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to be
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Unuc. <U
C<iicton.(ioverttorof ihe Slatr oj.htv-
Yo-rk. to the legislature note in .Senion.
It affords nie the highest satisfaction
to renew nay congratulations on the suc-
CP^tfol progress of our internal improve
ment,. Upward* of 61 miles of the ra
mi! between the Gene*ee river and Mon
tezuma, including fifteen lurks, arc under
contract, and the whole distance ot sixty
miles and a quarter, with two additional
locks.ran heea«ilj completed by the first
d<n of September’ next. The contracts
made dining the I *t session, were on
bettor terms for the state than those on
the middle section ; and during the pro- ’
gent year, they are from thirty to forty
tier cent, lower, including the nm«on
woik. Thirty miles of the section east
from Utica, are also under contract, in
cluding twelve locks, and will be com
pleted the next season.
In the progre*? of the«e operations,
rocks have been excavated at the Little
Falls in seventy or eighty day*, which it
wus originally supposed would have ta
ken two years. The improvement* in
the Hudson river, and by canals, to the
distance of twenty-eight miles south from
Fon Edward, will he effected the next
season ; and it is hoped that the remain
ing ten miles to Waterford, which will fi
nish the whole operation of the inland
navigation ol the north, can also he ac
complished within that period. There
will then remain about one hundred
miles on the western, nnd about sixty-
eight on the eastern section, in order to
realize our whole system of internal na
vigation. The limitation of the annual
expendituie has had a tendency to pro
crastinate the completion of this great
work; and under a toll person-ion that
the whole can nut only be accomplished,
but well accomplished in three years at
the utmost, from the present period, l
earnestly recommend the adoption of
plenary and effectu il measures for this
purpose. The advantages to be gained
hv this course will be great nod striking.
The faculties of the state are fully ado-
q 'ate to the operation, and all contro
versy about the order of vorapleliou will
be avoided. The civilized world is now-
in a state of peace ; but the symptoms of
great and extensive convulsions begin to
appear in Europe, and li war* shall un
fortunately afflict that portion of the
globe, we will perhaps be compelled to
n defensive altitude against aggressions
on ihe rights of neutrality, which may
finally plunge us into hostilities. Now
that w o are free from great naj^nal ca
lamities, ?ind the prices of inow»y. of la-!
bor, aud of commodities, are uncommon
ly low, we ought to avail ourselves of the
favorable opportunity. The public sen
timent is now united in favor of the men-
eurc, and the progress of time may create
opposition from chimerial apprehen
sions, from selfish views, from jarriog
in^-rests, aDdfrom local competitions.—
The increased accommodation and easy
communication will immediately create
a vast inland trade ; and if we only sup
pose that one hundred thousand tons are
ai nuallv transported on the western ca
nal, the revenue, at the rate of five dol
lars a ton for the whole di-tance, will
defray all the expenses of repairs and su
perintendance, and extinguish in a short
time the whole debt. A step of so decid
ed and energetic a character will also
encourage the patriotic state of Ohio, to
pursue its noble attempt to unite the
waters of Lake Eric and the Ohio river.
And surely there can be no hesitation in
devoting the resource of the state, to
the speedy and effectual accomplishment
of a measure which, in the language of
the act of 1817, “ will promote agricul
ture, manufacture* and commerce ; mi
tigate the calamities of war, enhance the
blessings of peace, consolidate the union,
advance the prosperity, and elevate the
character of the U. States.”
The final and complete establishment
of an able aril respectable board to su
perintend the general interests of agri
culture, is an event of the highest impor
tance ; and the exhibitions which have
taken plu~e in different counties under
■the auspices f .he local societies evince
increu-ioz improvement in the quality
unri quantity of the fruits of the earth.—
Notwithstanding the presen! indifferent
market fir the products of husbandry,
yei it i- pleasing to perceive the general
ar.d r ■ ing estimation in which this pur
suit is held, the ze.il with which it is cnl-
tivuted, and the prosperity which it has
attained. Iu course df time the natural
corresponde 'C? between the wages of la
bour, the pnes of commodities, and the
value of mor ey will be restored. And
as the evils now felt arise from arrange
ments heretofore m ale on the existence
of high prices, all prospective operations
will be accommodated to the reduced
fta'.e of the market, and the country will
emerge slowly from the evil* with which
it is now environed.
Agriculture m ist look for its principal
mid solid encouragement to the home
■market, and this will be improved by the
general augmentation of our population,
anil especially by the increase oftlmt por
tion of it which is not engaged in the cul
tivation of tin-earth. The nwnufactur
ing interest, and that numerous class of
llie community which will be employed
in the inland carrying trade, and the
dealers in the sale, purchase, ami ex
change of commodities, must constitute
the most efficient friend* to agriculture
The fluctuations of harvest* in different
parts of the IJuiteJ .States, and the dif
ferences of productions will frequently
produce facilities in the way of recipro
cal supply ; aud the necessities of Eu
rope will almost always create in a great
c:- or less degree, a demand for our sta-
l»le article*.
, !t luav he proper on this occasion to
r*W\o«f Attention* to the cx| edie«cv of for the ffistsibulha. f J. iwi.t..r, W,.- u\t a mile liom public ™
lowering the rate of interesi on m«ii« v: ton t c military art, 1. is bet n confined h ' monthly repairing those vvl
and ns the period has arrived wheu the the infantry. The other departments of. their house
census of the people of this state ought «>ur military force are anxious to en, >v j hand, with n hor-e nnd plougo to loosen
to be taken, with a view to an equal and similar benefits : an I on tin- occasion it, the ground l<
n.n l«<*ri&latiire. I am nersiinded mat'nine iremwe on .vruuerv uu» '■•mu 10-1 mi-mt n, c vv.,.-, ..... ■■■
nrtion of best lands
mid tlfis too,
iloitg
drains, would, io n very
lO UC lilAvi’v »■ •»«» ** ’ •*- " 1 i ' ••' •it If*
j,i«t apportionment of the representation: mny not be improper to mention that nn! short time make them good tor years,
in the' h-gi-lature, I am persuaded that’aide treatise on Artillery ha* been re-j lo a slate like Georgia, rich in its pro-
you will perceive (lie great utility of di- cently published under the patronage of duce. with n large
the .ame time, such other sta-!the national government, and which, n« it I at a distance from the sea-hoard, roads
deserves, it is to he hoped will roccivt
your ewcouragi nicnt.
I conceive it an inuespcnsoble duty to
rali your attention once more to tin* state
of our penitentiary system. In corrobo
ration of the observation which 1 hart
reding at the “am
Ii«tic:il investigation* as may illustrate
our resources and point out the road to
increased wealth ar.d prosperity. ’I lie
discov ert of an important hydraulic ce
ment. will add greatly to the general
convenience, nnd if vou shall see fit to
encourage the discovery of coal. I feel heretofore communicated, permit me to
confident llmt it will be attended with j stale that the increasing expense, and
success,audUlmt the bpurfici.il influence partial failure of this system. mav he
of this men4irc will be felt in the pro- principally ascribed to an injudicious or-
motion of manufactures, and in the ac-1 ganization of its government, nnd to an
commodation of the vvhcle community. J inexpedient arrangement of lh<* buil-
The flourishing condition of our semi
naries of education, furnishes additional
inducements to continue and to extend
the patronage of (lie state. In six thou
sand common schools, organized under
the act f>r their establishment, three
hundred thousand children are taught,
and 100.000 dollars are annually appro-
pi iated to the compensation of the teach
ers. I nai informed hv the useful and
able cfhcer who pre-Mrs ot er tlii« de
partment. that the number of pupils a!
present taught in nnr school* i* equal to
nine-tenths of tin* whole number of chil
dren between the ages of five and fifteen
years, aud approximates to nne-fiurthof
our whole population. There ere pro
bably twenty school* in this state cou
ducted on the Lan , 'a«!e-iin system ex
rlu-iveiv, and several others which fol
low it partially, hut r.ot so fir ns t > as
sume a distinctive ch.irac'er. In same
of these e*t ibli*linien!« several yo mg
men have keen recently instrirted a*
Lancasterinn teachers ; it is to be hop
ed that this system will be carried into
the most extensive operation. There
are now on an average about fifty scho
lars fur every school mister under the
present plan of common schools ,- nnd
whetlier the nnmberbp great or be small,
the introduction of the I.incnsteiian me
thod is of importance : for admitting in
all ca*e« the competency of the teacher
to attend to all hi* pupils, yet when we
consider the rapidity of acquiring in-
strueiion under that system, and reflect
on the useful habit* wifi, h it forms, and
the favourable impressions which it
make* on the minds anu the morals of
those who participate i . its benefit*, we
cannot hesitate to give it a decided pre
ference. The education of youth i« an
important irust. and an honorable voca
tion, but it i» too often committed to un-
sVdful hand*. Liberal encouragement
ought unquestionably to he dispensed for
increasing the number of competent
teachers.
In thirty of the forty /nenrporated aca
demies, there were the lust year 2 21£
students, of which’ GC8 were engaged in
learning Latin and Greek. The fund ap
propriated for the benefit of those insitu-
tions, is about $320,000.
In Columbia, Union and Hamilton Col
leges. there are 522 students, and in the
two Medical Colleges, 19*3. The grant*
to these estahli-bmen's amount to up
wards of $720,000 ; and perhaps the
whole appropriation for the promotion of
education, may be established at two mil
lions and a half of dollar*. Although this
sum may appear highly liberal, yet when
wc look at the resources, population and
orient of the statp, and consider that
knowledge is essential to tiie happiness
Hnd dignity of man—to the existence of
republican government, and to national
power and glory, we must feel persua
ded that more munificent dispensations,
ought to be. afforJed for its encourage
ment and diffusion. And 1 would partic
ularly recommended the education, at the
public expense, of vouth distinguished
and selected for moral superiority, pre
eminence of talents and character. A
measure of this nature is swi't'l v in u-
nison with the genius of our govern
ment, and would have a tendency to re
store the equilibrium of society—to mi
tigate those prejudices which spring up in
freest communities—to develope intel
lectual icsources, which would other
wise be loe-t to the world, and to excite a
spirit of emulation propitious to the in
terests of know ledge, -and prom olive of
the fame and prosperity of our country.
When I contemplate the vast resources
of the slate, and particularly the immense
revenue which will accrue from the
completion of its great plans of internal
improvement,! entertain a confident ex
pectation that the rifing, and all future
generations will ex|>eriencp the contin
ued and increased munificence of go
vernment, exercised in different wavs
and through various channels, for the
promotion of instruction, and the propa
gation of knowledge.
A growing spirit of improvement, has
been generally manifested by the militia,
and in some sections of the state it has
been exhibited in an extraordinary de
gree. The adoption of a plate and fea
ther for the hat in the city of New-York,
his given an uniform and military ap
pearance to the infantry ; and the great
attention which several distinguished of
ficers in that and other places have devo
ted to the promotion of military k now-
ledge, is emitted to high commendation.
D i ring the late war a brigade of horse or
flying artillery was organized in the At
lantic parts of the state. In the forma
tion of the present militia code, this bri
gade was not recognized, and no provi
sion was made to enforce the attendance
on parades of the officers and privates of
that part of the brigade that belongs to
the city of New-York—nor can any court
martial be instituted for their trial un
der the present system.
pedi
dings. The government of our state
prisons is intrusted to several respecta
ble citizen®, who act from patriotic mo
tives, without compensation. The af
fair* ofthe establishment are principallv
managed by officers under their control.
Wi.en the vigilance of self intere*'
cease* to operate in any institution, it*
place m>i®t lie occupied by adequate atul
powerfd - ibstitntion*, by imposing re
sponsibility. and by exacting exclusive
and undivided attention.
The operation ofthe presort admini*
(ration* of our penitentiaries is to cream
a nominal authority in the inspectors
and lo invest the sub.-tint'ial control in
subordinate agent*. The former attend
tint seldom, and, indeed, a rigid attend
ance cannot be expected where officer.®
are not remunerated for their r» rvire*.—
The consequence* arc obvious. These
important institution* are almost cntin Iv
conducted by incompetent men, who
were not contempt tied nor intended for
that purpose, and the pecuniary affairs,
ns well a® the moral discipline of the e*-
tnblishmcnt become distracted and de
ranged. The state prison .t Auburn is.
by a late arrangement, modelled on the
plan of solitary cells. In London a pri
son ha* been recently erected contain
ing 700 ceils .-—At Pittsb: rgh, in Penn
sylvania, one is now building, of COO
ells, each C bv 8 feet. A building on
this plan will not be so expensive as on
the old one. It will not be necessary b>
make it so strong : the pri*oners will
have no chance of forming conspiracies,
and hence all escapes will be prevented.
The expense of a military guard would
be saved ; the duration of punishment
might he usefully abridged, and above
ill. we might be certainly assured, if not
of a reformation that will prevent, of a
punishment that will deter, from the re
petition of crimes. 1 am happy to state
that the New-York Society for the pre
vention of pauperism, have instituted an
•nquiry on the subject of the peniten
tiary system, which will he attended with
favorable results ; & that improvements
are absolutely necessary, may be infer
red from the fact, that in all probability
there is one convict incarcerated fur
crime, in every thousand persons compo
sing the population of the state.
•should receive the unremitting attention
of its legislature. Fivers are convenient
for the transportation of heavy articles ;
but for light merchandize and travelling,
roads should be depended on : and e-
ven for the planter to profit by the nnvi-
ation of rivers, good roads are necessary
to carrv hi* produce to shipping place*,
and receive supplies. Good roads equal
ly benefit th- citizen* of the sea-board
and interior, bv the firihtics afforded for
trade, nnd the ca*e of communication ;
and are also important in time of war, in
a military point of view, because sup
plies nnd reinforcements may be sent to
nnv given point with less expense and
time.
Perhnns there i* no Interest in which
every citizen more fully participates,
than that of public roads ; yet I believe
iliere i* none which receives less atten
tion from our legislature. I would not
be understood, that laws are not enacted;
for net fallow* n<’t, “and lie it enacted
hv.” Arc. but the member* are so much
occupied with bill* of a private, or mere
ly local interest, they Ivve no time for
reflecting whether the bill proposed will
meet what i* wanted or not; the bill,
however, will pass ns h compliment to
the gentleman who proposed it. We
are le«® in want of a multiplicity ol
laws than good road*: these are wanted
in every count v, and one net, with n vc-
rv few section®, would be sufficient for
tin* purpose. The roads from the in
terior to the sen-board, and along The
*e i-con*t, nre rather state than county
road® : nnd n* such, should be put under
the. inspection of *late, and not county
commis-inner* : for counties are, or may
be, often in default, and authority should
lie vested somewhere, to remedv the ev il
immediately. Good road* constitute :i leresls of the country, or to provide fur
FROM 111F lltORCI VS.
The importance of good roads cannot
be too highly estimated ; nor the best
method of making and repairing them,
too extensively adopted. The greater
part of Georgia is well adapted fur good
roads ; yet there can hardly be found
ten miles together, which should he cal
led such. Labour however, is yearly
done to repair them ; but a month, arid
often a week is sufficient to render them
as impassible as ever. This would lead
cd, hi* remaining at m (fur be laid lost j
the other before) being suspended in it
sling, gave as a volunteer toast, “ C't
Perry—the brave and humane enemy.*
Com. Barclay then entered into a detail
ed account of Com. Perry’s treatment of
bimself, and of the other wuunded and
prisoners, who fell into his hands ; und
in narrating the story, he became so
deeply affected, that the tears flowed co
piously down hi* cheek*. The audience
were scarcely ie*s moved—and how
could it be otherwise when the speaker,
whoa few weeks before had without
dismay faced the tremendous cannonade
of his enemy, could not, without tears of
admiration and gratitude, relate his deeds
of kindness to bimself and bis compan
ions, when suffering under wounds and
defeat. ()! this was a nobler triumph
for Perry, than the victory which God
granted to Ins arms.”
Philadelphia, Nov. 0.
At a convention of delegates from the
principal Atlantic States, representing
the merchants and others interested in
commerce, assembled at Philadelphia,
the following resolutions were unanim
ously adopted, aud ordered to be pub
lished :
1. litsolved, As the opinion of this
convention, that a system of Commercial
restrictions is unfavorable to industry,
and that sound policy dictates the least
practical restraint upon individual enter
prise nnd exertion.
2. Resolved, That the greatest possi
ble revenue required Ivy the national
interest, should lie collected froiu com
merce, on account of the ease, economy
and certainty of its collection ; but that
ibis cannot he effected but by the im
position of such a l ate of duties as will
not be a restraint upon importations nor
furnish an inducement to smuggling.
3. Resolved, That by every important
change of the tariff, the nation sustains
an immense loss of productive labor. A
well digested tariff therefore, should ne
ver be changed, except for the purpose
of equal protection to the different in
public interest, with which the safely
and prosperity of the state are deeply
interwoven ; and I sincerely hope it will
receive the nllen'inn ef our legislature
now in session, which it* importance de
serves. QU.’ESTIO.
SILLIMAN’S TOUR.
Professor Silliraan, of Yale College,
has published an interesting and instruc
tive volume, cont lining an account of
his tour from Hartford to Quebec, in
1819. The following are extracts from
the work :
“ A British officer in Canada, of his
own accord, spoke to in? in the higbe.-i
terms of the American navy and its offi
cers. He mentioned Captain Hull par
ticularly, w ith a frankness of commenda
tion that wa* equally honourable to him-
self and to the s ibject cf hi* praise, lie
s .id that an officer ofthe Uuerriere, w ho
was on board of that frigate when she
was captured by Capt. Hull, narrated the
circumstances to which I am about to al
lude.
It will he remembered, that when the
two frigates descried each other, Cnjit.
Hull was standing before the wiud, and
Captain Ducres upon it, umlei easy sail ;
the tracks of the ships were at lines con
verging at n considerable angle, so fhat
they would of course cross each other.
When they were within long cannon
shot, the Guerriere tired her orondside
but it was not returned by the Constitu
tion. The Guerriere then wore, and
us to believe the ground unfavorable ; if gave her antagonist the other broadside ;
the retd muse of failure was uniinown.
The legislature have from time to time
enacted laws,by which citizens are requir
ed to work upon the roads ; L it have pro
scribed no part i '.alar method, nor manner,
in which they shall ho. made Mko.pt in re
pair ; hence e.ich county and each dis:
tricl in a county manages in it* own way.
The usual method adopted is, to draw
loose earlli into the centre till it looks
tolerably level ; and thus proceed from
one end of the disti ict to the other. It
ever there had been known, more than
one way, to make a durable road, in a
country subject lo rains, like ours, it
would not be surprising, that, -different
wa\- should be pursued to obtain the
same end, but as there has not. it is sin
gular enough, that nearly every distri a
in the stale have followed the one named
by which labor is hut little better than
lost. v
The only method fir making a durable
road i« v to throw up from the sides to
wards the centre, till drains of conven
ient depth are oV.lined, and the centre
s ifficientlv elevated to turn the water
into the drains; likewise where the
ground requires covered, passages should
be made to lead the water from one drain
to tiie other, that it-may fall off to the
low grounds. When this is done, every
subsequent rain will settle, and make the
oad firmer. This is so obviously the
only method fur making durable roads,
that a mind any wav capable of reflection
must bo sensible of it. It is likewise ob
vious, that, without drains, loose earth
drawn into the centre, upon a level only,
must when settled be the lowest, und the
next rain takes the centre, and gullies
are opened as before. It is difficult to
assign the present waste of labor lo oth
er causes than stupidity, or the total in
difference of those entrusted with the
management of our roads ; when the la
bor usually done would lie sufficient in a
year or two, if Well managed, to make,
good und durable roads throughout the
state.
In the upper counties, v\ here good and
firm roads could be made with less trou
ble than in any other part of the state,
As this is a very useful and efficient in-1 they have the worst; and owing wholly
stitotion, 1 recommend it to your favoura-1 to neglect of drains. It is not uncommon
Up consideration. A luudable jvrovjgifiu ifl UlMC counties, for planters who live
still the lire whs not returned, hut Copt.
Hull, with his ship in lighting trim, con
tinued to bear down on Ins adversary
who, finding that lie was thus pressed,
continued on Ifis part tn wear and to lire,
first one broadside, and then another ;
io all this, however, Cupt, Hull paid no
attention, but pressed forward, till he
>va* r.ow very near. The Guerriere
:lien put before the wind an J the Gon-ti
tulion followed «n, directly astern, til!
finding tiie Guerriere would ouUail her,
she spread more canvass, and then gain
ed so fast upon the chase, that *he was
soon enabled to choose whether she
would lie across her stein and rake her
decks, or coine alongside at very < lose
quarters, and then he again exposed to
her broadsides, from which ns y et she
had sustained but little damage. Itu us
this ci i-isof the affair that excited so
much admiration among the Brili*h offi
cers ; for Captaiu Hull, instead of tear
ing his adversary to pieces with compa
rative impunity, which, by tacking and
lying across her stern, he might (accor
ding to the opinion of the British naval
officer) have easily done, waved his ad
vantage, and did not fire, till coming up
on the larboard quarter ofthe Guerriere
he shot alongside, and thus gave his an
tagonist an opportunity lo defend himself.
“ It wa* the noblest thing (added the
British officer with w hom l was conver-
-ing) that was ever done in a naval con
flict.”
From the authentic accounts of this
actim, it is manifest th.it tlie gallant A-
merican had it in his power to rake his
adversary, and from whatever motives it
might have been done, lie actually wav
ed the advantage. If w e do iiot charge
it to his magnanimity and generosity, it
must at least go to the account of hi*
bravery and Ifis confidence (not unwar*
ranted by the result) that lie was able to
subdue the hostile ship, without availing
himself of the adventitious advantage
which he .enjoyed.
A gentleman at Montreal mentioned
lo u» that a public dinner was given at
Torrebonno, a small town a little below
Montreal, to Com. Barclay, after hi* sig
nal defeat by Com. Ferrv, on Lake Erie.
Barclay who wa* sadly cut to pieces by
wounds of w hich he was hardly recover-
the public wants.
4. Resolved, That we consider the
production of public revenue, llie legi
timate object of legislation on the sub
ject of duties.
6. Resolved, That the operation of the
proposed tariff would be greatly to di
minish our exports ef agricultural pro
ducts ; greatly to reduce the value of
those remaining in the country ; great
ly to lessen importations by reducing »qr
means of purchasing both at home and
abroad—almost to destroy the revenue
arising from commerce ; to lower the
price of labor, and to increase the pro-
lit* ofthe rich manufacturer while it les-
seus the prutits and wages of every other
individual in the community.
G. Resolved, That the adoption of the
proposed Tariff would produce very ex
tensive smuggling, and the consequent
necessary imposition of internal duties,
and heavy direct taxe*, which would e-
ver.tually cause n rc-actiou throughout
the w hole community ; and involve, in
one common ruin, all the manufactories
in tha country.
7. lie solved; That the abolition of
drawbacks would destroy the carrying
trade in foreign commodities, hitherto to a
source of great enterprize and wealth to
our citizens ; occasion immense losses to
the commercial, manufacturing, and ag
ricultural interests ; und deeply affect
the public revenue.
8. Resolved, That a Isw requiring
cash payment* of duties woulJ material
ly nflect ihe enterprise of our citizens,
by limiting the operations of the active
merchants, increasing the price of for
eign commodities to the consumer, and
favoring a monoply to the rich, contrary
to the be-l interests ofthe country.
ff. Resolved, That if Congress should
not consider it expedient to repeal the
duties heretofore laid for any •ilier pur
pose than tbe production of public iev-
enue, it cannot be either politic or just,
to impose other, nnd higher duties, tiie
probable Hfects of which would be to be
nefit manufacturers nt the expense of e-
very other cla-s of the citizens.
10. Resolved, That the project of ren
dering ourselves independent of foreign
nations, is founded in mistaken views of
national independence. Manufacturing
nations must always he more dependent
on their customers, (Usd those cultivn
ting the soil on the purchaser* of their
produce.
The convention also unanimously
dopted a memorial lo Congress, which
memorial it v as decided as a matter of
dec orum, should not be published until
it lias been presented.
WSl. BAYARD,
President of the Convention.
John Vaughan, Secretary
Philadelphia, 4th Nor. 1820.
from the Boston Iiiltllif;enctr and Rrentrg Ga
zelle, Aov. 4.
This day, at about ten o’clork, archer
vessel was added to the Amc ( . lCan niivy>
flic beautiful schooner Alligator, pier
ced lor 12 guns, and measuring about
luO tons, was launched at the Navy-Yard,
in presence of many spectator*.—She
has been built, under the appropriation
made at tiie last session of Congress for
five small vessels, to be employed a-
gainst the pirates ofthe Gulf of Mexico,
or those more nefarious criminals, the
dealers in slaves upon the coast of Africa.
Revicu: of tht Markets for the Past Week.
New*York, Nov. 6.
COTTON.—The market was unusu
ally dull in the early part of the week,
but at the close tho demand was lively,
chiefly for home consumption. Sales of
Uplands were effected at 14 a IG t-2
cents for old, and at 18 1-2 cents for the
new crop. Alabama were sold at 1G a
15 ct*. A parcel oft, . ,,| t ,|.J ^
"hi crop, wa* sold at IG 3-4d. T|, c
prices ou the whole mny be considered
better than during the preceding week*
tho’ the sales were not as &Xt«ntlVfe. ’
YresVAfcBV’a a
Felloiv citizens of the Senate,
and of the llouse of Representative,-
In communicating to you a just view
of public affairs, nt the commencement
of your present labors, I do it with great
satisfaction, because taking all circum
stances into consideration, which claim
attention, I see much cause to rejoice i u
the felicity of our situation. I„ making
this remark, 1 do not wish to be under
stood to imply, that an unvaried prospe
rity is to be seeu in every interest of
this great community. In the progress
of a nation, inhabiting a territory ofsuch
vast extent, and great variety of climate
every portion of which is engaged in fo
reign commerce, and liable to be affect-
cl, i:> some degree, by the changes which
occur in the condition and regulations of
foreign countries, it would be strange if
the produce of our soil, and the industry
and enterprize of our follow citizens re
ceived, at all times, and in every quar
ter, an uniform and equal encourage
ment. This would he more than we
would have a right to expect, under cir
cumstances the most favorable. Pres
sures on certain interest®, it is admitted
have been felt, but, allowing to these
their greatest extent, they detract but
little from the force of the remark al
ready made. In forming a just estimate
of our present situation, it is proper to
look at the whole ; in the outline, as well
as in the detail. A free, virtuous, and
enlightened people know well the great
principles and causes on which their
happiness depends, and even those who
suffer most occasionally, in their transi
tory concerns, find great relief under
their sufferings from the blessings which
they otherwise enjoy, nnd in the consol
ing and animating hope which they ad
minister. From whence do these pres
sures come ? Not from a government
which is founded by, administered for,
and supported by, the people. \Ve trace
them to the peculiar character of the e-
poch in which we live, and to the extra
ordinary occurrences which hare signal
ized it-. The convulsions with which
several of the powers of Europe have
been shaken, and the long and destruc
tive wars, in which all were engaged,
with their sudden transition to a state of
peace, presenting, in the first instance,
unusual encouragement to our com
merce, and withdrawing it in the second,
even within its wonted limit, could not
fail to be sensibly felt here. The station
too which we had to support, through
this long conflict, compelled, as we were,
finally, to become a party to it, with a
principal power, nnd to make great ex
ertions, suffer heavy losses, and to con
tract considerable debts, disturbing th®
ordinary course of affairs by augmenting*
to a vast amount, the circulating medi
um, and thereby elevating, at one time,
the price of every article above a just
standard, and depressing it at another
below it, had, likewise, its due effect.
It is manifest, that the pressures, of*
which we complain, have proceeded, in a
great measure, from these causes. When,
then, we take into view, the prosperous
and happy condition of our country, in
all the great circumstances which consti
tute the felicity of a nation ; every indi
vidual in the full enjoyment cf all hi*
rights ; the Union blessed with plenty,
and rapidly rising to greatnes*. under a
national government, which operate#
with complete effect in every pa 3, vviih-
out being felt in any, except by the am
ple protection which it affords ; and un
der state governments, which perform
their equal share, according lo a wise
distribution of power between them, in
promoting the public happiness, it is im
possible to behold so gratifying, so glori
ous n spectacle, without being penetrated
with the most profound and grateful ac
knowledgements to the Supreme Author
ot all good, for such manifold and inesti
mable blessings. Deeply impressed with
these sentiments, 1 cannot regard the
pressures to which 1 have adverted, oth
erwise, thsn in the light of mild and in
structive admonitions, warning us ofdan-
gers to be shunned in future ; teaching
us lessons of economy, corresponding
with the simplicity and purity of our in
stitutions, and best adapted to their sup
port ; evincing the connexion and de
pendence which the various parts of our
happy Union have on each other, there
by augmenting daily our social incorpo
ration, and adding, by its strong tj e9
strength and vigor to the PbVitic^,. *
mg a wider range, a-^ neiv ’J our ,
ageinen , o ' industry and enterprise
0 ^ ,lr * "Citizens at home and abroad;
a ’ lu ro°r«; especially, by the multiplied
proofs which it has accumulated, ofthe
great perfection of our most excellent
system of government, the powerful in
strument ia the hands of nn all-merciful
Creator, in securing to us these bles
sings.
Happy as our situation is, it does not
exempt us from solicitude and care for
the future. On the contrary, a* the bles
sings w hich we enjoy are great, propor-
tionably great should be our vigilance,
zeal, and activity, to preserve them.—
Foreign war* may again impose on us new
duties, for which we ought to be prepar
ed. The state of Europe is unsettled,
and hoiv long peace iuay he preserved is
altogether uncertain. In addition to
which, vve have interests of our own o
adjust, which will require particular at
tention. A correct view of our relation*
with each power, will enable you to
form ajust idea of existing difficulties, and
of the measures of precaution best adapt
ed to them.