Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

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 *