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11A „, V nYititi i:::::::.:::::::: eioiit noi.t*iia.
i-m-iTiiv r*W!n, live uni,i.m».
,i Alt Aitl*itiuvtrMa .ppr-t Ot b'lh
1’rnm the Journal Ki/rJ. ?
MtHwigi'Cillci Nov. 0, {
At 12 o'clock to-day, l»L« Kxofclloncy the
Governor transmitted Vo both IIoUMji the fol-
'"""""message- '
y.xiicunvi: DEPA.arMK.'it c-a.
Mn.LRnoRviM<K, Nov. 0tli, 1832.
rrllnw-Cititem:—Wlion wo tnlio a aur-
«-y of Iho m enu oTiliocto.ing jrcor.it pro.
tloccs mingled emotions of pleasure and pom.
Our ncluul comlition ond qnjojrmouts os 0
treoplo,. nriaiug from climate, soil, and ljuou
governm • .t, wJre» compared with other pur-
tionaof tho world, udmonisli us to. admire,
nnd adore tho diviuo Author oVour rouHipii-
cd blessings.
Nothing ha* transpired to l/-sscn ou at-
tachnioiit, or diminicli our confidence in tho
good systems of government under wliicli wo
live; we should, therefore eherish (In increas
ed zeal, and an abiding hope for the perpot^-
ution of nor freo and happy Institutions. Thgf
truths of hiotory do not nuthori/o tho belief,
that wo nrc to enjoy the inc.ilimoblo blessings
of liberty find freo government, founded on.
principles of equal rights, without vigilenco.
uni) constant exertion on tho part of tjio poo*
p'e, who are tho only legitimate sourdo ofgo-
vernmontal power.
Our conflicts with Federal usurpation aro
not yet lit an end; tho events of tho punt
year have afforded un new cause for distrust
hud dissatisfaction. Contrary to the enligh
tened opinions, and just .expectations of tho
people of this, and every oilier Stylo in tho
T r nion,a majority iifthojiiilgos oftlioSu-reme
(lourt of thu United States, linvo not only; as
sumed juFsdction, in tho ensu of Wororstor
and Butler, but have, by their decision, at.
tomptod to overthrow that essontial j-*:isdic-
lion of tho State, in criminal enSes,' which
&«*itu*levin the
i)to Superior Courts of our own State. In
conformity with iJn ir do ision,. a, mandate
was issued, directed to our Court, ordering u
reversal of the decree .under which thoaa per-
uoris nro iinprisouod; ilmrchy attempting*
nnd intending h> prostrate tho sovereignty of
this State in tho exercise of its Constitution.
hI, criminal jurisdiction. Theso. rxtraordin*.
nry proceedings of the Supremo Court, have
not boon Buhmittcd to mo officially, nor have
they been brought bolero mo in any manner
which called for nty otllcial action., I have,
however, been prepared to moot this usurpa
tion of Federal powor, witji thu most prompt
mid determined resistance, in whatever form
its enforcement might have boon attempted,
by any hrnnch of the Federal Government.
I- *.,H9 nnsrded mo grtvT satiafuctiou to find
that our whole-people, ns with the voico of
one man, have manifested a-cnhli, but firm
nnd dolermirred resolution, to sustain tho au
thorities, and sovoreignty of their Stale, n-
gainst this unjust, ami unconatifut/onnl mi-
, ronchmmit of tho Federal Judiciary.* The
ingenuity of man might bn challenged,to show
a single seiitenco in the Constitution of the
United States, giving power, cither direct nr
implied, to tho Gouoral (iovorument, or any
of its departments, to nullify tho ln\ys of n
State, enacted for tho Government of its own
population, or cocreo obedicnco by force, to
tho mandates of tho Judiciary of tho Union.
On tho contrary, tho journals nnd proceed
ings nf tho Convention that trained tho Fed
eral Constitution, abundantly evince, that va
rious attempts woro mode to ofl’cct' that ob
ject, ulrof which wero rejected. This proves
that tho States of this Union novor did, and
nevor will permit llmir political rights to bo
suspended upon the breulh of the ngonta or
trustees, to wlmm they hive delegated limit
ed powers to perform certain dcllnito acts. I,
however, dcom it umiccorsqry.fyr me, at this
t had,to anomadvert on this decision orthcSu-
premo V*9 Pd:;, ji§ Inconsistency
with former dcoLiuwi.andils obvious tonden-
i-y to intermoddlu with tho political rights of
the Stated, and to change our Federal sys-
tom into one consolidated vnuca, has been so
often exposed by the most ablo jurists and
statesmen, tint a large mnjnrity of the peo
ple of tins Union are confirmed in tho convic
tion of ilia fall did. ty, infirmities nnd errors of
tins Supremo Tribunal. This branch of ..tho
General Government must henceforth stand,•
where it always ought to have stood,.in pub*
lie rstinintion, as being liablo to all the frail
lies utid weakness of erring man.
Shortly oner the adjournment of the legis
lature, in December last, I coiTimmiieiit*id di-
roctly to the President of thu United States,
tlm views of this State, ns manifested by her
Legislature, on tho subject of our unoccupied
lauds lying in thoChcrokccCountry;& at tho
samo timo frankly communicated to him my
iows, especially as to the necessity and ini-
uortunco oi an immediate survey, and .pv.t-
liups, occupancy of these lands,
Tho President lias uinnilestcd equal solici-
tmlo with ourselves, to nflbet an amiculdo and
satisfactory adjustment of our territorial em
barrassments. lie has pri.;.oM»d to tljo Che
rokee poonlc, toruu of the most liberal char
acter, with a view to induce them to emigrate
•••» the West, nnd thereby to enatde him to cl-
• *ct the great object of luu solicitude, in per-
i&noiilly bcnetltting that unfortunate, nnd
. eluded rnco; and, atthe samo limn, to fulfil
ao long, and delayed obligations of the Uni-
»d States’ Government to Georgia, entered
;> to by tho compact of 180i. Notiviihstan-
'g tho extraordinary liberality of tlio propo-
f \- ~ s submitted to the Uherokoes, and the
i ' spirit in wlii-h they they were present-
?.•, the enemies of the Ptosident, and of
rgia, have so fur surceeded, as to prevent
satisfactory arrangement or froaty with
n; nnd their.reply to those liberal propo-
- -r-s, evinces a most arrogant and uucoui*
•»; .wing spirit.
.. ery uny's experience Ins nHorded l^cw
.ice of the utter impracticability, nnd iin-
^ 1 ' of attempting any longer, to maintain
. c,;**. ;ws and government over tho Cherokee
•; M Georgia, without an nicrcasod*, and
population. Every efibrt has been
• by the Executive, to maintain the invi*
’ r. i’Vu'y of the *>tvs of tho State in Cherokee
• but tbeso NTorU have rot been nt-
r v’.'t.i with tho desird*»*.succcss. Our laws
Jv... repeatedly violated, and for the
vaaf'ts? that moral force, which potvados
evneikii inhabited by a more dellfC. enligh-
i »■:< (], Mid virtuous population,the trahegres-
r ::.h i '- c sometimes escaped merited ptmifrv.’-
rv.-if Our scattered population of good
i’c.raiiter, who now inhabit this county, have
. .j : mini themselves dcsi tnte of seenrily
1. -o degredtt^ons of dishonest men, and
uoy have sought protection from the
the land, they Jiavooikn found those
aws evaded, antf perrtrlod by combinations,
ofeuch chirtcrors, aided by tho advico and'
oounaol'^TthOHc, whoae enlnrgod acquire-
intuitu ithnuld havd directed lliflf loflucnco Irt
nid to lltn caiiso of justice, anu Hie mipemacv
of the law's. Id*gal and pettifogging subtil-
tics, iii this county, seem measurably to have
triumphed over equity, and a fair adrninlstra.
tion oftheUw. „ ' „ t
N«u only the Supreme Court of the Unitod
States, but the Superior, and even the Inferi
or Courts of our own State, 1iaV0 ao fur aided
in overturning our law* and tho policy of our
State Government, as to declare thorn Uncon
stitutional, and order tho diachargo of prison
ers arrested atfd confined undnrtlioir -provis-
ions. Nevcrtheletw, amidst all those irrngu-
laritictr, strifes, and disorders, lliero ia much
raueo of sincere gratification, that tho events
nfthc yenr have produced nothing more seri
ously injurious to tho interest and character
ofihoolato.
The survey of tho County of Cherokee, m
coul'orthity with, and under, the provisions of
tho several nets ortho Legislature, has been
completed without any serious obstacle or dif
ficulty; ond in the exercise of that discretion
confided to me by law, I have not hesitated
to move forward hi that direct lino, which I
deemed best calculated to ensure a speedy
settlement of the unoccupied lands in Chero
kee county. Accordingly, in duo titnn, the
Justices of tho Inferior Courts of the several
counties wero notified, and required to exc.
cuto the dutios dcvolving.on them, in regard
to rccoiving, and returning the names ofjier-
sons entitled to draws in tho Lottorics; which
having bonn dono according to law, and the
tickets having boon, prepared, the . Lottery
Commissioners wero convened, niid cojnrnon-
cod tho. preparatory arrangements for the
drawing, which was commenced on the 2Jd
duy of Get. last, and is pow in progress,under
their Riiperintondonco.
I deem iUimneccssary at this.time to enter
upon an enlarged vindication, of tlio policy
which lias been pursued by .the authorities of
Georgia, on this subject. Suffice it to say,
that I have, daily, increased ovidem o that our
policy has been founded in wisdom, justice
nnd true benevolence, and will ero long, ter
minate in the preservation of a remnant of
iIichcuiiferluaaloIndians; and ourStidc will.
bft relieved from llw libols and embarVaas-
nient-« of a thirty years controversy.
It ndw becomes my duty to call tho'serious
and (loliberalutti lent ion of the LegialnlurMo
the sulijoct of the present condition of the
Choipkoes, who remain within our Elato.—
lly our existing laws, their homes and im
provements uro secured to llietn 6o long ib
they may choose to remain thereon , but these
laws are by no means adapted to the security
of thoir porsuns and property. Therefore spe
cial and appropriutoleg'slation is most earn
estly recommended whereby these objects
will bo secured ‘o them, and thoir rights ho
as ofibctunlly shielded from violation,ns thoso
of tho white man. It is duo to the character
of tiiftStute.tlmt this dependant pcoplo should
bo protected by laws as liberal nsi/iny bo con
sistent with their moral and intellectual con
dition. To afibrd them such protection, and
to extend to them suitable privileges, without
endangering tho rights of our own citizens,
will require the moat curelul deliberation and
prudent iVocnsf. ,
Tho Land Hind, s< t apart by the legisla
ture, linn boon futmd insufficient to hay even
the legal expenses of surveying tlio public
lands Nothing therefore remains to discharge
the variuiis expenses, necessarily Incident Vo
the p repo ration-fur.carrying tho lottery laws
into effect. Tho Legislature will porocivo
tho necessity of providing, at an early day,
fur tlio payment of all arrearages, anti other
Qjcpousoi* appertaining to this business.. It is.
Qio more urgent that it should bo dono with
out delay, from tho consideration, that infuiy
needy persons have already performed.nvfeh
tiHufid labor for tho public, wliu have not re
ceived any compensation. .
While on this sulijoct, it may not ho im
proper to remark, that tho Exocutivo has nut
only boon otnborrnrecd ou account of the in
adequacy of th** i 4 nd lend ; but from the im*
providence of tho last Legislature, m pron-
di« mgauB at thu Treasury to meet theix
several appropriations. Tlio n)>propr\aUo«a
for tho past political year greatly exceeded
the nvuilnblo incans nt tlio Treasury. This
omission of tho Legislature was discovered
at an early day after tho adjournment oftheir
j’lst annual session ; and alter duo consider-
tion, it was determined to endeavor to sustain
tlio operations of tho Goverumont by. other
means than that of an extra session of the
Legislature. I therefore apnliod to tho Di-
rectors of tho Central Dank, laid before them
tho situation in which the Executive was pla
ced, nnd desired to bo informed how far that
Institution could,conSistmitiy with its charter,
accommodate tho Government. Tho Direc
tors, without hesitancy, manifested every dis-
.position, to grant any accommodations, which
might be legally extended. And by an ar
rangement agreed upon, tho llank Ims taken
up and paid oil’ tlio Executive warrants,
whenever the means to meet them ,woro not
found at tho Treasury ; which warrants have
been takqn up_ by tjio Treasurer, as faat ns
the moans were received at that Department.
Thus, through tho ngoncy of tho Hank, 1
have been enabled, so fur to moot the appro
priations of the Legislature qs to avoid the
deprecated, cecssily of convening an extra
session. Hut doubts boing^ntortatned, as to
the cqmputrncy, of the Rink to meat the en
tire demands, authorised by thn Legislature,
I have .tlij rotbro been placed under the ne
cessity .of discriminating, between appropria
tions, made for tho indispensable operations
of the Government, And minor nml individual
interests. Tho Report of tho Directors of
the Central Uank, which accompanies tins
message, will[exhibittho.extontofthc accom
modation which has boon granted to this de
partment. From this stateinont tho Legis
lature, will ho ublc to ascertain, tho extent of
the deficit, which has accrued at tho Treasu
ry, to meet tho Exccutivd Warruuts, which
linvo been drawn on tho several appropria
tions for tho current year. Whatever legis-
latiou‘may bo necessary to remedy tho omis
sions of tho Inst session, upon thoso seve-’
rat subjects, commends itself to you imme
diate attention.
thkn defray the ordinary / torn. Iu aeveral cascaVhere 1 havo atlemp-
us oflho year Tho in- (fed investigation*, f have not been ablo to
.... I L.hm 1 _ _/. i . .1!. ■ il.i.t • 'tifilliAlit
convict* will more
and current cxpensuH
ternal police of tho institution, has beon such,
qs to prevent escape, secure tho health and
cnnifon of the convicts, and at the sump time,
it Is br.lioved, tlmt in'many instances, refor*
motion.has been effected, and in sumo, that il
will prove to bo permanent As far ns tl*
means of tho institution would justify, a pro
per forecast has been directed to tlio procu-
ring of an atnplo supply* of timber ahil; *Khnr
materials for manufacturo; but the Oi»pmpri-
utiuns of tlie lost legislatiirc were nearly ex
hausted at onev, in the payment of dohia, a-
f aiust the I-.stitution, contracted in the year
Bblj for building, und various articlesofaup.
Ply.
Tho outstanding debts duo to tho Peniten
tiary, is a subject which deserves special at
tention. Bn 1 ween fifteen and twenty thou
sand dollars of unavailablexlobts appear to be
duo to the Institution ;' moat of which wore
contracted previous to tho year 182(1. A por
tion of theso debts has boen phr.cd m-tho
hands ofAttornics for collection, all. of whom
hovo not yet accounted salisfautorily for the
amount thus placed in tlu*ir hands. I here
with submit to tho Legislature, a document
exhibiting all the information, I have been a-
bio to collect on this subject. At present it
is believed, that tho fiscal transactions of the
institution, aro- conducted with system, skill
and prudonco ; which will hereafter prevent
any material loss, if tlio present- rogu'aUons
are continued. Tho books and accounts uro
kept with groat accuracy, and credit* aro ox
tonded Willi |but caution, whioli will in fu
ture, prevent tho nccumulitiou of bad debts.
From tho indications nf public opinion, i*
is' believed, that the* abolition of tho Peni
tentiary system, has not- receive the apnroha-
tion of a majority of »ho people; and I f-cl ns-
pored ihntlhe experience.of ouo year, und«*r,
ourlpresrnt code, has strengthened public op-
iniouin favour at the Institut ion,
A general disposition seems to pervade the
foinmunity to shield culjirits from tlio indie-
tion of the Banguinary^jinMishmenta ofmir
jircscnt criminul code; and hence it is that
frequent application.! are made to.ilm Exe
cutive to grant reprieves and remit tliosont-
find q responsible individual; and‘without
icglslattve provision I am at a loss how to
proceed »o as to save this public property
from entire low. Tlfq arms thus scottorcd
bvertlin coiintry, as well as many in tho ar
senal at thifl place, will nevor bo of any pub
lic value unless provision is mad* for collect^
jng,cleaning and repairing them.
* It may h*^ proper to state, that under the
provisions of a joint resolution of the lost
Legislature, thoro hap been organized, during,
the present your, thirteen VoluntecrGompa-
nies, which nave been furnished’ with arms
from our arsenals. It will be seen from the
reports of tho Military etofo-Koepore, -that
our present supply iff erms is so -greatly di
minished, that voluiitbor companies cannot
continue to receive .supplies, uttlo83 provis
ion ho made for that purpose.
The framers of our State Constitution,
were not unmindful of the impmtaut subject
of^'ducatimi. They consider tlio cultivation,
of tho arts rind scionbes indiup-msable, to the
prosperity of a free pimple, niifl wo theruroro
find the most imperative lanijungo used in llwt
great body ofthc community. Let tho peo
ple once turn their earnost attdrtiion to this
subject and they will very soon become con
vinced of the groat importance rfntl upcocslty
oftheir individual ex^rtidiis to secure the
through that channel of commerce. In con
formity with the provisions of a resolution of
the last Legislature, authorizing the appoint
ment of 'a compotunt Engineer to examino
and report to the present Legislature^ upon^
from WcstFoint In Troup county to the
Upon due reflection andfiill examination, the
.people*will bccomo convinced, that the prop
er education of tlio rising generation, is di
rectly and iniimaloly conueeted. With the in-
tvro^t.happiness &. proaperi'y of their country
ned tlio porpetuily of our present civil insti.
tutinns and good form of government. The
neglect of educating oiir children wiU iiievi'a-
bio tend to iliodcoli.no and fall of our repub-
lie. Our government is based upon public
opinion, and that opinion to bo salutary mttut
bu onl'ghlencd. Let that knowledge which
ackompanies a good common schoul nduca-
tion, bo diffused throughout dur country, nnd
the iron sway of ignorance can never In wiel
ded by Di'inugoaues to'ihe destruction pl’liber-
ty.. Withdlil nhis diffusion, of Uuolvlndg*\
like o'her repu! lies, our enreer oflibcrtv may
terminate, in licentiousness,' anarchy and do-
potism. Therefore U“we Would transmit to
posterity Ilia sacred legney which our Filth-
instrument, to impress tho I^slaHire willin' era have hoqueai hod to us wo inn 4 not di.?.-
sense pf its duty, in sustaining the cause of | gardtho3e means, up-ui the use of wliicli iho
education. Tim history of the legislation of permanency of those blessings so csjimiI iiillv
Georgia will shew that attention to this sub* depend*. Wo must bring into requisition all
ject has not boon wanting. Gur statute
bonks i'xiiihit n mass of logislarimi and ex
pend tnro upon thn siihjcct of education, that
has scarcely been surpassed by any of our
sister SlnuV. But upon n'review of the
wli de subject, it Ulus*, bo admitted,- that thn
advantngesjlyrivod by flic people of Georg a,
havn not Leon commensurate with llio labor,
and Expense^
Thn'presmit prospects of innr uniyciriity Af
ford just encourrigemn t to the friends to the
jriniul* of thnorlH nnd sciences, to continue
•to f istor ami patronize that institution. The
prosperity of our (Jollogn is so closely iden
tified with tho character and interest.nf the
Slat*, that ipidor prouor management it qdn-
not fail to hecrimo irfqvorl o institution with
the rotnmmirtyyaajl roepive a liberal support
from our whole paoplOi
„ . . ... Our Aofideinic and. Poor. School systems
ciico of ll>0 Coutts.. Impri.sonuient ju thoj are admifed to bo dofoctivo anil by no mean?
safi.Taotory to thn com nunity. In \
county jail*, being a coiiumm punishment,' iii^
flictudon thu violators of our present crimin
al laws, is ion,-id to bo expensive, &. in many
casesfaurthbnsomo to the counties; which,
tends to euoourage ajiohcritioifs for* pardons
even when there is nothing to extenuqjo the
guilt of the nfthiuh-r. . .
‘After the most mature foflcction, I cannot
hesitate in arriving at the co 'elusion, that
Pouitcnliaf-v ^oii/inemdnL is, by fir, the
most economical mode of* punishment- for
crime ;aud from llio operations, of the pres-
ent year, I incline to the opiuion, t[iat if the
system wero reinstated, nnd appropriately
pntrnnizod by the Lpgslalure, it would be
certain tojufroy its oxpenspe.fiz perhaps nt a
duy not far dist nt, become .a, fource of profit
nnd incr\nlo m Iho.Stute, Slmuld the Leg s-
lory to the com-nunity. Til view of
those defects, tho legislature, at thoir last
session, adopted a resolution directing the
compilation of all. our Academic and Free
Sdhnul laws, now in force ; and also to an-
thorize the Governor to appoint threo Btiitnbln
person^ to forth a system of Academic and
Free School Instruction, to lie ns ncurly uni-,
form as praclirahle, throughout tho State,
ami report to tho present legislature. Tire
.compilation so autlreriz"d r has been proparrd
and published by J(»|m A. Cuthbert. Evi|uire,
under ExecuLvo appointment; and is execu
ted with tho characteristic nccur.icyo.nd abil
ity of that gentleman. Hut I have to express
'my regret, that I have not been able to incot
the expectation of the Legislature, in having
submitted to them a system nf academic-and
freeschooT odilc-ilimi, as auihorizeil by the
resohilitm ref»*trvd Vo.’ Al an early day after.
latum dotermifit to revive thesysVce, a due
ryg.'irdto lhercfofn\a'.i.m of lhe cinvicts, an-!
profitable management of the itTMitution, will j thn aljoiirnmem of the last legislature, my
require ,a further imjirovcmont of the interior attention W4S dirccfed’to this subject; nnd a
huddingsand work-shops, anil a more ample corresponds nee was'opened with sovcral in-
Bupply ofvuri .im material?, fur fabiicatiou.
Tho -necessary oppropriatfon to acconlplish
the/p objects, under proper management,
dividual* iif this State, wlnt hud mani bsted
:onsiderriblo interest iii advancing tho cause
nf general education. But among tlinso, ,vlu>
could ftp t fail eventually* to Lu a mud uro oil wi-re bdievod to possess eminent qutlifiatinus
J I .1.1. .u:_ : ........ III.-.
The net of tho last. Lcgislnttire, abolishing
the Penitentiary system in this State, iir con
nection with the facts, ofthc institution being
•embarrassed with debt, nlmA^t destitute of
nmtorials to carry on the different branches
ot manufacture, and the interior buihiinga and
workshops being in an unfinished and unsui
table condition, to aid tho important objects
of good government and useful business ; all
combined to impress upon tho present mana
gers of tlio institution, a spiriit of despon
dency. Nevertheless, l nm highly gratified
to havo it in my power to present to tho Lc-
gisfwfurc, demonstrative evidence of the spi
rit nnd Ability with which Iho institution has
been managed during the present year. It
\vltt be open by the reports of the Inspectors,
hrrowtjh transmuted, that the labor of the
tfcnnoQsyaml fsiving'to tlih Stofo.
Thy auro defence und fort re? J of lihovty is 1
the nulitja—tlie citizen .soldier. B it in no
countryjc.it* it be reasonably expected, that
every -citizen sluuM bo trained uiid roady for
the active duties of a. soldier in the- tented
fiQld. Tlie Govarnmejit, reiving ns it does,
on the militia lor'defence in Vuno of duugor,
should unq'iostionahly have sofii'L firganizi-
tion, whereby il might not only know its
strength, but have uUroady command, the
powo,- to concentrate an ellioreixt portion of
its martial Ibrco, at a short warning, which
in any omnrgcncy might sene ns a rallying
point for iho great bo ly of its militia- It is
not within the range of our State Govern
ment, to keep up a standing army ; nor is it
compatible with our views und'policy. Ne
vertheless it is bcliiAnd, that Voluntary usso-
►cmrions. oi ncVivo nml patriotic Citizens.or-
gnuisqjl uniler legal sanction iV- cncourrigment
might afford to every section of our State a
rallying point, in case of sudden alarm from
any quarter, foreign or domestic,' ; TI»o few
returns which.have boon mad* to tins Dejijiri-
tnent from Division and Brigade Inspectors,
and various oilier sources ot iuforiinition, cun
leave po doubt, of the fact, that our present
militia Bvstwn has sunk under tlio iinp.erfoc-
tioiis of its own structure un.l orgauizaiion,
und unless renovated by legislation, ‘may be
considered as nearly extinct. Under theso
circumstances, it become* highly iicccssury
tlmt tho Logi?laturo should take this'impor
tant Biibjoct into serious consideration, and
provide by law sonic plan of orgahization, in
lieu of thut winch 1ms pr.ictiually become ob
solete. As the distribmion of the public arniB
under the law of the United States, for arm
ing and equipping the-inilitia, is made among
tho States according to tho relative -strength
of the militia, it is a matter of 'interest* to yb-
tain accurate returns ofthc force of the State
—nnd the disorganisation of our - system ie
such as to rondor.it impossiblet^hasetvtain
tlio am tiro strength of tlio militia dftho Slate.
I consider it highly important that the effec
tive strength of thc militia should at all times
bo known that there should bo at least one
Company of well trained Volunteers, in each
County in tlio State, and in the populous
Counties, perhaps more—that provision
should bo mndo tt>r arming and training-all;
such Volunteer Companies, and that they
should at all limes, hold themselves in readi*
ness to obey tho calls oftheir Country in case
of alarm or danger—And further, that pro
vision should bo made for enlarging such Vol
unteer foreo, whenever the situation of the
Country may demand it. lint past experi
ence has demonstrated, tlmt if these views
should ho^‘adopted, it will be indispensably ne
cessary to make ample provision for tho pre
servation, safb keeping and duo return of the
public arms when called for.
Unless this object can be effected* it will
bo worso than useless, to attempt to carry
into effect, tho plan now suggested. I have
ascertained that most of the public arms
which have been drawn 'tfari*-.Gur Arsenals,
fnr Volunteer, and othef Borvioei since the
y‘oar 1812. may be considered as lost to the
State. and those which are not entirely lost
are clncfly in a ruinous condition; In many
instances I find bonds on file in this Depart
ment, for the safe keeping and return of the
arms riius distributed, when called for; but
in most cases, tho makers of theso bonds, it
is presumed, are now dead, removed or in
solvent, and thu companies dissolved. Since
I have ontered upon the duties of this office,
I have received various communications, from
highly respectable individuals, some written,
but mostly verbal, informing mo of arms and
accoutrements being in their respective neigh-
bor.hoods, in a situation to bo lost for want of
for this important tiudeitaUin^mmo could be
induced to engngo in tho arduous and respon
sible labours contcuipled by the resolution of
tlio Legislature. .To perforin' this work to
I he sat isfaction of the Legislature und to meet
the public estimation, in point-of utility, it
w-ia believ*;d, that qual ficatbuw. of a literary
character, should ho combined ‘with an ex
tensive acquaintance witji tho feeling^ hab
its anil interests or onr dtvcrsifi-d population.*
The peculiar situation of this statu—the hab
its and iVclings of thepeoplo —the spirscness
pfoiir population, in many sections— the want
of fixed and permanent schoul districts, uy
known nnd well 'dvHired bnunfiarimf—and va
rious-other citnsiduraribtis, must-bo taken bi
ro-new, in framing a successful coninigu
school sys'em.
The Lciis^a'ure .of .Georgia, at an early
. period of its history, with a spirit that de-
t serves couimu/idatibu, made liberal prevision
fortjiu endowment of an academy iii* each
county in the Slate; the application of which
has been left to ilia trustees of tho several
coinly neado-.mes; consequently,• thorb has
been no miif- rmity, or gbnehil plan of opera-
tion : no systematic ndopton of' m-'riBurcs’
which wore calculated to ensure success,alike
to ail. Notwitlistan'ding the neglect of which
many trustee* in iy have been guilty, it must
be admitted that groat good has resulted to
the^'community, from Hie endowment of theso
county sominurios. The hoiiefiis havo been
hiostly felt, in the imumdialo vicuii'y of these
institutions, but in ipuno instances havo been
diffused more or less, throughout the coun
ties.
Our succors in tlio application of the fund
set anqrt for the education of poor children
has, iike our academic fund, been beneficial
in thoso counties where it bus been well
inanngod rind prudently applied, while in oth
ers tlmro ia just cause for complaint. If it is
behevod thut our academic* and poor school
fund might-bo bettor applied to purposes of
useful education, if our present, imperfect
system were wholly abolished, and a. system
,uf common school education, organized and
patronized in lieu therefore. I have examin
ed with care, -*nd reflected much upon the
systems of common school education adopted
by the different Elates in the Union, and mar
ked-tho varied success of each ;and although
the experiments of other States, may aflbrd
much light to direct our course, yet I am ful
ly convinced, that to ensure success in our
community, wo shall.find it ndeessary to adopt
a plan, which shall bo based upon the actual
condition of our own population, and not flat
ter oursalvcs with the idea of success, by
merely following tho footsteps of others
whose habits and modeft of thinking are so
very different from oyr own. Tho State of
‘New-York, ns well as the New-England
Stales which have succeeded best in diffusing
the blessings of education to their whole peo-
pie, have all maintained tho right and duty Of
the Legislature to provide for the education
of their entire population. And for the pur*
pose of effecting this object,the ehtiro proper
ty ofthe State—-no matter in -whose possess,
ion it, was found—lias been mado subject
to taxation for the education of oil—thus re
garding the children of the whole community
as.being under tho caro of the Government
Whatever advantages may have been derived
by such Legislation, and the .establishment of
such principles in other States, I feel assur
ed that such principles, and surh Legislation
aro by no means suited to the feelings and
hahits of our people.
It is believed that no legislation upon the
subject of general education,however wise the
scheme, can bo successful, which doe9 not
receive the approbation of the people, and
cyci:e enquiry, interest and zeal among the
our menu* for tlio diffusion of education, and
thereby give impulse to public feeling. If
possible wo should penetrate the besoms of
oiir whole population cn this vulij-ct, by ex
hibiting to them Urn practicability amj impor
tance of each’ni-Tuber nf --ociety contributing
sotnv {tumble share to thu great object of
rai ling talon;?, merit and gouius from obsett-
rity to the highest walks of life, nnd, in hring-
tho Vghts of education to every dwelling
within.tlio liiuit.s nf uur belyvo ! Slate. Lot
it bn remembered, that every. school that is
established— every child who may bo cdut-a*
t«'d—every log school house that is built at-
fords a now pledge in favor of the groftt
.ckuso of education, liberty and. fee go vo'r fi
lmin' ; and ot the same time let each imiivid-
mil in the oouuhiiuiiy bear in mind, I lint, duty
to his country assigns him a partin this great
work.
The Hoportsofthc Siipciintcnd.ints ofthe
public hands, herewith mbinitted will exhi
bit the opera'ions, progress aiid success of
that branch ofthe public service during the
past political year. 'Although further expe
rience ha* continued to duvclope additional
Imperfections in tlio jaws providing for tlie
improvement of our greatmarket road*, nnd
new obstaclos to nil that success which we
desire, aro occasionally presented, to those
who superintend ‘bo work, yet my confidence
that tlie system is a gaud one, ajid that it
ought to be continued and improved is, by
every days expori'-nec, more fully confirmed.
Georgia li as nut been wanting in eft’»rts*to
facilitate the transportation ofthe immense
product of her fruitful soil and indn*<r'ums
nopifuil'Mi. Lnrge sums of public money
nave been expended from tifiio'to lime, with
a View to the improvement of our navigable
waters , blit fur the want of skill nml expe
rience to direct its uppl cation, it fmiut bo a 1-
mi'.ted, lint the people have in.I derived tlio*»*
Inmefiis which' they had a right to expect
from the amount thus expended. It is licleiv-
ed however,that no wnntofB-uccess wliicli may
havo hitherto attended oflr dttempts at inter ;
nnl improvement, should for a moment almte
onr zeal or retard our efforts in u deter-
mined ad vigorous prosecution of such publiv
works as? tho host interest ofthe people
inand. I would not only recommend a con
tinuance of our present ay^ti’in of road im
provement, but tint it should he strong* honed
nnd improved. . Excellent reels have alrendy
been made in many part* of tlio Staid, by the
labor devoted to that object; hut every part
ofthe State h.is ii"t been made to feel the
benefit oft lie System ; nml those parts which
have derived ito benefit, will from the nature
of things become rcsilcss and dissatisfied im-
Ipps limy arc made to purtioip.ito in Iho heno-
fitias well as lire hnrlli-ms ofthe system.—
One of the most formidable objections toTlui
present system i*, lh.it Iho roads* af.er being
made good, nro not kept in repair; mid from
t'lc nature of onr soil, and t!i6 present pla • o
conslnicling our roads, unless-repairs, ot tire
proper tiine and in tho right mode, he strict
ly' attended Ur, they must necessarily soon fall
into delnpidoiion and ruin. It is tire incum
bent duly ofllie Legislature to provide a re
medy for this civil; which ifjicglccted, will
most assuredly destroy the whole system.
Only provide for keeping tho roads in.com
plete order, which,aro once mado good by
the Slate hqmjs, and in loss than twenty years
Georgia will have tho b 'st road* of any Slate
iri tlm Union, 'ft is submitted to the legis
lature, whether jt should not bo made the flu-
ties of thn comity authorities, in which roads
are constructed by Iho Stnto hands, to re-
coivo such roads from the Suporintemlaiit nmi
thereafter be compelled to Ireep them in nf
good order as when received. Upon nil the
roads constructed by the Statehands. such
provision should bo made by law,as would en
sure Hie keeping in good repair of all necessa
ry bridges nnd causeways, as well a*
tlio road*. Same arrangment should be
mado which will .ensure n general dif
fusion of the benefit* arising frorti tho
system to every section of the Slate. And to
prevent the conflicting cln«..a of different
communities from embarrassing the opera,
tions of the superintendents, ond throwing
more than a just share oP responsibility on
them, I would deem it most advisable for the
Legislature to define and point out tho prin
cipal roads which shall havo the preference
in o-dm*of timo. I respectfully submit to the
Legislature, whether, under all the circum
stances, it might not bn expedient to provido
for tho increase of labourers. Tho pottlo-
mentof the North Western section ofthe
State, will loudly call for road improvement
in that quarter. We may anticipate the day
when Georgia will enter’the list of competi
tors for the most splondid and magnificent
works of inter.ml improvent; when, with
pride, we may point to her rail roods, canals
nnd turnpikes. But before tho accomplish
ment ofthese grand objects, to which nature
seems to have invited the hand of art and in
dustry, our territory must be settled and tlio
natural resources of our Sloto developed,
which alone can give the true index to direct
these great works. For the presont, let our
expenditures be chiefly confined to our great
market roads, and let every portion of tho
State paj-ticipato in theso benefits. Lot our
roads be directed to our Towns at tho boa J
of navigation ; and where it is practicable,
lot our rivers bo improved, not only from
thence to the Ocean, but as far into the inte
rior as can bo effected by reasonable expendi
tures, in the removal. of inconsiderable ob
structions.' I consider it an object of great
importance, that the falls of tho Chattalioo.
cbe from West PoinL-to Columbus, should, if
practicable, be surmounted by the hand of
Art, so that our rising population on the boi-
•lers of that noble river, giay enjoy the im-
manse benefits which would flow to them
Town nf Columbus, an arrangement lm«l been
mode, by the selection, of an individual high
ly recommended for lus qualifications, by
which it was expected, that tho present T.e-
gishuurn would bo furnished svith the desired
informal,'on, The correspondence herewith*
Riibipittcd, wdl shew tho causo of tho disap.
pointinent. . .
The circulating medium, or.currency ofoi.r *
country, having long since Loon changed from
specie coin, having an intrinsic value, to tlu^t
of paper, pin-porting to ho the represeiUatii o
of the precious metals, it becomes tho iiienrri-
bont duly of I lie government, in authorizing
tho issue of such paper, to guard well the in- .
terost of its c tizen.s against Iho frauds and
devices, which experience fins demonstrated,
are too often itractisod by Corporations pos-
psssing hanking privileges, with' power ti>
throw into circulation an unsound and decep
tive pnpor currency. Tho currency of our
Slate consist* almost exclusively ofthe notes
of our own local Punks; nnd therefore our
ncojiti! have a right to expect, thut tho solve J
i-V of Freso institutions, should bo placed up
on a I:..* s, which should not subject Hie com
munity to the ruinous consequences, Which
must im’vilably grow out of Bank failures.—*
Tho late failure of the Bunk of Macon should
bo a' Sidfioient warning of tho inslabilily of nil
snJi institutions. Tho Legislature at thoir
lust session, expressed their confidence in tho.
good condition nml management uf that inst -
tui ion ; sumo which time, its defalcation has
proved to bn deeply injurious t » the interest
and credit of the Stftle, as well ns .tp .tho.i->'
terost of many uf our honest and unsuspect
ing citizens. The public interest demands,
that nn inimcdiulqaml iliurmigh investigation 1
ofthe afiairs of.tlmt institution, should bo in
stituted by thn Legislature, and to flirt her
that object, 1 herewith sntmnt all the infor
mation I linvi* re; Dived Oil I he subject.
Tirepriv. c^< s heretofore grm.ted tu|Danl:-
ing Companies arc not to be violated. But
1 would unhesitatingly recommend to the Le
gislature, the adoption of such measures as
may bo best calculated ip ensure to the pcc-
p|i.- a sound currency, and prevent our tank
ing Institutions from speculating on a confi
ding cniiiumnity, by extending thoir ..issnos
nnd other transactions, beyond the letter and
spirit, oftheir respective Cli irters. That love
of gam, which is so inherent in human na
ture,is a constant temptation to excessive is-
sires of Bank paper; nnd the Commercial,
and other contingencies, to which all com
munities arc liable, subject Hanks, thus situa
ted, to failures, whenever o general demand
l\»r speeio niny be made upon them for tho
redemption oftheir Bill*. Tho issue of bank
notes under five dollars should be discontinu
ed. rind gold and silver coin be made to sup
ply the pheo of such notes. This would ut
all time*, keep 4 considerable supply of spe
cie in tlie country, and thereby enable the
Banks to moot sudden pressures, nnd would
moreover havo a strong tonduficy to equalise
the value of Hank notes and coin.
I will not conceal from tho Legislature,
that it was with feelings of reluctance, that
my assont was given to the acts granting
Banking privileges, ksUSSSSlQb, .Theso
P:cl ! 7igs wore yielded alone, in consideration
of the situation of our rising western town*,
and increasing pognl.ft'on. If Banks afford
any advantages to cotnrnnhi:{cs,'it was believ
ed to be fair and right, that those advantage*
should he extended to the people, ill every
section of the State, and-not permit the mo-,
iiipd influence of tlie* country to bo concen-
trilled for the cxrlusivn mlynntngo or depres-
sion of any particular, rio'etjon. All legishi;.
tion which yives exclusive privileges to capi
talisls. is calculated In hie maun tlm r
tulists, is calculated, to increase the powc;; ot*
the nc.'i; wliilo the humble members of so
ciety who are incesshully laboring at their
daily avocation*, fur the sustenance of tlieru-
eolv s and l’amdivs, liavo poithorTimo nor
monry, to participate in the profits and influ
ence, which nro secured to banking nnd othc r
similar corporate companies ; and therefore
havo a just right to complain of. that gpvcra*
incut, which increases rimaicwer iff the rivk,
at the expense of tlio poor. Eqiial protection*
and equal benefit*, are qll that tho poor nmtr
qsks from his government; and nothing loss
will, or ought to satisfy a citizen of this free
country. But on the otlrer hand, tho rich aro
seldom satisfied with tq"al.protection und
equal bcnnfiis. * Their inordinate'cravings for
governmental favour und protection, liavo al
ready produced the most alarming results;
sucli as threaten the dcslruAiun of Uto Fede
ral Union itself. •/ *., . " .'* . v
Tho Ihw-s of thief state, upon most subjects
of general interest, have become eb multipli
ed, & complicated, & in some instances, con
tradictory in their provisions, ns to ronder a
faith \:ll, just & uniform Qdministration of
thorn exceedingly dfiicult, ifnot impractica
ble, I would therefore'submit *? l|ie Legis
lature the expedient ; -y hf providing by law, for
a general revision of tho statutes of this state;
embracing in a compact form, tho several sta
tute* 'rolaiing to its Civil polity and inter
nal administration ; tho whole to be consoli
dated and arranged iii appropriate chapters,
titles and articles : simplifying the language
thereof, and all omissions and other defects
supplied by the compilers : the whole of which
should be submitted to the Legislature tor re
vision, adoption or rejection. It is believed
that other Spates have succeeded in similar
off »rts to the ono now proposed—and why
may not wo succeed ! We havo competent
individuals who could discharge with ability,
the arduous and responsible' duties contem
plated —men * of experience, general science
and c avated.legal standing. While {.enter
tain the highest respectand confidence in tin
General Assembly of this state, I consider
it? structure and formation such, as to ex
clude the hope of effecting tlie very desira
ble object herein confouiplated, by the ordi
nary process oflegislation. A revised code
of our present statutes, embracing their pre
sent substance in a concise, perspicuous and
simplified form, cau only bo obtained from
the labor of patient research, nnd unintenup'
ted reflection ; based upon talents and qual-
ideations of the first order.
/Thelerri'nry embraced in Cherokee county. shou'J
bt'dividcij ini', count ie* of tuiltbe tizo and f.rm, 10
promote ihn convenience of thai porliun of our popula
tion wliu may inhnl.i* ihnl tuctiun of the Slate : nnd
Iho WMnizaiion «»f Mich enumiua etuiuld bo provided
Tor without unneconary delay* The aituation of the
public property embraced in tho fractional «irv.*y»,
require- immediate l-gialatitm, viWcti will place Uiat
portion Of tke public inti rut beyond the probabiliiy ot
iro«paai nr intrusion—t would theruforo recommend
that «aid fractions be deposed of with the least posiiblo
delay, and bu made available for public use.
Tlio various acts and renoluiiont ufihe last Lcgi'li-
tuie. requiring Executive action, h ive been earned in
to tfiuc', nr aro in a course of execution, with thu ex-
ceptront herein before pointed 0U>.
An absiraci of warrant* drawn oh tlm Treasurer du
ring the po’itical year 1632 : »list of Executive op-