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JOURNAL & MESSENGER.
S. T. CHAPMAN A S. ROSE, Editors.
NfilSAOßs
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, \
Mit.ledgevii.le, Nov, 2, 1847. S
Fellow-citizens of the Senate ami House of Jxcpre
sentativcs.
The measures to which it is my duty to direct your at
tention are few ami obvious. They shall he remedial of
defects in existing laws, or suggestive of anew policy.
The present mode ot taxatton rests upon the accumu
lated legislation ot nearly half of a century, timid all the
varying circ (instances ot its periodical suspensions and
revivals, chenge of our marketable staples, inc rease of
population a.id enlargement of territorial rights. The
profusion ol laws on this subject has made their execution
embarrassing and doubtful. Within one-third ot the
entire area ot the State, the clnasitications of the qual
ities of the noil, with specific discriminations in the tax
on each, amount to at least sixty. Even counties are j
subdivided into a series of classifications in tins respect,
which are not authorized by the value of the freehold or
its productions Geograplncal points constituting limits
to which ceaain rates ol taxation shall extend, and
where others begin, are designated by names that are j
generally unknown and almost forgotten.—. Sometimes
vague language is employed aa descriptive of the quality
and position ol the freehold. Nor is u less to be noticed
that that portion of re and property in the State, lying
northwest of the Cherokee line, us described in die tax
act ol 1828, is assessed indefinitely, certainly without
that precision ns to varieties ol soil and specification, as
to rates ol taxation which obtain in other portions of the
State. These imperfections require correction.
Whdst in the act of amending our system oftaxation,’
the conclusion must be n veueu on every mmd by a j
candid examination and comparison of ail its parts, that
it is unequal anti unjust Froofs will be abundantly fur
nished, by considering thej>rice or productiveness of t
lands, irrespective of c ulture or staples, in different parts
of the Stale, te and the wide difference in the rates at I
which they are now assessed. Equality of public bur
thens, or at best its approximation, is an essential part
of justice, ami should be constantly in view in perform
ing the task of revising the lax laws so us to make them
sinipie and uniform.
The plan proposed to the last General Assembly ap
peared to be worthy of trial and without peril to the
public inter, -t, It was intended to be the first in a
series of measure* that were to lead finally and safely to
the adoption of the ad r alorum plan of taxation, lienee
n leading interest —the freehold—was selected as exhib
iting the most perplexing details and grossest inequal
ities in taxation. The immediate adoption of the plan
of raising revenue by the valuation of property liable to
be taxed, is objectionable lor the want of statistical in
formation, ana excludes the presumption or even proba
bility that a rate could be fixed on by which the exactor
even proximate amount of revenue would be raised. On
the one hand, a deficiency, would jeopardize public
credit, and on the otner, an excess might awaken popu
lar feeling,always und properly active against unneces
sary burthens. Accordingly,! respectfully renew sub
stantially the recommendation referred to, and indulge
the hope that it may be adopted. It is not expected o.
designed to increase the public burthens, but to equalize
and simplify our system ol taxation. 1 tli* r*j ~ t * suggest,
that the entire landed estate and tiie improvements
thereon, shall be taxed at a certain rate on it valuation,
to be returned on the oath of the freeholders, with speei
ficanons of quantity, situation in respect to counties,
and quality ; the latu r to be divided iutoand designated
as swamp, oak and hickory, and pine. It is believed
that a tax of one-tenth ol o.ie percent., or ten cents on
every hundred dollars of the vaiue ot he real • state and
its improvements, with the other sources -f income,
wouid raise uu income equal to the wants of the govern
ment. This estimate is based on the supposed value ol
the freehold and its improvements, estimated to amount
in tr.e aggregate to sixty millions of dollars. This
opinion will be advanced as to probable certairtty of re
sult. by discriminating between the r* al estate ot cities,
towns and villages, and that of the country. If dis
crimination be tarried even to the extent of one hun
dred per cent, beyond the indicated rate, it would still
be a reduction of the taxes of those residing or owning
freeholds m the former places. To guard against eva
sions and impertect returns, suitable penaltnra should be
provided, ho as to ensure a full and fair experiment ol
the plan Indeed more stringent enactments are recom
mended , as in my opinion being absolutely necessary to
give effect to m. pluvious ol ue tux laws, to the end
that they may be universally enforced.
The period is ausp.cious tor tne beginning of tbc pro
prosed system of taxation, tha 1 promises 1:1 the end,
equality among ali interests. The excels of r venue oi
tlie present over the last year, amounts to the sum ol
•42 ,000. The surplus in the Treasury after defraying I
all charges against it will exceed S2U,UUO. The bal
ance ol tne debt of Messrs, Reid, Irving 6c Cos., is re
duced to an amount winch this surplus added to $50,000
required to be paid by the act of 1843, and payable out
of the income ot the present year, will entirely extin
guish. Yet amidst the p osperous condition of our fis
cal affairs, a reduction nt taxes cannot be safely made.
Alter exhausting all the available means ol the Central
Bank, stillau esumated deficit exceedings2<MM 100 ot its
bonds will remain unpaid and for wlich the State is lia
ble and should piomptly pay. Moreover, filtceu thous
and pounds ol sterling bonds are outstanding, winch
were sold by Messrs. Keid, Irving & Cos., under thru
agreement with the State, and winch it is important
should be redeemed at theca. , t convenience of the
State. in view ot these liabilitiespt is not per- “
ceived that any surplus will be in the Treasury at
the end ot the next two years, unless the military
claims on the Unued Staus should be paid, and the
bank stock owued by the Mate, but solemnly pledged as
a fund to. the education of the pour, sliould be sol i
Even then a high duty w ll r. mam to be performed—
thatoi preserving public credit in its honorable position,
by the creation oi a sinking fund lor the redemption ol
the public debt.
r l he public debt of the State, as generally understood,
consist* of bonds issued at tins Department lor the con
struction of the Western und Atlantic Railway. At
this time its aggr gate amount may be stated io be sl,
579,875 Cd ol whicn *l, arc in federal Bonds
payable ut the Treasury. A15.0U0 m sterling bonds
■old by Messrs, lie id, living & Cos., previous to 1843,
•Dd A 15,130 6, also, in sterling bonds, as a balance due
to this hrni lor their advances made to the State in 1839
The semi-annual dividends of interest as well as the
Principal ol the sterling bonds arc payable in London.
For more detuned iufuiinatioii as to the periods when
all these bonds were issued, their respective amount
and otner patiiculais, 1 beg leave respectfully to relei
you to u tabular statement compiled by the Financial
Committee ot the last year, and appended to then re
port ; copies of winch w ill be eaily .aid before you.
It should be observed that in arriving ut me uggiegute
amount ul the public debt, i assumed the bdiue outi
mating the vaiue of the pound aterimg, w hich was at
lorn dollars and eighty cents —and the reported balance
of the lust semt-aiinuui account rendered by Reid Irv
ing &Cu.,u i ilu-jiliul .March ut th.- j-r. -m c .
v\ hum lilt luki luur ycur. Ilu: aggregate puyiurmu
thu: was ad... teJ by tile i iimiiciut t uuULtiUet', m rmi
moe in extinguishment* ot the public debts, or tuorc
panic-marly the debt ol Reid, Inrino i. Cos., mim .sn.cv
due-,amount to tf'JUl Ml. Since your last as.-,mbla--.
the sum ot iiave been pout, ‘l'lie imiount ot
Weilmg bonds redeemed Jurino tlie h.-cal year ,ist en.l
ed, is Xdd.UOO, They have been received ui tbie lb -
parnnent, ami are cancelled. The cou|k.:is li.r ih •
Minch and S plcmber dividends ol interest have not
been received, although the necessary hinds have liet-ii
long suiee torwarded to London loi their payment
The account ol Messrs. Held, Irving A. Co.j already
mentioned, states tile receipt ol the interest that w.n
due m March lust.
When il was ascertained lhat the surplus means 01,
the Tri usury would sulhun/ an addiUoual |>aj mein to
the amount ol g:ti,oUUaud upwards, asa tunlur redu •-
ttonol the debt due lo Held, living ,*v to, the tieccNsu- !
ry enquiry was made lor the puiebsse ol exchange
on London.
Atsjut the same time unwelcome intelligence ol tlu-ii
feo.ire reached this country .which arrested tin- content- j
plated payments, in colts, quince ol nut know ing to
whom it was to be made. This mislortune to these
gentlemen, tlie patten! and indulgent creditors ol tlu-
Slate, cannot be otherwise Ilian a source ol deep regret, i
which will be increased by kuowmg iltut our indebted
ness has producej or even hastened tins catastrophe m
die 11 pecuumry alfairs.
The piobubie disolulion of tills lirm will conclude the
agency lhat vvuscsublttlied by comrsci,--(s-ciiie us u>
all uccetsary details, lot u*e payment ut tuc accruing
dividends ol mteiest on the netting bonds Addition- |
ally, it might be regarded as an uTiummg incident, tl
the bonda, pledged to them as a security lor their ad
vaueas to the htute, and exceeding the amount of these
adv .dices about .'.'...Aid, should be put utioul on the
market The established integrity ol this lirm, bow
evei, is a guaranty against such u lunhleaa nuiism non
Their og ins. Mi-sn). MaitiuiidThelps At Cos., ol tie
Cityol .sew V otk, strengthen tie. opinion m two com
munleatu iis nodir dates ot the Stii bcpieiubsr, slid the
sun luituao, in winch they suggest liiat luiuin muy be
■laced m New York, and paid over on delivery ol liie j
bond*
Th* plan suggested wouid be a great convenience to 1
the Suite by changing the place ol paytiu nt. and far
which ud< quale concessions should be inude by allow
ing a liberal rate ot exchange and interest tor the cuato- •
tuary pi nod lor the trurmuuiwiou ol hunt* to London 1
therefore recommend au alteration of the mxili section
ol the Actol I*l3 on this subject. which provide* lor
annual payments on this debt by tlie unappropriated
bah m m in the Treasury ; and of u (hticiency,
then by loan, so an todiNihargc Uic Nprcdu* m-lahiii iii**
u- •‘iiaiige pro|NNH‘d conieuip>atea Umi tfn lit*hiuliould
he mnue.iu.il i) paid iriefpec.ive ol the uppn-pi mti.ai*
to be mude by the preaeiit I *‘gihlutuie ; and ill cose of ,
delict* ix*y of meuiiN in the i’retiaury, lhat liieo it may
hrauppiiedby a loun. But it imuol HuppoM*d tluit such |
a deficiency will exist, as the suroluH and accruing
.meaiiHol liie Treasury are deemed lutly adequate to
all necessaiv uj|>n*j*riatioiia, and (his debt,
1 h* a alietaiion only the oft*ctH
for which the iuan may !* auUmiized, and lias been mig
geet* and soum la in< > \ every ountAngericy, and particular-
Iy to bring to an euily coiicluhioii tine end and iierpiei
fnji trananetivn.
I|J he amount of A'15,000, herruAri mentioned as
having been sold ly Kied, Irving Al Cos., l*eiuH sn in
tere*f ol live percent, |*a>ahle in Eotiti4>n, but exceed
ing Ui ■ rate ol eix Jnr a ut, when sn esiiutate is unde
ol die pi*ci t which the bonds were ld—flie ditlei
• n ‘4 exchange between this country and Europe,
an.! he louiimstionado our agents in London, in eve
iy viw.% 4 t ‘uiportam that Uiey aiionld be redeemed at
tl** enrivat * inent. For tins purpooe it hi
iy suhinitfrii !,.:4 the GoVfliiiwl lie suthonznd toetii ct a
h an, notse eding the nersary sum lor their ledemp
tion |*ayd.!. ii five > ears, or woiier at the disrietiou
of the Lxeeuti* ii. un i b* anng an iut<*rest ot Sevan per
cam per giuiuni. It may h** proper to hunt the muxi
ntuin amount to Is- pain no as nit to excit’d ninety pei
cant- of the io miaul value of die bonds-—being that
which was originally advanced on them, and about five
percent, more than was paid by the present holders
This arrangement of course can only be effected by the
consent of those now’ holding this danse of bonds, winch
it is supposed can l>e obtained.
So long us there is n single debt due by the Stale, 1
earnestly recommend that every unappropriated bal
ance in the Treasury that may hereafter exist, he con
stituted as a sinking fund applicable to the redemption
of tlie public debt, and that tne Governor be authorized
to use it either in the payment of liabilities that may be
due, or the purchase ol such as inav be in mnrket; with
the restriction that their nominal value should not be
exceeded.
Shortly alter entering upon the duties of the Execu -
tor* oflice, 1 w’us required to continue operations oil the
Western and Atlantic Railroad. The menus placed
at my disposed, were on unexpeneded balance of !j*2‘o,
000, in six per cent, bonda ol the State, wtch ot the time
were nt a discount of twenty-live per cent, but gradual
ly rose in two years without six to eight per cent of par
The principal limitation placed* upon its expenditure
was that it should l>e economically applied to the uses
ol the Railway of the State, it was manliest lhat eith
er til the sale of the bonds, or making contracts tor
work to be performed on the road, an abatement equal
to the amount of the discount on the nominal value ot
tlie bonds must have been conceded on the part of th-
State. The plan of hypotltcuting the bonds lor advan
ced mude on them,and the making the contracts paya
ble in sjiecie or its equivalent appeared the most feasi-
I Lie uml advantageous to the public interest. The result
J ol this negotiations was reported to the last Legislature,
I with apacifte details a* to the amounts, and to whom
pledged, os well as the amounts advanced. So tar the
anticipated eflect has been realized, both in respect to
the cheapness of the contracts in behalf of the road, and
a gradual advancement in the value of the bonds. A
1 large amount of them is still encumbered by the terms
1 of the original hypothecation. In some instances bank
ing institutions which had made advances, and lu-ld
! bonds exceeding the amount of such advance* required
that they should be rodeiued. In one emergency ol
th.3 kin-1 I w.t enabled to transfer from the Hank of
Charleston to the hanks in Savannah the sum of $75,-
WX)—the iatter having kindly given their aid by mak
ing advances and accepting bonds on the teims that
they were held by the Batik of Charleston. In other
instances 1 availed myself of tlie funds of the Treasury
which were not immediately wanted lor public use
My purjiose was to sustain public credit at every hax
ard, and not permit these public securities to lie expos
ed to a compulsory sale, l'lie amount thusdruw’u from
the Treasuiy, coveted m a part a transaction of my im
mediate prdec*-ssor with the Georgia Railroad and
Banking Company, in which •26,000, bearing an in
terest of eight per cent, were involved.
The bonds so redeemed were placed in the Treasury
or under itscontrol, with the direction that they should
be sold lor their par valve. They have since been sold
in tlus place anil Augusta, and the Treasuiy lias been
fully reimbursed, The amount disposed ot at par ex
ceeded that which was advanced from the Treasury;
the remainder being less than 3201*100, was sold at a
discount varying from ode to two per cent. Tins loss
ot course fell on the Railroad, was easily borne by the
accumulating u tereston the bonds, and is compara
tively small to teat which would have resulted from
a forced sale. Another advantage has been derived
from this operation, which is the extrication of bonds oi
large amount,exceeding the advances made on them
when hypothecated. These have been applied to a
debt of long standing to the Georgia Railroad and
Banking Company.
The means used to sustain these securities and avert
from the Railroad of the State serious injury by a di
minution ol its aserts, were hilly detailed io the Finan
cial Committee which a** mbled in this place last year
its motive mid necessity were then explained—that I
considered the bonds thus redeemed as s** much money
in the Treasury, und wouid Iki immediately converted
into cash whenever the public wants required their sale
or even sacriiine—and that in either event their destiny
would leas sale in the hands ot the authorities of the
State as under an auiioneer’s hammer, its end realiz
ed my expectations’ The Treasury has suffered no
sacrifice—the public creditor baa encountered no deni
al or eeiay.
The report of the Treasury made to this department
in compliance with the act of 1843, exhibits its availa
ble means on hand to he •63,546 59. Ol tins amount
$16,758 59, consisting of the taxes of the present yeaJ
and the poor school lund,are u purl of the resources ol
of the Treasury, and pppUcable to the wants of the gov
ernment for ihe fiscal var just commenced. ‘The lust
mentioned sum may tie added that $24,557, k ing the
estimated arnouUt amount that will Is* required to meet
the undrawn balances ol the speciyc appropriation.—
‘The unappropriated balance in the Treasury, in'iy be
estimated lo excel $23,000.
‘The reporto! the ‘1 reusury also shows that the spe
cific funds, placed in some respects under Executive
control, have not been exhausted in any instance. ‘The
contingent funds of the lasi two years, were burthened
with the payment oi $6,000 on account oi a subscrip
tion authorized to In* made tor Cobb’s Analysis.
The securities ot a late defaulting ‘Treasurer ot State
have ken twice sued, but ui neither case has any por
tion of the amount reported as as abstracted from the
Treasury, been recovered. Whilst his defalcation is
certain to some amount, a recovery lias been prevented,
by a want of proof as io the time when it occurred.—
After suing iw ol Ins bonds without success, it kcame
manifest that the same difficulty would occur in relation
to the others, and hence i deemed it propel to desist.—
The amount thus abstracted from the Treasury,and re
ported to be about S2U,UUO, may be consideied a total
ions to the rituk . Ihe sum ol $9,000 and upwards was
recovered by the last sun, king tlie amount ol taxes
paid by certain banks, which he had not accounted lor,
und did not compose uny portion oi ins reported dedi
cation.
* A suit lias ken commenced on the bond of J. R. An
derson, late Cashier ol the Brunch ol the Darien Bank
ut M Pledge vide, and his securities in the county ol
Greene, and a verdict was late y rendered loi SIB,OOO
anti upwards. The defendants have entered au appeal.
Aiso, another su:l has k < a hr. light and concluded
against the same individual, und ins securities on their
bond m iiis U ltuli, as Book-kccpei of the Central Bank.
A recovery ot about $ 10,606 .as been clieeled.
‘The two last mentioned sums, or whatsoever sum
may be finally recovered by the action pending in Greene
county, will be u part ol the resources of tne Darien
Bank, und distributable among us creditors. The *
amount tiial may k* recovered and paid will, to that i
extent, diminish ihe liability oi the State us a stock
holder. Ol this liability 1 have spoken by my message
to the lust Legislature. The opinion then expressed,
is unchanged, il was expected that after the great de- |
lay, there would k* impatience on the jiart of the cred
itors. Representations have been made by some ol i
them, complaining ol the hardships that have keu sui- .
ieied, and indulging the hope ol tneir curly alleviation, j *
All such documents, and indeed all ol every >|ind per- i
taming to the Darien Bank, have been placed uudei the
cure oi the Director oi die Central Bank, with tlie di
lection that they should either k reported to, or await ,
the call oi the Legislature.
During last year, the sum of $17,494 03 was receiv
ed on account of the military claims uguiusi the United
Slates. ‘The objects to w hich it was applied are stateu
in un account mthiß Department, with the {State, with
the proper vouchers, ‘l'lie delay which attended the
l pty incut oi ct ruin aduances lhat were made lroiii tin* i
Treasury, during the lu.-t year, lor the trun-porUition,
subsistence anil clothing ol the regiment required lor
the Mexican war, gave no hope* ihuta correspondence
would hasten die payment ot these claims. Whilst
urging die re-puyiin lit u tlie advances then recently
made, l took occasion to call die utlentionof the Sec
retary at War to what he aptly calls m one o! Ins let
ters, die “ old clailim ’ol the Slate. Indeed, the appre
hension was fell, that the new might tail into die :<inie
diliicuity ol die old claims.
It is proper dial I nhouUl add, that the payment above
mentioned was mude without additional evidence, and
it is supposed dial a more Ukral spirit of justice and
equity than heretofore, was brought to the examination
oi these claims. The difficulties attending their liquid
ation, und udverted to in my message to the lapt Legis
lature, will constantly aiise. rio long as th** Depart
ment ut Washington adheres to the rigid rules that have
ken adopted, these claims may he considered us post- 1
poned in their payment Add. .onal legislation in re la- 1
tl*'ll to them, by Congress, is deemed ncH**sKnry, and !
may probubly be obtained by your urgent remonstrance
against further delay in the payment of these old j
claims.
Durmgthe past summer, from representation*made to
H.*‘, u luiiuli rol rvv!ii!ti h wvr* onl-trd tob*
against certain Bunks, (or taxes due to th* Btate In
the uhfteuce of every kind of evidence tint ought to
have been found m the office of tlie Comptroller Gener
al, confidence was reposed in the statement then made.
This was strengthened alter reliable infbnuatioii had
ken received,that an execution had some years ago
keu Miued against die Insurance Bank of Columbus,
i but ieturued in consequence of some irregularity ns to
the officer by whom issued. The paramount leiti
created by the tax law of 1804, has brought m conflict
the Suite und Mr James Holtord, n creditor of the In
suratice Bunk ot Columbus. ‘The issue between them
involved ninny facts, ussetted on the one huiui and de
-1 med oil the other. I was reluctant to decide between 1
the parties, ami ut try request the question was reset vet!
lor your decuiioii. in the mean time it was agreed that
no steps should k taken to enforce the payment ot tkir
respective claims. 1 submit herewith eupies of the 1
cone*|oiideiic*‘ and contract with Mr. Daniel McDou- t
( gald, as well hh tlie correspondence ol die counsel of
Mr. lioltord. The evident* • submitted is voluminous,
Slid dcnoHited in this Department. It awaits the call
ot lit* Legislature
It is klievcd that a large quantity of land in this
Klate has never ken purveyed , and il surveyed, many
lots have b*ru omitted to be disposed of by lottery or
otlierw .se. Siu> attempts have been made to grant
lots of the latter class, but on re tching tins I kqiariiiieiit, i
the grunts have been stopped, on the alleged und ohvi* I
oUS reason that they had not reverted, un i w i<* always
the pr|ierty of tlie State I again rerommend that ail
the urigrantcd ituuls neqom and since the year 1820, ex
cept city and town commons that have ken legally re
serve*!, k sold uuder the dli*ctioii ot u CoiiiiuiMiolier
| ap|M)itited lor that putjM>se, who hIiuII gi>e braid, with
ample security, lor the iaitldul j*eif<miiunce ol his duties,
which will be presrnkdby you, mid that he k uii>we.l
a certain |s*r rentage on its- amount ot sales made by
him. ’File lirtt proceeds ol the sales may ndtimtiigr
ously form a part of the sinking tuud lor the redemption
of the public debt.
‘!*he Supreme Com, whose estalilisliment was
■o long oi qiicstonable utility, in the opinion ol —
several LegiWUUllcs, has realized (O tlie luiiest extent
the exp* I'latious o| us most steadfast advocates. It *
usefulness has proven tlx arc* sity It is reforming
the irn guiurities necessarily incident to the old systeti
of judicature, by inipicwung the stamp of uniiuruuiy on
allot its decisions ‘i'hroughout our limits the rule iT
or can be made tlie aame, whether in rtlerence to per
son or property,crime or contract. Its organization, it
is respectfully suggested, is defective in reject to tli
pkaoes where its session* are now held. *n 1 should b
altered* by designating five ptnee* only which tir<* easi
Iy accessible Ihe force of this pnpgestion w ill probe
bly U* appreciated, by console ring the great nn.l increas
ing lakusof the Judges, which they arc required to per
form wiihproiiijitit
vs arduous jouiiucs to uicoiivcuicm pomts.
The restriction on the Reporter, by forbidding him to
practice in die Courts of the State, may,in my opinion.
I be removed, as its justice or necessity is not perceived.
11l some of the Courts elsewhere, of fik' 1 power, this in
terdict does not exist. The R jiorter has furnished the
required number of reports, which a wait die direction ol
the Legislature. 1 recommend their distribution to the
several States, from which this Slate hus received
many similar proots of kitidnessand liberality.
As connected with the judicial term of office,sonic em
barrassment has already arisen, and may hereafter arise,
in my opinion the Constitution fixes the term of office
according to the calendar, and not political or fiscal
year,—l tie date when the officer is quail lied is tlie be
ginning of his official term ; but ktore its expiration u
successor is frequently appointed. In such case the Gov
ernor tali issue a commission only niter the one, imme
diately preceding, has expired.
In paying the suluries of the Judges of the Su
preme Court, dariug the last fiscal year, it was dis- j
covered that their commission* issued on the 21th j
December, 1845, about fifty days utter the begin- ]
ningof the fiscal year; und the act of appropriation
declared their salaries to be the same as in the
present year. The Constitution also declares that
their salaries shall be adequate to their services,
established by law. In this conflict 1 deemed it
proper to issue warrant* on the Treasury reckon
i, - only from the time when they were qualified
und commissioned, and not from the commence
inont of the fiscal year of 1845. If iii this, there
be error, you will doubtless avail yourselves of the
earliest occasion to correct it. 1, however, w.ll
not omit to remark, that according to the Consti
tution, their commissions will not cease until the
two, four and six years, mentioned therein, shall
have fully expired; and though performing duties
after other fiscal years have commenced, still
they will he entitled to and received the prescrib
ed salaries. Indeed, it is only a question as to
time, when the fraction of a quarters salary is to
he paid— either before or alter tins required judi
cial services have been rendered.
Tlie Honorable Judge of the Ocmukee Circuit
lias, in compliance with tlie duty required ol him*
suggested a modification of the penal code. The
language of the penul code descriptive of tlie pun
ishment of a certain offence is indefinite, and the
various constructions in different judicial districts
suggest the propriety of amending this defect. —
Copies oi this letter are laid before you.
The general disuse into whicli the militia laws of
the State have fallen, and the many ineffectual ef
forts made to revive uml enforce them, may pro
perly present the question whether they should not
be suspended; and that inducements be offered for
the formation of volunteer corps. A reluctant and
compulsory service contrasts feebly with that
which is voluntary and energetic. Tlie necessity
of a military police in certain localities Inis been
so apparent, us to lead to the organization of vol
unteer companies, irrespective of the militia. The
a- lop e 1 pla. i of prosecuting the existing war with
Mexico, is independent of the militia ns contradis
tinguished from volunteers, and it is presumed that
this plan will he continued. Indeed, it may he af
firmed as true, that the practical operation of oui
military system, especially of that portion which
requires a compulsory service, hus iurnislied but
meagre proof oi its fitness to import thecustomary
qualification of a soldier, or even to ascertain tlie
effective military strength ot ihe State.
It is therefore respectfully proposed that the
militia be disbanded by a suspension of the milita
ry laws uh to them —that this suspension shall con
tinue until a necessity for their revival shall exist,
which shall be judged of by the Comiimiuler-in
(Jhief, and that lie be authorised to order their re
organization, and in case of default, appoint and
commission the proper officers for this purjio.se.
Asa substitute, il is recommended that volun
teer companies be encouraged, by exempting their
members from the performance of other public
duties, and the distribution of arms from the public
arsenals. The counties in which no volunteer
companies exist should he preferred in the allot
ment of uruu, to tUo entl tltut tl.c plan JIB proposed
may be universally adopted. By it a military force
will probably bo organized for immediate action,
and amount to at thousand effective
men. Additional encouragement would be given
as well :i* n broader military education acquired,
by providing that when a number of volunteer
companies may form themselves into battalions,
regiments, brigades or divisions, they may be au
thorised to appoint the appropriate officers in con
formity to the existing laws of tlie {State. This
would lead to encampments, in w hich it is thought
the education of the soldier is much advanced.
The enumeration of tlie militia of this {State is
palpably defective. Without interfering with the
plan w hich has been proposed, it may he made
more accurate through the agency of the Justices
of the Peace, w ho, ill addition to tlie duty now
required of them, to deliver to the Receivers of tax
returns, lists of persons subject to be taxed in their
districts respectively, should also be required to
render other lists of persons liable to perform mil
itary duty. These lists, after being duly certified,
should he transmitted to the Executive Depart
ment, and uuder the supervision of the Governor
consolidated, us to counties, brigades or divisions,
and forwarded to the Adjutant General of the army
of the United States.
Tor this service, suitable compensation should
be given to the Justices not exceeding the rates al
lowed to those engaged in taking the lust ccniu,
for every soldier enrolled, it is turther suggested
that the enumeration according to the proposed
inode may be reqired to be made only al the end
of every fourth successive year.
In the month of May us the last year, the Presi
dent of the United States made a rt quisitiou on
Georgia, fora regiment of infantry of volunteers, to
aid in the prosecution of tlie war with Mexico,and
to serve lor twelve months, miles* sooner discharg
ed by the authorities at Washington. The
appt 1 then mode was promptly responded to. A
force exceeding that which was required was vol
untarily tendered. In less than a month alter the
call was made, the regiment was organized and
immediately marched to Mexico. Alter fulfilling
(he terms of their enrolment, and performing all
that may become soldiers, they w ere honorably
discharged.
During the past Spring another requisition came
from the same source fora battalion ot infantry ot
volunteers, wliii h 1 regret to say, has not been so
promptly raised. This delay, may in part be at
tributed to the recruiting establishments in many
sections of the Bute, where uu unequal competi
tion existed, in consequence of the bounties paid
to recruits by officers of the army of the United
States. Tiffs State having appropriated no funds
for this purpose, could not reasonably be supjmsed
to be as prompt in action, as those representing the
Federal Government and provided with greater
facilities. Moreover the service ol the voluuteer
and recruit will prubably be the same and con
tinue as long ns tlie war.
Notwithstanding the existence of these embar
rassments, 1 utn gratified in stating Unit the bat
talion has lately been completed, alter four coin- !
j>anie composing it had inarched uuder the order I
>t tie- Federal Government to Mexico. Isaac G
Seymour, Esq., on the 30th of last mouth, was aj
pomted ith commander, with the rank mid title of
Lieutenant Colonel. The reasons operating on the
Executive are set forth in the order for his appoint- I
1 m* nt, and more fully adverted to in tlie instance if [
Lieutenant Colonel Calhoun, hereafter mentioned. [
During the past summer the President made un
’ add mould requisition for a company ot mounted
men. As in the ruse of the Regiment of infantry,
| great competition existed. The selection was j
uiado by accepting the services of Capt. boynll, of
Newton county, and his command, who first ten- j
derod their services. They are now in the country
of the enemy. Shortly ufterw aid* a battalion of
mounted men was required. It was promptly
tilled, and is now inarching uuder llio command of
Lieutenant Colonel Calhoun, by Execut(voftp|>oii!t
ment. It is proper that 1 should add, that this last
battalion tinsn supernumerary company, owing to
1 some irregularity iu the mustering officer, but ‘
which ut iny request was retained iu sendee l>y the ‘
1 Secretary of War.
The Executive appointment of Lieut. Col. Cal
houn, L a departure from the precedent heretofore
, established, nut made under the necessity*of the
cuse. I was notified by the mustering officer ol
1 the United States, that a part of the battalion, be
fore it was fully organized, hud left the State. 1
had no authority to recall them for the purpose of
I electing u couuu iudiug officer. Nor was it deem
ed proper that a part should elect for the whole.
: The ouly obstacle encountered was the precedent
dial hid been established and uniformly acquiesced
ui. Without tin*precedent, 1 should flive regard
j ed the legal comjieloncY of the Executive, under
all circumstances, to make the appointment under
, counidpmtiou, a * cxplicilaiul unquestionable. In
view, therefore, nt reconciling, iu tny opinion, this
conflict between usage uml laws, I recommend
when the militia or volunteers are culled into ser
vice by the requisition of the Federal G werninotit
or otherwise, that the Governor be vest**d w ith the
authority of appointing the ikid ami general offi
cer*, according to the force that may be asseai
blral.
Following not less inclination than the example
of other Stltw, it in deemed proper tuid just that
fit testimonials should In* awarded t* the sous of
Georgia who have distinguished themselves by
their skill and bearing ou the saiiguimirv battle
fields iu Mexico. The performance of July, aud
its appropriate reward, should be inseparable.—
lleuco l commend these brave men to your cure
and justice.
The extend*>ii aud early completion of th*’
Western and \ikntic Kailr*>ad may now be com
in”mlcd with great confidence to your considers*
ti n. The doubts heretofore embarrassing this
work of .State enterprise are merged into its great
usefulucsaatHi national important Tin* produc
tions of the country through which it runs have
iu rented m quantity and vuiue. As t* licet saury
cnnscqu.-ncc the freehold interest has felt its quick
ening influences. Even the Treasury has indirect
ly received subsidies h un ff, by ren-ion of the con
stant and earnest enquiry after the reverted binds
of the State in its vicinity.
Virginia, Tennessee and Al dating, in part, lmve
adopted it as the most convenient mode of reach- j
iugaSouth ruAiipit c port with their production.-.
Bv it new commercial relations have been estab
lished, and social intercourse happily promoted.
The navigation <5 someth the Western rivers here
tofore deemed *1 lib ult and almost impracticable
has he* u proven by he energy und enterprize !
which have been awakened by your great work
of internal transj>ortuUou. Similar works com-!
liiunicating or hit ended to communicate with it f
have been reviewed, or started into existence.—
I Nor should it Uu overlooked that itisnn important
aud ueceHury link in theehainof iutenial improve-
I meut that i* t*> connect the Southern Atlantic ports
with the middle valley of the Mississippi river.
These illustrations and inducements urge Geor
gia forward to tin* perlorniuuce of her duty and
advancement of her interests. A spare of less
than forty mil* s is her allotted pin t of this great
work. An outlay of $375,000 will complete her j
task, and improve a previous expenditure of more
than $500,000 that are now lying idle and unprofit
able. The road for a hundred miles lias been fin
ished and put into successful oj>eratioii, when your
finances were disordered ami public credit de
pressed. These embarm.-suients are now only
partially felt. Moreover, Tninessi e, at tny reque.4,
nos piomplly uml liberally extended your char
ter li*r the completion of your road within ihe next
twenty-six months.
In addition to these suggestions, 1 am gratified
ill laying before you the operations of the road for
the last year ending iu {v’ptember Inst, ‘i he total
receipts, as reported by tho Chief Engineer,
amounted to $89,483 72: and nett profits $37,800
93. The cxrpeiiM-s of the lust li. cal year, jiaid
within this, amount to $6,500, and those of the
jireseiit year to $45,453 07. The appropriation
made by tho last Legislature of $130.00(1 has been
expended with the exception of $28,500. The,
sum of $4,500, lias been up plied to the redemption
of scrip, iu compliance wall a remarkable provi
sion of the act of appropriation of the lust General
Assembly. The unexpended balance, just men
tioned, is liable to bo reduced by debts against the
road; though it is reported that after paying all
outstanding liabilities, still u balance will remain.
The iu(l**btetliii‘ss has ark n from the difficulty in
the sale of boads ol that class, which were order- :
ed by the last Legislature.
The report of th‘Chief Engineer has been or-!
dered to bo printed and laid lx fore you in part
ing with the Chief Engineer and the agents cm- i
ployed on the road, I willingly give my evidence
to tbe fidelity aud promptitude with which they’
have performed their duties.
A contract at the present time exists with the
General Rost Office Department for the trausjxn ta
tiou of the mail at one hundred dollars per mdo per
annum. This contract will end on the first of !)*•-
comber next, i whs unwilling to conclude un
agreement that would mu through a period of four
years w itliout tlie authority of th** Legislature. In
submitting this subject lo your con.sidcration, 1
should remark that the Post Master General lias
recently proposed an alteration in the mail-sche- j
dule on the St..to loud, which contemplates the
departure ot tin* ears from Atlanta at half past.,
twelve oYlm kin the day. Its effect will be to !
cause their arrival at Dalton at eight o’clock in the
night. Mail service in the night is usually enti
tled to a higher compensation than that performed
in the day.
The marketable productions of that section of
the State, which the railroad penetrates, and those
that are contiguous, .are mostly bread-stuffs in some
form, of large bulk, and incapable of bearing the
expense of a long transportation, unless the foreign
demand usually tin* effect of scarcity should en
hance prices. To any great extent, therefore, the
foreign markets cannot be relied on, unless in the
supposed case of deficiency of food. The mostuniform :
customers will he found, among those who are di
versifying the industry of the State, by the estab
lishment of manufactories. By increasing the
number of these, the agricultural productions of
tlie {State w.ll be also increased, und in a great
measure consumed at home. Jt is then respectful
ly submitted, whether the fostering care and liber- 1
iility that have been exhibited by the State on her
works of internal traimportation may not be ex
tended to the encouragement and grow th of the
mechanical arts? If not iusejmrnbly, they surely
are intimately connected. Au increased amount
of freight will enhance the value of the State rail
way, but without a market neither railway nor ag
ricultural industry can flourish.
Other considerations ol equally grave import,
cannot fail to attract your att* utiou in connection
with the industrial pursuits of the State, and the pol
icy il not necessity of effecting some modifications
in them, ‘i he great defect is the want of diversity
in our labor. It has been concentrated on the rear
ing of one great staple, which with the contribu
tions of other Slatesof a like j>rodaction,has,through
a series of years, so accumulated in the markets of!
the world, as scurct K to leave the jiluuler remu- ,
Derating profits. In the meantime an exhausting
system of tillage has rendered the soil leas produc- |
live. I irmly convinced that the amount of labor, i
ns now and heretofoie directed is greatly disj>ro
portionate to the other industrial processes of life, I
and its tendency .s to decline and ultimate decay, I
would suggest as a remedy, the incorporation of
m inufactui ing compmies, with the most liberal
dinners. Tho grant ot these cannot injuriously I
affect other interests, but on the contra.) promote
them. The charters will be inducements lo new
investments, and ns they may divert capital an a la
bor from other employments, especially from agri
culture, to that extent the planter will be removed ,
from a competition that has been dragging down
the price ol his staple-.
L*ke all the great woiks of internal improvement,
the plan iu view contemplates lhat there
should be joint effort and co-operatiou. A wise
policy w ill uw uki n the incentive to action, ami im
pose no restraint thut will retard its progress or
mar its success. An exemption from taxation, or
the imposition of a small tux for a specified number
of yeais, and also au exemption of the private prt>-
perty of the stockholder from liability for the debts
of the company of which ho is a member, would in j
my opinion conduce to tho establishment of ext* n- j
sive manufactories, and ns a consequence give au 1
impulse to all tlie useful mechanical arts and tlieirj
train of attendant blessings. Os these, in a paja r
lik** this, it can scarcely be expected that I should
address you at large, except by suggesting lor your
consideration, a *oiujmrisou between those com
munities, however extended into States, Empires
or Kingdoms, iu which the pursuits of labor are so
diversified us to supply general wants, and those i
which are confined to the production of a few rich
staples to the neglect of the common necessaries
of life —the general effect of that trade, in which
the raw materials are return* i iu manufactured !
fabrics at increased prices, varying from two to five
hundred per cent.; ami un impartial examination;
of tho natural advantages in motive power, climate ,
uml a home market.
Nor will this subject in relation to the exemption
j of tlie private property of the corporator he dis- j
j missed without adverting t<* tin* j>robahl*-effect of i
I such policy. It will beau invitation to foreign and j
domestic capitalist* to invest in manufacturing com-!
panic.*, ands * far from inducing an nlune of it, i
| will operate os a restraint on credit. Unlike the I
bills of a bank, which pass by delivery, and fori
tbe time being constitute the holders thereof the
creditors of the Imnk, the contracts of inauulacttt-’
ring companies are UHtmlly special mid restricted!
t the original parties. Thoprudence of the cred
itor iu such instance*, generally guards him against!
injury or loss. A* an equivalent for this privilege, j
1 recommend that each incorporated com puny be 1
required euder a specific penuliy to give to each !
indented apprentice the opportunity of acquiring, i
fr**** of expense to the apprentice, the rudiment* of t
uu Ka.Jiirii education, iu this aspect tin- pl.m is
fVnUght with philuiiiliropv. Our edueati. i.d sys
tem is iu some respect* and (ii u-ut, by i t n*ou of the
sparseness of the population, ami the distance of
the pupil* from places of instruction. By ihe pro- |
nosed scheme, classes w ill he u%cinbhii mid the |
facilities of men ini improvement be afforded, with-’
out public aid. At tlie same tint**, Mio apprentices
will he accustomed to habit* nf industry, i> that !
ou reaching the end of'their njipretiticesliip, they !
ni’iv go forth furnished w ith tbe menus of success
in life. It i* tin* * tmihimioii of mctitulculture und
habits of bodily labor, which haw produced the
most energetic aud mm of the modern i
age. Socially it is worthy of trial, if experience
may be presumed to teach ‘Uu *am - los-on* every !
where-—individually it teem* with promised bless
ings, us it disarm* poverty of want, and res. ns i
ignorance from folly. Tin* objection that the pop- |
ululiou of uinuufuciuriiig districts in other c -uo- i
trie* i* usually dwarfish uml dependent, cannot he ;
supposed to exist with us. mile** we overlook the
proofs of experience m ollie* Slates. I lie people
of the K>isterii States in w hi* h the mechanical arts
mostly ffouiish, are carrying their jmisuits into,
tm*l impressing iu some degree their opinions on
every part of the Union. So far then from er*.n
ling a 4‘lass of dejieiuhiuts, the reverse may be af
firmed tube true. \\ ha condition of life, liovvev* i
humble, bus not fmuiahed iu quota of men, who
have illustrated dint neither ignorance nor jxiverty i
can rcjucss the succassfol asplrathnis for wealth j
or honor ? Tin* genius of our institution* imbki*
that men should Lea d< p*md.ut, when tempted or
trained to eX< rcis'his body and mind. A w ise
fine* ast par tiding of the general freedom with
which we are tursouuded, should apply the in
centive to bote.
A resolution of the lust General Assembly required
the Exec alive to appoint two eoittinisriof)eiii on the
1 pstt of Gtfoigiu to meet such as might be rq, ante d by
Florida, for it.'* purpose of definitely settled the bounda
ry between tin* two State?, with such restriction ns the
l.ovi mgr might deem nec*sry to impose. The pow
er grunted to this Department was extraordinary, and
may be regarded as a strong proof of the solicitude ot
the L giaLnurc ol the State, to bring this protracted
controversy to an early and amicable adjustment. In
j the execution ot this authority it ut once appeared that
! 1 could not overlook the Constitution ol the State, by
j whicli our territorial limits had been declared. Apart
from this controlling consideration, I was desirous ol
1 examining the question of right, separated from this re
striction to the end that if the Constitution asserted a
i claim to territory inconsistent with the one that was
paramount on the part of Florida, l might them re
c mnieud for your consideration a removal of the ob-
I stride.
hi respect to the merits of this question as they have
presented themselves, after searching with some care
ur information which might lend to a correct conclu
sion, add thereby reconcile conflicting claims, avert the
exasperation and strife consequent on a divided jurisdic
tion between sovereign authorities, I regret that I am
! not prepared to make such a recommendation. The
claim of Georgia rests firmly, I believe, on the treaty
made between the United States and Spain in 1785,
winch, it should lie remarked, is concurrent in thisres
d <t with the Constitution of this State.
Without re-stating the reason of this opinion, I beg
leave respectfully to refer you to the instructions which
were given to M.-sera. J li. Couper and J. Crawford,
on the part of Georgia, uiid their report
to tins Department, and their correspondence with the
’ commis>iouers ol Florida. Copies of these are here
with submitted. 1 should not omit to observe that die
last proposition made by the commissioners of Georgia
to tho.-e ot Florida —that is, to run the line eastward to
the highest point on the principal branch of the St. Ma
ry's river, ut which its tributaries accumulate sufficient
; water to cause u permanent How in a well defined
channel—und, if accepted—would have met my appro
val, and the necessary steps taken to establish the boun
dary accordingly.
in every aspect of this m yet amicable controversy,
prudence und tnendiy neighlHuhood demands its early
‘-eitiem tut. A coniiict of authority between the con
testing States may be sooner or Inter expected. It will
probably arise from the decision of n judicial question.
Resistance to its execution may follow. Force against
! foice may be employed, and thus the tw'o States may
be embroiled in angry strife.
The affairs of the Penitentiary for the two Inst years
hove been as successfully managed by its present offi
cient Principal Keeper as they were during the two
year, immediately preceding. Under Ins benign yet
firm administration, it is believed tliut the general good
conduct of the convicts may challenge a comparison
with those that have preceded it. In the direction of
their labor he has been eminently successful. Nothing
has been diawn from the Treasury lor its support with
in two years,but on the contrary, its nett profits have
| amounted to $10,573 86.
Recurring to the period when became into office,
m arly lour years ago, fie found the workshops and tools
had been lately destroyed by lire. Their estimated
value by Ids piedecessor was placed at $30,000. They
; have been replaced, und their appraised value fixed at
s-S,UJI3T>. For these objects only $10,322 57, have
! been drawn from the Treasury. The difference be
tween these last mentioned amounts should properly
constitute a credit to die institution, else the law is
without meaning or effect, which declares that when
work is done lor the State by the convicts, it shall be so
charged ; or that which is equally contradictory, when
work is performed by the convicts for the State, and by
tiie direction ot the Legislature, it is of no value. In
adverting to this inequitable mode of stating the ac
counts ot diis institution, it is not for the purpose of re
opening a discussion on transactions of years passed by,
but of showing the amount that lias been drawn from
the Treasury, and its more than full and fair equivalent
a- received by the State.
The items composing the account of this officer for
the last two years, are happily free from previous difficul
ties.-—The cash on hand and the notes and accounts,
cun be estimated with reasonable accuracy. JSo also
may the manufactured articles, fortunately few, and of
comparatively small value. These will be shortly re
ported on by a committee appointed in accordance with
a law of the last Legislature, as well as the unmanufac
tured materials on hand. This report, w hen received,
will be subject to your order.—l beg leave to repeat my
recommendation to the last Legislature, tlt eoln
m sos the Principal and Aseisiant Keepers be increased,
and that authority l>e given lor the employment of
master workmen ut higher salaries,in the various trades
as overseers.
1 transmit herewtth a list of Executive warrants
drawn on the Treasury for the last two years; also
copies of Executive orders relating to various subjects.
The motives oi tnetr passage are expressed in each.
Some relate the appou.unent of officers to fill vacancies,
and will therefore claim necessarily your attention.
The bill contemplating the alteration of the Constitu
tion, in respect to the time oi holding certain elections,
was so erroneous in its reference to the article and sec
tion intended to be changed, that it was not deemed
proper to publish it.
1 return herewith to the respective branches of the
General Assembly in which they originated, several
bills which were presented for my revision and approval.
Notes are appended to each, in which are briefly de
clared the reasons tor withholding my assent to them.
Resolutions from several States, and relating to differ
ent subjects, are transmitted herewith.
\V ithin the last year the city of Columbus has been
visited by several destructive fires. The injury to, and
destruction of propel ty were so extensive as to induce
the department to issue an order to suspend the collec
tion ol the debt due to the State by that city, for the pur
pose of re-buiiing a bridge that connected its trade and
intercourse with Alabama. The order was passed at
the request of the municipal authorities of Columbus.
It operated only as a suspension of the payment of the
debt, according to the arrangements made by my im
mediate predecessor, and confirmed by the Legislature
of 1843. The period for the resumption of payments is
a subject for your consideration.
This debt once constituted a part of the capital of the
Central Lank. It was withdrawn by the Legislature to
lie paid by instalments into the Treasury. It is there
fore proper in the settlement of the accounts of the
('ashler of the Central Rank, that he should be credited
with an amount equal to it.
A map >t tiie IState of large size, has lately been made
bp Mr. William G Bonner. It comprises more topo
graphical accuracy than those that have preceded it,
and was intended to be a correct delineation of the ser
fiice ol the State. To this end all attainable information
was collected und placed at the disposal of the artist.
Ills success has beeu generally admitted.
One hundred und thirty copies of the map were sub
scribed and paid lor. To each of the States of the Union
u copy has been sent—being in some measure a requital
of similar favors received of them. To each of the
counties a copy has been or w ill be forwarded and de
livered to the Inferior Courts respectively. The labors
ot Mr. Bonner were arduous and prolonged for the space
ot eighteen months.—Whether in respect to his toil or
ihe value ot his woik in a public view, lam opinion
that the subscription already mentioned is noi.au ade
quate recompense tp him, and cheerfully recommend
additional compensation to such amount as may com
port with the justice and liberality of the Legislature.
The additional building uuu liua place, toi me recep
tion of idiots and lunatics, has been completed. A moie
thorough classification can now Ik* made of the inmates
ot the asylum. The appropriations made for their com
fort and support during the two last years have been
found insufficient, by reason of tiie increase of pauper
patients. —In this emergency, alter exhausting, the spe
cial appropriations for these objects, recourse was had on
the contingent appropriation made in the year 1813.
To obviate future difficulties in tins regard, 1 again re
commend that the comities which may send pauper pa
tients to the asylum should he required to defray a
moiety of the expanse necessary for tneir maintenance.
Thirty dollars annually for each would probably be re
garded os the proper sum to be paid. This w ould be an !
abatement of at feast one half of the amount necessary
tor the maintenance and care of each pauper lunatic or
idiot it the asylum were not established. If the Treas
ury lie not to some extent relieved of this burthen,
which is constantly increasing, it may be reasonably ex
pected that this public charity will soon become oppres
sive Indeed, since the establishment of the asylum, it
is apprehended that in some counties the henificent laws
ill behalf of the poor have been suspended or relaxed.
The report of the Trustees of this mstitutionhas been
1 made to this department, and is subject to the order of
the Geueral Assembly.
According to the report of the Commissioner for the
! indigent Deaf, Dumb and Blind, the education of this
unfortunate class of our race, at the Hearn Manuel Lu
! bor School, in this State, has fr-en successful The
j beneficiaries who were at Hartford, in the State of Con
necticut, were removed to the School in Floyd county
early in the last year. They have increased to tin*
1 number of fourteen. In any respect, it is thought, that
I nothing lias been lost by their removal. It is certainly
! true that this chanty of the State hus been more exlenu
’ ed and economically administered.
I beg leave to present in a tabular form, the condition
i ot tic- Central Bank, us com|*aied with its condition !
I about lour years ago :
Liabilitiesanyth November, 1813.
Circulation $673,523 00
{ State 8 per cent. Bonds 520,114 60
Deposit! s, 100,888 15 j
75
I.tabxlilies on \st November, 1847.
Circulation, $22,146 00
State 8 per cent. Builds 472,440 HO
D|M*Hitcs, ... 48,688 45
. —— .
$550,275 25
Reduction *714,1RW SO
To which may be added al*oul S2UO,tWO paid on Account
!of interest, nod ex|M*naesol Bank. The opinion is re*
’ |tented, tlmt the estimated deficiency, after exhausting
I the uvuiluLue upsets of the Bunk, will Is* more than
S2OO .(Hh).
The Director of the Hank lias lately made a report to
I this Department, that contains detailed mU-riiintioii re*
1 latmg to tiie unavailable marts of the Institution, ami
| olhei information useful to die Legislature. In respect
i to (lie worthless assets, m noil's und lulls, lie estimates
it - r aggregate amount at *36. C."* v.t.to winch may
in* added the amount of $51,400 10, previously carried
I to profit and mss.
1 is thought that the time luis arrived when its asset*
I may In* turned over to the Tieasury, and their admim*-
trati*n directed by the officer presiding over (fiat Dr*
1 purtinent. It is recommended that he should be allowed
an Assistant Clerk, who, before entering on the duties
j ot Ills office, should be required to give bond and secu*
! ritv for the faithful pcitoiniunoe ol the ousts reposed in
him
If on this occasion, and another similar as to time and
circumstance, I hav abstained from the ostMriaa >i
!e in imin - ; j escut and • XUHitig ennri rtl, it \h\
not because as an individual I have no opinions on the g, |
or would seek to conceal them. ‘1 he path of dot*/ is
marked by the Constitution, which i ihesrlilUy fo| ~w
preferring ut alt times practical to abstract i god jtion
l o the ymlou* advocate of the rights of the Bt*u this
course cannot h oisectiotiable. Local uud and ouiestic
affairs chum our first care; for strength at home is
strength abroad. Than contemplate c irefully tha posi
tion trial your State should and may occupy among her
confederates, oi even in the op'nion of Christendom.—
Her cnimbditios are constantly expanding, and measur
ed in some degree by the trust witti which you have been
invested. A wine policy, combining remote and pres- ,
ent interests, will ensure present enjoyment and future
prosperity. This is the essence of civilization. Then
promote social intercourse,encourage industry, advance 1
education, administer jusfic \nnd preserve spotless pub-!
lie faith. Nor ought it to be iorg tten, that whataoev r
is expressed or acted by man, so* ially or individually,
bis eye. cannot he too often and intently turned to
Heaven tor guidance and guardianship.
GEO. W. CRAWFORD.
JOURNAL & MESSENGER.
n A v o a . On.
WEDNESDAY, NOV. JBl7.
rOR PRESIDENT,
GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOR.
New Agency.
Mr. James II A mason is our duly authorized Agent
for the Journal and Messenger, and is fully empowered
to receive aucscribers names, to receipt for monies,!
make contracts and transact business for the concern.
We cordially commend him to our friends, and solicit j
for him their aid and co-operation. He will visit the
several Superior Courts in the adjacent counties, du-’
ring their sittings.
Reduced Rates.
The Journal and .NLsscng jr is now offered t >|those
subscribers who pay strictly in advance at the low rate
of Two Dollars und Fifty cents. Present subscribers
who are in arrears, and who, prior to the let day o
January pay Five Dollars, will be entitled to the paper
for two years from the date of their subscription. J
Job Work, Ate.
Having on hand a large supply ol Job materia Is, we
are now prepared to do all kinds of Fancy and Job
printing, at prices exceedingly moderate and in a style
unsurpassed in the Southern country.
A communication respecting the South Wes- I
tern Railroad, and several other articles intended for
this days paper have been luid over to make room for
the Governor Message.
Rail Road Convention at Atlanta.
We have before noticed the projected Rail Road Con-,
vention at Atlanta, on the 23rd of the present month, !
and we presume its general objects arc ho well under
stood by our c tizens, that it would be unnecessary to
repeat them. From the notices wc see in the papeas
from the several adjoining States, they will no doubt
be represented.
As it is important that this City should be represented
therein, we would suggest, that a meettng of our citizens
t ike place on Saturday evening next, at the Council
Chamber,at 4 o’clock, for the purpose of appointing Del
egates.
New Rooks.
We have received from the Messrs. Harper the fol
lowing works, viz:
1. The Way Side Cross —a tale of the earliest war,
by Capt. Milnian, being number IOC of the library of
select novels.
2. The Buys’ Autumn Hook —a mum of admirable
sketches descriptive of the season, scenery, rural life
and country ainusements, illustrated with some thirty
six engravings. This is a most agreeable book tor boys
and one which will be read with profit as well as pleas
ure.
3. Life of Henry IV. King of France and Navarre,
by G. P. R. James, —to be completed in four parts.—
This work is upon the plan of the “History of Charle
magne” and “Chivalry and the Crusaders,” by the same
writer, and all who have read these volumes will be
prepared to appreciate the merits of the present book.
These works may be found at Mr. Boardman’s.
Dedication.
The new Methodist Episcopal Church in Vinevi lie .will
be dedicated on next Sabbath ; services to commence
at half past ten o’clock A. M. and will'be continued in
in the afternoon at 3 o’clock at the church in the city.—
The Rev. J. E. Evans will officiate on both occasions.
EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
MILLEDGEVILLE, Nov. Ist, 1847.
Gentlemen :—Both branches of the General Assem
bly of Georgia have to-day beeu organized. Andrew
J. Miller, Esq., ol Richmond, was chosen President,
and William 11. Crawford, of Sumter, Secretary of
the Senate; Charles J. Jenkins,ol Richmond, Speak
er, and Allen F. Owen, of Talbot, Clerk of the House
of Representatives. A'our readers will be struck with
the fact, that both of the Presiding officers art* from the
name county. lam pleased to state, that neither of the
gentlemen was a candidate for the station, and that the
compliment was one paid alike to their ability/dmpar
tiality, and conceded integrity as gentlemen and Whigs.
They are both men of ability, and received their full
party vote. The subordinate officers have not yet been
chosen ; but this will be attended to in the course of the
afternoon. The scramble over, the “ law-makers” w ill
probably go seriously to work.
Governor Craw ford’s message will be delivered to
morrow at eleven o’clock. Os course its purport is not
known. It is barely possible, however, that I may be
enabled to send a copy of it to you in time fer publica
tion in the Journal Is Messenger of Wednesday.
The number of office seekers here is unusually great,
and their zeal is generally inversely in proportion to the
importance of the station to which they aspire. Os
■course, where men are scrambling after the spoils, there
are developed innumerable cases of “ bargain and safe.”
The friends of the candidates make merchandise of
votes, and the successful aspirant is often more remark
able for cunning, and for his shrewdness in making
combinations, than for liis capacity to till the station
which he has obtained.
Upon these points, however, I must not enlarge at
present, as your space will be occupied entirely by the
message, which, by the way, is not exactly a model of
brevity, though it will, of course, like every thing else
from the pen of its distinguished author, be found ex
ceedingly lucid and able.
Your readers will be pleased to learn, that the cir
cumstances which prevented Capt Seymoui from ac
cepting the Lieutenant Colency of the Infantry Bat
talion, no longer exist, that he lias accepted the office,
and poised through the capitol to-day on his way to
Mexico, where he is destined to win high distinction
for himself and the State.
Yours, Ate. C.
GRAND LODGE.
The Grand Lodge of Georgia convened in thin City,
on Tuesday the 26th ult., and continued m session for j
three days. There was a large attendance of Dele- j
gates,and many visiting brothers from various Lodges, j
jUn Thursday forenoon an Address was delivered nt the
Presbyterian Church, by Win. L. Mitchell, Esq. of
Athens, who supplied the place oIDrR II Arnold of Sa
vannah, who wait unable to attend. In the afternoon,
the Imse of a Monument to be erected to Dr. A. Baber,
former Grand Muster of the Grand Lodge, was laid
with the usual Masonic ceremonies. A large nnd beau
tiful monument lias since been erected upon it, the
workmanship of our fellow citizen, J. Artope, Esq., of
Georgia marble, which is very creditable to him, both
tor its design and execution.
Tiie several Grand Officers were ngain re-elected
without any change, viz.
WM. C. DAWSON,Grand Master.
JOHN HUNTER ) ,
AMOS BENTON, J D.iuty Grand
AUUU.HHI.-4 AI.DKN. )
TIUIMAS IXKWUI.U'.M.U. S.-n. War.len,
JOHN W KING, G. Junior Warden,
PETEK SOLOMON, G Tr usurer,
SI.VIKi ROSE. Secretary,
T. M. FURLOW, G. Sen’r Deacon,
R. T. TURNER, G. Junior Deanm,
A F HOLT, i
LEROY PATILLO, > G. Stewards,
WM F. BROOKS. )
Rev J. W TALLY, G. Chaplain,
L. DWELLE, G. Lecturer,
WM S ROCKWELL. (• Pursuivant,
A DELAI’ERRIE, G. Marshal,
A. P. 111JRR, electedG. Tyler.
Nomclhiutf about ftnienti Tnylor.
The following interesting narrative winch we copy
from the National Whig, was written by J. C. Brack,
enridge, in 1820,and is a worthy memorial of true great
ness :
“The memorable tlefence of Fort Harrison was in
‘•September, 1812. In October and November, Major
■ lay lor, in command of the Kentucky volunteers and
I accompanied by Gen. Hopkins, made two expiditions
I rato tin* Indian country; one ugainst tin* Ktcknpoo vil*
| iigi sonihe Illinois river, the other against the settle-
I mentff in the neighborhood of Tippecanoe. No gener
| ) engagement was fought, but they were alien led with
many har Llup* and privation* B
hblc benciit tth ■ termori*, ...
S.-vrrnl of ilin ciicmv's towns H
provisions w, r s .105.r0y,..,. Thi „ j H
Ftl'i'lljjlh ill; on oil i!,. in v. u|, aw . j ■
I Major T. was sppu.mel to K
, a -rv io.- in immmanml ||i m „ la ,
wilh in,lustiynndfcH!.vw„ l „ il “’ K
l.uxw.l I wnhnfoice oiKm.g H
t. rs ii:iii,si tli Mr.ftns.i,,,.*., ‘ h * K
cl too VV aluihli. ’IV town Waa r ‘! ‘ H
llKVtill4 XVith no supply ol
‘“•■"I ascxiKWcl dmiiK ii n . t ~“ H
vat ions. ‘ 0
“I” l'<- Fpringof 14| |h e w; , B ohl( V
totakfC iinminiilot i'n troo. )9 i n •’
mi.l was acliv.-ly .•ii,p|,. yi . > |on iu, f ’ H
It \\.!a til.’,; nsrortlUMi-il lliat i, ri ; ‘ H
111 I’lKirif tin Cl,i.-n, !m j Wfr . ‘ Sj
.Mississippi will, u-Kulm-s ami i„'/”
llownril was Itimislml with J" 1 ” •
p-ni;/. I ranjp'isun i akuut on,- i,...,tM
li. “in r,-aulars. to protoct tV
I'ois nml .Missouri, ml rostrum t|„, j,„ 1
various savayo trils-s. With th,.*,
h” “ail tupsotsrt th.- interior a-tth t]lll J’” 1 ’
I tachinr-nts to mvmle the Indian tejj 1 ll *R
llnA which nseemlnl the Mississippi u ,l’ ,’fl
l"i, was the most iuipo riant in il obje - ‘
! beneficial in its results.
“On thetftid August. 1814, Mttj H
tiers to take couiiuandof 320 nien
provided with boats and a few pieces
c-ii l the Mississippi, as high as tlw in,
i mouth of Rock river, to destroy the
lo disp.-rstr the Indians and, erect a
eligible site to command the river. ‘]' 1 j l 1 !W
! jects of tiie expedition were to restrain the nW
the establishment of a military post in th-h. !j
country, and to arrest the descent of the Brin ■
St. Louis. The general closes Ins ordets t„
man.i ng ollicer tlms-nshould tins comnnni J
| in affecting all the objects for which it is im , ■
hencticial consequences to our country wul !i
On the Other hand, should this movement b, J
with disaster, no longer can even a hope b. J
of the frontiers maintaining their ground 9
the officer who commands and those coim -9
him, the most flattering expectations may “j
Thus was the fate of the frontier a second
on the fortunes of the defender of Fort Harrison 1
“In pursuance ol his orders. Maj. Taylor nnJI
to the mouth of Rock river, against a rapid J
! and amid the dangers of a lurking enemy
j dred miles above the highest settlement orpo# 1
| Mississippi. Contrary to his expectationsandtbJ
the General, he found a detachment of Britt J
i well supplied with artilery, and an itnmen* ‘ I
j Indians in poss<*saion of the place. After J
with the Indians, and being sometime can n
the British without a possibility of retaminn
j with effect, he dropped down to the rapid
and having landed his forces, secured hiabo6uJ
| titied his.camp, and commenced a fort so 3.tinJ|
I eommaiid the Mississippi and tin* nioutii M
moine. r rhe * n*ct.oii of this force in the I.:e.
my and at so gn at a distance from the source .fl
I Iv. was attended with peculiar hazard,
credible privation and toil. But the judgmer I
ti*'ii, and >kill of the commander, seconded .
mating example, surmounted every oh^rane,
him i.. . •►mpteie tiis impel t,Tiit labor ati l ( 0
most sanguine expectations of his superior. ■
“The death of Gen. Howard in October,
Taylor to St Louis. In November lie
Cos!. Russell several hundred imies up the
set ure ;i small s.“ttteiiieiit on that nvr, ieft iut■
sed to liid.ati dt p:relations. l:i Lt et r
gain ordered to \nittiii.w io u.k> c ...i„,., w
tloops in Indiana, wiiere lie remained uniti
sionof peace. ‘ When we look back,”
biographer, “on the many important servicesr
by this officer to bis country during the late war,
wt* reti-ct oil the peeuliar perils and hardships ii wsM
those services must have perjietually exposed
, forming as he did, in one year, marches in the tcraß
ries of Indiana, Illinois and Missouri,
more than 3tKX) miles, and find no solitary insianetl
which the extent of Ins achievements did not ’*rtfl
the scanty measure of his means; we cannot r>*<c*
the expression of our regret at his detention
glorious fields of civilized combat, where his gnfl
might have home him to nobler enterprize, and hi
lor displayed itself on a more conspicuous theatre”
From the Leeds Mercury, Octi.
It is evident that great valor and enterprise, pwr#
ance military skill, must have been displayed oath
side of the United States army, who have penena
through a hostile territory to the capital defeated **
superior numbers, carried most formidable battena
and establirhed themselves in a position to comma
the city of Mexico. Whilst we cannot but deplore a
| the lad ness of their cause’ it must be admitted tin
tiie military conduct ofthe American officers, and z
bravery of their men may he compared with tiie
enients of the veteran troops of any European at'-
And especially when it is considered that the Grow*
! can levies are newly raised, and that their Genmli
, ha ve had comparatively little experience in war, we^l
prrli.-iul any military man ot candor would aw-rd ‘.^l
ih.* highest credit tor skill and daring courage, du'/ncH
tlie ti< U and in the attack of fortifications, ‘there can-H
not be a doubt that the military resourced of iheUmuiH
Sun s w ill have risen exceedingly in the opinion ot
world by the events of this war, not withstanding ■
unfounded and unjudicious ridicule winch several ot
daily papers throw on them. On the other s'd.* utfl
Mexicans have defended their country and their opuM
with valor and resolute perseverance. Several ot jh
eiigag’ lie l.ts have been obstinately con’ested.
interior in the quality of their material, as well siH
the physical energy and discipline ot their troop* nil
even more unaccustomed than their invaders lu wa/ H
they have given way before smaller numbers, buuttl
till the field ol conquest has been covered with tal
slum. Santa Anna has done wonders in collecting>nfl
after army, amidst so much political disorganiawi ■
and financial embarrassment; and he seems to hi* ■
accomplished all that could be accomplished with ® I
materials he |H>ssessed. The obstinacy ol the Mftt® I
have prolonged the war much beyond the exp ctsuoai ■
of the Government cf the United States, who wills! I
dearly in blood and treasure for whatever territory Hr! I
may obtain by this unjust invasion. I
From the Liverpool Journal, Oct. 2. I
The Caledonia has brought news of further trwopr I
to American arms. Two great battles hive been Mgtt I
and won under the very shadow of the city of Mrs*, I
the soldiers of the United States proving their Saxo® I
origin by emulating in the laud ol Montezuma theg°*T I
of the British soldier on the banks of the Sutlej. 1 I
we now consider certain; the interference of thebnt*
mh embassy leaves little doubt on this point *“ f
Ainericttiie desire only un opportunity of retiring how** 1
ably; the Mexicans would merit condemnationbf P**
listing uselessly in un unprofitable and hope lew
Whntevcr may be the po iev or justice ot the war,
American army claims our praise.
From “ the Talk on Change,” Liverpool Joum
October, *2 .. , , uT k.
The account of the buttles in Mexico happily l
ed tin* sad monotony of the week, and the talk *
the Yankees are lull of pluck : that they toufbt
that they have a right to be proud ol the victory.■“* ‘
we ought not to be ungry at it; that they ircoW
tlesh and blood ; that General Scott draws
from the liiindoi Cakes; that Major Reilly—oh * ‘
|is the O ?—needs no archeologist to name the hot* 1
his siren, and tint General Worth must, of courw. ■
son of a “ Britisher that the light was a loir 1
that the result will f>e peace*; tha tour prejudice ui I
nmtter—for we arc blessed with an amiable >W***vj I
[may mislead us; that all tilings lightly c4,wu ‘ I
their is nothing to excite regret in the piessnce • I
kres in M-x.co; that they wtll carry with d*'"’** 1 *’ I
turn there a higher civilization ; that they will °r I
the latent resources of the region, and create in * |
rrts of the kingdom a {mpulalioe to const>' e
manufactures.
Switzerland.
The affairs of tfwitzi rland.ns we Icsrn
accounts, are becoming more and more turcaiei
The Catholic Canton* art* arraying themselves
iiw Protestant Cantons. A private letter intne
.ton Times of the sth instant, (rum Berne,
meeting was held on th** sHhh of rtepiamber in
oik Canton of Hcliyts, at which eight to*®
capable ol bearing arms were prsaent, in wh*c > 1
resolved to resort to arms it necessary. ****
uionstrations were expected in oilier Cantons i
national militia of Friburg arc reported ,rt “ ‘. t
have cross-Hi the boundary of the Canton, •
volley of ball-cartridges against the Protests** 1 vl
of Abligen. Satisfaction hud been deinso §
authorities of Fnburg, and if not promptly ■ r L
civil war might imniedintrly follow Boston 1 *