Newspaper Page Text
By LOMAX & ELLIS]
Volume XVII.
HAMILTON & PLANE,
Attorneys and Counsellors at Low,
OO jUMBUS, ga.
rpHB above firm have renewed their Copartnership, and
I will devote the most assiduous attention to the pro
in the counties ol Muscogee, Harris, Talbot and
Chattahoochee, in this State,and in Rimell county, Ala.
Office, front room over E Barnard’s Store
January 28,1857. w&twtf.
wan*
TilK IIALLOTYPE PICTURES!
A. 3. RIDDLE,
U ,\S purc-LasC'.* of . rturnev, of New York, the exclusive
;! riK-’t’ ‘ j'Loik Ual’otvpe Pictures, which is a little ahead
di, yttaii-i “i uie way of Picture taking the world lias ever
i:- : ■•> ; l>ii::rt) which they cun be compared in the
,rt ,f p*i-uraphy, but bear a strong resemblance to wax
jjurc*-, :■’C ••ndb auiy ol light and shade. Ladies
lid are :tivi;e-dto call and examine epecirnens.
“ 11tlsts wise uesire to b urn this new and beautitul art, and
ro rights t ; other counties will please cation A. J RU>-
J-.iuiiibus G* July9s-
Kl.\ .k M>i£&EßY,
fAKK-IIOUSK & COMMISSION
MERCHANTS.
COLUMBUS, GA.
BFAK.TICUI.AK attention given to the storage
and selling o I Cotton Liberal advances made
Ragging and Rope supplied at the lowesi market
prices. July 17—wtwly.
j. W KING, B. A S ‘RSBV.
AUCTION & COMMISSION
BUSINESS
NEW FIRM.
riiHEundersigned would mtorii. their friends ai.dt e public,
1 that they have associated u.emsclve* t< geiht- ULdei the
name and style of
HARRIS CM & PITT-',
at the old stand Nos :V.laull West side Hroad Street, u.r
the purpose of transact) i g the
Anstion- Commission, and Negro Business,
and solicit their patronage. All business commit td totbeir
carewiline promptly and tatlhtul > attended to. They will
give their personal attention i*> the sale of Real Labile, Ne
groes, -i/erchiiioliseand Frounce. Laving houses fitted up
exprs-iy (or the purpose. i.ey nre prepared to board, to pur
cliaseau l sell Negroes • n Con.mission.
Liberal advance** will be in Me as usual, on Negroes and
Merchandize.
Administrators and K x ecu 1.-rs’ sales attended to unreason
able term*.
yf Fr >m 50 to *0 Ll K •’ (. Y N KG tt(J OES o t all classes will
b< kept constantly on h: nd.
HAS. F. HARRISON;
GKo. GE l. PIT IS.
Colum bus. July 23,1£57. July 2?.—w twtf
notice r io^muri-.Hs._
GOODS shipped from .Middle and East Tennessee and
North Alabama and rherokee Georgia. to *'o)umbua,
must be distinctly marked ‘■‘via West Point anil
Opelika ” W.T. WILSON, Agent,
Atlanta U La Or an ace R. R. Atlanta, Ga
December 3, l£s6—w&tw v.
A Medicine that never Debilitates!
DR. SANDFORD’S
INVIGORATOB,
Oil LIVER REMEDY,
H \8 ail tne good qualities of a Purgative medicine, an
.-wering the purposes o any utoartic without the de
bilitatiiig rfects expr rience ‘ trout ni<*st purgatives, it acts
slowly aud gently, but surely, lulling the bowels to carry off
all the secre ed mat'd, a; the same time stimulating the J.iv
cr tea proper performance o its junctions.
Theinr;g>r t >r cures Sick Headache. Takeoneortwotea
spouns ul at e tch attack aud it will soon disappear. For an
overloaded stomach, or when food e •* . or sours, take the
Invgorator after eutiug, and it wii a throve disagreeable or 1
oppressive. Far Heartburn, Palp-uiricu. or Difficult Breath
ing, take a teaepooniul onceor • * * daily. For Loss of Ap
petite, Languor or Listlessnes.-. U*o modicine is invaluable.—
It ■. it! restore the appetite a <i u.ake the food digest well.
Nightmare, take aspoontVs *o: retiring, and th*. demons
ofdrca n u i will ail be ‘ain**?. After eating a hearty diu
ner, take u and *' • • nvigoratur and it will relieve aii oppres
eion orfulloeMt. she In vigor* tor is a lively remedy of une
qualled virtue,acMn? directly on that organ, cnrii g Byspep* j
sis, Jaundice, diiiious At;..u*. :s. Dysentery, Piles, W orms, aud i
all Female Obstructions, for which it has no equal.
We know there Is nothin sr now before the American pub- i
lic,preparid with such skill by a sci. utific man particularly j
for diseases of the Liver,as Dr. Satilos d’s Invigora'or, or Liv- i
er Reinedv. It has attained a reputation second L.nooth- i
er article iu the world, amply b> cause it rests upon Us own
merit To convince ail by trial that it s all its proprietors
claim it to be, it ny o <ur readers:>re sutferina: from such
diseases as are described • n D-\ .-sn.ord’s advertisement, wo
know of no remedy that w>* so surely cure them as the In
vigorator
There has lately been rought o our notice a medicine that
s eras t p.>sse-s wonderful, curative and healing properties
ii diseases o tho l.iv<*r 9'<>mach and Digestive Organs, it
came to us with so may teuinou . .s in its l'avor that wo
Lave noted its * fleet* in some of the worstcases of continual
cruse ! i.-y deranged Liver, and in every instance the
effect.t*> r*-.Meve'r give ape inuneot cure. Dr. Santord’s
nivigorato'-or ivoi botuedy is what we refer to. We ai
wavsh ive b en crediihms nh'-ut cures .by t>alem medicines
but wt ur< c oiviucoc! that this medicine, for familv use,is not
ovcr-r;:ted r>y the host of recommendations it has. Our advice
isthat .til troubled with indiu'Oßiion, Docility or Bowel umi
plaints t* g a bottle and try it; our word for it, relief .will
be experienced,
I lkssings to the Invlu>s who use Dr, Sanford’s in- !
vig >rator, for it will relieve thm of loeir pains as soon as il
is taken iuio their stomach. P **o and misery cannot exist
wlierethe Invigorator is used,for 5 i will as surely drive them
away, as day light wi II banish darLoess, of this there can be
no doubt to those who try it, for it carries conviction wiih
every dose taken. Another evidence is the thmis nds o
certificates from those who use it or have, been cured by it
Dy one bottle, if it does not benefit, then we are mistaken.
SANFORD & CO. Proprietors, 345 {Broadway, New York.
81 by Pemberton, Nuckolls &- Cos. and by Danforlb Ac
“age olii m b iis Sept.ti—wfeiwltm.
1000 ACKES OF
Flint River Lands, for Sale.
THE undersigned “being desirous of winding up
jggatfceir business} offer for sale, on any time to suit pur-1
a vali’ able settlement of
One Thousand Acres of Laud,
lying on the West side of the Flint River, ten miles north of
Oglethorpe, and ten miles south of Reynolds. Two hundred
acres of this settlement is number one pine land, the balance
<BOO acres) entirely swamp. The swamp iand is less liable to
beinnuundated by ihe River than any lands on said River
in Macon county, and will doubtless make from fit) to
bushels of corn per acre, and from 1500 to 2000 lbs of cotton.
There are S< acres oi pine land, and !sof Swamp cleared and
in a state of cultivation. Water, health and society cannot
be excel led in South Westerr Georgia. Apply to
COOK & MONT FORT,
July! I— w&twtf. _ at Oglethorpe, na.
GREAT ATTRACTION !
Bargains ! Bargrins ! Bargains !
SUSS. BSSSMI,
WISHES to inform her friends, and the public
generally of Columbus and the vicinity, that she
is now offering lor sale a complete assortment ol
GOODS, consisting in part of —
NEAPOLITA N BON NETS, from S2 00 to $2.50.
MISS E S GIPSIES $1 00
BLOG M EK S , from 87ic to $1.25.
Handsome Cause R J B B O N S, 25c per Yard.
And a large lot ol Swiss Trimmings at 20c per yard.—
Call and see Cheap for < ash
July 23, 1857. w&twtf.
PLANTEHS’ WARE-HOUSK.
THE undersigned have this day purchased ihe
Warehouse property of BTBW A RT, f*R A Y te
Hfl4iand will continue the business (so ably and satfelac
tori I y conducted by them) under the firm and style of
DILLARD, POWELL CO.
ln soliciting a continuance of the pat lib
■rally extended to our predecessors. e taae oeca
ton v> aay that no labor wiilbe rpared by us to sub
serve the iniere.t of our customers and friends.and we sna.i
at all times be prepared to extend them usual facilities
F. W. DILLARD,
R.H. POWBLI.,
N. I. SOOTT,
ADDIS. IN FRAZIER.
WESLEY WILLIAMS.
Columbus,lnly Ist, 1857.
The above will Inform the public that we have sold our
Warehouse propert"io .Messrs Dillard,Powell StCo.-audwe
takeareat pleasure in recommendma them ns every way
worthy ol public patronage, and solicit a continuance ol the
P&tronaae of our former customers and triend for the present
concern. STEWART, GRAY & CO.
July H—w&lwtf.
GEORGIA— Randolph County:
I'WO months after date application will be made to the
- Honorable Court of Ordinary of Stewart county lor
leave to sell the Land and Negroes belonging to ihe es
tate ol Eleazer Smith, laie of said county, deceased
Nov. 3, 1857. E. C. EGLINGTON, Adm’r.
GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT, 1
Mills dgeville, Ga., v
November sih, 1857. \
Fellow-Citizens of
The Sen ile and House of Representatives :
I fe°l that it is not a mete matter of form,
that [ am required bt> the Constitution, n> ad
dress tovou this communication. Charged, as I
have been, for the last four years, with ihe ad
ministration of the State Government and the
execution of its laws, experience has taught me
the grave responsibility of the Executive office.
Familiar, as I have learned to be, with the con
dition, the resources, the wants and prospects
of the State, 1 trust I have some appreciation
ot the duties of the Legislature, and of the mo
mentous consequences that hang upon your
deliberations. You hold in vour hands the in
terests and weal of a great State ; great, in the
events which have signalized her past progress;
great, in her elements of tteillh and power;
gn at, in the growing civilization, which her in
telligence and enterprise have achieve ’ ; and
greater still, in the proud destiny that awaits her,
if we prove true to ourselves arid the mission
committed to us. Inspired with the spirit of pa
triotism, may wisdom guide your deliberations,
and the accomplishment of “the greatest good
to ihe greatest mini -er” crown o’i v or actions.
You have but littir- to do with ihe past, save to
scrutinize the conduct of tour public servants,
and hold them to a strict account for their stew
ardsuip. It is your delicate tasb t i !..ok to the
future, mhl provide for the wan's ami circutn
staiices which it mat develops it is rny prov
ince to aid you, by such reflections and su ges
tions, as my favoiabie position !br observation,
may enable me to commend to your . onsidera
tion.
The service naturally arranges i'self into two
general divisions. You must have correct in
formation of the real condition •>: ;he Common
wealth ; you ought to have proper conceptions
of i>- wants. To the best of my humble ability,
I will address myself to these v objects, as
succinctly as possible.
I herewith transmit the Report ofil.e Finance
Committee, appointed by the Executive, under
legal authority, from which you will learn the fi
nancial operations of the government, for the
year 1856, together with the condition, at the
time of their investigation, of the Treasury, the
Penitentiary, the Western & Atlantic Railroad,
the Lunatic Asylum, the Asylum for the Deaf
and Dumb, and the Georgia Academy for the
Blind. I also transmit the Report of the Treas
urer, tor the financial years of 1856 and 1857,
from which it appears that h • avai'ab e balance,
on the 20th ult., was $53,717 66. All the lia
bilities of the State have been promptly met.—
At the dose of the last fiscal year, the putdic
debt was $2,632,722 22. The Bonds issued
under the act of December, 1845, to extend the
Western & Atlantic Raiirer.n, (in amount
$125 500 00,) have all been redeemed—slo6,-
000 00 since the Inst session of the General As
sembly—by funds remitted to the Treasury, by
the Road, under the sth Section of the act of
12th of January, 1852. I suggest the impor
tance of reinstating the sinking fund of $75,000,
as provided for by the act of February 11th,
1851, to beset apart annually for the reduction
of the Public Debt.
By reference lo the Report of the Comptroller
General, herewith transmitted, you will rind sev
eral amendments recommended to be made to
the Tax Laws, to which, without agon enumera
ting them, I invite your special attention. Many
of them are sugg sted hv experience, and are
necessary for the collection of all the revenue
under existing law ; others by the principles of
justice, applicable to the subjects to which they
relate. Appended to the Report of this officer,
in conformity to Executive instruction, you will
find schedules ol all the Taxable property, as
returned bv the several Receivers of Returns
for the present year. These tables are very in
teresting and important ; showing ihe prosperi
ty aud increasing wealth of the State, and fur—
riis ‘es asafe guide to the General Assernb y, in i
their efforts to equalize the burden of Taxation j
upon her citizens. You will discover the great
disparity, in value, which is affixed to t he sev
eral species of property, in the several counties,
by the Taxpayers. Some rate their negroes at
SIOO less than others, and their lands, lying ad
jacent, and in the same counties, at a far lower
figure than their neighbors. It would be vteil to
enquire into the expediency of fixing by law, at
each session of the Legislature, the average val
ue of slaves, for the ensuing year, with the view
of uniformity in the tribute which slave owners
are required to pay to support the government.
It is well known tfiat large bodies of lands ate i
owned in South-Western and Cherokee Georgia,
by individuals who have granted them, for a
nominal sum, under our reverting laws. In
making their returns to the Receivers, in many
instances, they value them at only, or a little
more than, the cost of the Grant Fees ; w hereas,
those same persons would not sell their lands
thus held, for ten, twenty or fifty times that
sum. It would be proper, if practicable, to pass
some law, by which such lands should be assess
ed according to their re and value. Indeed, from
an examination of the tables under considera
tion, it is obvious, that many persons have re
turned the whole of their lands and negroes at
valuations notoriously too low, compared with
the prices for which such property readily sells
at public sales. I submit, whether it would not
be proper and just, in all such cases, to make
p.ovisions for assessors to be appointed, at the
instance of the Receivers, to appraise property,
when thus returned, at an estimate known to be
less than the average market price of such
property. That taxes should be equal, and
every citizen bear his proper and just proportion j
of the burden of government, is of vast impor
tance. 1 throw out these suggestions, with the
view of eliciting such action as will secure that
object.
In the midst of prosperity and remunerating
prices for the products of Agriculture, our Banks
alive generally suspended specie payments, re
sulting in panic, broken confidence, and general
stagnation in commerce. As the session of the
General Assembly was so near at hand, and the
suspension seemed to be necessary, as a meas
ure of self-defence against the heavy drafts up
on their coin, to supply the demand for specie,
at the North, I thought it prudent to withhold
any action against them, as required bv law, un
til the Legislature, in its wisdom, should have
an opportunity of deliberating upon t..e matter,
and directing what course ought to be pursued
towards them. I therefore submit this whole
subject io your consideration ; and to enable
you to act advisedly, l hi revyiih transmit to you,
copies of the late returns of tee various banks
of Georo-a, exhibiting their condition, made in
pursuance of Executive proclamation. It is
gratifying that these statements afford evidence
of their solvency. Will you legalize their sus
pension and fix a day, in the future, when they
shall resume specie payments? Asa general
rule.it is safest to meddle as little as
with the currency of the country. The laws ot
trade regulate it best. Hence, in view of the
crisis that is upon us, complicated as it is, with
the interests of Agriculture and the price of its
productions, it would seem to be wise to toler
ate ‘he suspension, in refi-.ence to ail those in
stitutions, which, upon examination, shall prove
to be sound and solvent. It is not only legiti
mate, but the duty of the Legislature, to inves
tigate thoroughly the condition ot the Banks ,
to institute a diligent enquiry into their mode of
business,and, by the use ot ad the
powers —even to sending for persons and papers
which may be necessary, to ascertain wheth
er tliev have confined their operations strictly
within their appropriate spheres, or whether
thev have embarked in speculations, by placing
their funds in New York, to shave Southern pa
per, at a heavy discount, or in any other manner
departed from the objects contemplated by their
Charters. It is due to the country, that a lull
exposition be made; it is the only manner in
THE INI O N Ol THE STATES AND THE SOVEREIGNTY OF THE STATES.”
COLUMBUS, GEORGIA, TUESDAY MORNING, NOVEMBER 10. 1857.
which the public can be protected. If such
abuses shall be detected, let the Legislature, in
granting them tolerance in their present pre
dicament, put then upon terms which will pre
vprit their recurrence for the future.
I submit the annual Reports of the Superinten
dent of the Western a id At antic R Road for the
years 1856 and 1857. They exhibit this great
State work to be in a prosperous condition, and
just upon the eve of realizing the expectations it
which it O'iginated. They leave me but little to
add, to enabl ■ you to understand its operations
and judge oft he fidelity of its management. Its
gross earning f'-orn the 30th September, 1853, to
the 30th of September, 1857, which covers tita
four years of mv administration, have been
$3,052,260,82. The working expenses of the
Road, for the same period, have been $1,329,-
411.51 and th- net earnings $1,722,849.31. —
How has this l.rge amount of net profis been
dispo-ed of? it been squandered or ap
plied to necessary expenditures? Th-se; are
questions which should be answered to the sat
isfaction of the people, and when thus answered,
the senseless daiii'-r which is raised against tire
management of the Road, tor mere decency’s
sake, ought io cease. Then see how toe ac
count stands.
Net earning for 4 years. $1,722,849,31
Net earnings wen- disposed ‘fas
follows, :o-wit, for 1854 :
Paid State Treasurer. $50,000,0(1
Interest, on Bonds, 11,906.90
“ f-.r ‘ew iuc'nmo'i■.’.-, 2i.211,*65
“ “ “ (kns. 68,580,57
*• “ “ Buildings, 102,727,70
“ Construction new
Track and Iron, and
RislltofWav, 80.606,21
Far 1855.
Paid State Treasure r, 100 000,00
“• Interest on B inds, 15,536,30
“ lor new locomotives, 20,053,50
“ “ “ Cars, 44,14181
•• “ “ Depot Budd
ings, 13,290,09
“ fur Constructs n.
Right of Way Iron
and New Track, 236,025,53
For 1856.
“ State Treasury, 43,500,00
“ Interest on Bonds, 9145.00
“ for new locomotives, 92,183.48
“ “ “ Cars, 112,082,05
“ “ “ Depot Build
ings, 42,988,90
“ for Construction,
Iron Rails, and New
Track, 122,880,04
*• for expenses incur
red previous to Jan.
1854, Term, claims, 67,981.21
For 1857.
“ State Treasurer, 100.000,00
“ interest on Bonds, 7,265,65
“ tor new Engines, 107,752.72
“ il “ Cars, 97,852,16
“ “ “ Depotßuild
ings, 52,062,96
“ for Construction,
Iron Rails, and
New Track, 100,047,9151,722,849.31
Whether these expenditures were proper, is
left for lair minded men to determine. They,
at least seem suited lo the enterprise, and can
not be considered unreasonable, when it is re
collected, that the Road is not even yet completed
and thoroughly equipped tor the annually in
creasing business, it is compelled to accommo
date. At aii events, it will scarcely be asserted
by any, having a due regard to veracity, that
the money has been either stolen or wasted.—
But these heavy expenditures will not be re
quired, hereafter. The time has come for the
patience of the friends of the Road to have its
reward. I fully concur with the Superintendent,
that, henceforth, under proper management, it
will pay into Ihe Slate Treasury $350,000, an
nually.
It may be suggested, however, that the mis
management is not in the app ication of the net
earnings, bul in the expenses of maintaining and
working the Road. Let us see how the Stale
Road compares, in this respect, with other
Roads in the State—what proportion the current
expenses bear to the gross earnings. The gross
earnings of the Georgia Rail Road, for the last
four years, were $4,016,346,14; the expenses for
working and maintaining, ii tor the same period,
were $1,848,617,02, or about 45 per rent. The
gross earnings of the Macon and Western
Road, for'he four years, from December, 1852,
to December, 1856, were $1,290,445,00 and
the working expenses fur tile same period,
$469,340,00, or 50 1-3 per cent. The gross
earnings of the Central Rail Road, including
the line from Gordon to Eatonton, from De
cember Ist, 1853, t ■ December Ist, 1856 and the
line from Millen to Augusta, on the Ist. of Jan.,
1856, were $4,697,269,68 ; and the current ex
penses, for the same period, were $2,219,043,17,
or 4“i per cent. These are c-mtesseiily the best
managed Company Roads in Georgia. But the
Western and Atlantic Rail Read compares favo
rably with them, in reference to the point under
consideration. Its gross earnings, tor the last
four years, are $3,052,260,82, gaud its working
expenses, tor tiie san e period, $1,329,411.51,
or a little less than 43£ per cent. It would seem
that the country might afford to be satisfied, it
the State Road'be managed as cheaply as those
of private Companies. Certainly the fact is
worthy of consideration, when its administra
tion is branded with corruption and mismanage
ment.
The Atlantic and Gulf Rad Road Company,
chartered by the last Legislature, has been duly
organized. Th*- Board of Commissioners, desig
nated in the Charter met in Mdiedgeville, on
the 31st of March 1856, and made the necessary
arrangemen s for opening nooks o! subscription
for siock at MiHedeeville, and sundry other
points in the State. On he 22d day of October,
1856, six of the said Commissioners submitted
to me a list of subscribers, showing subscrip
tions to the amount of six hundred thousand
dollars, and the amount subscribed by each, at
tested by their affidavit, that the subscribers so
repor ed, will be fully able to pay up the sums
subscribed bv them and ibat the subscriptions
were bona file. Whereupon, on the 26th of
October, 1856, by virtue of the 2d section of the
Act of Incorporation, I subscribed for stock, to
the extent 0f5500,000 00 inthe narneofthe State
ofGeorgia, and caused the subscription list to be
deposited in the office of ihe Comptroller Gen
eral. On the same day, the sum of 1,100,000 00,
being subscribed, 1 issued an order, as directed
by the third section ot the Act of Incorporation,
for .in election of nine Directors, to be held in
Miliedgeville, on the 4th day of December, 1856,
under the superintendance of the Commission
ers. They met accordingly and elected James
R Scriven, Wrn. B Hodgson, J. Stoddard, Hi
ram Roberts, W. H. Long, Clias. J. Munneriyn,
J. R. Stapler, A. T. Mclntyre and E.R. Young
ns a Boa-d of Directors, who elected James P.
Scriven their President.
To enable the Legislature to understand clear
ly the condition of this important enterprise, in
which ’he State has liberally embarked, by sub
scribing for one million of its stock, I herewiih
transmit a communication from Jas. P. Scriven
its President, with the accompanying documents
to which he refers. The fifth section of the act
of incorporation provides that “no payment shall
be made by the State until the ‘Savannah, Al
bany and Gulf Rail Road Company’ and the
‘Brunswick and Florida R. Road Company’shall
have relinquished any right which either of said
Companies have or claim to iiaveto interfere with
the location of said Road, on account of any
privileges granted in the charter of either of
them.” Such relinquishments have not been
executed and therefore the enterprise cannot
move forward. ‘The documents referred to con
tain the fruitless negotiations, between the par
ties in interest, touching the relinquishment re
quired ; and by careful examination, you will be
enabled to determine who, if any one, is n blame
for their failure. The intention of Georgia is de
clared m t ie Charter to be “to provide a uirin
trunk across her territory,connec ing the Atlan
tic with the Gulf of Mexico.” The object is
worthy of a great State, aud so important to her
southern section, that I trust it mat not be de
feated,and h.t.inyour wisdom, von will take
such further action in the premises, wilt se
cure its accomplishment.
On the subject of State aid to works ot In
ternal improvement, Ihave nothing to add to
what I said in my last biennial message. In
tew words, my view ot sound and sate poli
cy, confirmed by mature reflection, is this:
Georgia occupies the gap between the
southern spur of the Alleghany mountains
and the Atlantic. At an imtoen.se cost,
she has constructed the Western and At
lantic Railroad, which taps the great west,
at Chattanooga; affords transportation tor
its products to the sea board, and teeds
the various roads which connect with its
southern terminus, at Atlanta. In char er
ing new rail roads, the Legislature should
never losi sight ot the Policy of protect
ing her State Road from ruinous competi
tion ; she should be careful not to cripple
the efficiency of company roads, which
have been buiit by private capital;sh” should
preserve th-: svmetry of our system ot Inter
nal Improvements, so that, in its further de
velopment and growth to maturity, it shal!,
as a primary object, promote her own wealth
and the prosperity of her towns and sea
ports. Augusta, Savannah and Brunswick,
are the three points ot commerce, at which
the productions of our agriculture, must find
their market and their door of exit to the
marts of the world. The perfection ot our
Internal Improvement -ystem, as well as
the interests of agriculture, requires that
each of these commercial points shall be
connected, as directly as possible, with each
section of the State, so that all our people
may enjoy'a choice of markets for the sale
of their produce. The State may aid inthe
construction of lines of road projected, in
reference to such connections, upon guar
anties of security, that prevent the possibil
ity of ultimate loss. Beyond this, she ought \
not to go. As to the mode in which she should !
extend her aid, I prefer the loan of her cred
it, tor a given amount, per mile, to a sub
scription tor stock. By the former method,
she can secure herself by statutory lien upon
the road and its appurtenaces; whereas, by
the latter, sheinustrely upon thesuccessand
profits ot the enterprise. In chartering the
Atlantic and Gulf RoatJ, the last Legislature
seemed to favor the policy of taking stock,
in aid of that work, f sanctioned the bill, 1
not that I approved ot that feature, but be- i
cause it fell so clearly within the principle 1
ot the policy, in relerence to State aid, i
which 1 advocate, and the road itselt is of i
such immediate and paramount necessity
to the southern portion of Georgia, that I
deemed it better to yield my scruples on
that score, than to detent Ihe noble enter
prise.
1 refer you to the report ot ihe Principal
Keeper, tor information, as to the condition
of the Penitentiary. Since ihe first ot Jan
uary last, the cash system has teen rigidly
enforced, with results that luliy justify it. I
renew the recom nendatiou to enlarge and
repair thoroughly the buildings, or remove
the Institution to some other point, at which
material can be purchased cheaper and the
convicts worked more profitably. In its
present condition, it ts disreputable to the
State, unsafe and insecure as a place of im
prisonment, aud utterly incapable of being
made to answer the purpose for which it was
designed.
I submit the biennial report ot the Trustees,
Superintendent arid Resident Physician of
the Lunatic Asylum. That institution is
among the most important enterprises in
which the State has ever embarked : an hon
or to her philanthropy and liberality. The
energy,zeal and adaptedness ot the Resident
Physician to the duties ol his post entitle
him to the warmest commendation and con
fidence. As an act of mere justice his sala
ry should be increased.
The extension of the building is proges
sing rapidly to completion. I transmit the
report ot the building commissioners, show
ing their disbursements ot the appropriation
made by the last Legislature. Upon exam
ination, you will find, that the amount will
not. be sufficient to pay the contractors. —
The deficit will he SII,OOO. I recommend
an immediate appropriation of that sum, in
order to prevent delay, loss to the contrac
tors and serious detriment to the interest of
the State.
This amount will complete the edifice ; but ad
ditional appropriations will be necessary to fit it
up, for the use intended. It is constructed upon
the most approved plan, with all the fixtures and
apparatus which experience has demonstrated to be
best adapted to the accommodation of such inmates,
and in the end, most economical. The heating,
ventilating and cooking apparatus and washhouse,
will require $23,500. The Engine House, chim
ney, well, airducle, &c., will require $13,000
These fixtures are absolutely indispensable. The
Gas works, complete, for light ng the building will
require $4 600. To alter, improve, cover and
plaster with Mastic, the old to correspond with the
new building will require $7,500. The aggregate
of these appropriations will be but $48,600.
The report ot the Building Commissioners will
exhibit more fully these items and the reasons for
their necessity. I cannot doubt but the means
will be promptly supplied. The Legislature has
never disbursed money from the treasury which re
flects so much credit upon the State. It awakens
the pride of every liberal minded Georgian, and
what is better still, it gives a retreat of comfort lo
the poor victims of affliction who, by a mysterious
Providence, have been deprived of reason, and af
fords a hope of their restoration to their families and
to society.
In this connection, it is submitted, that a rea
sonable amount should be appropriated for the com
pensation of the Building Commissioners. They
have been engaged three years in this service;
their duties have been responsible and they have
performed them faithfully and economically.
The claims of the “Academy for the Blind” and
of the “Georgia Asylum lor the Deaf and Dumb”
will be laid before you by their respective reports
herewith submitted. I cordially commend these
benevolent Institutions to your fostering care.
Under the direction of the last General Assem
bly, providing for the survey of the < kelenokce
Swamp, and for other pur; uses, I appointed Rich
ard L. Hunter. Civil Engineer, lo perform the ser
vice required by that act. The undertaking was
arduous and hazardous, and has required his con
tinued labor from the 3d of December, 1856, to the
present time. Four months of the time were spent
in the work of actual survey. The expenses of the
survey, including cost of the scientific analysis of
specimens of soil, were $2,780 51, and paid out of
the Contingent Fund ; and he has received from
the same fund, in part payment for his services, the
sum of $479 49. I herewith transmit the report
of the Civil Engineer, and, looking to the hazard
the labor, the time consumed and the scientific skil
required, I express the opinion, that he should re,
ceive the additional sum of $3,500, as compensal
tion for his services.
The last General Assembly appropriated $7,500
for repairing the State House, and $5,000 for repair
ing the Executive Mansion. Finding these sums
wholly inadequate for the purpose designed and
that it would be almost lost to the State, without
the use ot a larger sum, I did not hesitate to draw
upon the Contingent Fund for the deficit. By so
doing, the repairs, as far as they go, are substantial,
and the Public Buildings are in fair condition.—
The aggregate sum appropriated was $12,500 ; the
amount expended is $15,394 81. The vouchers
for the various sums paid out, are filed in the Ex
eeutive office, subject to your inspection. It should
[,e observed, that a part of this expenditure is not
properly chargeable to repairs. In November, 1855,
the stables, carriage house, bathing room and
poultry house attached to the Mansion yard, were
consumed by fire. These had to be supplied by
new buildings, o that not more than $5,000 have
been expended, in repairs proper, to the Executive
dwelling. No appropriation will be required to pay
for the excess of cost <u repairs over and above the
appropriation. Considerable new furniture for the
Mansion, the Legr-lative Halls, and the several
Executive Departments was indispensable. This I
have purchased and you s( ould make an appropri
ation to pay the bill--. I have had the public
square graded and enclosed with a substantial new
fence. But the cost to the State is insignificant.
The Penitentiary being overcrowded with convicts,
who could not be profitably employed within its
walls, this portion of the work has been performed
by them. 1 trust il will meet the sanction of the
Legislature. The condition of the public buildings
is now such, that an annual appropriation of $250,
together with such work, as can be conveniently
and ne by the convicts, under the direction of the
Governor, will ; reserve them, in good keeping, for
an indefinite period. I recommend such an ap
propriation.
I renew the recommendation to remove the Ar
senal, and. upon proper compensation to iho re
spective denominations, the removal also of the
Churches from the public square. These struc
tures are real eyesores, and will always he an ob
stacle to its pe-nran-nt and tasti ful ornament.
You will learn by painful experience that the
Legislative Hails are too small for the comfortable
accommodation cf the Legislature. I renew the
recommendation to enlarge the State House, ac
cording to ihe p'an submitted, by Messrs. Sho'd &
Fay, to ihe iast General Assembly.
I recommend the repeal of the Act of March 4th,
1856, which requires the State Printer to report and
to furnish daily, to each Senator and Representa
tive, a report “f the proceedings ol the General
Assembly. That officer has made no preparation
to execute this service. He is entitled to a vote of
thanks for it. It will cost the Stale not less than
$60,000 ; an amount far beyond any benefit that
may accrue to the ; üblic interest.
The State. Library is gradually increasing in the
number and value of its collections, under the an
nual appropriations wisely set apart tor that pur
pose. 1 herewith transmit a catalogue of the books
it contains, and respectfully recommend an increase
of the salary of the Librarian.
The last General Assembly, by an Act approved
March 3d, 1856, authorized the Governor “to em
ploy a competent Surveyor, and have surveyed and
sold, a vacant square of land in the city of Colum
bus, as tire properly of the State ” James Hamilton,
Esq., was duly appointed to perform this service;
hut being enjoined by the Mayor and Council,
claiming it as the property of the city, I directed
him to obtain a continual ce of the cause until the
meeting of the Legislature, iri order that the title
might ie investigated, and, if possible, save the ex
pense of further litigation. I therefore invite your
attention to this subject.
ft is ascertained that the Great Seal of the State
has been counterfeited, .and that forged Grants of
lands in Georgia are extant, authenticated by such
seals. This, together with the fact that the Seal is
stamped upon wax and attached by tape to Grants
and other documents requiring such authentica
tion, is cumbersome and inconvenient and easily
imitated, suggests the propriety of dispensing with
tile wax ball, and so altering it lhat Ihe impression
inav be made on the paper.
I call special attention to the condition of the
Numerical Land Books, in the Executive Depart- j
incut. They are valuable to the State and indis
pensable for the investigation of titles. But they :
are in a statu of ruinous mutilation; the bindings
broken and many pages entirely worn out or lost,
so that they are incapable of being repaired. Sev
eral ot them have b, en copied in elegant style, and
when the work shall have been fully completed and
compared, under the superintendence of the Gov
ernor, 1 would recommend that he be authorized to
allow such compensation for them as he may con
sider adequate.
I would respectfully but earnestly impress upon
the Legislature the justice of increasing the sala
ries ot Judicial and Executive officers. They were
fixed at a time ot low prices. Now the expanses
of living are, at least, fifty per cent, greater than
they were then. The labors of these functionaries
arc onerous. They occupy their wnole time, and
lor their efficient performance, require experience
and cultivated mind. Is it right, that their com
pensation should afford but a meagre subsistence
b>r their families ! I hope I shall be pardoned for
relerring specially to the Governor’s salary. I can
speak of it from experience, and being about to re
tire, without the imputation of selfishness. I know
that, with the. utmost economy compatible with tol
erable gentility, he cannot spend less than $5,000
annually. Looking to the Judges’salaries ; what
a pittance is left, after defraying their travelling ex
penses 1 No wonder our public men, allured by
the attractions of Federal offices, turn away from
those of Ihe State. Is this just 1 Is it sound pol
icy 1 Is it reputable to the character of Georgia,
with a taxable wealth ol six hundred millions?—
Reflect upon the expenses of the Clerkships of the
two Houses of the Legislature. They swell to the
enormous sum of $35,000; equal to two-thirds of
your appropriations for the “Civil Estai tishment.”
A suitable and much needed retrenchment, in this
single item, would enable you to pay adequate sal
aries to your Judicial and Executive officers. 1
submit these suggestions to your enlightened sense
of justice.
In rny last biennial message, I called the atten
tion of the General Assembly to a proposition from
the Governor of FVrida, to suspend the suit in the
Supreme Court of the United States, in relation to
the boundary line between that Stale and this, with
the view of endeavoring to settle the controversy by
negotiation, and asked them “to adopt such meas
ures as would enable the negotiation to be entered
upon.” But the Legislature adjourned without
taking any action on the subject. I Iherefor felt
it my duty, knowing the friendly disposition of
Georgia towards Florida, to open a correspondence
with the Governor of the latter State, which result
ed in a proposition by Gov. Broome, “to adopt the
terminal points of the present recognized line as
the true terminal points of the boundary line, to be
resurveyed, corrected and marked, p ovided it is
shown by either party that the present line is in
correct.” I accepted the proposition in the follow
ing words : “Os course, my acceptance of your pro
position can have no force, until ratified by the
Legislature of Georgia. So far, however, as lam
authorized, 1 accept it. But I have uo power to ap
point a surveyor, nor appropriation to defray the
expense ol resurvey. But the Legislature of Geor
gia wili convene on the first of November, and I
will submit ihe whole subject, vvitli uui correspond
ence, and cheerfully recommend them to take such
action nsw ll enable n.y successor to bring the
matter n>a finai termination. I entertain no doubt
but the Legislature will promptly do so.” It is
proper to observe that the Governor of Florida, al
though content wilh its terminal points, is ot the
opinion that the present recognized line is imper
fectly suiveyedand marked and crooked, All that
his proposition contemplates, besides agreeing to
the terminal points, is that, that line shall be resur
veyed and re-marked, provided it shall be shown by
either parly that it is imperfect. If true, it is the
interest of both States that the line should be cor
rectly run and well defined ; and as Georgia is act
ing entirely on the delensive, not wishing to en
large her territory at the expense ot Florida, I
promptly accepted the proposed basis of settlement,
and respectfully submit the same for your favorable
consideration. It is but justice to say that through
out the entire correspondence the Governor of Flor
ida exhibited the most amicable spirit, and the ut
most respect for the feelings and rights of this
State—all of which was most cordially reciprocated
on iv part.
Without entering into the argument, I renew the
recommendation, tor a Geological survey of the
State, so imperatively demanded by its vast unde
veloped agricultural and mineral resources. The
expense of such a work is absolutely insignificant,
compared with its beneficial results. Will the Leg
islature continue to refuse encouragement for the
impioveraent of the soil? Shall we never see
the day, when science shall direct the enterprise
of the husbandman, and explore the treasures of
our mountains ?
The necessity of revising and amending the Mil
itia laws, so as to render them efficient, for the pur
pose designed, has so often been presented to the
General Assembly, without eliciting favorable ac
tion, that I feel as if I am obtruding upon voui con
sideration an unwelcome theme, by renewing the
subject. But such, in the judgment of the Execu
tive, is the magnitude and importance ot the ob
ject, that I venture again to invite special attention
to it. The military power is the right arm of the
government. We depend upon it, to enforce the
civil laws of the land, if resisted by numb, is suffi
cient to require its interposition, to crush insurrec
tion arid repel invasion. A standing army is re
pugnant to the character of our government, and
therefore a citizen soldiery is our only reliance, for
all the emergencies, which may call for the employ
ment of military force. Are our liberties worth
preserving ? Are our civil rights and institutions,
sufficiently valuable to be maintained and defend
ed ? Ours being the only government, on earth,
that recognises the equality and sovereignty of the
people, it is despised by despots, who watch with
hopeful anxiety, the opportunity for successful as
sault, and with evident gratification, every symp
tom of fatal civil discord. Can it be expected then,
that we aie to enjoy a perpetual reign of peace aud
that our career of greatness and renown will be un
impeded by the shock and calamities of war ? Our
territory stretches from the At’entic to the Pacific,
and from Lake Superior to the Gulf of Mexico.-
Our population is increasing with unexampled ra
pidity, our interests are diversified and conflicting ;
the social institutionsof the S uth differ from those
of the North and they are relentlessly assailed by
the Abolitionists, whose policy, if triumphant will
drive us from the Union, or to the more terrible
degradation of submission to their aggressions.
Shall we lie supinely upon our backs and “ hug the
delusive phautom” of peace and fraternity ? Shalt
we make no preparation, for self defence and seit
preservation, when every year brings nearer to our
doors the assassin and incendiary ? I am suffi
ciently hopeful of the future. I would not sketch
exaggerated pictures of our prospect. I would not
too readily anticipate the horrors of the storm and
the tempest. But if history be true, the past leads
us to expect difficulties and the voice of patriotism
and wisdom admonishes us to prepare for them.—
Even now our political horizon is draped in clouds
and the deep mutterings of discontent are heard,
from one extreme to the other of the Union. Soon
er than we suppose, we may lie forced to defend
our rights and honor by the courage of “our people
and strength of our arms. Are we ready ? On
the contrary, we have almost no organized milita
ry force. Our militia laws are disregarded
Scarcely a district in the State is properly officered.
Our people are unarmed and untaught in the art of
war. The effective military strength of the State
is not and cannot be ascertained, under existing
laws. I respectfully submit to the Legislature,
whether this state of things ought to be permitted
longer to exist? Is it compatible with the honor
and dignity of the State ? Is it not fearfully haz
ardous to our safety within and from without ? Is
it not, in truth, an invitation for aggression ? What
is the remedy ? We must have a thorough militia
organization, with such regulations, as will render
the system capable of enforcement. We must
have a sufficient number of men trained in military
tactics to officer the forces of the State. The Geor
gia Military Institute (whose report is herewith
submitted,) is rapidly supplying this desideratum,
and therefore, it should be fostered by the Legisla
ture with the utmost liberality. We ought to have
a well organized and drilled volunteer corps in ev
ery county in the State; and therefore the forma
tion of companies should be encouraged. ‘This
may be effectually done, by exempting from milita
ry du'y, except in time of war, invasion or insurrec
tion, ail between the ages of eighteen and forty
five years, who may have served, for seven years
continuously, in any company. The military spir
it should be fostered. This may be done by rais
ing and setting apart a fund to defray the expen
ses of an annual military encampment, at such time
an- place as the Commander-in-Chief may order.
Such convocation will give uniformity in drill, se
cure the enforcement of discipline, cultivate frater
nal feeling among the corps and in some degree,
inure them to the usages and hardships of the field.
Such a fund as may be required (or the purpose can
be raised, by substituting a small commutation tax
in lieu ol actual military duty, in time of peace, at
the option of the citizen. Our people, liable to
perform military service, ought to be furnished with
arms. It is vain to rely upon the pittance dolled
out, by the General Government, under the act of
Congress, for arming the Militia of the United
States. The supply from this source, is inadequate
to furnish even the few volunteer companies scat
tered over the State. Hence, the Legislature
should either make an annual appropriation lor this
purpose or establish an Armory, for the manufac
ture of arms. The latter, it is believed, will prove
the more efficient and in the end, the more econom
ical. I earnestly invoke your favorable considera
tion of this important branch of the public service.
It is needless to adduce argument, to convince
intelligent men of the educational wants of Geor
gia. It is demonstrated by the fact, that there are
many thousand adul's in our midst who can neither
read nor write, and as many poor children who must
be forever debarred the blessings of education, in
consequence of the poverty of their parents; by the
great deficiency of teachers to supply the demand in
almost every section of the State ; by the charac
ter of our political institutions, which are based up
on the assumed capacity of the people for self gov
ernment: by the fact that too many of our children
are sent to distant States for education, where they
are liable to imbibe doctrines hostile to cur peculiar
social organization, and are surrounded by influ
ences calculated to impart an antt-Southern tone
to their sentiments and feelings; by the crime that
burdens our criminal dockets, and levies its thou
sands of tribute upon the earnings of honest indus
try. to support paupers and prisons; by the violence
and corruption that desecrate tbe ballot-box, at all
our popular elections; by the exhaustion of the
soil, under a system of Agriculture that glories in
excluding the application of scientific principles.
I am aware, that education, to be effective, must
command the zeal and appreciative energies of the
parents of each succeeding generation. I am equal
ly aware,“that the establishment of any general
scheme, will require, in the end, a large expendi
ture of money. But, as it may not be accom
plished in a day or a year, so the entire amount
need not be appropria ed at once. It must be a
work of time, arid its fruits gathered through suc
cessive years of patience and toil. But shall this
be an argument for postponing indefinitely its com
mencement? Is it not rather an incentive to speedy
action, stimulated by the promptings of patriotism
and philanthropy ? But the obligation of the
Legislature rests upon special grounds. The Con
stitution is mandatory. Article IV. Sec. XIII. de
clares that “The arts and sciences shall be promo
ted, in the establishment of one or more seminaries
of learning, and the legislature shall as soon us
conveniently may be, give such furtl er donations
and privileges to those already established, as
may be necessary to secure tbe objects of their in
stitution ; and it shall be the duty of the General
Assembly, at their next session (that is the next
session alter tbe adoption of the Constitution) to
provide effectual means for the improvement and
permanent security of the funds ; nd endowments
of such institutions.” What has been done to
carry into effect this clause of your Constitution ?
How little ? It has reference mainly to the State
University, which had been chartered in 1785.
Hence, it is obvious, that it is the sworn duty of
the General Assembly, to place our State Universi
ty upon the footing contemplated by its wise and
patriotic founders, or, in other words, “give it such
donations and privileges as may be necessary to
secure the objects of its institution.” Indeed tbe
whole subject of education is confided to the Gen
eral Assembly, with the positive injunction to such
action as may be proper to supply the wants of the
State. The contracted policy which is ever stand
ing at the door of the Tieou y, with a flaming
two-edged sword, is but little better than moral
treason to the Constitution, which for more than
half a century, has been pleading for conformity
on the part of those who swear to obey. Education
is the friend of the State. It will elevate the peo
ple. It will diminish crime and the expense of ex
ecuting the laws. It will prize out the poor from
ai yth’ : .'.ai nr-'Mnq'rif
[TERMS, $2 00 IN ADVANCE
the mire into which innocent poverty has sunk them
and place them on an intellectual equality with the
favored sons of fortune. It will dig from the mine
many an unpolished gem, to glitter in the crown
of cultivated society. It will stimulate enterprise,
and direct its energies to profitable objects. It will
dignify labor, and open new channels for capital.
It will disinter the mineral wealth of the State,
and add millions to the productions of Agriculture.
It will bring into the field of science an array ot
mind that will adorn our escutcheon, and dazzle
the world by its achievements. In a word, Geor
gia must fail of her great mission, without the
adoption, of a wise and comprehensive educational
policy. Away, then, with that narrow stinginess
which begrudges a dollar to such a cause, while it
is often wasteful ot thousands, upon objects lhat
possess little or no merit. Go forward boldly, firmly,
liberally, to meet the wants of the State. Adjust
your scheme to the character of our population.
Apply to the task your wisest deliberations. Impart
to it the element of self-vindication and support.
Make it simple, in its details, and dependent, for
its success and growth upon the voluntary support
of the people.
Can sucli a system of Common School education be
devised? \\ hat has been accomplished in othei Slates,
can be done here. Upon jso delicate and difticuit a
subject, I present the outline ot a plan with diffidence.
But I make tne venture, tor wbat iris worih, hoping
that it may at least prove suggestive of something better.
1. Authorize each county,at ns option, to be divided
into Common Betiool Districts, ot such dimensions,
that children can walk from their several boundaries
to the school houses to be located in the centres.
2/ Let each District be clothed with the poer of
sell-taxatiou.and the appointment ot a Treasurer.
3. Let each District, by public meeting annually to
be held, declare what sum they are willing lo raise tor
Common purposes therein, to he collected by
taxation, as the State Tax is now collected by taw, and
to be paid over to the District Treasurer.
4. Upon the Report of the District ‘Treasurer to the
Executive, ol the amount actually collected, let the
Governor be authorized to draw his warrant ou the
State Treasury, tor a tike sum, to be paid to the said
Disiriet Treasurer, which, together with the money
thus collected by voluntary taxation, shall constitute a
Common School tuud tor such district, tor the year
tor which it may be intended.
5. Let the Common School District ‘Treasurer be
required to give bond and security, under the approval
ol the interior Court ot the county, tor the laithtui ap
plication ot the fund, and Io make annual returns lo
the Interior Court, on the first Monday in January, in
each year, accompanied with vouchers for his disburse
ments.
The advantages of this plan are palpable. First.it
is simple; secondly ii addresses itself to the voluntary
action ot the people ot each District- ll they wish a
school, they can have it; it they do not, it will not be
forced upon them. Thirdly, this appeal to the volun
tary principle, will begetthought and debate, so lhat,
it rejected at first, truth will finally prevail, and the
system be adopted. It will therefore prove to
be a growing, sell vindicating, self-sustaining system,
h ouitniy, it meets the objectiuu which is so formidable,
that in some sections the population is so sparse, that
the Common School system ie impracticable. It is
intended to operate only where there are inhabitants,
and even then, alone upon the condition, lhat they are
willing and ready to do their part towards it. Lastly,
the absence ot school privileges will no longer deter
immigration to destitute regions. This plan wit] invite
immigration, and thus soon till up the uninhabited Dis
tricts.
It may be thought that the adoption of such a system
will, at once, create a demand tor money which the
State Treasury canuol meet. ‘That it will require a
considerable sum ol money is obvious; but not so much
as to deter Irom the experiment. It will not he adopt
ted in every county in the State, at first—much lest by
every school district. Many will not have the popula
tion; many will reject it ior years, until tiiey have dis
cussed it thoroughly', and risen to tiie proper apprecia
tion ot education; many more,either Irom inability or
disinclination, will impose on themselves a very light
tax. 1 herefore the amount called ioi, trom Ihe State
i reasury, will, m the infancy ot the system, he com
paratively smalt. Besides, iu this particular torm, it
need not be perpetual. When it shall have diffused
population and the blessings ol education over the
State, it can be modified as experience may show to be
necessary. Jhe great desideratum, tor the present,is to
arouse our people to the importance of the subject
When tins shall have been accomplished, they will not
stop to weigh dollars and cents against education.
But this, nor any other system ol education, can be
carried into effect, without a vast increase ol the corps
ot teachers’, flow can the requisite number be suppli
ed? Ihe mode is simple, if the Legislature will re
spond to the promptings of a liberal spirit. We have
several denormnatioual Colleges in Georgia, founded
by private enterprise Why should not the Legislature
endow an Agricultural Professorship, in one ot each
denomination, upon ihe condition, lhat it will educate
gratuitously, a specified number ot youug men, in each
Congressional District, lo be selected as the Legislature
may direct, who snail pledge themselves to reach a
given number ot years, alter their graduation, m the
district from which they were selected? This will ra
pidly supply educated teachers, native born, and sympa
thising witli Southern interests and institutions.
As an additional means of obtaining native teachers,
lfct the State educate, at her own expense, in the fc>tate
University, one young man Irom each county ot the
State, to e chosen by the Interior Court thereof* and
to be pledged to teach a given number of years, in the
county Irom which he shall have been chosen. This
will very soon supply the deficiency, and render us iu
depei dent ol those itinerant adventurers irom other
States, who are too often hostile to our peculiar insti
tutions.
But our necessities do not stop here. We need a Uni
versity proper. Such, its founders designed our State
College to be; and the Constitution, as I have shown,
has made it obligatory on the General Assembly to
carry that design into effect- When young men have
whither can they resort, it they desire
to pursue a course ol study in the advanced sciences?
rinding no suitable institution, lor such purposes, at
home, they are compelled to go abroad or to abandon
their high aud laudable aspirations. The consequence
is, that most ot our educated men, greatly to the detri
ment ol the Commonwealth, plunge into politics, as the
only path to distinction, or permit their cultivated pow
ers to rust in inglorious ease.
That this, or some other scheme, for the object indi
cated, should be adopted is obvious to aii who reflect
upon the educational wants of the State. Indeed, past
attempts demonstrate the hold which the subject has up
on the public mind, It seems,however.that they have all
been baffled by the idea, that the pecuniary means can
not be furnished. But this dilhculty will vanish from
the mind, it the resources aud increasing wealth of the
Slate to be duly estimat and. Asa Georgian, lam proud
to believe, that she is able to accomplish whatever she
dare attempt, it the object be worthy ol her renown,
and within the competency ol patriotic energy and en
terprise.
Touching our Federal Relations, the Executive is in
possession of no information, that does not meet the
eye of every close observer of passing events. We
have no indication of any abatement of abolition hos
tility to the institution of Southern slavery. The signs
ol the times forebode the same excitement, for the fu
ture, which has disturbed ihe harmony of the Union,
lor the last twenty five years. Rewkoning Delaware,
which we may sate y do, as virtually a non-slave hold
ing State, the equilibiium between the .North and the
South, in the Senate of the United States, is already
permanently destroyed. This inequality will be rapidly
increased, by the accession of the many new States to
be formed in quick succession from the public domain.
What then is tbe future security of the South? It fe
scarcely to be hoped for, in the constitutional guaran
ties, which the South has a right to claim; for the free
soil sentiment, already in the ascendency, and totally
regardle-s ol the Constitutional obligations, will be
still more potent and maddened into more intolerable
insolence, by the consciousness of power- It is there
fore, a painful truth, that, in the present aspect of affairs
our surest ground of security, is to be found in a politi
cal organization, who, for the sake of the Union, will
respect our rights. Such an organization now exists. —
It is composed of the South and a large
portion ol the people of the North, who, whilst a ma
jority ol them differ trom us ou the abstract question of
slavery, yet co-operate with us iu maintaining our
rights. So long as it can preserve its a?cendancy, we
may expect security. But how tickle and unstable i such
a reliance! How humiliating, to feel that the Constitu
tion, in its purity, has ceased to be the bulwark of our
safety! It is hoping almost against hope to expect such
an organization to stand against the growing strength
ot Abolition fanaticism. Our friends in the non-slave
holding States are annually becoming weaker, and, in
View ol the large number ol non-slaveholding States
which must be carved out ol the Territories, they must
inevitably fall, at la.-t, and leave the South in a tninor
ty,to tight her own battles. Who can say how soon
these events may not be precipitated upon us? Fanati
cism, like the tides of the Ocean, never rests; but un
like the tides of the Ocean, it never ebbs. It will roll
onto triumph, unless it be baffled by a united South,
resolved to preserve her rights or diointhestruggle.—
such unanimity be encouraged and promoted. As
for Georgia, she has taken her position. We will
plead for the Constitution as long as there is hope; we
will co operate with our Northern friends as long as,
by such oaganization.. we can preserve our rights; we
will cling to the Union, as long as it shall
shelter us trom aggression. But if all these
!ail s and we be compelled to choose between dishonor,
and the alternative ol the Georgia Platiorm, we will
face the k rtortn, vGth the unflinching firmness of the
martyr’s courage
In closing this communication, and retiring from the
Executive office, I avail myself of the occasion to ex
press my unteigued gratitude for the confidence reposed
in me by the people of Georgia. That I may have
committed errors, I readily admit; but conscious of ha
ving endeavored to discharge my duties faithtully, I
cheerfully commit my administration to the verdict of
impartial history, and earnestly invoke Heaven’s rich
est blessings upon my native State*
HERSCHJEL V. JOHNSON
Number 44,