed in las imaginary means, realizes when
I thrown upon his actual resources to meet his en
gagements, the true condition of the country was
known, and it was one ofextraordinary pressure,
i Fortunately for (he debtor class of the commu
i nity, the severity of the times lias been greatly
1 mitigated by the magnanimous forbearance of
j many creditors to urge the collection of their
debis, and by the timely aid afforded by the Ccn
| tral Bank. This Institution, with a liberality
; becoming it, administered to the general relief
! with all the means at its command. It could not
have done mor without expo-logits issues to a
ruinous depreciation, which would have oei n far
i more calamitous than the evils intended to be
■ remedied by its kind interposition. Though the
j late distribution has been liberal, it has come
i far short of relieving tl e embarrassments of the
i people. It is impossible, and perhaps iucoueis
i tent with the principles of sound policy, for the
j government to undertake to protect the citizen
i from the consequences ot imprudence or miscai
; dilation. A reliance of tuts so?t would beget
| a dependence destructive ot individual enterprize,
engender and cherish habits ot reckless specula
tion, and luster a spirit of indifference to active
and industrious pursuits, hostile to the welfare
of society. Habits of industry and a rigid econ
omy that would forbid the expenditures of ihe
I year to equal ihe lowest esiima'e of iho probable
! income, and a firm resi.-tauce of the allurements
to speculation held out by the tempting prospects
of unreasonable gain, are sure guarantees ol im
munity from pecuniary troubles, as wed asof in
dividual prosperty.
With U.e Act of the 23d of December last re
quiring the Directors of the several Banks and
Branch Banks to disclose the amounts due by
ihem respectively to the Banks ot which they are
Directors, and enjoining on the President or Cash
ier the duty of staling the aggregate amount of
indebtedness by Stockholders, cither for capital
s’oek or moneys bo rowed, but few of the Banks,
have complied. Upon the receipt of their April
Reports, I addressed a letter to the officers of
those Banks whose Reports did not conform to
the law, calling their attention to this Bt*lule, and
1 invitin'? a compliance, with its requisitions. Some
of them responded to the call by forwardin'? toe
required statements, others declined obedience to
tne law, assigning reasons for it, and a few disre
garded altogether the communication addressed
to them.
The reasons assignee are untenable: some of
them are predicated on the inexpediency of the
law, while others, in addition, occupying the high
er ground of the want of consitulionai authority
in tin- Legislature to enact it. With regarded to
j the objection on the ground of inexpediency, it
I may be remarked, that when the Legislative wi 1
is constitutionally declared, none has the right to
question it, or set up his judgment in opposition 1
jto it. All owe it obedience —it is the law of the
land. The constitutional power of the Legisla
ture to enact the law, cannot uc questioned. It
cannot lie conceded that when a corporation is
once created, it is placed beyond the reach of le
gislation. So far as the charter constitutes a con
tract between the Government and the corpora
tors, no law can be passed impairing its obliga
tion ; but it may be punished for a perversion or
fraudulent use of any of its privileges.
If the stock is not actually paid in, the only
1 consideration which imparts to the charter the
semblance of a contract, or having been paid, is
fraudulently anstracted. the act of incorporation
may be repealed, or such other measure adopted
; as may lie deemed necessary to protect thecoun
: try against tne consequences of paper issues up
| on fictitious capital.
The law to which I have adverted, was inten
ded to expose the transactions of the Banks, so
' far as to ascertain whether their operations were
based upon a paper or a specie capital. This
was no assault upon the chartered rights of any
Bank, and a delicate sensibility to the credit of
stockholders, di I not warrant the assumption ot
a discretion to refuse to make such disclosures
as were considered by the Legislature necessary
to guard effectually die community against un
justifiable impositions.
Many of the Banks arc still in a state of sus
pension; an evil which has subjected the com
munity to gieat Josses. Extraordinary privileges
have been granted to these corporations, not for
the purpose of substituting a worse for a better
currency, and enabling the proprietors to grow
rich by the operation, but that they, furnishing a
| less unwieldy and more convenient medium of
exchange than the precious metals, convertible
| into com at the option of the holder, might re
| cetve and enjoy rill the benefits resulting from
these privileges. When therefore they permit
their notes to fill below the value of specie, they
1 break their faith with die community, and violate
the spirit, and in some instances, the letter of the
| grant, under which they exercise their functions.
‘ i This is perhaps, a difficulty which cannot he en
tirely obviated ; inherent in the system of sub
stitutin'll-a paper for a metallic currency; but it is
one that cannot long exist when Banks are con
ducted on proper principles ; when their capital
| has in good faith been paid it, and when such pa
per alone is discounted as can be made available
in time of pressure lor the redemption of the
notes tor which it was negotiated. Every class
I es society is interested in the maintenance of a
j sound currency, and this great end cannot be ac
complished without requiring punctuality of in
stitutions to which has been granted the ext aor
!dm try privilege of furnishing it. To tolerate
■ their delinquency, ns to offer a premium for mis
j conduct, for iney aloncare benefited, while every
j holder of their notes sustains a mss. This is an
I evil which has been inflicted on the country for
! more than a year, and d« mauds your serious con
■ sideration.— The nature of the remedy that should
j he applied, resting in your sound and patriotic dis
■ cretion, will doubtless he such as is demanded by
) the in'erest of the people. 1 would respectfully
; recommend that a day he fixed for me resumption
ol specie payments, allowing the Banks a reason
-1 able time to prepare for it. and that such penalties
'be annexed to llroir refusal as will eusu r c their
i compliance.
The Centra! Bank, under the management of
! an able and experienced Hoard of Directors in
j addition to the distribution already alluded to. has
' afforded to the Commissioners *»t the Western
, and Atlantic Railroad important facilities, which
have enabled them to discharge many of their
j heavy obligations, which it was expected would
J have been met by the sale of State blinds. This
I measure, warranted by law, was also dictated l.y
H Bi‘lN' ol jlhtu'c hi contractors wlm had la iioied
1 ’aithiuily in bis great work, anti had incurred
| heavy liabilities, rely ing on me punctuality ol the
Commissioner. It has also ma e arrangements
for the payment of the -Sew Vnrk debt, which,
unless prevented by the unexpected default of
i deoto. s.wiU be extinguished early in the next year,
1 by which the State will he relieved from the dis
grace inflicted upon it, by permitting its credit to
be sacrificed. It has met all the apfwopriatious of
the Legislature, including the am Hint set apart
for the support of common schools. Though
these operations of the Bank have resulted m
great advantage to the Slate and people, they hare
i left in circulation a large amount of its notes,
i which must he so reduced, before turther accom
modations can be granted, as to save the country
from the enormous mischiefs of a depreciated
cunency. It is lobe hoped thtt this Bank, so
long the Benefactor of the people, will, with its
ample aesells, be enabled to counteract the un
generous efforts of other Banks to discrediting its
j issues, provided its liabilities are nut increased by
I legislative req tisilions. If, however, the appru
i pnations of the Legislature, w hich are annually
i increasing in amount, are to be provided for by
! the Central Bank, their payment must he made
in the notes of the Bank, lor the redemption of
| which no fund is provided, it must cease itsopera-
Uoxls as a Hank, rolled its debts, speedily recall
its circulation, which creates an obligation para
mount to all others, and wind uu its affairs. As
a timely provision against a measure ol this sort,
I won Id recommend to the Legislature a resump
tion of the entire amount ol tStatc taxes, which
; have for some years been given to the counties,
with bur little benefit to them, hut greatly to the
injury of the finances of the Btate.
It may be possible that the arrangements made
i by t lie Central Bank forth' payment of the Debt
j due by the Slate in New-York, to which I have
already adverted, may fail. It depends entirely
on the punctuality of it debtors. As this is a mat
ter involving the character of the State, it should
be p aced beyond doubt. It is due to the creditor,
whose crrcumstances may he seriously affected by
the suspension of so large a debt, it will be re
collected that what creates a legal liability in the
case of an individual, imposes a moral obligation
only on a State, and her honor must suffer when
her debts are not punctually paid. It will he
necessary to provide for any deficiency that may
occur in the means provided by the Central Bank
for tne payment ol this debt.
Sale has not yet been effected of all the Bank
Stock owned by the Stale, and it is highly im
probable that that owned in the Bank of Darien
cantbe sold, upon the terms prescribed in the Act
directing the sale. This Hank, fran an exlraor
diihiiy prihKHre. was compelled to precede others
in a suspension ot specie payments, which gave
to its credit a shock horn which it has not been
able to recover, and of which purchasers will not
fail to seek advantage I would recommend that
the Stale either purchase the interest of he indi
vidual Stockholders, and take the Institut.on into
; its own hands, or sell its own on such terms of
liberal credit, as will offer an inducement to pur
-1 chasers to buy, and in either event, to protect it
self against the notes tn circulation, ami against
the re-issuing of those that have been redeemed.
A balance is due to Contractors on the V\ ext
ern and Atlantic Railroad, for work for widen
cash was to Rayc been paid. The Branch of the
Georgia Rndroad and Banking Couipanv at Au
gusta. advanced in the year eighteen hundred and
thirty-nine, a considers ole sum to the Commie
1 sioners of the Western and Atlantic Rai'road, on
a pledge of State Bonds, which by contract was
0 have been long since o founded. The Commis
sioners having been disappointed in realising
means upon the sale,of Btate Scrip, have not been
able to comply with their engagements. — 1 hese
claims present demands upon your justice, for
which it will be necessary to piovide.
The system of Education through the instru
mentality ot Common Schools, as at pressnt a.-
ranged, is far from answering the purpose intend
ed hy its projectors. The fund to he distributed
is so small in proportion to the number of child
ren entitled to share it under the existing laws,
that none can derive any substantial benefit trorn
it. It is impossible for the State, with its limited
means, reduced as they are by the inal-appropria
lion of the taxes, to afford gratuitously the bless
ing of education to every child within her bound
ary. I would therefore recommend that the laws
on this subject he revised, and that the children
of such parents only as are unable to educate them
be embraced within their provisions. Our politi
cal institutions being based upon an enlightened
view of the rights of man, cannot be supported
hut by the virtue and intelligence ol the people.
These should he nurtured and fostered by the
State, and the door of instruction should be open
ed to the humblest child of poverty. Every citi
zen then, by proper industry and application,
might acquire such a knowledge ot the history of
his Government, its true policy, and the tendency
i of its measures, as would enable him to detect the
: machinations of the corrupt politician, and to
I distinguish properly between the mad pageantry
and low appeals of the demagogue, and the lofty
I and principle-sustained arguments of the patriot.
\ The Preamble and Resolutions adopted by the
i last General Assembly, instructing our Senators
1 in Congress, ami requesting < ur Representatives
to have the Act of Congress respecting fugitives
from justice, to carry into t fleet that section of tne
i the Constitution of the United States which re
i lutes to the same subject, so amended rs to require
' its execution by officers of the General Govern
\ ment, and amenable to its authority, were forwai
ded in due season to our Senators and Kepresenla
! fives. Thev were presented by the Senators, but
j the Representatives declined laying them before
' the House, and assigned their reasons in letters
' addressed, lo me, copies of which, and also of my
reply, are herewith communicated.
In December last, the whole of the grading
of the Western and Atlantic R.til-road from
Cross Plains to Ross’s Landing, with a small ex
| ception, which has been since let, was put under
[ contract. The confidence of our citizens in the
, credit of the Slate, relieved the Commissioners
from the emoarrassments in which the meagre
| demand for State Stocks in foreign markets had
plated them, and saved l> file State In.e trouble,
expense and loss, attending the sales of bonds to
distant capitalists. These contracts, payable in
bonds redeemable n thirty years, interest at six
per cent., pay aide semi-annually, were l iken at
an average rate much lower than those previous
ly let to he m' t with cash, which ■naniiests how
highly the citizens of Georg : a estimate her credit,
while it is so lightly appreciated abroad. The
grading of tins road has reached that point in its
progress lo completion, that longer delay in the
purchase of iron will result in a public less. The
work alieady done is exposed to con’inual inju
ries from lain and other casualties, which must
be repaired at great t-x pense. The Commission
ers, not believing that iron could he purchased
with the means at their command, except at a
sac dice not to he tolerated, have deferred contrac
ting for it un'il the Leg s a ure c ul ’ make other
p ovi-ion for it. I would rtcommed you t > give
i this subject your earliest consideration. Ills un
derstood that it can be purchased, on such lime
j as will suit the convenience of the Legislature,
if the manufacturer can he inspired with confi
dence by an arrangement under tlic authority o'
law that will guarantee the payment. This toad
has been graded lor two tiaeks, but believing
that what is not clearly demanded hv the pu tic
good, should not be attempted in the present and
perspective low state of our finances, I would PC
■ commed that but one r>e constructed. With
turn-outs at convenient distances, one will be
sufficient for a!i the traveling and transportation
that may be expected on this road for some lime
to come ; and by the temporary abandonment of
the other, the cost of r nisrutiion will lie great-i
ly M’duCOll. li 001181 Ji’fdtion not to he disregarded
in the existing -stale of tilings. When the road
n pot in operation, which should he done with
ou' delay, that the country may receive its bene
fits, the necessity for a second track will he ascer
tained, and it may then he constructed or finally
abandoned as the public interest may demand.
Colonel Stephen H. Lung has resigned his office
of Chief Ei gineer , and James S. Williams, Es
quiret a gentleman highly recommended by the
| Commissioners, whose situation enabled them to
1 form a just estimate of his merit and qualifica
tions, has been appointed to succeed him. The
appropriation fur paying the salaries ami expen
ses of the Engineer department, has been exhaus
ted. It will tie necessary to provide for the sup- j
port of this branch of the puolic service.
A party of marauding Indians from Florida in
' vaded the counties of Camden and Ware in Au
; gust last, and after having murdered some of the
! inhabitants, and plundered and destroyed their
| farms and dwelling , disappeared. Generals
j Floyd and Hilliard adapted prompt measures for
the protection ot the exposed district, in which
: they were warmly seconded by the patriotic citi- ’
j zens of those and some of the contiguous coun- i
, ties, who stepped forward to the relief of the. suf- |
j lerers with a spirit and magnanimity worthy of
the hi ghest commendation. As soon as intt-lli
genc»! of these outrages reached this Department,
1 communicated it to the Secretary at War, w ho.
with his characteristic promptitude, gave orders
tor a force to be detailed from the army in Flori
da, and marched lo the assailed point; and he as
ii sures air, that the whole exposed frontier will he
0 protected. At the same time, I despatched that
aihle and experienced officer, General Nelson, to
shojpeene of these depredations, with orders to
raises sufficient force to pursue the enemy 7 , and
j a-apturo or drive him from his hiding place in 1
(Georgia. He has returned from this service,
lie penetrated and thoroughly examined the Oke
femokee and adjacent swamps, hut made no dis
-1 ftjvery that would justify the belief that the Indi
j ft.is were s*ill in that neighborhood. Yet fearing
I 3Vom the impunity w 7 ilh which they had comrnit
i led former aggressions on this thinly settled sec
| 'lron of the Btate, they might return ; in fact, ha
'Ming heard that in all probability they were on
; their way, he stationed, for the protection of the
country, four companies under the command of
'Captains Clarke, Tracy, Sweat and Jernigan.
•who will be retained in the service for that object,
,in.til relieved by the United Stales forces. Co
j pits of reports of his operations are laid before
j y«u. The people residing near the Okefenokee
i at»«l the neighboring swamps, have been greatly
i .nnnoy i d and injured by the occasional ’.rcursotj
. vuf the Indians, who, from the facilities for escape
| and security afford d them by the situation of the j
ctHantrv, and from the impunity with which their
! ‘xfik-nces have heretofore been committed, have of
I 'iaste become much emboldened. They have pre
e«3ted themselves in Ihcreased numbers, and made
j their attacks in open day, a circumstance very un-
I -usual in savage warfare, and as they are pressed
i in Florida, it may he expected that they wdlseek
a place of refuge in our spacious swamps, and
j thence more frequently repeat their attacks on the
j lives and property of our citizens. Congress at
I its last session failed to appropriate money for the
support of the war in Florida, and as it is qaes
i Lonable. from the interminable discussions w hich
] ,at l, ody has of late inflicted upon the country,
j a w dl he raised for that purpose, you
■ ®' R rov itie tor the protection of the Slate.
I. were belter that thousands should be expen- »
dcd, than that a single life should he lost from a
want of fidelity in toe 3late to her citizens.
The question of bound .try, wnich olieti proves
a fruitful source of angry contention between
conterminous States, 1 am happy to inform you,
has been finally settled with Alabama. 1 hut
Stale, with a spirit becoming her. has adopted
the line run by the Georgia Commissioners, in
eighteen hundred and twenty-six, commencing
at Miller’s Bend, on the Oiialtahoochce iwiver,
and terminating at Nickajack. I place before
yhu a copy of the Resolution of the Legislature
of Alabama on ibis subject.
:i l have contracted for the manufacture of tne
standard weights which, by an Act of the last
Session, it was made my doty to procure, and
they will be delivered in December next. '1 he
standard of measures has not been furnished by
the United States, and was not in the Executive
Office, as supposed by the Legislature, at the
lime of the passage of the law.
The building intended fur a Lunatic Asylum
has not yet been completed, i'he contractor tor
the manufacture and delivery ot bricks, has been
prevented by the unprecedented rainy season
from complying with bis engagement, Irom widen
great delay in the construction has arisen. It is
expected, however, that it wid be ready for the
reception of the unfortunate persons for whose
benefit it is intended, by the first ot June next.
It w ill be necessary for you to prescribe the rules
under wnich tins humane Institution shall go
into operation, and provide for it a Physician
and the necessary superinlendants.
Congress failed at its l ist session, though one
of extraordinary length, to appropriate money to
pay the State of Georgia her claim against the
Government for disbursements to the Militia for
services, subsistence and losses. Ine attention
of Congress was not called to the subject until
the session was considerably advanced. It is to
be hoped that those who represent the interests
of their State in that body, at the approaching
session, will urge its consideration at an early
day. 'i'he Secretary of War has manifested a
friendly disposition towaals it, and all that is ne
cessary to insure its payment, is tbo authority of
law.
I lay before the Legislature, the address and
resolutions of a convention held in June last, in
the British Metronolis, of an extraordinary cha
racter. The lone of denunciation u-ed in these
proceedings, proclaim the madly fanatical spirit
that dictated them, and fully demonstrate the
fatal extremities to which a false philanthropy
may impel its votaries. The suggestion to any
measure to the General or State Governments of
this Union, whether constitutional or not, by the
subjects of foreign powers, is an impertinence not
to be endured ; but an olfer to dictate an uncon
stitutional policy, subversive ul the authority of
the States, violative of individual rights, and en
dangering the peace of any raemb r of the con
federacy, is an injury that should he felt be eveiy
American citizen; and the nations whose sub
jects are thus offending, should be required to
bring them to condign punishment, 'i'he history
of this Convention proves, I regret to say, that
citizens owing allegiance to the Government of
the United Stales bound to its support by ail the
obligations ot honor, duty, patriotism and reli
gion, enjoying the blessings which flow from a
Constitution ordained and established to ensure
domestic tranquility, have joined tne unholy
combination against an institution recognized t>y
that instrument. A member of the Congress of
the United St des lias made himself accessory to
this wanton aggresion unon the Constitution, and
by sending to this Department, in a packet bear
ing his frank, one of the papers now communi
cated. The whole matter is referred to you, not
doubting that you will give it all the considera
tion to w hich in your enlightened judgement, it
may be entitled.
The attention of the Legislature has been so
; repeatedly called It) the amended Constitution
I authorizing the establishment of a Sup emc
Court for the Correction or’Errors, that it is only
I necessary to bring the subject before y u to en-
I sure such action upon it as is required !>y the
i public good.
j I herewith communicate a statement of tha
! Warrants drawn upon the Trca ury for the p>
■ lineal yeai just ended, and also a list of Exoru
j live app untments mane during the same lime.
| 1 ,a y wore you the report of hcCoaiinisski-
I ITS of the Oconee Navigation.
The law establishing .m Independent Treasury,
! was passed by Congress at its late session by
I which the Government has taken into its own
j hands the management of its tiseal concerns.
! This measure, recommended by the nnwarranta-
I blc issues of the Banks which had been cunsti
I luted the depositories of the public funds, the
heavy losses sustained by the mal-management
of these institutions, their profligate waste w ith
out responsibility, and the heavy uuties neces
sary to supply the deficiency, will, when its
practical edicts are felt and seen, receive the
general approbation. It wrests from the hands
, of the Executive ail the patronage they wielded,
through the Deposite Banks, their stockholders
and debtors. It can bestow no favors and pur
i chase no influence. The Revenue will not be
more exposed to peculation by the Officers of
, Government, than it was mid r the late system
by the officers of Banks ; and the former with
their sureties will be primarily liable while the
latter were only secondarily so. I'he money of
the Government will be much more safe too. in
its own vaults, than in the custody ot an institu
tion which when deprived of it, is compelled to
i resort to loans on both sides of the Atlantic to
I sustain its credit.
i In the published laws of eighteen hundred and
thirty-eight, an Act s found having all the re
quisites of the Constitution to give it authority,
by which the sum of fifteen thousand dollars is
i appropriated for repairing the Arsenal, and re
’ pairing and cleaning the public arms, when, as I
; have been informed, the sum of fifteen hundred
! dollars on!} - , was set apart in the Act as passed
| for that object, the error having occurred in tran
scribing it for the signature of the officers.
The several sums appropriated to the Cornp
! troller General, Treasurer and Surveyor General,
I in the fourth, fifth and sixth sections of the Act
to appropriate moneys for the political year 1840,
for compensating them for extra clerk hire, have
not been drawn from the Treasury, ample allow
ance having been made these clerks in another
part of that Act. I would recommend the repeal
of the sections above referred to, and also the
Act in regard to the Arsenal, so far as it respects
the excess of the appropriation above fifteen hun
dred dollars.
Copies of the reports of the Military store
keeper at Savannah and Milledgeville, are sub
mitted to you. I would recommend the sale of
all arms too much injured for use. and the dam
aged powder referred to in the report from Sa
vannah.
By an Act of the la-d session.! was authorized
sh pay Messrs, (’harles DhUuherty, James A. i
Merriwether, and Samuel A. Wales, for profes
sional services rendered in defending certain
eases in the Superior Court of Habersham coun
tv, agreeably in n Resolution of the previous
General Assembly. Upon referring to that lie
solution. I found that the Governor was author
ized to employ eounsei to defend those cases, and
Col. Wales having been retained by the individ
uals interested, and not by the Governor, under
that resolution I considered myself bound by re
strictive terms oi the law to exclude him from
the benefit of its provisions. If it were the pur
pose of (be Legislature to place him on an equal
ity with those gentlemen who were engaged by the j
Slate, and to relieve the ndividuais employing |
him from the payment of his fee. it is now in
your power to carry out that intention.
Brigadier General John W. Rabun of the Se
cond Brigade of the Second Division, has resign- 1
If d his offi A copy of bis letter „r
i >i laid before you. ° r?! %i'
I tiansmit to you copies „f )hp „
passed by the Legislatures of (•* '
OJOttl, New-York, Kentucky, jj e . n ! cllc «. s
anna and Maine, relating to nvife er ' ,-V 'l
concern; and also resolutions' 0 /a° f 1
South Carolina, on the subject of t | 5 S: ' s
sy between this Slate ami the State
Among the resolutions communis J*
hnd one with a preamble, f ro , ri
Connecticut, whose object i= fn “ e
sage of a law by Congress for thf 5
the manutactuimg interests. T ’•,
this policy should be resisted (,y ei,eft
constitutional means. It cannot 1 "r *
bow obnoxious it was to one section of m *
fedency, nor with how much tenac ;- -■
bored to by another. In some of the s W3i
tiuguished citizens were ;ound who w U ' e *
to throw off the glorions Union with 3**
(its, rather than submit to its iurdshin ' '
j others there we;e prominent men C,
; see the southern cities covered with f *
! require that the calamity be traced dm ***
;his cause, before they would consent to*?' *.
it. Ihe bitterness ol temiug engendered t
exciting measure is a sufficient ohjecuoi
re-adoption: but there are other reason*h
their foundation in principles of comm',
wherefore it should n«>t be revived, jj
cultivates the earth, or labors at any f ,f a.’
chamc arts, should not nay tiioute to if * '
manufactures the materials in which he*”* * * ®
A choice of occupation is open to all an( j :
has a right to select a trade, alter a due , '
alion of its comparative advantages, and t
j rnand of the government to levy a conlr
| on the rest of the country to increase his m *
; There is still a greater objection, which nf,-
merit of convenience or expediency sim
per milled to overcome. This preamble ■* -f
resolution assert the constitutional pn.-
Congress to enact a law imposing *
tariff’, without reference to the necessities,
i eminent. Concede this, and the Consul
| creates no barrier against the exercise of abs I*
i authority. All will depend on the caprice
unrestained will of the legislator. The Cor
tution confers no such power, and if car tjj>
assumed without awakening a set-ling
lliose who arouse it will find it difficult t os '
due. i'he Slate of Connecticut seeks the
compiishment of its object by obtaining ib t
fiience of the expression of sentiments tavorr
to the measure, by the legislatures of the seve
States. This expression I confidently belie*
they cannot obtain from Georgia.
Dr. Colling, the State Geologist, has cotuir..
bis labors up to this lime, though the approx,
lion for the payment of his salary was ethami*
on the Gth day of July last. lie was Lfartv
by me lirai the failure of the legislature at
lu»t session to make further appropriation for , t
support of the office, might be construed into*
intention to discontinue it, after tae consul*
Uon of the oalance ol the fund and that it
discharged the duties beyond tha time at w:.
the sum set apart lor that special object skoij
j be expended, he must rely for compensation.
! the esinm te placed by the legislature on tlie
1 cessily and value of his sir vices, ii ;n k
j opinion the public interest requires the lr
! p osecur.bn ot’ this survey, an appropriation .<1
!be made to defray its expenses. I would reie: ■
I mend tuat payment be made tor what has kill
j done. The fourth Annual Report ot ihalofeH
|is now communicated from which it will* 1
j seen that disoveiies have been made in re j
1 counties valu ible to ihe interests of agr.cultn, |
I recommend to you a revision of the Infer m
tiie government of the militia. From there; 1
1 of a proper organization under the
tem, it is impossible to bring a force, liowr,.- I
small, into the field, without great diliL ;
; when it is necessary io resort to a draft, jy j
j ders cannot be executed hut through office .19
I and in counties in vvh cii a draft was recently . I
dered to till a requisition under ihe auffiour 1
tiie General Government, lor a single eompt
mere was scarcely a company to be found ff. J
eily organized. Much delay was occasioned?
I this cau.,e; l>ut after the draft was compife
new embarrassments were thrown in the war |
the unwarrantable interference of evil di?p
PWOih, who advised lilt) iDoii not to yield u».|
enie to a call made by die aa'lmriiy <<i’ the L-
I'he exoni.in of so wicked an influence slk f
t»e made the subject ot the severe rctribuuj,
which it merits. It iscafculalcd to ensnare tilt
nocenl for he who ignorantly hiedsthc unfortnae
council, is subjected to a punislimont irons sir.
it is impossible, in the rigor of the military lit 1
to escape. Cases may be imagined in winciim 1
safety of a wliulo community might oe enJ*- - I
geietl.
The Octolicr report of the Bank of Rude 1 |
vilie is transmitted to you. 'l’he seiui-annial- f
ports oi the other banks, that have been receive
are in this department, subject to thecxaaiins.
and order of the Geneial Assembly.
Three bills, passed by the last legislature^
; presented for my revision, which were disse J
to tty me, and whose lelurn to lhatbdy«t ;
prevented by its adjournment, are herewithcoe
municaled, together with my objections.
A copy of the report of tlte principal keepr; s
tiie penitentiary, recomm'mding such am ■’
raentsof the rules for the police of that instm
lion as has been suggested by his reflection V
experience, is placed before you.
Great difficulty was experienced in the be 0 ;-
ning of the year, from lae want of materials
keep the convicts profitably employed.
piopriation was made by the last GeneralA»
sembly to purchase mein, and the officers «r
compelled to rely, in a great measure, otT- i
credit of the institution, which hau become DM
impaired by the heavy amounts of unsettled
inands against it. Advantageous
not Ire made under such circumstances. 1
small appropriation of three thousand Jolt* 1 *
made at the last session, was drawn from ;
Treasury before the first Monday in Ja |lUi
last, so that the institution was compelled to lf
on its own resources for the present year. D ?f!
is now on hand a large amount of good materia •
for the purchase o. which new debts to a con=i“
erabiy amount were necessarily contracted; - 1
from the manufacture of which the State
expect to realize a handsome profit. For b
year 1838 and ’39 the sum of twenly-fi ve
sand dollars was voted to. this institution, f
that is now ar-ked is a loan, not an appropria llo '"
and if the institution should be neicafier cot
ducted with as much energy' and wisdom
has been during the present year, the State)' 1 -
be reimbursed in a very short time.
'I he enclosure around tne lot on which then 1
ecutive mansion is situated, and other necessa'.’
improvements authorized by an act of the
session, have been delayed by the difficult' -
procuring the suitable materials. I'be outbu- 1 -
mgs have been erected,
j F ram tne oth.dal returns made to this Dr}' 1
ment, a most decided and unequivocal cxpre=-' |,! ‘ 1
of the popular will in iavor of biennia! se?> !l
of the General Assembly has been given-"- ‘
vote being thirty-seven thousand nine hu» ;
and eleven for biennial, and five tboussiid
hundred and seventy-two for annual sessions
more than seven-eights favorable to the t" rn,f ’*
i The heavy expenses of the annual session °*
i numerous a body, the abortive efforts hereto '
| made to reduce the number, and the consUl» lw J> s ‘
| authority vested in the Executive to convene '
1 legislature on extraordinary occasions, have.
iloubt, concurred in creating this strong
sentiment in iavor of tbo measure. Ii t' ie vV ‘ sl ' [
, of the people are permitted to exert the
to which .hey are entitled io representative g° r
emmentf, they must be decisive of your acli' :
on this subject.
CHARLES J. McDONALU.