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Ve counsel far tho Gherokees. in the aynomen l
tof th ■.■ m cases—especially tho one brought
1,- fore ff.e convention of judges, relied, tnai.i
lv* on t!>” unconstitujionality of the act of 1833.
The argument upon this subject having long
since been exhausted, and the quest ton having
been abandoned by the most respectable ■■>
those who heretofore contended for the n i
tlonal sovereignly and independence of th*
aboriginal tribes, I deem it unnecessary to re
iterate upon the present occasion, the conclu
sive arguments which might be adduced to si
lence the pettifogging attempts which are n>w
confined to our own limits and jiiri-dictmn.—
If the liras of Georgia, enacted by the inmw
diate r<‘|o esentati ves of her >eople, v.olaie of
no constitution, human or Divine, can be nul
lified by a few interested lawyers and one soli,
tary judge—then indeed, it i- a vain boast for
the people of Georgia io talk of their sove
reign rights and oinHAdKeor.! a having no
lily, and siicce-sfid In-r Io al and
territorial rights for half a cenltny
against federal and foreign inter
meddling— until opposition to a free exercise
of her rights no more interrupts her peace
from abroad—is nevertheless at this moment,
harrassed, annoyed, and letarded in her poli
cy, by h*-r own citizen', whose fust duty p is,
to aid in the faithful execution of the laws of
he State.
Il was obviously the intention of the last
legislature, that the grantees of all land au
thorized to bo granted, should immediately go
into possession of their land; and that the same •
act, which authorized the grants to be issued,
made it the duty of the courts to protect them
in the peaceable and unmolested possession
of the same. But so far frmn these citizens
being sustained in the rights and privileges
guaranteed to them by an express statute of
the State, they have without evidence, without
a trial by jury, been brohibited from enteiing
into the enjoyment es their possessions by the
extraordinary and arbitrary mandate of th-* ,
Judge of the Superior courts of the Cherok -e ■
circuit. Instead of the Indian complainants
seeking a remedy for their supposed wrong, at
common law, to which they weie entitled,
they have resorted to what is termed a court <>f(
equity, Jn cases not proper for the action of |
such a Court, and have been sustained by the ;
unauthorized exercise of the extraordinary
powers of that Court, in prohibiting our citi
zens, under severe penalties, from the ©xer-1
cise of their legal rights, on the partial and
one sided siatemeu's ot Indians who were in- i
terested—and that, too, before the opposing >
claims had been submitted to the honest and
independent decision f a jury.
The deprecated e(f rt pi •diiced by the con [
duct of the Judge m reference to these bills, J
has been to revive the delusive and « xpirin
hopes of the Cherokees, ih it they would vet
be sustained in heir umeasonaide pretensions
to the rights of independent sei f-govei nrnem,
within the chartered limi -of Georgia. They
have seen our own < zein vindicating their ■
oxtrvagant pretensions with a zeal bordering
nn fanaticism, and de ©uu< ln_’ the aothmiues
of tho State, m-rely » at othf.il, , mild
hdministratmu ut e 1 Th s t ©. vision
u.y pi aspects f- ecs havt eru ur.igt-d and
strengthened all 1 iir former pi jadioes a
gainst the i , i,d the gov riirnent ot
G*oi gia.
In the midst o. these so iti s, Pr *
of the Umtec State', with his mfabermg fide'
ily to the true interest of r Indians, as wed '
ns to the States, made another effort to se'iL
these long standing perpit x 'es wi'l he Ch<
c kees, by Cause ■ ir c> b. t »d •
with a dt leg., < am t u ibe • • < a« U «<■.
ington— ti e *iir - l -mh pit unpaiaiL led
in liberality m the I <li.© s But for irasims
best known to that body, the Senate <>t the
I niti d S: t -- decline*' ©■ mg upon the in atv.
end -onsi quenify the »• >j«-« lof the Piesiden'
has thus far been impeded. Ntv riheless*
the important object *4 the removal of the
Cherokees has not been abandoned The
liberal terms etnbiaced m the treaty, are still
open before the Indians. But from all the in
formation in the possession of tin- department,
it is believed, that these perph xities will never
be brought to a happy issue, so long as the In
dians are induc'd to believe, that tin law-of
tho State, nod ns policy towards them. < an be
thwarted, ev .ded mid overruled by then white
frumds in Georgia, aided by our own Stale
Courts.
i he corr.’spondet co and othet documents
herewith submitted to the General \ss< mblv.
will lend to exhibit the true character .md
causes ol the various excitements whn h Lave
been produced in (he ( Lerokee section ol tin
Stale, during the past year: as also he manner,
in which they have been dispose I of by the
Executive, io the absence of q»pr«>priu »• It
gislation, to meet sm h cases By a can fui
examination of these apers, n will b« set < ,
that many of «»u* citizens have ten < xp<»-,u
m ul! the apprehensions of »nv . © i,* ... t
While it may be admitted, th.it the fears ol the
community have, in some mst me- s, b- en in
dulge! to an unreasonable e.xten , y. t i is not
to be concealed mat mam individuals . ave
been exposed to gre it h za d—several I nin
murder* having been comtni ted » pu. u.o >T' i -
<iiDg I'izeas nd disung usheg native', who
weie favorable to the bo!:< y nt the jnira
inent upon the subject ol eimgrat on. wm,,-
others have but narrowly escaped ml i < >
equally bold atd daring. Adi nte 1..
yjisn rulers, uno atlll remain m Georgia, have
b-en deprived by our k>w of be formuiiiv
i ding their people, u is nevertheless true, m
ih< y ventmue io control and govern a per u
oi Ito in, in tbc most absolute manner. And
1 < reason io believe,-nat i.iougii tin* m-
tn entahiy ot these dictators—eeunie
• J .o»d .tided as they ate m all then
edu-tnes of controversy, by a portion of >ur
O*n cmzeus—the lives >4 some oi tue agents
<•> gnvet nment, as well us soim ol the (. litro
k' vs who are favor tble to eniigr.iUon, h ve i
b» en threatened, and perhaps, t ibis inc. they
ft» in daager es asessnera. satn ar. enemy as
this ought not to be permitted io repose in the
• :osom ot the S ale. So lon- as i* s tolerated
we >re exposed to insurieeii mt? ai d comm >-
ions, which can onlv be s ppie sed vhe i mo
late to avoid the effusion of human blood. If
iue mild lavs herotolbie euaciod and designed
so suppress these evils in u peaceable way,
have, been so perverted ns to increase them,
the time has assmedly arrived when more ap
propriate ami efficient legislaUon is culled for.
The Legislature has an unquestionable
right tn o.ike it a hig&y pe.n il crime for any
citizen or inhabitant of this State, to advise,
aid or counsel in any measure, or issue or
serve any process, which shall bring in ques
rion before any tribunal oftb.is state, or of the
United Stales, our lights of sovereignty and
jurisdiction over our entire population and
teiritory. ,
1 consider the reserved rights of the S’ates
of this confederacy a chi f pillar of American
liberty; and if properly understood and exer
ci-ed, they wdl lend to peipetuate Union and
liberty to our unborn posterity. To secure
these rights, =t is a mailer of the first impor
tance, that the cnnstitutioD 4 laws of the Stale
should be faiifully executed. We should not
permit their execution to be defeated by any
artifice or combin ition whatever. No ciitZ' i)
should be pct milled, dir< et]y or indirectly, to
encourage ipbellimi aga nst, or resistance to
the constitutional sovereignty and j risdiction
of the State, which secure to him the inestima
ble blessing of our republican system.
It is with the most s; rupulous and profound
respect for the judiciary, as a co-ordmate de
partment of the government, that 1 h ive felt
myself reluctantly compelled to submit the
foregoing strictures to general asembly, up m
the coiiduet of the judge of the Superior ouris
of the Cherokee circuit. Nor is tin- de-ign oi
the Executive, in any manti i wh itever, to en
croach upon the judicial depar memos hegov
er mmn!. But t deep sense of duly, and a
fixed and unalterable deti-rmiuattou <o m un
tain the rights of the State, from wha ever
quarter, and unde< whatever disguise they
may be assailed, compel me o perlorm my
duly to my constituents, regardless of all per
sonal considerations.
The several applications made to the last
General Assembly, for the incorporation ol
rail mid companies we * granted upon term
of liberality, whic i indu ed the belief, th n th-!
dormant spirit ofihe people of Georgia, on the
important subject of internal improvement,
was arroused io a sense of tb.eii true interest:
and before the present da. , it might have been
expected, that pit Ittnmary steps would have
been taken, calulated io ensure the accom
plishment <>l the most impenatit results to the
public. But so far as 1 am informed, with
tho exception of the progress made by the
Georgia Rail Road Company, bui little ha
been effected. That company, however, ap
near io have been engaged m laudable and ac
ttve «ff>ris, calculated i<> induce the belief,
tha 1 . to a considerable extern, the object of
iheir association will, at no di-tan div.be
carried into effect. As to the parm dai pr >-
<jre-s a.'l prospects of tin c-un,»aiiy, however,
I have no information, except that whii h ha>
been sj read before il>e public. Should these
conrmanics fail to avail 'bemselvos f the ex
<l be ; . a /nd mveeges so red to
>|j<-,o b- i ic <■ n .'.ill then he v m tor
he people ot Georgia, ,my lungt i to Rati' i
themselves, that general benefits will shortly
accrue to the community liom projects of in
ternal improvement, winch are depend.'tit fo>
limit execution, upon the enternrize and cap
i a f .triv.i e enzens.
I 'nd. r the exi-iing aspect of things relati- g
to ibe siiliject of internal improvement, am
coesideruig the great interest which the Stau
has at stake, depi ndent upon the tnov* me .
of the present times, the question prest-nl-
H-e.lt with great force to the consideration ©
the preset i Gt neral Assembly: whether 'ln
ample resources of’ the sta o shall not to
liberal extent, be applied at once to this im
portant objec. The ft"otirces of the Stab
herr'oore sei apan uni pledged for purpose
of public education and internal mi irovemei t
should never im diverted into any other eli ui
nel- ©I expenditure, tide my pet 'tice what
ever. But these funds, accumulated as they
wen', from tlm pub’ie domain, should b<- sciu
puloo-lv applied to these -idint ted <*bf rtsoi
first utility. liul'-t d, I entertain no doub .
bu‘ ilia a wise and pruden p licv, directed liy
and nlightened tore’ ast, would simgesi ij.e
hr ■ xpi dmm y <d'gre .tly eularg ng u. r views,
Hi icgarn to the up; iicatioh < sum re- -uicrs
io iliesa objects, before the me ms ofd »m_> so
shall have passed bevund oui control. li the
whole monied resources of tin- s aie, i i what
so ver they may now consist c©n|. be judi
ciously applied to pmpox-sotc ti lion and
HPer.'iil improvement, it emilil no idtoet
feci a j<,-rs,-:;t and g-orecMKirnt 1 . 1c- mg io th«
|.e- pie «>l IwiTg.i Ihe n d tie- o -rn
merer- mi tn tic.ii- ©* ©dm anon i eng brought
to the door ol every Citizens, me objects ol
L r greater impmbmce to the people, than that
«>l granting p.iittal loans ©t rn©n» v (ru.t: the
pub.-K tin s', to a lew tkousand ciliz< ns dis
persed over she st. He.
L mils' tm admitted, that the 1 arg© sums <>i
money, L» ri t< ! >rt- « xpt ©. rd upon roads-md
nvr rs m tins s';:'©, hne i tFeclt d bu» hn|< p. r
m neiit ym Hus affords n© j gr© n .
I r Ui»i ■ mr-.gi me*: : !■ r. w ©»■ ri wt- !■ a • broU-'h
losii iv ©I © r rtl r- on this s (l j©. ~ , v
sti.i;) p.-r<. ive, tii i we were only p-.r-.n _ t
< xampies of ©'J. r.n d mme « x 4> « i.< .c<di a u
nn.lllH s. Most ul ihr old s.a Cs ■>! tins
I Mi u. well as ti e ni<>«*t t nigh emd com.-
rue ©t I urupe, wete, until a tew veats pa-n,
e.xpetsdmg liner wealth upon promt is ol inter
nal .mpr ‘V< uh ut, whicii, if not cu irelv asrless,
.ne icnsijcred al Hus d<v of light up>m tfH»
subject, to tie •» most improv men’, waste ul
time and treasure. The s p»ri r adv m ages
ol rni r d- w r every her d-scnpnuu of
expensive vn.tk- ut u • r . ■ mpro-.euie > , ai.o
as uOHlg Lest suited to mus. t art.- ©f ©ur cn»un
tr>i fccflc avw to i>v‘|ueii;uuid. —
Sxner-ence, the surest and best test, is fanld >
iv -e'l'Dx public opinion on this subj c ;
it is tiieteiore, deemed to be uunm-eas < v ■
this time, to enter upon a discussion of tin
relative superiority.
\ft r he most minute considera ion, I hav ;
iio hesit.mC in reiteiating the often expressed ■
opinion, that the only great work of internal >
improvement, which would be entitled to the)
support of our wlmh> population, and whicii j
could be expected to concentrate the resour- I
ees and energies of the St ile, would boa cen- '
tral rail ro id; commencing on our own sea
board. and running thence to the centre of the
Suite (nr as nearly so as might be expedient,) ,
with the v.ew ot ultimately ex endmg the line
ihrotigh ttie inferior, to our north western boun
d try; s > as eventually to dra w a cotisideralde
portion of the immense trade ofihe great and
fertile W*>--t to our ivuse i board. Moreovei,
such a work exon sd oy Georgia, would be
advancing in the Im- of the splendid projeri
ofudiree rail roa i comm miration, eoimeci
ing the .Mississippi With the Atlantic; and
winch would tend to ensure the success oftha
gigantic conception; which result could not
full to make our rad toad stork immensely
practicable, and at the same time, increase
the individual wealth of our citizens to an ex
tent far beyond the conception-- of those, who
have not maturely considered and inves tga
ted such subjects. i’iie facilities thus afford- ’
ed to commerce, would give new springs to
every branch of mdustiy throughout the State, j
1 entertain (be opinion, that the dav is not I
far distant, when the co jimrrcial adv mt tges !
and disadvantages of all the principil Atlautir |
cutes f the U nte I Mia es, will ipprox mate ;
much nearer to h- same standard, than the*
do at present. I’tie progn-ss already made,
by w > k- c.ompi'ted, and m»w under -omract,
in me d li ren S ties in the Union, I div jus
nfies ih belief, tnat all the pitncipul Adan n
cities, fr >m New Y irk to New Orleans, will,
before the presem getter timi shall nave pas
sed away, be brought near together by one
continuous hue <>f the best constructed rail
roads, except short spaces, supplied by steam
boat navigation. This being eflec eU, the
great question with the producer and meichant
ofihe ulterior, will be now shall 1 get to the
Itluntic in he shortest time and with the least
expense and risk ? I here will then be but ;
lade reason to enquire whether Savannah or
Charleston will aff>rd the best market, both
being brought so nearly to the same standard.
Under tin.' vie.v ofihe subj ct, it appe irs io
tm , mat the great importance of a direct r>d
r aid from our pruit ip il --ea-por town through
the centre of the si i*e, and ul imately to be
extended to the Mississippi river, must force
its« 11, with deep conviction, on the mind ot
every reflecting individual. Such a road if
speedily executed, cotiid not fail to give io our
Stale, a great commercial emporium, surpas
sed by tew, d an.), on u e enure Atlantic. I.
would coticeniraie the interests ond energies
of oui whole people to one great and detinue
object, worthy ol the support of all, because
designed f r the betul’u ol all. This impor
ut point being settled m one definite object,
alt nniio. works of uieriial improvement would
be planned and executed tn reference to it,
vitbout incm ing the tiazard a tend.mt on new'
| -e-ietnes oi -■ ,i . i n.e ,v, u . t re so apt to di-
vot l rttiil un->et ie e ,-umi mmd.
| t in- grea. ddiicoHj ol executing a Slate
i work of die desci qiiion new under considera
; ion, arises from the fact, that competent and
Htlilol agents and superinlcndants are not ul
i ways to be readily procured. Tim best ni. -
liod ol obviating tins evil, will be to limit the
ulire responsibility to a Contracted circle of
tidividuids, r-nj -ymg the public confidence in
la High Pegu e, und who would he able to give
f In- mos amp e se< umy lor liieir fidelity to th©
j i ibh<- mtei -I. Greai as the unoei luKihg may
: a >ptar, ! leel ho ntsuam y in s ymg, that the
j r.isouri es and ( n dil ot the Mme are ample;
I mil whatever in A be j diclmisly applied to
j fleet thvobje.:i, will be loaning the public ©o
i ©-y at a rm© ul usury, which coul i no! fail to
; ti nnbursa the ire.isury many told, fur cv>ry
{do.hit thus exp-nued.
i On ih« hiornt-iiious question of public edu
cation, my views have been so frequently and
s . lu iy pr, rented io tue Legislature tnal I do
I deem I. import.ml, m the present orcas.on, to
rent r ile at large, my iincnangiug opinions.
j 1 lie wisest men ot tin age in wincli we live
, He- th> must profound reseated and patient
exp« i mieiits, have m Vo mos torms, laid before
the reading public, all mat kmd ul inlurmaiiou
wm* h deemed necessary int u .ble the staies
• mail to m*»di;y •xc mg »y stems of education,
.'and adapt them io the <ispe< l» arid exigencies
iol tin comm nay tor whom h* legislates, and
ot whom lie forms a ( umpunaiK part. IVe may
not reason ibl, calculate on tue *on iiiuation oi
the li rly and imtioiiui pr .spentv, hitherto
vouchsated to hs as a people, wiihoui pr viu-
H.g iu. ( Iy i©r inc u.tiusi ■.. *d itu »w.e gu com
nivsuraio wim me u* rea-e <4 .ur population,
and 'or corresponding (mpiovetn ms m all the
arts and sciences, calculated to elevate and
auuin ihv human character- iu o r couniiy,
the diffusion ol Ktjuwl©dge n.usi be based upon
sunn gt-n< rat sy&.eni, wuicn will pine com
mon eiiuca ion witbiii ibe g'-sp oi eveiy child ,
and so effr, i this very desirable object, li is
thmly believed, that me conn©« Hon <4 niaima.
! boi with school studies, promises .he gi. it
e«t ano moj ■> ii nary irnprivemeni upon afi
former , tails- I coi.l*_ss mu I look tu the m
hoou* lion o; manual 1 ihor. as a part ut tne
sy-lctn ol i| puiali© hoot ,io be im only
imp* I general success in our seen*© ot ti.«
L uivii. li is worse than useless, iu site ■pt
to « du* me our cnddien in atiy mode, tending
j to i-onhnn tiabim of idl* ties-, or tu excite h< pi.-, I
and t vp* ctutiui.s ot proem mg the coml >ris © .
lite wenom inuusiry and labor. ihe sepernu !
uiltd.i iges i his sy'.em ai© no longer ma - ,
irrs ot uitio iio ory, dui nave been sati&lac *»- .
<uy ie? ru hi many ui .h • mu-t a©H i
i* U> .me- an . iml. •©-; md me a-s »vi i.ion oi '
in m -at lauor, , i .© common courses ul i
4 su a , nuw unAerwuiy u«gii*ietl to be of tae |
first importance in -dreiiglheriing and invigora
ig the intellect, as tvell as improving the mo-
I' of the students. Moreover, such associ
a ton cannot fail to create ami cherish a pro
per sympathy for the plain realities of life, so
necessary to the virtue and happiness of man
kind. Unless labor he connected with cd ‘ca
tion, the poor must chtfly he excluded from our
< honls and colleges—none but the iveilihy
ran tflord to incur he expenses incident to
lassical education; but let it be understood,
dial the industrious student may wm k Ins way
io the highest literary distinction—that the
high way to fame is m> long-r hedged up to
he poor—and you will have roused he sleep
ng energies o th© most important, because
he most numerous class of every community.
Every year affords additional evidence, that
•nr University is justly ruing m the estimation
ot' the public. The judicious administration
of the affairs of that insiitmion, under the go
verumeni of its present faculty, entitles it to
the confidence and support of an enlightened
<■ immunity. lam sanguine in the belief, that
Franklin College is destined, at no distant d iy
m equal the fondest anticipations of its best
fi lend-*—when H maybe justly considered a
rival of the best hierary institutions in our
vidrly extended country. Indeed, I consider
it do ibtful, whether our sons can any where at
this time, spend the short course of four years
College instruction, to greater adv m age tbau
at Franklin College
The general impre-strni which pervades the
nub !<• mmd, that tile ahnos' exclusive object ot
i College education, is io muhtplv linojtrs a d
doctors, lias a most pernicio is effect upon the
success and advancement of that instiuiti m
I’ has occured to me, that the most effectual
means of itiviatiog this injurious impression,
w nild be to provide amply for me endowment
of the most appropriate Professorships for pre
narmg the students 'O become able and c.om
petent teachers in our Academies, Man i d
Labor Institutes, and oilier Schools; and at
any rate, to prepare our sous to become scien
tific artisans and agriculturalists. I consider
it altogether an erroneous ide •, that it i eq.ores
less mmd and learning .o make an accomplish
cd farmer or artisan, than would be consider
ed requisite to mak a cut rent I twyer-or doctor;
and it is to be feared, that agriculture, ’.be par
ent of every other an, is destined to languish
tn our St. He, unless it tie sustained by the de
votion o! theses/ talents, leurmug aud practical
skill.
The reports made by the several Banks of
this Stiiie, in <’onti>rnii y < » law, including that
ot the Cen ral, ate herewith submille I Io the
Legislaune. The ex imiuation into the con
dition of the Darien Bank and its Branches,
authorised by the last General Assembly, *
regret to say, has not been effected. *’ae
Executive correspondence in relation to this
subject, will, to a considertrbh* extent, explain
ihe causes of failure. The gentleman first
>ele led, h.iving all declined the .sei vice, the
great d ificidiy of obtaining lhe sui vices of
<]ua|i!ii-d mdivida ils—taking into view resi
dence, and other impor-unt consid'rations —
wore aw iy tbeseason, until it was luund wholly
impracticable io effect the object of the Le
gisltiiur T ie importance oftite information
contemplated to be obtained by the examina
tion authorized by the Legislature, is greatly
incn-<eed fr an the i tuui me it.iio is
ly iniereslcd in the capital of said Bunk, and
ih.it the question of a re—charter, will in a! 1
probability, be determined by die preseht Gen
eral zXssemby.
j The discussions and deveiopemems of the
last six yeai s, upon the subjec of the bunking
; msliluiluns of our country, have con nbutmi
much to enlighten the public mind, tn regard
to the true enameter .md _,ener.il m hi igenien.
of such ins; notions. I lie effecis have been
such ns might have b©*n anlicipateU iron) an
•-nliL'hteneif and intellig -ih commttniiy. I'n*’
Banks of our country, rum the United S ums
B ink down to the mos peiiy Male cm pm- moo
•ave lost much o: me public conlideuco und
favor, and me people are becoming more and
! more distrustful of these engines of power
! and selfish speculation. Ex lerience bus
.shown, Inal these mcorpor iiiou-s not only
■ possess, buijiave exerted file power to dram
i‘rum the countiy, the. consmmioti.il, hind mo—
' n. y currency, and substitute io lieu iheieof, iliu
joint stock notes of corporal* compamesjiablu
to bank uptcy from tue mere foreuodtng.s of
being . ailed on to pay their just uebts; and
that, under cover *4 (heir cbareied pn-ilages,
lhe m-'SI extensive Iruuds .ir so eU nes prac
tised upon an unsuspecting community. In
regard to me Banks incorporated in our own
Slate, H may beju ify remarked, that the ex
hibits mime ot their condition, will beat an
bunoiable comparison with those of similar
institutions, iu perhaps any Stair m Hie umon;
anu Unit most oi Mein continue to deserve the
public < onlidrir e. ms cmlid nc©, ooa>-v r
should by no mean.-* uiia e >he vigilance ol the
General Assembly, m guarding Hie people
agdiust the . vns < onsvqueni upon lhe abuses
©i banking privileges. i'im slightest iadu c
on the pun o these incorporations, to Comply
wnh the i equiremu'i.s oi the I iw, should iol
be ovei looked in silence; and u Bank tnut *nc*
corruptly violates ns charter, should never
again be rec immeii'led to the public confi
dence, b. iny act r resolve of the l*egislaluie.
ill m . ieflec<inn- upon the e.iuency ol bank
lug opera i >us, have but confirmed tne opinion
lliai me I hamde herelofor* given to sm h cor
poianons, mme unguarded terms u. then
charters, na- ( rmsm-d me temptation to m©
mos. n zaiuuus ext* nsioa of their credit, and
o, < io d me uoor to me most fi auduleni specu
lau ins. th (ice, I conclude, th Ha- a general
uie, ii is tar ovtjter tor me publ C - Car tv, to 1
m urp* rati new oat.ks uud> r proper n strtc-'
lulls, loan lorecoatier old ones.
I u ©t die provisions o) an ad oi (tie Genral
»s>< m a , pa-seu in December last, me ne-i
g s n. o ne. property appertaining to the'
«< » -t’r»ic ,it tv b»'ti♦* diipo *♦•<! oi on *
duvdtiidguuus iu toe Siale. Ac«ur<h«i'
ie the ruyoria o» tne Agent® who transacted j
'his business, it appears that the amount of
he sales was, in the agregate, one hundred
iiid eighteen thousand one hundred and forty ,
eight dollars ami thirty seven cents; all of
winch s an, has been deposited in the Centra!
B ink, in notes discounted and cash, in lerms
of the law—exenp; the sum of 95 cts- :
part of which rem tins unseilh-d on account
■>fan ei ror commitied in the amo ini of a not©
■ nti-n by one of the agents, and a ddfii ulty
winch arose on account of the unsound heultii
of ono of the m groes. The balance of said
I deficit remains to be accounted for by tho
\geiits, Messrs. Lyman and Powell. The
lum ier of negroes sold, was one hundred and
eight; leaving eight runaways to be disposed
of when apprehended. A competent agent,
Francis M. Stone, Esq. of Savannah, was
appointed <o have these fugitives apprehended
and sold, ace >rdmg to the provisions of th©
act ofihe Le”tslaiure, hetein befor • referred
to; and 1 am gratified to have it in my power
to slate, that most of them have been appre
hended, and probably before this time, have
been sold. The nett profits, however, of th©
■•ale of these runaway slaves, will be cmup ira
tivelysmdl, after dedu ting the expenses of
their apprehension, ja i fees, physician’s bill,
and other incidental charges. 1 would restiecl
fuily su-gest to the General As-.e i -iv, that
. he-twr ral ag it swh have pel form-d mo
respo si Ie iuty oi dtsp sing ©j these negroes
tn terms f o- law. so much to the interest of
I the Slttii-, an- jus ly entitled to a suitable re
| iii.i.i ' mon tor me unpleasant, expen-tve, and
n.guly tespons.bie dupes winch they havedis
i-iiai jed, a d -viiien were tiy no meat/ssuitably
provided tor by the act of the Legislature,
which auihoi.Zed the s de of me public hands.
1 miy not lie improper to add, that 1 am con
vinced, that these gentlemen were induced to
• und< ri.tke tne discharge of these duties from
puultc cotisideraiions, under a lull conviction
mat the law did not muke adequate provision
io compensate them for the duties and respon
isibilmes imposed upon iht m.
) Under me authority oi a joint resolution of
tne lasi General assembly, John A. Cutnborl,
James 1. Mernwetlier, and Pailtp T. Schley,
E.-qrs. were appointed by tne Executive, to
revise, correct and consohd go the militia laws
of (Ins .State, or in their discretion, to draft a
new code; 1 under .taud these gentlemen have
b. en engaged in preparing a new code, and
that th< tr repoit may be expected at an early
day o) the presen session, when it will be ini'
1 m< uiaiely laid before the Legislature.
The i eimrts of the keepers of th® Arsenals
'are herewith submitted; from whicii it will [p;
(seen, that our supply ©farms and other mmii
i tious tor public d.•fence, are extremely limited;
'and that volunteer companies cannot receive
! tin ther supplies, without legislative provision,
j t have had occasm i heretoime, to remark to
) tho Ji se r.il Assembly, upon the eondim. > of
j dial portion of the puoiic arms, winch iiad
j been distributed to volunteer companies m
I past years, and winch companies had been dis
solved, leaving their arms in a scattered and
‘ ruinous condition. Tne bonds taken and filed
i m this office for'J *'safe keeping and return
!of these arms, may be reg rded as being of
■ little value, from the 'irumns.am-es of the death
ior removal o the in ikers and their securim-s.
f r. m ii.i>, therctoro, tor the Legislatuio to
j mah- me ucit disposition oi tins wasting pub
lic property. If it should b<- thought expedi
! eut tn collect and put in ord» r, arms of thin
,<b-scr ption, suitable and <h fiuco legislation is
■ deemed to be indispensable. The experience
J we have had. however, in cleaning and repair
ing defective guns, induces tho belief, that it
( would be most expedient to provide for dispo
l mu of mis portion ©j public propert-, m the
(respecii.i- m ighboiboads where it is found.
No appropn.moo having been made by ibe
■ last Gi norui Asacmmy, iw
. penses, and formei appropriations having been
exhausted, the pay allow'd by law to Division
laud Brigade Inspectors remauii unsettled, it
jilieieforc ue omes Hie d ity of the Legislature
to provide at an early day, for the payment of
these cia ms; as also to inaae the necessary
appropri itKHis to meet the ordinary expenses
in tins biilncn of me publ c service.
i 1 lie success which has a.(ended the man
agement <>f the P nitfiiuary, Since its re.esta
blishment, eniidus that important public inter
est to a due share of legislative Considerusion.
I’lie ad ipiation ol our new criminal code to
this Humane system of punishment, taken in
connection Willi incjud.cions inanagument of
the present pimcipai Keeper, Charles C. ihs,
I Esq. has tended io ic es abhsh and confirm
tile public opinion m favor of this (mid, yet
efiiiem mode o| correcting the vicious habits
oi depraved men. Under all the circumstan
ces, me oper.Huns of the p ;) st year have been
more favorable than could havfe been reasona
bly anticipated. l h»- various disadvantages
wni< ti have opera cd upon trie business of The
tho year, wdl be presumed .m the reports of tlu,
lnspeciois and the Principal Keeper, which
satisfactorily account lor tlie deficiency in the
profits of the luslitu ion t» meet the current
expenses oi .he year. it is believed that the
institution will cominue to be able to sustain
itself, without aid from the treasury, ter ordi
nary support. Upon examination, however, it
will be obvious, dial its pro*, er ity and best
'imcess ieq i re . iat ample provision should
be ma >e tore ec. mg suitable buifmrigs or shops
for carrying on to me greatest advantage, tho
different branches of business pursued iu tho
institutmn .Moreover, its present limited
means will no justify a time y proc ireincnt ot*
su< fj supplies oi tirnner as require several years
ol seasoning to be hi lor use.
Ihe iiios pleas.ng lefleition, eonnected
with the pre-, m management md future pros
per sos ©ur P ntienii.iry esiaVlistimeni, is the
settled cuirVicuuii, mat it is not only a house
of curiectmn, bu ol reformation; and that it is
susi epiible us such inaoageniem us tu reclaim
many ot the must vici .us ir-»m oabits o| vice,
mu lu n taem o paius oi vaiue and useful
ness. Out ot tiny tour convicts who nave hern
discharged during m e last tnreo years, (whicU