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to ami mv wife
’ has done for ns more than
if I was to tell you. How-
you can chat that over another day, as
I can’t stop now, as Mrs. Wag and the
children are waiting breakfast. But where’s
the box ? I’ll take it with me if you
please.”
“ If two of the strongest men in my yard
can take it over, it’s as much as they can,”
replied Titus. However, they shall try;
and I hope you’ll come over this afternoon
and crack a bottle of my best to drink the
little quegr old gentleman’s health. But
mind me, he’s cracked to a certainty, und
you’ll find it out some of these days.”
The box was accordingly delivered, and
on being opened, was found to contain a
dozen separate packages, each directed for
one member of the VVag family, the largest
for Jeremiah, the father, and the smallest
for little Philip, a “ rising three” year old
Wag. Thetif contents were far too various
for precise specification, but could not have
been more judiciously appropriated nor
more gratefully received, so that Christ
mas day was a day of rejoicing ; and the
only regret felt by one and all the Wags
was, that their very kind friend had not
stayed to spend it with them.
When the ft stive season'was over, mat
ters went on as usual with Jeremiah, save
that perhaps there was more of cheeffftlness
in his manner while pursuing his course of
steady industry. The fact was, that he
never now felt perplexed about money af
fairs, which were worn formerly to occupy
much of his time by day, and cause him
many sleepless hours by night. Those
who called for payment were us welcome
as those who cam ■ to pay, and consequent
ly his credit stood high ; and the travellers
and London housed strove, by tempting bar
gains and peculiar attention in “selecting
the best articles, fO complete his kind or
ders, to keep his name upon their books.
So he went on and prospered in all his un
dertakings, and in the course thereof visited
the metropolis to make purchases, and,
when there called upon Mr. GfoodfelloW,
who gave him a hearty welcome, but could
not be pursuaded to reveal the name of his
eccentric client, thotlgh he scrupled not to
say that he was in good health, adding, With
a smile, “ and in perfect possession of his
intellects.”
Jeremiah next endeavored to worm the
secret from his bankers, but With no better
success. The partner who received him,
assured him that the steady increase and
respectability of his account had wrought
such an impression in a quarter which
he was not permitted to name, that their
house would feel much pleasure in making
advances, whenever any thing advanta
geous offered itself for purchase.
” It is wonderful !” exclaimed Jeremiah.
“ A good character, my dear sir,” obser
ved the banker, “ is every thing in trade.—
We are dealers in money; and nothing
{leases us more than placing it were we
now it is safe, and have every reason to
suppose it rn&y be useful.”
“ But,” observed Jeremiah, “ you’ know
fiothifig about me.”
“ I beg your pardon, Mr. Wag,” said the
banker ; “ you are what we call a good
man, and have got a back.”
“ A back !” exclaimed the bewildered
shopkeeper.
“Yes,” said the banker, smiling, “that
is, a good friend to your back ; and though
he choses to keep himself in the background
depend upon it he’ll not forsake you so long
as you go on as you have done.
buy away for ready cash a‘s fargdly as you
please, and we’ll honor yotfr drafts.”
On this hint Jeremiah subsequently ac
ted, by making purchases which* enabled
him to serve his customers “on terms that
defied all competition.” Therefore, and by
dint of strict attention and civility, his trade
continued to increase, till he was obliged to
add warehouses to bis shop, and employ a
regular clerk and collector, besides shop
men, porters, and waggoner.
In the meanwhile young Tom Waj stud
ied Latin and Greek with a> nbighboriug
curate ; William and StepheiV were, in
due course, admitted into the BYue-ccat
School, and the education of the other dfiil
dren went on precisely as had been re com*-
mended by their eccentric benefactor, w'hosc
advice Mr. and Mrs. Wag considered e
quivalent to commands. Still they were 1
often uneasy about him, and more pa'rticu
larly after another Christmas eve had pas
sed without his appearance. Poor Mrs.
Wag was sure he was ill, and’ would occa
sionally charge him with tin kindness for
not letting her know, that she might gtrand
nurse him. But again months and months
rolled away, and at last Autumn arrived,
and with it brought the grand denouncement
of the mystery, as suddenly and unexpect
edly as their former good-luck.
[to be concluded in oun next ]
On Thursday morning, a wealthy and in
fluential citizen of this city, died from a
malady which he brought upon himself by
excessive smoking, which first produced a
prostration of the nervous system, then
complete lunacy—then death.— N. Y. Sun.
A letter in the Galveston Sun, dated the
13th of September,, states : —F r®?n the 2d of
September, 183 B; to the 2d of September,
1840, there were 1,066 arrivals at the port
of GalVeston from foreign countries and
4,376 passengers- arrived within the same
time.
It is stated that the Presbytery of New
Brunswick, which met last’ week, recom
mended their brethren in that* clergy, to
adopt the Episcopal habit of wearing gowns
in the pulpit.
Matrimony, is- like masonry, no’ one
knows the secret until he is initiated'. It is
like an eel trap, easy enough to get into,
but plaguy hard to get out. It is in its first
stage, like a wind that fans the flame of
love, but, unfortunately, too much fanning
blows it all out. In short, it is every thing
that is contradictory; sweet or bitter, just
as it is taken.
PHILOSOPHY OF ADVERTISING.
A late number of Chambers’ Edinburg
Journal contains a very interesting article
on the subject of advertising in the public
papers, by an “ Old Tradesman.” His i
deas on the subject, are certainly worthy
the attention of all who are anxious for bus
iness and are simply as follows :—The first
utility offrequent and regular advertising
is this; there is at all times a large class
of persons both in town and country, who
have no fixed places for the pure base of
certain necessary articles, and are ready
to be swayed and drawn towards any par
ticular place which is earnestly brought
under their notice. Indifferent to all, they
yield without hesitation to the first who
asks. Then in the country, a considerable
number of persons, who wish'a supply of
them, naturally open a communication with
that address, which, perhaps leads to much
Ulterior business. People in the country
arc also liable to bo favorably impressed by
the frequent sight of the name in the news-
P a f* ! 1 r -
The advertising party acquires distinc
tion in their eyes, and thus they are led, in
making a choice, to prefer him. But by
far the most important effect of advertising
is one of an indirect nature, that conveys
the impression that the party—pretending
or not pretending, quackisli or not quackish
-“•isanxious for business. One, who is an
xiotfs for business, is unavoidably supposed
to be an industrious, attentive, civil person,
who keepstbe best articles at the cheapest
rate, does every thing in the neatest and
most tradesman like manner, and in gener
al uses every expedient to gratify and at
tract customers. People of course like to
purchase under these circumstunces, and
the system of advertising assuring them
that such circumstances exist at this parti
cular shop, they select it accordingly.
Such are the opinions of the old tradesman
alluded to; and they are certainly suppor
ted by fact; for whenever an extensive or
regular system of advertising is practised,
and no backdrawing or unconquerable cir
cumstances exists, it is usually seen to be
attended with a considerable share of suc
cess. One feature in the philosophy of the
subject must be carefully attended to. A
faint and unfrequent system of advertising
does not succeed even in proportion.
“ Brink deep or taste not, the I’ieriaii
Spring.”
AN ORATOR DONE UP.
We copy the following sketcli fiom the
Baltimore Clipper :
“ Feller citizens,” exclaimed an inde
pendent orator, on Monday night, about
twelve o’clock, while he held on to a lamp
post with one arm, aud lashed the air with
the other. “ Feller citizens! I’m the man
wot stands up/ (when I’m not drunk,) for
indiwidual rights ! Hurra for our side !
It’s no use of arguing the question, friends
and feller citizens-—l’m as dry as blazes,
and havn’t taken a horn for the last five
minutes. Down with ab—b—bolitionism
and temperance societies ! Them’s my
sentiments. And I’M likewise friendly to
universal 1 sufferings. Go it, roarers and
busters !”
Hereupon tie tremendous outpouring of
eloquence became str overpowering, that he
forsook his best friend, the lamp-post, and
made ® lurch into-the gutter.
“ I’m in for Ft,” continued he. To
your tents, oh! Israel ! The last link is
broken, and I’m a gone sucker. Friends
and feMer-citizens, d’ye see them stars wot
blinks in the blue heavens ? Sooner shall
they fly front their e—ethereal spears than
I from the position I have taken in his
a-fihir ! I’m for a free axpression of senti
ment, and no gag law. Hurra for me !
Them’s my sentiments!”
“ Look here, master,” said the watch, in
terrupting the strain of pure and unadulte
rated patriotism, “ though you have no au
dience but myself, you appear to be well
hacked —and speak ib a gutter-el tone.
Why man, you can’t stand up for your
cause.”
“Do you mean to doubt my p—p—
patriotism, mister ?” asked the orator, mak J
ing a motion to take the floor erect.- “Do
you mean to insinerwate that I can’t sup
port my arguments, nor myself either ?
Friends and fellerieitizens—l guv in my
wote like a went the whole figure.
Listen to the woice of the patriot who
fought, bled, and died for --look here,
mister—is there any liquor shop any where
within a reasonable distance?”
“Yes, there’s one a very short dihfanae
off, where you wiW he provided for.”
“ Wh—wh-“what’s the name V’
“ The Pilgrim’s Retreat.”
It is hardly nceessary ter add, that the
orator was bottled off to quod.
A late writer on kissing, very properly
remarks, that the abominable fashion of la
dies kissing each other, is a piece of wan
ton and unprovoked cruelty ; a sheer
waste of Heaven’s good gifts ; a miserable
frittering away of what was designed for
better purposes. It is absolutely wicked, and
ninely-nine times in a hundred it is done for
no other purpose than to annoy and make
wretched the poor things who stand with
their hats in their hands, and dare not so
much as open their watering mouths for fear
of slobbering their bosoms.
Refinement. —-The phrase “ Don’t holler
till you’re out o’ the woods,” is, in the re
fined language of the day, rendered,
“ It is unadvisable for reasonable bipeds to
exert their vocal powers in a boundless conti
guity of shade.”
The more quietly and peaceably we get
on, the betteF for ourselves, the better for
our neighbors. In nine cases out of ten,
the wisest policy is, if one cheat you, to
quit dealing with him ; if he is abusive, to
quit his company ; if he slanders you, so
to live, as that nobody will believe him ;
no matter who he is, or how he misuses
you, the wisest way is, generally, just let
him alone. There is nothing better than
this cool, calm, quite way of dealing with
the wrongs we meet, and the quieter we can
get through the world the better.
MESSAGE.
Executive Department, (
MILL EDGE VILLE, Nov. 3, 1840. $
Fellow-Citizens of the Senate,
and House of Representatives :
The recurrence of the legal period for
the assemblage of the Representatives of
the people, finds our country abounding in
plenty. The blessings which daily sur
round us, call for the response of grateful
hearts to their beneficent Author, and a
proper consideration of them, should im
press on us the high obligation we are un
der, to regulate our conduct by his will.
The difficulties which have embarrassed
the Commerce of the world, and produced
in many places distress and ruin, have been
felt by our people, but not so severely as
in many States of the Union. The restless
spirit of speculation which seemed to have
taken possession of the country, exciting
the public mind to a state of delirium, ab
stracting many of the people from their
customary pursuits, with the inspiring
hope of the sudden accumulation of fortune,
has been the chief and prolific source of
our embarrassments. Debts were con
tracted without reflection, or upon the wild
supposition that the staple commodity of
the South, the great regulator of the value
of property, would maintain an undimin
ished price, and habits of prodigality as
extravagant as this unwarrantable expecta
tion, were indulged.- Men who never be
fore yielded todelusive Jemptations, caught
the contagion, and those alone escaped
who trusted themselves not within the
sphere of its infection. When the parox
ism was over, and the day of retribution
came, and brought with it that sober con
sideration which the debtor, disappointed
in his imaginary means, realizes, when
thrown upon his actual resources to meet
his engagements, the true condition of the
country was known, and it was one of ex
traordinary pressure. Fortunately for the
class of the community, the severity of the
times has been greatly mitigated by the
magnanimous forbearance of many credit
ors to urge the collection of their debts,
and by the timely aid afforded by the Cen
tral bank. This institution, with a libe
rality becoming it, administered to the
general relief, with all the means at its
command—it could not have done more
without exposing its issues to a ruinous de
preciation, which would have been far
more calamitous, than the evils intended
to be remedied by its kind interposition.—
Though the late distribution has been libe
ral, it has come far short of relieving the
embarrassments of the people. It is im
possible, and perhaps inconsistent with the
principles of sound policy, for the Govern
ment to undertake to protect the citizen
from the consequences of imprudence or
miscalculation.
A reliance of this sort would beget a de
pendence destructive of individual enter
prize, engender and cherish habits of reck
less speculation, and foster a spirit of in
difference to active and industrious pur
suits, hostile to the welfare of society.—
Habits of industry and a .rigid economy
that would forbid the expenditures of the
year to equal the lowest estimate of the
probable income, and a firm resistance of
the allurements to speculation, held out by
the tempting prospectsof unreasonable gain,
are sure guarantees of immunity from pe
cuniary troubles, as well as of individual
prosperity.
With the Act of the 23d of December
last, requiring the Directors of the several
Banks and Branch Banks to disclose the a
rnouuts due by them respectively to the
Banks of which they are Directors, and
enjoining on the President or Cashier the
duty of stating the aggregate amount of in
debtedness by Stockholders, either for cap
ital stock or moneys borrowed, but few of
the Banks have complied. Upon the re
ceipt of their April Reports, I addressed a
letter to the officers of those Banks whose
Reports did not conform to the law, call
ing their attention to this statute, and in
viting a compliance with its requisitions.
Some of them responded to the call by for
warding the required statements, others
declined obedience to the law, assigning
reasons for it, and a few disregarded alto
gether the communication addressed to
them.
The reasons assigned are untenable.—
Some of them are predicated on the inex
pediency of the law, while others in addi
tion, occupy the higher ground of the
want of constitutional authority in the Le
gislature to enact it. With regard to the
objection on the ground of inexpediency, it
may be remarked, that when the Legisla
tive will is constitutionally declared, none
| has the right to question it, or set up his
judgment in opposition to it. The consti
tutional power of the Legislature to enact
the law, cannot he questioned. It cannot
be conceded that, when a corporation is
once created, it is placed beyond the reach
of legislation. So far as the charter con
stitutes a contract between the Government
and the corporators, no law can be passed
impairing its obligation. 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 consideration which imparts to the
charter the semblance of a contract, or ha
ving been paid, is fraudulently abstracted,
the act of incorporation may be repealed,
or such other measure adopted as may be
deemed necessary to protect the country
against the consequences of paper issues
upon fictitious capital.
The law to which I have adverted, was
intended 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 the
stockholders, did not warrant the assump
tion of a discretion to refuse to make such
disclosures as were considered by the Le
gislature necessary to guard effectually the
community against unjustifiable imposi
tions.
Many of the Banks are still in a state of
suspension; an evil which has subjected
the community to great losses. Extraor
dinary 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 me
dium of exchange than the precious metals,
convertible into coin at the option of the
holder, might receive and enjoy all the
benefits resulting from these privileges.—
When, therefore, they permit their notes
to fall below the value of specie, they
break their faith with the community, und
violate the spirit, and in some instances the
letter of the grant, under whieh they exer
cise their functions. This is perhaps a
difficulty which cannot be entirely obvia
ted, inherent in the system of substituting
a paper for a metallic currency ; hut it is
one that cannot long exist when Bunks are
conducted oh proper principles ; when their
capital has in good faith been paid in, and
when such paper alone is discounted as
can be made available in time of pressure
for the redemption of the notes of which it
was negotiated. Every class of society is
interested in the maintenance of a sound
currency, and this great end cannot be ac
complished without requiring punctuality
of insitutions to which has been granted
the extraordinary privilege of furnishing
it. To tolerate their delinquency, is to of
fer a premium for misconduct, for they a
lone are benefitted, while every holder of
their notes sustains a loss. This is an evil
which has been inflicted on the country for
more than a year, and demands your seri
ous consideration. The nature of the rem
edy that should be applied, resting in your
sound and patriotic discretion, will doubt
less he such as is demanded by the interest
of the people. I would respectfully re
commend that a day be fixed for the re
sumption of specie payments, allowing the
Hanks a reasonable time to prepare for it,
and that such penalties be annexed to their
refusal, as will ensure their compliance.
The Central Bank, under the manage
ment of an able and experienced Board of
Directors, in addition to the distribution al
ready alluded to, has afforded to the Com
missioners of the Western and Atlantic
Railroad important facilities, which have
enabled them to discharge many of their
heavy obligations which it was expected
would have been met by the sale of State
Bonds. This measure warranted by law,
was also dictated by a sense of justice, to
contractors who had labored faithfully in
this great work, and had incurred heavy
liabilities, relying on the punctuality of
the Commissioners. It has also made ar
rangements for the payment of the New
York Debt, which, unless prevented by the
unexpected default of debtors, will be ex
tinguished early in the next year, by which
the State will be relieved from the disgrace
inflicted upon it, by permitting its credit to
be sacrificed. It has met all the appropri
ations of the Legislature, including the a
mount set apart for the support of Common
Schools. Though these operations of the
Bank have resulted in great advantage to
the State and people, they have left in cir
culation a large amount of its notes which
must be so reduced, before further accom
modations can be granted, as to save the
country from the enormous mischiefs of a
depreciated currency. It is to be hoped
that this Bank, so long the benefactor of
the people, will, with its ample assets, be
enabled to counteract the ungenerous ef
forts of other Banks to discredit its issues,
provided its liabilities are not increased by
Legislative requisitions. If, however, the
appropriations of the Legislature, which
are annually increasing in amount, are to
be met by the Central Bank, their pay
ment must be made in the notes of the
Bank, for the redemption of which no fund
is provided ; it must cease its operations as
a Bank, collect its debts, speedily recall
its circulation, which creates anobliga-’
tion paramount to all others, and windup
its affairs. Asa timely provision against
a measure of this sort, I would recommend
to the Legislature a resumption of the en
tire amount of State taxes, which have for
some years been given to the counties, with
but little benefit to them, but greatly to the
injury of the finances of the State.
It may be possible that the arrangements
made by the Central Bank for the payment
of the Debt due by the State in New York,
to which I have already adverted, may
fail. It depends entirely on the punctuali
ty of its debtors, As this is a matter in
volving the character of the State, it should
be placed beyond doubt. It is due to the
creditor, whose circumstances may be se
riously affected by the suspension of so large
a debt. It will he recollected that what
creates a legal liability in the case of an
individual, imposes a moral obligation on
ly on a State, and her honor must suffer
when her debts are not punctually paid.—
It will be necessary to provide for any de
ficiency that may occur in the means pro
vided by the Central Bank for the payment
of this debt.
Sale has not yet been effected of all the
Bank Stock owned by the State, and it is
highly improbable that that owned in the
Bank of Darien can be sold, upon the terms
prescribed in the Act directing the sale.—
This Bank, from an extraordinary pres
sure, was compelled to precede others in a
suspension of specie payments, which gave
to its credit a shock from which it has not
been able to recover, and of which purch
asers will not fail to seek advantage. I
wodld recommend that the Stateeitherpur
chase the interest of the individual Stock
holders, and take the Institution into its
own hands, or sell itsown on such terms of
literal credit, as will offer an inducement
to purchasers to buy, and in either event,
toprotect itself against the notes in circu
lation, and against the re-issuing of those
that have been redeemed.
A balance is due to Contractors on the West
ern and Atlantic Rail Road, for work, for which
cash was to have been paid. The Branch of the
Georgia Rail Road and Banking Company at
Augusta, advanced in- the year eighteen hun
dred and thirty-nine, a considerable sum to the
Commissioners of the Western and Atlantic
Rail Road, on a pledge of State Bonds, which by
contract was to have been long since refunded.
The Commissioners having been disappointed
m realising means upon the sale of State Scrip,
have not been able to comply with their engage
ments. These claims present demands upon
your justice, tor which it will be necessary to
provide.
The system of Education through the instru
mentality of Common Schools, as at presnt ar
ranged, is tar from answering the purpose in
tended by its projectors. The fund to be distri
buted is so small in proportion to the number ot
children entitled to share it under the existing
laws, that none can derive any substantial bene
fit from it. It is impossible tor the State, with
its limited means, reduced as they are, by the
mal-appropriation of the taxes, to afford gratui
tously the blessing of education to every child
within her boundary. 1 would therefore recom
mend that the laws on this subject be revised,
and that the children of such parents only as are
unable to educate them, be embraced within
their provisions. Our political institutions being
based upon an enlightened view of the rights oi
man, cannot be supported but by the vinue and
intelligence of the people. These should be nur
tured and lostered by the State, and the door oi
introduction should be opened to the humblest
child of poverty. Every citizen then, by proper
industry and application, might acquire suen a
knowledge of the history oi this Government, its
true policy, and the tendency ot its measures, as
would enable him to detect the machinations of
the corrupt politician, and to distinguish property
between the mad pageantry and low appeals oi
the demagogue, and the lofty and principle-sus
tained arguments of the patriot.
The Preamble and Resolutions adopted bv the
last General Assembly, instructing our Sena
tors in Congress, and requesting our Represent
atives to have the Act of Congress respecting
fugitives from justice, to carry into effect that
section of the Constitution of the United Stales
whicli relates to the same subject, so amended
as to require its execution by officers of the
General Government, and amenable to its au
thority, were forwarded in due season to our Sen
ators and Representatives. They were present
ed by the Senators, but the Representatives de
clined laying them before the House, aud as
signed their reasons in letters address to me,
copies of which, aud also my reply, are herewith
communicated.
In December last, the whole of the grading
ot the Western and Atlantic Rail Road from
Cross Plains to floss’ 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 State, relieved the Commissioners
from the embarrassments in which the meagre
demand for Elate Slock in foreign markets nad
placed them, and saved to the State the trouble,
expense and loss amending the sales oi bonds to
distant capitalists. These contracts payable in
bonds redeemable in thirty years, interest at six
per cent., payable .semi-annually, were taken a.
an average rate much lower man those previ
ously lei to be met cash, winch inaunes-s
how highly the citizens ot Georgia estimate her
credit, wiule it is so lightly appreciated abroad.
The grading of this Road lias reached that point
in its progress to completion, that longer iletay
in the purchase of iron will result in a public
loss. The work already done is exposed to con
tinual injuries from ram and other casualties,
which must be repaired at great expense. The
Commissioners not believing that iron could he
purchased w ith the means at tlieir command,
except at a sacrifice not to be tolerated, have
deferred contracting for it until the Legislature
could make other provision tor it. 1 would re
commend you to give this subject yoyr earliest
consideration. It is understood that it can be
purchased on such time as will suit the conven
ience ot the Legislature, if the Manufacturer
can be inspired with confidence, by an arrange
ment under the authority of law that will guar
antee the payment. This Road has been graded
for twm tracks ; but believing that what is not
clearly demanded by the public good, should not
be attempted in the present and perspective
low state ol our finances, I would recommend
that but one be constructed. With turn-outsat
convenient distances, one will be sufficient for
all the travelling and transportation that may be
expected on tins Road, lor some time to come,
and by the temporary abandonment of the other,
the cost ol construction will be greatly redu
ced—a consideration not to be disregarded in
the existing state of things. When the road is
put in operation, which should be done without
delay, that the country may receive its benefits,
the necessity for a second track will be ascer
tained, and it may then be constructed or finally
abandoned os the public interest may demand.
Gol. Stephen 11. Long has resigned Ins office ol
Chief Engineer, and James S. Williams, Esq., a
gentleman highly recommended by the Commis
sioners, whose situation enabled them to torin a
just estimate of his merit and- qualifications, has
been appointed to succeed hum The appropri
ation for paying the salaries and expenses of the
Engineer Department,’ lias been exhausted. It
will be necessary to provide for Uie support oi
this branch of the public service.
A party of marauding Indians from Florida in
vaded the counties ol Camden and Ware in Au
gust last, and alter liaving murdered some of
ttie inhabitants, and plundered and destroyed
tneir farms and dwellings, disappeared. Gener
als Floyd and Hilliard adopted prompt measures
lor the protection of the exposed Districts, in
which they were warmly seconded by the patri
otic citizens of those and some of the contigu
ous counties, who stepped lorward to the reliei
ol the sufierers with a spirit and magnanimity
worihy ot the highest commendation. As soon
as intelligence of these outrages reached this
Department, I communicated it to the Secretary
at War, who, with his characteristic prompti
tude, gave orders for a force to be detailed irom
the Army iu Florida, and marched to the assail
ed point; and he assures me, that the whole ex
posed frontier will be protected. At the same
time I despatched that able and experienced offi
cer, General Nelson, to the scene of these de
predations, with orders to raise a sufficient force
to pursue the enemy, and capture or drive him
from his hiding places in Georgia. He has re
turned trom tins service. He penetrated aud
thoroughly examined the Okelenokee and adja
cent swamps, but made no discocvery that would
justify the bel.ef that the Indians were still in
that neighborhood. Yet fearing from the impu
nity witii which they had committed former ag
gressions on this thinly settled section of the
State, they might return—in fact having heard
that in all probability they were on their way, he
stationed, lor the protection of the country, four
companies under the command ofCapts. Clarke,
Tracy, Sweat, and Jermgan, who will be retain
ed in tlxe service for that object, until relieved
by the United States forces. Copies of reports
of his operations are laid before you. The people
residing near the Okefenokee and the neighbor
ing swamps, have been greatly annoyed and in
jured by the occasional incursion of the Indians,
who, from the facilities for escape and security
afforded them by the situation of the country,
and from the impunity with which their offences
have heretofore been committed, have ot late be
come much emboldened. They have present
ed themselves in increased numoers, and made
their attacks in open day, a circumstance very
unusual in savage warfare, and as they are press
ed in Florida, it may be expected that they will
seek a place of refuge in our spacious swamps,
and thence more frequently repeat their attacks
on the lives and property of our citizens. Con
gress at its last session failed to appropj-ate
money for the support of the war in Florida, and
as it is questionable from the interminable dis
cussions which that body has of late inflicted
upon the country, when a fund will be raised for I
that purpose, you should provide for the protec- *
tion oi the State. It were better that thousands
should he expended, than that a single life should
be lost from a want of fidelity in the State to her
citizens.
The question of Boundary, which proves
a fruitful source of angry contention ‘between
conterminous Slates, 1 am happy to inform you,
has been finally seuied with Alabama. That
State, with a spirit becoming her, has adopted the
line run by the Georgia Commissioners in eigh
teen hundred and twenty-six, commencing at
Miller’s Bend on the Chattahoochee River, and
terminating at Nickajack. 1 place before you a
copy of the Resolution of the Legislature of Al
abama on this subject.
1 have contracted for the manufacture of the
standard weights which, by an act of the last
Session, it was made my duty to procure, and
they will be delivered in December next. The
standard of measures lias not been furnished by
tiie United States, and was not in the Executive
Office, as supposed by the Legislature, at the
time of the passage of the law.
The building intended for a Lunatic Asylum
has not yet been completed. The contractor for
the manufacture and delivery of bricks lias been
prevented by the unprecedented rainy season
from complying with his engagement, from Ahich
great delay iu the construction has arisen. It
is expected, however, that it will be ready for
the reception of the ‘unfortunate persons for
whose benefit it is intended, by the first of June
next- It will be necessary for you to prescribe
the rules under which this humane
should go into operation, and provide for it a ’
physician and the necessary superintendents.
Congress failed at its late session, though one
ot extraordinary length, to appropriate money to
pay the State of Georgia her claim agaist Gov
ernment for disbursements to the Militia for Ser
vices, suhsistemce and losses. The 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, The Secretary at YVar has manifested a
friendly disposition towards it, and all that is
necessary to insure its payment, is the authority
of law.
I lay before the Legislature, the address and
resolutions of a Convention held in June last in
the British Metropolis, of an extraordinary char
acter. The tone of denunciation used in these
proceedings, proclaim the madly fanatical spirit
that dictated them, and fully demonstrate the fa
tal extremities to which a false philanthropy may
impel its votaries. The suggestion of any meas
ure, to the General or State Governments of this
Union, whether constitutional or not, by the sub
jects oi foreign powers, is an impertinance not
io be endured ; but an offer to dictate an uncon
stitutional policy subversive of the authority of
the States, violative of individual rights, and en
dangering the peace of any member of the con
federacy, is an injury that should be felt by every
American citizen ; and the nations whose sub
jects are thus offending, should be required ter
bring them to condign punishment.—The history
of this Constitution proves, I regret to say, that
citizens owing allegiance to the Government of
the United States, hound to its support by all the
obligatiousot honor, duty, patriotism and
enjoying the blessings which flow from a Con
stitution, ordained and established to ensure do
mestic tranquility, have joined the unholy com
bination against an institution recognized by that
instrument. A Member of the Congress of the
United States has made himself accessory to
this wanton aggression upon the Constitution, by
sending to this Department, in a packet bearing
his frank, one of the papers now? cornimmicated.
The whole matter is referred to you, not doubt
ing that you will give it all the consideration to
which, in your enlightened judgment,-it may be
entitled.
l’he attention of the Legislature has been so
repeatedly called to the amended Constitution
authorizing the establishment of a Supreme
Court for tha Correction of Errors, that is only
necessary to bring the subject heforeyou, to en
sure suchactioii upon it as is required by the pub
lic good.
1 herewith’ e'oiVitminieate a statement of the
\V arrants drawn upon the Treasury for the politi
cal year just ended, and also a list of Executive
appointments made during the same time.
1 lay before you the Report of the Commis
sioners ol the Oconee Navigation.
Ihe law establishing an Independent Treas
ury, was passed by Congress at its late session,
by which the Government has taken into its
own hands the management of its fiscal concerns.
This measure, recommended by the unwarranta
ble issues ot the Banks which had been consti
tuted the depositories of the public funds, the
heavy losses sustained by the mal-management
ot these institutions, their profligate waste with
out responsibility, and the heavy duties necessa
ry to supply the deficiency, will, when its practi
cal effects are felt and seen, receive the general
approbation. It wrests from the hands of the
Executive all the patronage they wielded,
through he Deposile Banks, their Stockholders
and Debtors. It can bestow no favors and pur
chase no influence. The Revenue will not be
more exposed to speculation by the Officers of
Goverhinent, than it was under the former sys
tem by the Officers of Banks; and the former
with their sureties will be primarily liable, while
the latter will be only secondarily so, The money
of the Government will be much more safe too,
in its own vaults, than in the co6tody of an insti
tution, which when deprived of it, is compelled
to resort to loans on both sides of the Atlantic to
sustain its credit.
In the publislied law’s of eighteen hundred and
thirty-eight an Act is found having all tha requi
sites of the Constitution to give it authority, by
which the sum of fifteen thousand dollars is ap
propriated for repairing the Arsenal, and repair- %
ing and cleaning the public arms, when, as I
have been informed, the sum of fifteen hundred
dollars only 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 Comp-*
troller General, Treasurer and Surveyor Gener
al in the fourth, fifth and sixth sections of the Act
to appropriate moneys for the political year eigh
teen hundred and forty, for compensating them
for extra Clerk hire, have not been drawn from
the Treasuary, ample allowance having been
made these Clerks in another part of that
would recommend the repeal of the sections a
bove referred to, and also the Act in regard to
the Arsenal, so far as it respects the excess of the
appropriation above fifteen hundred dollars.
Copies of the Reports of the Military Store-
Keepers at Savannah and Milledgeville are sub
mitted to you. I would recommend the sale of 1
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 last Session, I was authoriz
ed to pay Messrs. Charles Dougherty, James A.
Meriwether, and Samuel A. Wales, for profes
sional services rendered in defending certain ca
ses in the Superior Court of Habersham county,
agreeably to a Resolution of the previous General
Assembly. Upon referring to that Resolution, I
found that the Governor was authorized to em
ploy counsel to defend those cases, and Colonel
