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i ' ’ rilWßt e^aaa GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE. Executive DErARTMfeNf,! Milledgeville, Bth Nov., 18-33; J Fellow - Citizens of the Senate and House of Representatives : In discharge of my constitutional duty, I pro ceed to lay before you such matters gs should re ceive your attention during the present session of the General Assembly. On the twentieth day of October 1851, the public debt amounted to $1,687,472,22. By the act of December 4th, 1851, ratifying the contract of my predecessor and the Chief Engineer of the Western & Atlantic Railroad, for the purchase of iron for the State Rc..d, it was increased $200,000. By act of January 12th, 1852, pro viding for the repairs and equipment of said Road, it was still further increased the sum of $525,000 —and by th“ act authorising a sub scription to the Milledgeville and Gordon Rail road, there was added the sum of $20,000, ma king the total amount of the State debt $2,432,- 472.22. To this amount should be added the bonded debt of the Central Bank, which is now $369,500 ; having been diminished by the pay ment of $5,500, since the Ist November, 1851. The total liability of the State is thus seen to be $2,801,972.22, from which must be deducted the sum of $166,500, which has been paid du ring the past two years, under the provisions of the act of February 11th, 1850, providing for an annual Sinking Fuud for the payment of the public debt. The present debt of the State therefore is $2,635,472.22. The bonds authorized by the act of December, 4,1851, were made payable at the State Treasury, and the interest payable semi-aunually at the bank of the State of Georgia in Savannah. These bonds were negotiated for a premium av eraging about two per cent. I was satisfied that our bonds should command a higher premium, and finding upon an investigation of the subject, ! that a more advantageous negotiation could be effected, by making them payable in New York, —I caused the bonds issued under act of January 12th. 1852, to be made payable at the Bank of the Republic in the city of New York. They were negotiated at a premium of 5 per cent. It is the first instance in which our State securities had been disposed ot at any premium, and it should be gratifying to our State pride to know, that the bonds of our State no w stand among the first securities of their class. The bonds of no State in the Union command more of the confidence of capitalists who seek a safe investment of their lunds. This confidence is hot misplaced, for no State in the Union has more ample means to meet its liabilities, and no people are more tenacious of the credit and hon or of their State, than our own. As the interest of a portion of our bonds lias to be paid in New York, it becomes necessary for the Treasurer to keep on deposit there, a suffi cient sum of money to meet the interest as it tails due. This has been done under my dilec tion. If any doubts exist as to the power or propriety of this course—it would be advisable that all such doubts should be quieted by pass ing a law' authorizing such deposits to be made. The necessity of it is so obvious, that I deem it unnecessary to present any argument in support of the recommendation. I refer you to the accompanying report of the Treasurer, in which will be found a tabular statement of the public debt, showing at what time each portion of it will fall due. From this statement you will find that a very large por tion ot our debt wiil be come due about the same time. This matter should receive the attention of yourselves as well as your successors, in order that by a course of wise and judicious legisla tion, the payment of our bonds may be anticipa ted, otherwise we should be called upon to make very large payments, within a very short peri od, which would lead either to burdensome tax ation, or an extension of the time lor the event ual liquidation of our liabilities. Both results can and ought to be avoided. In the present prosperous condition of our State affairs, there will be no difficulty in creating a Sinking Fund, which will entirely discharge the public debt, belore it shall have fallen due. There should be additional legislation of this subject, giving to the Executive full power and discretion to ap propriate the surplus means of the Treasury to the purchase of our bonds under such limitations as your judgement may deem advisable. The present iaw leaves the question in some doubt, whether or not the legislature intended any pre mium should be paid by the State in the pur chase of bonds not yet due. Such however is the present high character of our State securities with all classes ot capitalists, that it is impassi ble to obtain them at par. As long as individ uals are willing to a premium for these bonds, so long wiil the State also be compel ed to pay a premium for such as she may wish to redeem in advance. I have thought it advisable to make the purchase at a 'small premium, to the amount required by law to be annually redeem ed. There is no other safe investment of a Sinking Fund, and as a matter of economy it is better to pay the premium, than to allow the money to remain undisposed of in the Treasury, tempting the Legislature either to unnecessary and wasteful expenditures or to an unwise re duction of taxes. I call your attention particu larly to this subject, that such laws may ue passed as will carry out the public will iu refer ence to it. THE CENTRAL BANK. By the act of December 19, 1851, I was au thorised to transfer the assets of the Centra! Bank to the Treasury, when in my discretion the in terests of the State should require it. Believing that there was no longer any necessity for con tinuing that institution in existence, for any other purpose than to wind up and close its busi ness, I appointed the commission authorized by the foregoing act, to investigate the condition of the Bank, and transfer its remaining assets to the Treasury. I herewith transmit their report from which it wiil be seen what was the condi tion of the Bank at that time The accompany ing report of the Treasurer will exhibit its pre sent condition, as well as its operations since it has been transferred into his hands. There are yet outstanding many debts, some of which will be collected, but from the larger portion nothin'” will ever be realized by the State, and it bet comes a matter for your consideration, what dis position shall be made of its remaining and una vailable assets, and also what provision shall be made for meeting and discharging its liabilities. Upon a carefufexamination of the affairs of the Bank, I am satisfied, that alter exhausting all its resources, there will be left the amount of $369,500, which must be paid from the Treasuiy. It is lor this reason that I have placed the bonds of the Bank in the computation of the public debt, which I have already submitted to you. I would recommend that the Executive be au thorised to take up these bonds, and issue re gular State bonds in their stead, provided satis factory arrangements can be made with the pre sent holders of them. In addition to this amount it will be necessary for you to provide by law lor the payment of about the sum of $20,000. This amount has been borrowed by the Trea surer, under my direction, to meet the accruing interest on the Central Bank bonds, the funds of the Bank falling short by that amount. This step was necessary to save the credit of the State, as these bonds are regarded in public estimation as a part of the public debt, and if we had failed to have paid this interest promptly, the effect would have been to have depreciated the general credit of the State. It is useless to encumber the Treasury longer ! with the remaining assets of the Central Bank, ! which will continue worthless and unavailable | as long as they remain the property of the State. \ I know of no better disposition that could be made of them than by selling them for whatever they would bring. To keep them and attempt their collection, would involve the State in con- j tinued expense and litigation, without any re munerating benefit. THE treasury. The accompanying report of the Treasurer will ! give you a clear and satisfactory account of the j operations of that Department during the past two years. You will observe that this report is 1 complicated with a useless statement of unavail- j able assets in the Treasury. These stereotyped items have been repeated from time to time, ! •without the slightest benefit to the State, throw- | ing no light upon the condition of the Treasury, and leading to no possible beneficial result. As long however as no action is bad by your body ! on the subject, it will be necessary for theTrea- j surer to encumber his report with them. I re- j commend therefore that you take such steps as j will relieve the department from the necessity of further reference to these worthless assets by j directing them to be destroyed under the direc- j tion of the Executive or a committee of your body. The report of the Treasurer shows the available balance in the Treasury or. the 20th ! October 1853. to be $74,857,35. Concurring as j I do, in the estimates contained in his report of j the probable expenditures of the next two years, I deem it unnecessary to add anything on that subject. There has been collected from the General Governm >nt during the past two years, the sum of $144,890,53. These claims have been long standing, and the State is now indebted for the collection of so large a portion of them, to the energy and ability with which they have been urged by the agent appsinted by my predecessor, and continued by myself, Joseph Sturgis, Esq. There is yet unsettled claims due to us from the General Government, but I am unable to say, at what time you may expect their payment. It would be unwise to calculate upon the reception of any portion of it, in your legislation upon the Finances ot the State. For additional informa tion you are referred to the accompanying re port of Mr. Sturgis. I herewith transmit to the General Assembly, the report of the Financial Committee for the year 1852, and call your attention to its state ments and recommendations as worthy of con sideration. The Report of the Comptroller Gen eral is also herewith transmitted. the tax law. It was provided by the tax act of January 9th, 1852, and the supplementary act of January 21, 1852, that the sum of three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars should be raised under those acts for the support of the govern ment for each of the political years of 1852 and 1853. In the first act the rate of taxation was limited to one-twelfth of one per cent. The supplementary act was passed under a well founded apprehension that the required amount would not be realized at that rate. This last act required the Governor, with the assistance of the Comptroller General to consolidate the returns of the various tax receivers, and autho rized them to fix the rate of taxation at such per cent as would raise the sum of three hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars. Upon the exam ination of the tax digest as required, by this law it was ascertained that it would require a tax of one-tenth of one per cent, to raise the amount which the Legislature had fixed upon; and ac cordingly the necessary orders were issued to that effect. This was true of the returns for each of those years, and there was consequently no change in the rate of taxation for the present year. The passage of those acts introduced a new system of taxation in our State. The ad valorem principle was for the first time incor porated into our laws, though its justice and pro priety had long been seen and felt by our peo ple. For many years the friends of a fair and equitable system of taxation had sought to modify the old law, which was admitted to be unjust in its operation and indefensible in principle.— Every candid and fair minded man recognized the correctness of the principle that every citi zen should be required to pay for the support of his government, according to the extent and value of his property. Upon that principle an ad valorem tax should be based, and when faith fully carried out, must command the approval and support ot every man who is willing to bear his due portion of the burthen of Government.— That the present tax law fully comes up to this standard, lam not prepared to say. The object of its framers was, however, to approximate it, and if they have failed to reach it, the duty is imposed upon their successors of applying the lights of experience and practical operations to its modification and improvement. It is not strange that an untried experiment, should be found to be defective in some of its details; it is rather a matter of surprise that more obvious and glaring mistakes should not have occurred in the first effort, to adopt a new, radically dif fering from the old system. lam aware of the fact that there exists in the public mind, in some portion of the State, very strong prejudices against this law, but I am well satisfied that these prejudices are not so deeply rooted, as to defy the approach of reason and sound sense.— In most instances it will be found that this op position is limited to some provisions of the law, which may with propriety be modified and im proved, and for that reason your attention should be directed to such modifications as will make it conform more exactly to the ad valorem princi ple. Let the details of the law then be scruti nized, its defects brought to light, and the proper remedy be applied by wise and judicious amend ments. With many persons the merits of the present law has been subjected to the test of comparing the amount of taxes paid by them under the two different systems. They find that their tax has been increased and without furth -r inquiry they attribute that increase en tirely to the change of the law. A simple state ment will exhibit the incorrectness of this con clusion. The amount of taxes collected for the political year 1851, under the old system, was $291,077 38-100, whilst the amount collected for the year 1852, was $377,165 60-100. It must be borne in mind that the Legislature saw the necessity of raising an increased sum, and therefore provided in the act of 1852, that there should be raised the sum of $375,000. If, there fore. there had been no change in the system—it would hava been necessary to have increased the taxes about twenty-five per cent. To compare then the operation of the two systems fairly, in individual cases, such persons should first add twenty-five per cent to their tax as paid in ISSI, and compare the amount thus ascertained with the amount which they actually paid under the present law. When this is done, it will be found that their increased tax, is owing, not to a change of the law, but to the increased nesessi ties of the State. Another objection has been urged to the pres ent law, which is founded in good reason and is worthy of your consideration. It results from the difficulty of ascertaing the true value of the tax payers property. Such is the peculiar orga nization of men’s mind, that with the most hon est intentions, they differ widely in their esti mate of the value of property; whilst others un willing to contribute their due portion to the support of government, place so low an estimate upon the value of their property, as to cause just ground es complaint with their more conscien tious and generous neighbors. As every man is at liberty under the present law, to value hi? own property, he can put what estimate he pleases upon it. The law appeals to his con science alone on this subject, and there is no mode provided for reaching those who are indif ferent to the obligations of truth and honor. It is gratifying to know that the number of this class is small. An examination of our tax di gests will snow the fact, that with the great body of our people, there has been exhibited a disposition to make a fair and just return of their property. The cases of the few, however, should be reached, and I would recommend that some provision be made by law for assessing the property of those who seek to avoid the*pay ment of their just dues to the State, by falsely estimating their property below its true value Tins and similar defects in the details of the law’, should be remedied by prompt legislation Time and experience will thereby, ultimately perfect the system, and render it acceptable to all classes and interests. The ad valorem prin ciple being recognized by all, as being ri»ht and just, it only requires prudence, firmness and wis dom in enforcing its application, to secure for a law based upon it, the cordial approval of the people. For the purpose of instituting a comparison of the taxes paid by our own people, with that paid I by the people of the other States, I addressed a circular letter to the Executives of the several States, asking for a statement of their tax laws. To this communication, I received many replies, j but not enough to carry out the original object I j had in view. The information, however obtain ed, was sufficient to satisfy my own mind that we pay as little as the people of any other State, whilst as compared with some of the States, our tax is almost nominal. As low as our present taxes are, we may look forward to the time j when they may be greatly reduced. As soon as j the Public Debt shall have been extinguished, j we can with propriety reduce our taxes one half, and that, too, without looking to any other source i of revenue for the ordinary expenses of the gov | ernment. 'this is certainly a gratifying state of things, and will go far to conciliate the feeling of opposition that has been engendered in the public mind against the present system. Firm ness in the maintainance of the ad viUorem prin ciple —wisdom in the adoption of amendments suggested by experience, and economy in the ad mmfsrt’ation of the government, will soon dispel aH prejudice and opposition with a wise and pa triotic people. WESTERN AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD. By the act of January 15th, 1852, I was re quired to appoint a Superintendent of the West ern & Atlantic Railroad, who should have the general management and control of that work. 1 appointed Wm. M. Wadley, Esq., who enter ed upon the duties of his office on the first day of February, 1852. The means of the road had fallen tar short of its necessities, and the result was that the road was ii, a wretched condition. My predecessor, and the former Chief Engineer of the road, realizing this fact had verv properly purchased a large , quantity of iron for'its repair. 1 The contract made by them was approved by ! the last Legislature by the act of Dec. 4th, 1851. [ When Mr! Wadley entered upon his office, he j encountered all the difficulties, which this state j of things had brought about. The last Legisla ture, intending to provide amply for the thorough repair and equipment of the road, by the act of ] January 15th, 1852, appropriated the sum of $525,000, for that purpose. This sum would have been sufficient, if it could have been ap plied to the objects contemplated by the Legisla ture, but unfortunately it required much the lar ger portion of it to pay off the former debts of the road which had been accumulating from its first organization. We were therefore compel led to look to its revenues to do that, which it was the intention of the Legislature should have been done with this appropriation; and this fact will account for the disappointment of those, who had calculated upon an accruing revenue to the State Treasury from the proceeds of the road. I refer you to the accompanying Reports of Mr. Wadley and his successor Mr. Yonge for a more full and satisfactory statement of the lactsto which I have thus briefly alluded. It is hardly necessary for me to speak of the manner in w'hich these difficulties were met and over come by the Superintendent. The energy and ability displayed by him are so familiar to the public, that it would be a work of supereroga tion to remark upon it. He did all that could be done, and I venture to add, more than any other man would have effected under the same circumstances. I need not add, that his entire management of the affairs of the road, met my cordial approval. On ti.e first day of February, 1853, Mr. Wad ley resigned his office of Superintendent—and I appointed George Yonge, Esq., to fill his vacan cy. It is due to Mr. Wadley to state, that he did not leave his post until he had satisfied me, that the interests of the road would not suffer from his withdrawal. In his successor I have found an able, experienced and faithful officer, whose successful management of the road as ex hibited by his report, is the best encomium that can be passed upon his It affords me much pleasure to call your atten tion to the present condition of this great State work. The Rejiorts of the Superintendents will snow’ you in detail its operations during the tw'o past years. The failure to report any pro fits paid over to the State Treasury has already been accounted for. The fact, however, that profits have been realized, and appropiated to the wants of the road, should satisfy your minds—that with wise and judicious man agement, it must for the future be a source of revenue to the State. No additional call is made upon the Treasury for aid. Its own re venue will soon complete the necessary rejrairs, and equipments, and discharge its remaining lia bilities. I call your attention to the recommendations, contained in the Superintendent’s report. Foun ded as they are upon his experience in the rrian agementofthe road—they should receive your careful,consideration. The act of the last Legis lature which authorized the road to be sued in any county thiough which it passes—ought to be modified. I can see no good reason, why this discrimination should be rnacle against the State road All similar companies have to be sued in the county in w’hich their principal of fice is located. This is right and proper. It is the place where their books are kept and their business transacted, arid therefore the proper point for the litigation of claims against them. It is problematical whether the State should sub mit to being sued at all—but certainly she ought not to embarrass her officers with burthens not imposed upon other companies. The road passes through counties belonging to three judicial dis tricts, and it might happen that the Superinten dent w’ould be sued and required to attend Court in different counties at the same time. This consideration alone shows the propriety of a change in the this connection I call your attention to tne fact, that suits have been commenced against the road in the State of Tennessee. I have diiected pleas to the juris diction of the Couit to be filed in all such cases, and the question if decided against us, to be car ried to the highest Court of the country. We have a right to complain of this proceeding on the part of our neighbors, as it was principally to gratify them, that the doors of our own Courts were throwm open to claimants against the State road. If the Courts should maintain their jurisdiction in the State of Tennesssee. and the road subjected to the trouble and annoyance of this litigation, it will devolve upon the Legisla- I ture to determine, what course they will adopt ; in reference to the Western terminus of the i Road, that will most effectually put a stop to such | proceedings. The important question for your consideTation in connection with this great work is, what shall be the future policy of the State in reference to it? Realizing the deep interest felt by our people in the decision of this questien, I submit to you my view’s fuliy on the subject. By some a sale of the road is proposed. I trust however that the advocates of this policy are nat numerous, and I feel certain that their num ber will be lessened, in proportion as you satisfy the public mind that the road can be succesifully carried on, under State management. To sell | the road W’ould be to disappoint that general ex ; jiectation which has so long loooked to the com | pletion of this enterprize fora source of reliable revenue to the State. The funds laised by the sale could not be appropriated to the extinguish ment of the public debt, as that is not due—, There is no profitable investment of it that could be made, and the result would be—that by the time, the public debt had to be met, this fund w’ould have been exhausted in wasteful and un necessary expenditures Increased taxation w’ould then be the only means of meeting the liabilities of the State. I leel confident that no argument is required against a policy which will inevitably lead to such a result. The proposition to sell two thirds of the road is equally, if not more objectionable. The same consequence w'ould follow to a great extent. Besides it is the unvarying lesson taught by our experience, that the State is the sufferer in every copartner sh p which she forms of this character. The road should either be under the entire control ol individual interest, or under the exclusive man- j agement of the State. A departure from this ! rule, would certainly lead no good result, and I ; trust that the experiment will not be made. Rejecting then the proposition to dispose of the road, I recur to the inquiry, what is the best po licy lor its future government? In the man agement of a railroad, two ideas should be kept prominently in view, unforrnity and permanancy in its system, and a responsible head to manage j and control its affairs. Frequent changes, and : divided responsibility are incompatible with the succussful operation of any railroad. Look- ; ing to these considerations I feel conscious of the j difficulties which must attend any plan which has yet been suggested for the government ot the j State road, but the preference should be given to that system which is freest from these objections. The two plans which have been most generally considered, are, fiist, the present one which leaves the road under the control ol the Execu tive and a Superintendent appointed by him. The other proposes to constitute a board of Commissioners and invest them with the power, now lodged in the hands of the Governer.— My own mind at one time favored the latter proposition. Experience and observation, how ever, have ffiHv satisfied me, that it will not do. i he idea of a hoard of commissioners was deriv ed from the Board of Directors, appointed by pnvate corporations, for similar duties ; and the argument drawn by analogy from this source would be good, it these Directors discharged the duties, which the public suppose them to per form ; such, however, is not the fact. The best Board of Directors for a railroad Company are those, who have sagacity and judgment enough, to submit the entire management of their roads to the President and Superintendent. In adopt ing a general system, for the management of a road, their counsels may sometimes be heeded with some advantage; but when the detailed operations of the road are to be considered and disposed of—the least said or done by them, the better it is for the interest of their company. If a Board of Directors should attempt to revise the dealings of a President and Superintendent with their subordinates, reinstating such as had in their judgment been improperly removed, or forcing the appointment of others who they might sup pose peculiarly qualified for some position, it w’ould result in the total disorganization of the road, and the effort would soon be lelt by the Stockholders in reduced profits, neglected ma chinery, and dilapidated road. Upon this point I can safely appeal to the experience and observa- , tion of every man, who has been connected with i a successful and weli managed railroad. If this < be true of private companies, the difficulties will < be greatly enhanced, when the same principle is s ipplied to a public work, when superadded to 1 >tber causes of trouble and embarrassment, there s throw’n in, the political and party considera ions which would inevitably be connected with i sueb a system. The subordinate officers on a rail road, who ieel that they owe their places to any other cause, than -a faithful discharge of duty, would soon derange and ruin the best managed road in the country. Under the proposed system >of a Board ot Commissioners these difficulties could scarcely be avoided, and I therefore deem it unnecessary to eniar.e upon this branch of the subject. According to th;3 plan there would also be wanting, that uniformity in the manage ment of the road, which is essential to its success. With the change of Commissioners, the system would be changed and all the consequences at tendant upon such changes, would be constantly experienced. The present system is in my iudg ment decidedly preferable ; one great object at least is effected, a responsible head is placed in charge ot the road—to whom the country can look for its proper and faithful management. The Executive elected by the people is responsible to them. The Superintendent should be ap pointed by, and be responsible to the Executive, the suboidinate officers should be appointed by, and responsible to the Superintendent, and thus the management of the road is placed upon a system of responsibility, which ensures its suc cessful operation. In the appointment of the Superintendent, the Executive feels the respon sibility which rests upon him. and will exercise a sound judgment in the selection. The Superin tendent knowing that he is responsible for the good conduct of his subordinates, will exercise like prudence and discretion, in their selection and the suboidinates feeling their dependence upon, and lesponsility to the Superintendent, will realize the fact, that the tenure by which they hold their offices, is the faithful and efficient dis charge of duty. In this view of the subject, yon will perceive that there must be a cordial and mutual confidence between the Executive and the Superintendent, and for that reason the Su perintendent should be appointed by the Execu tive. I therefore recommend that the act of the last Legislature taking the appointment of this officer from the Governor and giving it to the Legislature, be repealed, and that the appoint ment be again placed at the disposal of the Ex ecutive. It the road is to be continued under State management, this in my opinion is the most practicable system that can be adopted. Two leading objections are urged against this plan. The first is lounded upon the fear that the subordinate posts on the road wiii be regarded and filled as political offices. Under my admin istration ‘‘this practice has ceased to exist.”— Whatever may be thought or said about making governmental offices, political positions, in other » departments, it is a well settled fact, that it will not answer the management of railroads, or sim ilar State enterprises. Such a policy is con demned both by reason and experience, and can never be resorted to without endangering the public interest. This truth is so clearly illus trated in the history of every State work, where the policy has been adopted, that I do not be lieve the experiment will again be made, in our own State. The other objection is of a more se rious character. It grows out of the changes in the management of the road, incident to the fre quent change in the Executive office. I admit the force of this objection, and the only reply that can be offered, is founded on the fact, that the objection is applicable to every plan which has been or can*be suggested for the government of the road under State management. In # view of these difficulties, I submit to yo*rr consideration, another plan, for the disposal of the road, one, which win secure the three great ob jects to be attained: first, the retention of the State’s interest in the road; second, a uniform and permanent system lor its management; and third, a certain and reliable revenue from it. It >'is to lease the road under an actol incorporation. I Let a charter be granted with a capital of five hundred thousand dollars in shares of a hundred dollars each. The charter should provide that the company should make semi-annual pay ments to the State, and that the first failure should ipso facto work its forfeiture. The amount required to be paid by the company for its lease, should be at least five per cent on the capital in vested by the State, which might be estimated at five millions of dollars. The charter should for a limited time, and perhaps twenty five Tears would*he sufficiently long. The company shoU’d be required to return the road at the expi | ration of their lease in as good condition, and a3 | well equipped as when they received it. The | improvements which the increased business ol : the road will require them to make, would af ford a reliable guaranty upon this point. On the i other hand the State should agree to pay the company for any increased value, given to the road by the imp ovements made by them. Pro vision should also be made in the charter, to pro * tect connecting roads from a partial, and unjust administration ot its affairs, under such penal l ties as would ensure perfect impartiality. I have | fixed the capital of the company at a half mil | hon, supposing that to be sufficient for the ordi | nary improvements, which are still required to k put the road in complete order. The Legisla | ture could hereafter increase it, if the business of the road should require the laying of a double j track. In submitting this suggestion to your conside ration, I have merely laid down the outline ot a j pl & n which might be perfected, if the policy re | commended meets with your approval. If J adopted care should be exercised in guarding the i interests ot the State in any charter which may ! be granted, and that is submitted with great j confidence to your wisdom and discretion. 1 i beg leave to repeat, that the adoption of this pol j icy will ensure a uniform and permanent.system I in the conduct and management of this great ; work. It will be brought under the operation | of private en eiprise and individual interest, I without sacrificing the investment of the State. ; It will be relieved from the difficulties which I | " av ® shown must always, more or less, attend its : management under State control, and finally en- I sure the regular receipt into the treasury of at | least two hundred and fifty thousand dollars per annum. THE PENITENTIARY. I transmit herewith the reports of the Princi pal Keeper and Book Keeper of the Peniten j tiary, which will exhibit to you its operations during the past two years. The officers of that i Institution during that time have been faithful, and energetic in the discharge of their duties, ; and 1 believe that its business under their | charge, will compare favorably with the business ot preceding years. Its assets at the end ot the year will, in ail probability, discharge its liabili ties, and leave it tree from debt. The business \ ot the Penitentiary is not, and in my judgment, never will be a source of revenue to the State. | The appropriations which have from time to time been made to meet its liabilities,show this j gross of amount of them is set forth ; m the Keeper’s report. It now requires large appropriations to make the necessary improve ments, and to furnish materials for its successful management. It is a subject which should se cure more ot the personal attention of your members, than has heretofore been the case. An inspection of its condition will give you more satisfactory information of its true wants than any representation that I can make, and I would urge the propriety ol your doing so, as it can be done with very little trouble to yourselves, and much benefit to the State. As you will perceive from the Keeper’s report the business ot build ing railroad cars has been commenced upon a 1 pretty extensive scale, The experiment so far j has proven eminently successful, indeed it has ' been the principal source of revenue since its | commencement. For the want of the necessary means, an arrangement had to be made with the State road to furnish the materials for building cars, and as long as that road requires all the cars that can be built at the Penitentiary, this arrangement could be continued. If the busi ness, however, should be extended as recom mended in the Keeper’s report it will be neces- 1 sary for you to supply the necessary means for ■ the purchase in advance of materials, as the ob- ‘ ject should then be, to manufacture cars for all roads that may desire to purchase. It would al so be necessary to authorize the employment of a Superintendent of this branch of the work, at j a better salary than is now allowed to the sub- | oidinate officers. If a ready sale be found for j the cars. I have rio hesitation in saying, that it ! is the most profitable business that can be car ried on in the Penitentiary. 1 he importance of classifying the prisoners in the .Penitentiary, has been so repeatedly and forcibly presented to the L e gislrture by my pred ecessors, that I deem it unnecessary to enlarge upon the subject, It is again brought to your | attention by the Principal Keeper’s Report, and I I would impress upon your minds the propriety of; giving it your early attention. When this re- i commendation is based upon the concurrent 1 1 °P ln . lon °f every one who has been thrown into j < ofncial communication with the Penitentiary, it 1 should at least receive more consideration than j i has heretofore been given to it. THE LUNATIC ASYLUM. js I bi-ennial Report of the Trustees, Super- ' d [Resident and Resfilpn t T.imn. > r tic Asylum is herewith submitted. This Insti tution has been conducted during the past two yearswiththe characteristic energy and ability of its officers. I rommend to youi-attention the suggestions and recommendations contained in I these reports. Founded as they are upon the experience and observation of those who have | shown themselves so worthy of the confidence I reposed in them by the State, they should com mand your most favorable consideration. This Institution was established by the State under the conviction that it was our duty to provide for the safety and comfort of that unfortunate class of our fellow beings, who had been de prived of their reason, and thereby rendered iu capable ot providing for themselves. This-hn mane object will not have been accomplished, so long as: there remains in the borders of our State one unfortunate lunatic unprovided for. It is a melancholy and humiliating reflection, that ap plicants for admission, are daily rejected for the want of the nedessary means to provide for their accommodation. This ought not to be so. I hold it to be the solemn duty ot those who have been spared from this awful calamity to furnish from their treasure whatever may be required for the support and comfort of their less fortu nate fellow beings. I cannot believe that there lives in the State a single citizen, who would not give a cordial response to this sentiment. The necessities of this institution, is therefore the only just limit to your appropriations. When you ascertain its wants, let them be sup plied, your hearts will approve the act. and your constituents will sanction the vote. There is one class of lunatics for whom no provision is made in the organization of this in stitution. I allude to our slave population. 1 his omission, I have no doubt, is attributable to the fact, that the number is so limited that it has not attracted public attention. There are. however, a few'; and suitable provision should be made for them. The first suggestion would be to leave this matter in the hands of the own ers, after providing a place at the Asylum for their reception. This will not do, however, as it sometimes happens that the unfortunate luna tic is ‘‘he only property of the awner; and he is therefore unable to support him at the Asylum.' It would perhaps be wrong to tax those who s>have no interest in slaves, to raise money for this purpose. The amount which should be raisee for this object, would be small, and if lev ied uprJh the taxable slave property, would not be felt by the owner. Looking to the number ot lunatic negroes, it would require only a nomi nal tax upon this kind of property to raise the necessary means. I can see no good reason why every slave owner should not cheerfully submit to this tax, to carry out so desirable and praiseworthy an object. I therefore recommend that proper steps be taken at your present ses sion to carry out these views in the manner suggested. DEAF AND DUMB ASYLUM. 1 he report of the Commissioners for the Deaf and Dumb Asylum for the years 1852 and 1853 is herewith transacted. The success of this in stitution is a gratifying result, and should secure for it the continued patronage of the State. — Your predecessors have by their liberal endow ments reeogni/.ed the duty of the State to pro vide for the education of the unfortunate mute, and it would be difficult for the Legislature to 1 appropriate the money of the .people to an ob ject that would receive a more unqualified ap proval from the popular mind. I also transmit ttie report of a committee appointed by myself to attend the annual examination of 1852. It bears testimony to the faithful and efficient dis charge of duty by the officers of the inst.tution. Its recommendations are commended to your consideration, as worthy of attention in your legislation on this subject. THE INSTITUTION FOR THE BLIND. I transmit to you the first annual report of the 1 rusrees for the “ Georgia Academy for the Blind.l his institution was organized under an act of tae last Legislature, and is now strug gling through its infantile exi tence. It has encountered the difficulties which have attended 'all similar institutions, and in view of these dif ficulties, its efforts have been attended with as much success as could have reasonably been an .ticipated. It has shown itself worthy of the fostering care extended to it by your predeces sors, and shoul 1 continue to receive your patron age arm encouragement. The appeal in behalf ot the blind—like that made for the deaf and dumb—addresses itself to oar better feelings. The heart would be callous and hardenecfthat could treat that appeal with indifference. Those of us who have been endowed by a kind Provi dence with all the attributes of manhood, unim paired by disease or misfortune, have resting up on us an obligation in reference to our less lavor ed brethren, which we cannot disregard. In establishing and maintaining these different in stitutions the people of Georgia have exhibited their appreciation of this high duty. The suc cess which has attended these efforts, should only stimulate us to renewed exertions and more lib era! contributions. GEORGIA MILITARY INSTITUTE. At the ]&st session ot the Creneial Assembly provision was made by law for the education of a certßin number of cadets in the Military In stitute, located at Marietta. A report is here with transmitted from the Board of Visitors of that institution, which will present to the Legis lature all the information on that subject in my possession. The system of military education is growing in popular favor throughout the coun try. In other States of the Union these Acade mies receive liberal endowments from the Gov ernment, and are becoming more and more the favorites of the people. So far as I am enabled j to judge, the Marietta Institute has been as em inently successtul as any of its sister institutions aNias deserving of State patronage. EDUCATION. Phe cause of Lducation numbers among its friends, no supporters, more zealous, or liberal, than the people of Georgia. It is with sincere pleasure and honest pride that we can point to the progress of education in our State. Our University was never in a more flourishing con dition, and never more deserving of the confi dence and patronage of the State. Other col leges have sprung up in generous rivalry with this institution under, the patronage of private enterprise, affording the most extensive facilities for a liberal education to all who may be posses sed of the necessary means. Colleges and Semi naries for the education of our daughters are to be found in almost every neighborhood, founded upon private munificence, and conducted with marked energy and ability. I would not unne cessarily rr.ar this picture so grateful to our feel ings and so gratifying to our State pride; but a sense of duty demands that our attention should be turned to another branch of the subject, which presents for our consideration fa.’ different re sults. Whilst the minus of those, who have been blessed with the necessary means—are be ing stored with all the rich treasures of knowl edge, placed in their reach by these flourishing institutions—there is to be found another class’, less favored ot Heaven, who are growing up in utter ignorance. The propriety of providing for the education of the poor is recognized by every one; but I am not sure that its importance is fully appreciated. Ido not speak ot that com plete and finished education which can be ac- i quired only in our higher Seminaries and Col- j leges, but I refer to it in its more limited sense. The man who can read and write is a well edu cated man, in comparison with one, to whom the Alphabet is an unmeaning mystery; and the I gulf that separates these two classes is far wider : and deeper than the one which lies between the : humblest scholar and the most learned Professor. • Give to every son and daughter of the State an , opportunity of learning to read and write, and 1 we become that day an educated people tor all • I the practical purposes of Government. The ’ honesty, purity, and intelligence of the people* i constitute the firm foundations of a republi- j can Government. To the extent of our j 1 ability it is our .duty to foster and nurture j i these elements of security arid strength. ! f Georgia has in some degree realized this°truth, I j and exhibited a disposition to act upon it. Her ! i ablest sons have been summoned to the task of j t devising systems for the education of the poor; j c and our legislative tables groan under the accu- i I mulated reports of the committees appointed to i a investigate and report upon the subject. All ! r :hat could be done in this way has been done I () *nd yet the sons and daughters of poverty are ! J mprovided with the opportunity of learning to i t •ead and wiire. Can nothing more be effected 2 ! ], is this field of labor, so inviting to the patriot! md philanthropist, to be abandoned and lorsa- I c ren? I o answer these inquiries, we must as-j t ertain, first, wnat has occasioned the failure i n leretofore ? and secondly, are we able and wil- i G ng to overcome the difficulty in the future? o he first point is very clearly presented in the k tatement ot this simple fact—the number ot chil- w ren returned under our poor school law, is(®3B,- le 00) thirty height thousand, and the money ap« tn I P’fopi-iated for the education is ($23,000,) twenty ! three thousand dollars. In other words, for the ec ucation oi each child, the Legislature appro priates tne sum of sixty cents. I can use noar guinen» or language that will present in more forcible terms the main defect in our past sys tem, than is to be found in this statement. We ha V e faded to educate the destitute children of the State, because we have failed to appropriate a sufficient sum of money to effect the object It is more than useless to discuss plans and sys tems until the necessary means are furnished to make any plan successful. This view of the subject brings me to the second inquiry. Can this difficulty be met and overcome ? In other words, will the Legislature appropriate the ne cessaey amount of money. At present lam not prepared to recommend any large increase of the appropriation. My object is more particu larly to call your attention to a period in the fu ture, when the required sum can be devoted to this object without the imposition of any addi tional tax upon the people. If lam right in the views which I have already presented of the financial condition of the State, present and prospective, in the course of a few years the public debt will be paid off, and there will be no necessity for incurring another. When that time shall have arrived, our present tax law may be reduced one half, aud still furnish ample means for an economical administration of the Govern ment-giving no just cause of complaint on the ground of taxation. The State railroad under the system I have recommended will bring into the 1 reasury a certain and regular revenue of two hundred and fiity thousand dollars. To that sum I look to supply the present defect in our educational system for the poor. To that patrio tic object, as well a9 to the necessities of the in stitutions established by the State for the Deaf and Dumb, the Blind, and the unfortunate Luna tic, it should be sacredly devoted; and until the wants of each and all should have been fully supplied, not one dollar should be withdrawn for any other purpose. I have invited your atten tion to the subject at this time that the public mind may be directed to its consideration in ad vance of the period when the policy may with propriety be adopted. PUBLIC PRINTING. I call your attention to the law on the subject of the public printing. It is defective in many respects, and requires Legislative action. The •great delay that occurred in the printing of the Laws and Journals of the last General Assembly, should not be permitted to occur again. Under the law as it now stands there wili always be more or less danger of its recurring. In the es timation of many persons the Executive is held partly responsible for such delay, and yet he is powerless to prevent it. Provision should be made by law that the public printing should be done at the seat of Government— under the eye and supervision of the Executive, and he should be clothed with power to transfer it from the hands of the public printer whenever he fails to complete it in a given period to be fixed by law. Whenever there is unnecessary delav, the Execu tive should be authorized and required to make such.deduction as the exigency in his judgement justifies; and similar power should be with him in case the printing is not executed in manner and style required by law. It shouuld be made the duty of the Secretary of State, to compare the printed laws before their final pub lication, with the enrolled acts in his office, and proper compensation should be allowed him for the discharge of this duty. The style and execu tion of the printed acts should be improved. The act of 1834 required them to conform to the laws of the United States, as at that time published. Since then great improvement has been made in the printing of the laws of the United States, and we should in this respect keep up with the pro gress of the age. ANNUAL SESSIONS. The experiment of bi-ennial sessions of the General Assembly, has been sufficiently tested by experience, and I believe that the public judgment Gs the State is prepared to pronounce against it. I was among the number or its advo cates. and so voted when the question was sub mitted to the people for their decision. I am now satisfied, that in common with a large majority of my fellw citizens, I was wrong, and am pre pared to recommend a return to annual sessions. Even if the policy of bi-ennial sessions was right at the time ot its adoption, the increased interest and important public works of the State have wrought such a change in our affairs that a dif ferent system is now required for our progressed and progressing condition. A single considera tion should satisfy every man of the propriety ot annual sessions. At present, ail power is placed in the hands of the Executive for two years, and his term expiies and the people are called upon to pass judgment upon his official career be fore his actings and doings can be submitted to the test of Legislative investigation. He can not be called upon for an exposition of his offi cial doings until the General Assembly meets, and that does not take place until his term of office has expired, and he has either been re elected or defeated, or has voluntarily withdrawn from the public service. This is wrong in theory, and might work much injury in practice. It was an economical view of the subject which induc ed the people to resort to bi-ennial sessions, but it may well be questioned whether the result has justified this expectation. The fact that the General Assembly meets only once in two years, renders it necessary to extend the length of the session. The accumulated business of the two years must be disposed of, and additional time is required to do it. In order that the people may have an opportunity of passing their judgment upon this subject, I recommend that an act alter ing the constitution be passed by the General Assembly at its present session, and the ques tion submitted to the people at the next general • election. If approved by them, your successors can perfect the alteration, and if condemned, the act can then be rejected. An opportunity will thus be offered of having the question decided by the direct action of those most deeply interested in the matter. ATTORNEY GENERAL. My experience in office has brought vividly before me the fact that innumerable occasions occur, where the Executive, on account of the varied and increasing interests of the State, re quires the mature and deliberate counsel ol per sons skilled in the law. The hurried and off hand opinions of the best lawyers, are worth but little under such circumstances ; and the separate solemn advice of feed counsel on every such question, would be a heavy draw upon the con tingent fund. My own conviction is, that an officer known as the Attorney General of the State of Georgia, with such a salary as would command the best counsel in the State, would meet the necessity of the case. To the general duty ot advising the several Executive Depart ments of the Government, might be added with propriety, the representing and advocating the interest ot the State in ail questions arising be fore our Supreme Court. The duties of such an officer, it is unnecessary for me to specify. The necessity and propriety of such an office will be felt by every one occupying the Executive chair, THE SUPREME COURT AND STATE LIBRARY. At the time the Supreme Court was establish ed the idea prevailed that the convenience of parties litigant required that the court should hold its sessions at points accessible to them. , For that purpose it was provided in the law or ganizing the court that it should sit at nine dis- 1 ferent places. Experience has shown that this was a mistaken view of the subject, as the par- i ties seldom if ever attend the court. Their at- « tendance is not necessary, and they therefore ( stay away. No one will question the fact, that j this migratory feature is attended with great in- i convenience to the members of the court. If * this was the only objection to it, it might be ! jorne with, but it deprives the court of the ad- !, vantages ot consulting good libraries, which are . lotto be found at many of the points, where it snow held. Without attempting to present * .ne many reasons which might be urged in favor r 51 the change, as they will readily suggest them- r elves to your minds, I recommend that the P )iaces for holding the court be reduced to the g1 lumber required by the Constitution. Looking n o the future permanence and usefulness of this :ourt, I think it advisable that the Constitution >e so amended as to authorize its entire sittings “j t the seat of government. I can see rio good te eason why it should be otherwise. The docket si 4 the court could be so arranged for each of the udicial Districts as to enable counsel to attend _ o their cases with as much convenience at Mil- p, edgeville as at any other point. In this connection I call your attention to the v< ondition of our State library. For many years be library has been totally neglected and al- s ;. lost lost sight of by trie Legislature. The last Tc leneral Assembly made an annual appropriation f a thousand dollars for it. This amount regu- a “ irly continued with the system of exchanges qu ith the other States, would in the course of a I vv years furnish a State library of which we ■ aa ight not be ashamed. The small salary given I p,- to the librarian will nected with some other * during the last two years Th C?' ! P° lfc IS herewith communicate? ■ the condition of the lihra-v p • lt wil|.t rt * * cime lnt <> office, and u| S(l !* "I® I *** I . alopted to preserve it from I ?* 1 ! be necessary for me • merit to the Legislature i n ? btim a * a r J‘ ' ? I,d kee Pmg a good State Libra*?* °£ ° bt ai£" if there was no other consideration ' ta ~ e prS ' an »PP eal m its favor, that on, i ’ w «n!d ; ft'" «» Proprie-yand° u U^r<o^s' are too apparent to require further bo *eve r • confidently commend to your ft? ? m me n ation the -policy ,d„ rted c*/ f decessors on this subject. Y } Mediate p* miscellaneous sub tp „ : «-*«•>.Hon'nE'Ur;; b ; by the appointment of the"H h,ch 1 « ! *d Starnes. There have been sLIT' ! cas i°ned by death and resi-. ,lvac « r »ci.s * j ? U,t . . Co “ rt but as they a ° n T she Cir* > bjrjb. Lsgislatore, it „ * ! claim,. ho!,m„ a f,' I the Siate is liable for them rl- y do - that ; ahou!d be disposed of. « r j r™ 6 thi s r tha f ® ome Provision be made by theL I e , ra Assembly for the final Sf ,\ r ' rese, d G en . claims, either by submit£n. Z ™ nt of these r ved to the decision ot the cour*?^ l,es ti°ns invol ' tribunal to be selected by the I° r ■ agreed to by the parties i l ntres?* ( I was directed by a resolution Zr . i eral Assembly, to withdraw the bl? G<la ; winch had been furnished for the w°u®* ,bI * Monument from this State L ; he ashm^ton [ objectionable inscription upon it SI °‘ the . another in its stead, with the sir.w • proV|,Je ' of the Arms of the State Fm ii tL Ir ‘ scnpt 'on • ject of the Legislature could be ? r th ? literation of the inscription on the h? ? t . hy an furnished, I adopted that course' a^th* • — Ca ' atU ' *W“'» -ArfcdS > ! examine and report to the nreseld?™? 10 " to ’ on the claims of Wm. Q. Anders .r L ,r, gls ' atur e, [ derson, and Richard J. Willis securiH h ° S ' T An " - R. Anderson, on his bonds ls’r i ■ les 05 John j of the Darien Bank fe' 1 erty and Wm. Hope Hull Em ’ transmit to you their report uin-,’ ti? ? Brewitii ' Mr predecessor informed tL- list 6 S ?l ect ' ' that the qaestion of the boundary bSweeSm V "T blr ! our own State had been submitted to th F1 ° a nda&nil j Court of the United States, and that he v?. Suprerne 1 the services of the Hon. J M Berrien 1 eD « a^ - nay of the State. At the instance of Attor " . associated with him the Hon. K E 1 . mg been authorized by resolution of the hi! . ture, to employ additional counsel in case is still pending, and will nrobiM- i f Tlle ! the approaching term of that b9 deC,de ‘ ! A question oi ooundary between South Carolina ml Georgia has arisen since ahe a:-journmert Z ll , , i-mblj. Ih. . unv-,riK>r an l tue Attorney General oi Lf' ,]i l and myseif on that subject is herewith tranSed 1 fIL'TT are e SO fully presented in ‘bat correspondence that I deem it unnecessary to add anything , n TJI , ence to it. I recommend that the suggestion p nn tl*‘' • in ,^ e * ast etter the Attorney General of Cuth Carolina be acceded to. and that provision be' nwdeS submitting the question of boundary to the daci.-ioH of tho supreme Court of the United State-- It ! "suts the most sati,factory mode of settling a dilute which if left unadjusted, might at some lead to unpleasant consequences. By a joint resolution of tho last General I 1 W ‘Y directed to appoint “ two suitable peisona as dele gates from this State to attend a conv»ntion of de'a gates from the Thirteen Original States." which wo he din Philadelphia, ou the sth of July ISa-i t . pointed the lion. Marshall J. Welborn, of Cuiumbu and the lion. Asbury Hull, of Athens, who accepted the appointment, and their report of the action of the i convention is herewith transmitted. The object for ; which this convention assembled, and the mode bv which that object is to bo consummated, are so full*- and satisfactorily presented in the accompanying re port, that I do r.ot feel called upon to do mo’-e than ask for it your careful consideration. It is no local or sectional movement, in which the people of Philadel phia and Pennsylvania alone are interested. It was prompted by a national se-tirnent as broad as the Union—and a spirit of gratitude and ven ration aa deeply impl inted in the hearts of the American peo ple, as are the memories of our revolutionary strug gles- Georgia has participated so far with commenda ble zeal, and patriotic ardor in this noble enterprise ami I doubt not. that every step of its future progress will be m -rked with the evidences of her liberality. The last General Assembly passed a joint resolution authorizing me “to erect, on the public grounds near the State House, a suitable monument to the memorr of our late distinguished fellow-citizen, Hon. John Forsyth, and pay for the same out of tho money ap propriated for that purpose by the act of the Legisla ture. approved February 23, 1350.‘ The proposition contained in this resolution, meets ray cordial approval. No one entertains a higher appreciation of the services and brilliant career of Mr. Forsyth, than myself, andit would have given one sincere pleasure to have carried out the intention ot Ihe Legislature, if it could have been done. The amount of the appropriation is whol . ly inadequate for the contemplated object. A monu ment erected on the State House square, to the memory of My. Forsyth, should not only be creditable to the State, but worthy of the distinguished dead; such a monument cannot b? obtained for one thousand dollars For this reason and for this reason alone.l have taken uo steps to carry out this resolution, and luowrecommend that the appropriation be increased to a sum that will secure such a monument as the occasion calls for: a monument worthy of the State of Georgia, and worthy of the distinguished defender of the Constitution and Union of our fathers. We have just had our first judicial elections under the law giving those elections to the people. The poli cy of the law has been vindicated, it p events aa appropriate accasionfor recommending an extension of its provisions to the remaining cases of State officers elected by the Legislature. Our election laws need amendment. The duty of decid ing upon the returns of many elections, is by implication devolved upon the Executive. No rules however, are prescribed for his government. This should !>e reme died by the pas-age of an act, plainly delining his doty, power, and mode of procedure. The great number of laws which have been passed on the subject of the lands belonging to the State has involved that subject in great difficulty. Many of the.-e laws were of a me.e loc«l character, "but their applica tion being general in the terms of the statue, has pro duced a contrariety of provisions difficult to reconcile Tho whole subject needs thorough and radical legisla tion, and I trust it will receive your consideration dur ing the present session. For the disposition of the re maining uugranted lands of every description, that have been regulariy surveyed, I would recommend that the policy of the act of 1843 be adopted. Experience has proven it to be, by far the most economic land satisfactory mode of disposing of the public lands. The slow but steady development of tho mineral re sources of our State, should bring to your attention the importance of providing,for a t.norough geolgical survey of the State. Other departments of interest would he greatly benefttted by it—and I recommend that amp* 6 provision be made far that; ir pose. I was requested by resolution of the Senate < f tne last Legislature to make the alterations and arrange ments in t e Senate Chamber rendered necessary / the id creased number of that body. It has been a-- tende I to—and a portion of the expense paid out •• contingent fund. No special appropriation was ma to carry out this resolution, aud it now becomes nec sary for you to make an early appropriation to P»J balance due to Mr. Lord, the contractor. As he among the unfortunate number who suffered severe ■ from the late tire in this city. I would urge upon \o the justice of providing for the immediate settleme of his account. Your attention has doubtless been arrested oj - destructive character of the fire to which I have j /■ alluded. The individual sufferers make n#app* a you for relief, but it is in your power to render j*- tial aid. not only to them but to the whole comm l1 /* J by decesive action upon the subject of a j the seat of government. The constant ng'}* ' . that question has paralyzed the energies of tne' P* r of Milledgeville and crushed their spirit o» The future prosperity of their city is involve 1 and so long as it remains an open and unsettle P the effect will be felt and seen in the n^ a .,^ r jtr deucy of every interest connected with t - ie i of the city. Ample time has been allowed f® certaining the popular will on the subject. s °“ ,^ ent tive expression should now be given to th#ju-* 0 of the people. It is due not only to this ... but also to the future comfort of those, who officially called to spend a portion of their tu- * Capitol. Such arrangements as are necessary . Milledgeville a pleasant residence for the me -■ the General Assembly, and others called here > P business, can never bo made until it is known seat of Government will not be removed. " therefore, may be the public will on this suoje , it be made known in such authoritative, as wi all doubt and anxiety in reference to it. PKDHKAL RELATIONS. I herewith transmit a communication from xi /j Departmrnt of the Federal GgVermont, aoco P with a copy of a “Consular Convention United States of America and Ilis Majesty »b ror of the French.” Your attention is called provisions of the seventh article of the conveo . nJ I herewith transmit the resolutions oi w state Legislatures, which have been for* a u - IHC. Vly afl Since the last session of the General Assew occurrence has transpired in which Georgia not directly a party is in my judgdment t,e ,, „urjt rested, and to which I deem it mv duty to can J tention. A citizen of Virginia on his way to “■ ■ slave.! is by force, of circumstances, compel-* y oj'i. 0 j'i. C temporary transit through the city °‘ i gtat* Upon Habeas Corpus before Judge Payne ot j e . —the negroes were declared tree, and the c ( vrivvd of his property Though indemni . • jjgis lelieve by voluntary subscription, yet the p an( j of solved in the decision is one of vast impor a _ tartling tendency, in which the interest 0 ' eTer y nons becomes insignificant, end the intcre laveholding State paramount and equal. . - ® , ’exas have no deeper interest than Georgi lama. It is understood that an appeal aas ’ p)r -. rom the decision, to the appellate c ®? r ;. o j, 0 f nd it is probable that the final aljudic-U uft uestion involved will be made by the cupre n «- f the United States. The deliberate deterinii^' 0“ 1(i ny question by that tribunal, s # jeeive the resptet of the country, and co. -- reoedoat subsequent cases. lue ‘