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the mean of the length ami breadth in various place. . The re
sult, in round numbers, is ncarh as follows:
Connlies. A°- -Icees |
Richmond, ------ 10,000
Burke, ------- 16,000
(Offi-rivcn, ------ 21,000
---- 1-1,000
(51,000 |
Here are sixty one thousand acres of fertile land, most of
which is now entirely useless, and, in some places, w orse than
useless, ns it is a fruitful source of z/n/fornz, to which some of,
»>ur respectable citizens arc doomed every year to tall victims, j
which might be reclaimed by a spirit of enterprise to exuberant
.fields and healthy residences. On this soil, any article culti
vated in the Middle and Southern Slates will flourish in the
greatest luxuriance, such as corn, cotton, sugar cane, rice,
wheat, rye, barley, oats, beans, peas, &tc. W hen once it is se- |
cured from inundations by a permanent embankment, the I
farmer need apprehend no disappointment of an abundant crop
in whatever he may choose to cultivate. Nature Iris so blend
ed the difl’erent ingredients of the soil, imparting to it a sufli
cient absorbent principle, that vegetation will not be impeded
bv the longest droughts of our summers ; and in general,
it is sufficiently porous to admit a speedy drainage ol super- ;
litmus water from rains. I have probably stated sufficient on
this part of the subject of your letter ; at present 1 am con
fident of the great utility that will accrue to the counties on
the river, and, to the community at large, by the execution of
such an enterprise.
As to the practicability of the project, I believe there is but
one opinion on the subject among intelligent citizens of thei
dirt’. rent counties bordering the river, that a pt rmanent em
bankment can be constructed at comparatively tri fling expense. \
The swamps afford an abundance of cypress timber for piling
and other purposes ; and the blurt’s and many other places on !
the river afford an earth, the ingredients of which are so com
minuted that when dry and exposed to the air and sun be
come hard like stone and are not liable to disintegrate, or to
be washed away by transient floods.
Bv confining the waters, it will have a tendency to deepen
the channel of the river, by increasing their momentum, so that
in a short time the freshets w ill not rise so high as they do at
present, and many of the sand bars and otlu r obstructions !
will be removed and boat navigation much facilitated. ’I he
dii ection of the embankment should be free from sharp angles,
so ns to occasion the least possible resistance.
You do not, I presume, expect me, at this time, to treat fully
of the principles of embanking, as it would occupy too much
time and space. I shall, therefore, only state sufficient to ,
show the practicability of the enterprise and the facility with |
w hich materials for the purpose can be obtained ; 1 consider I
the greatest evil and difficulty to be apprehended in the con
struction of the embankment will be the quicksand, on which
the waters of the river and most of the alluvial deposite rest. It
will, therefore, require much labor and expense to secure the
foundation of the embankment to prevent the waters from wash
ing out the sand, and thus undermining the whole superstruc- j
tore. It is principally owing to this fact, and not to the fric
tion of water against the sides, that the banks are every year
filling down and the river forms new channels. In many parts ’
the sand is from 20 to 30 feet in thickness ; in such places,
piles, timber, and perhaps masonry will be necessary.
Particular attention must be given to this part of lite subject, ’
before embarking in the enterprize, otherwise the whole will i
prove a disappointment. Above Hcishman’s lake there w';!', i
I apprehend, be but little difficulty arising from quick
sand ; below this the difficulties increase, the substratum ol
sand becomes deeper, and the momentum of water increases 1
It is possible, however, to overcome al! these difficulties with i
proper mechanical skill, though not without incur;’, n g great
expense. Phis is an obstacle which the projectors seem to have
overlooked in their estimation ; perhaps, not aware of the na
ture ot the substratum. As you have requested my opinion of
the practicability of the project, I have thought it my duty to
state this difficulty, with a confidence, however, that it can and
will be overcome.
The small creeks and branches may all be turned into the !
back swamp, w hich is not so good a soil, and made to disem- !
bogue into the larger creeks, either by forming for themselves
a natural course, or else an artificial canal may run along the i
margin of the swamp, and thus afford a reservoir or drain for
the superfluous waters of the swamp and high lauds.
W here the foundation is sound and firm, and the bank can
be made at a proper season, when the river is low, the materials
may be obtained from the soil contiguous to the embankment, I
and may either be constructed with or without binders, ac- i
cording to the force of the current.
In conclusion, I see but one objection, the above, and that, I
believe, with proper mechanical science may be obviated. It
is an enterprize which demands the attention of political econo
mists throughout the State ; and 1 sincerely hope that you
w ill realize your most sanguine expectations, as the original
projector. If he who can make two blades of grass grow
where one grew before, deserves more honor than he who con
quers armies, surely you, sir, who, in the execution of this en
terprize, will cause four stalks of corn to grow where none did
or could grow before, are entitled to quadruple honors.
I have the honor to be,
Your obedient servant,
JOHN R. COTTING,
State Geologist, i
Edward J. Black, Scriven County.
Herewith, your Committee ask leave to introduce two Bills,
the one to incorporate the Savannah River Embankment
Company, and the other to loan to said company, the credit
♦d the State, upon certain terms therein stated, viz: “A Bill
to Loan the Credit of the State of Georgia.”
|
A BILL
7o be entitled, an Act, to sell and dispose of all the Stock, own
cd bp the State of Georgia, in the Bank of the State of
Georgia, the Planters' Bank of the State if Georgia, the
Bank of Augusta, and the Bank of Darien.
Section 1. Be. it enacted, by the Senate and House of
Representatives of the State of Georgia, in General Assembly
met, and it is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That
ail the Stock, owned by the State, in the Bank of the State of
Georgia, the Planters’ Bank of the State of Georgia, the Bank
of Augusta, and the Bank of Darien, shall be sold tinder the
following conditions and limitations:
One thousand shares of the Stock of the Bank of the State
of Georgia, shall be offeied for sale, in the city of Savannah,
on the first Monday in February next.
One thousand shares of the Stock of said Bank, shall be of
fered, for sale, in the city of Augusta, on the first Monday in
March next. '
One thousand shares of the Stock of said Bank, shall be of
fered for sale, at Macon, on the first Monday in April next.
One thousand shares of the Stock of said Bank, shall be of
fered for sale, at Athens, on the first Monday in May next.
One thousand shares of the Stock of said Bank, shall be of
fered for sale, at Milledgeville, on the first Monday in June
next.
One thousand shares, being the amount of Stock owned by
the State, in the Planters’ Bank of the State of Georgia, shall
be offered for sale, in the city of Savannah, on the first Mon
day in March next.
One thousand shares, being the amount of Stock owned by
the State of Georgia, in the Bank of Augusta, shall be offered
for sale, in the city of Augusta, on the second Monday in March
next.
One-fourth of the Stock, owned l*y the State of Georgia, in
tl»e Bank ot Darien, shall be offered for sale, at Darien, on the
fir.l Monday in September next.
One-fourth of said Stock, shall be offered for sale, at Mil
ledgeville, on the first Monday in July next.
One-fourth of said Stock, shall be offered for sale, at Macon,
on the first Monday in August next.
And the remaining fourth of said Stock, shall be offered for
sale, at Hawkinsville, or. the third Monday in August next.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted., by the authority afore
sail, That all the Stock directed to be sold, under the provi
sions of this Act, shall be sold for cash, and the money arising
from such sales, shall be turned over to the Central Bank, and
become a part of the Capital Stock thereof, and by the Direc
tors, to be loaned out to the people, at the rate of six per cent,
interest, under the rules ami regulations governing said Institu
tion; Provided, that no sale shall be made of said Stock, or
any part thereof, for less than a par value, that is to say, for
less than the price at which it was paid for by the State.
Sec. 3. And be it, further enacted, by the authority aft rc
said, That immediately after the passage of this Act, his Ex
cellency the Governor, shall appoint, one or more fit and pro
per agents to sell said Slock, ami shall require of him or them,
it bond or bomb, each, in the sum of two hundred thousand
' dollars, with good ami sulHcieut security, and they shall receive I
1 tor their services, one per centum, upon the amount of money >
received by him or them, alter the same shall have been paid ;
■ into the Central Bank, by order ol' the Governor, upon the
j Cashier of said Bank, provided, the payment or payments so
I made by him or them, shall be within the time hereinafter spe-
■ cified.
' Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, by the authority afore
i said, That it shall be the duty, of the agent or agents, appoint
ed to sell said Stock, to pay over the money, which may come
into their hands, from the proceeds of such sales, to the Cen
tral Bank, within ten days after receiving the same, and on
j failure so to do, shall be forthwith dismissed by the Governor,
and his, or their bonds, placed in suit, without delay.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, by the authority afore
said, That the Governor shall cause due ami proper notice to
be given of such sales, in such of’the Public Gazettes, as he may j
, deem proper, the expense of'which shall be paid out of the con-j
i tingeut fund.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted, by the authority afore-\
said, 'l l at the Stock aforesaid, shall be offered for sale, in j
lots ot' not less tlian one share, nor more than twenty-five, and {
the said agents, are hereby authorized, and it is made their duty i
to issue, to the purchasers of’said Stock, certificates in the name ;
; of the Staff', and that the sale and transfer of said Stock, to the
Central Bank, shall not be so construed, as to effect any change ;
or alterations ol the appropriations and distributions of the di- I
vidends arising from the same, for the support of Academies I
ami Free Schools.
St.t'. 7. And be it further enacted, by the authority afore-\
said, That all Law s and parts of Laws, militating against this !
Act, be, ami the same are hereby repealed.
A BILL
7o be entitled An Act, to alter and amend, the "3rd and Ith
Sections of (he is! Article of the Constitution of this State,
and to point out the mode of electing the Senate of Georgia,
i for the year 18.39.
Whereas, The 3rd Section of the Ist Article of the Con
. stitution, is in the following words : “ The Senate shall be
elected annually, on the 1.4 Monday in November, until such
day of election be altered by law ; and shall be composed of
one Member from each county, to be chosen by the electors
I thereof.”
And whereas, A part of the 7th Section of the Ist Article
is in the following words: “Each county, containing three
thousand persons, agreeably to the foregoing plan of enumera-
I lion, shall be entitled to two Members ; seven thousand to three i
Members, and twelve thousand to four Members; but each 1
county shall have, at least one, and not more than four, Mem
| bers.”
And whereas, From the great and rapid increase of popula ;
tion within this State, and from a full and fair expression of
public opinion upon the subject, it is manifestly clear, that a ■
large majority of the good people of this State, desire a reduc- '
' film of the number constituting their General Assembly, it be
ing at present composed of 268 Members; and must, after
! taking the Census, under the provisions of the Constitution, .
i for the year 1838, necessarily be increased to upwards of 300.
j For remedy whereof- —Be it enacted, by the Senale and House
; of Representatives, of the State of Georgia, in General Assem
bly met, and if is hereby enacted, by ihe authority of the same,
I hat so soon as this Act sh? t |j pass, according to the requisi
tions ot the Constitution, the following amendments shall
j be adopted, and become a part of the Constitution of this State,
ill lieu of the parts of the 3rd and 7th Sections of the Ist Arti
' cle aforesaid, to w it:
1 he Senate shall be clecled annually, on the Ist Monday in
I October, by the qualified electors in each county, and shall
consist of forty Members, (ami no more,) four of which, shall
I be elected in each of the teVvJudicial Circuits, as now laid out
and defined by the laws of this State, in the manner hereinafter
] pointed out by law.
The House of Representatives, shall consist of one hundred
] and sixty Members, (ami no more.) and shall be elected annu
i ally, o'i the Ist .Monday in Octooer, by the qualified electors
; in each county, according to the following apportionment, to
i wit: The fifteen counties having the greatest population, accor
: ding to the present plan of enumeration, shall each elect three
.Members; the forty counties having die next highest popu
lation, shall each elect two Members; the thirty-five remaining
! counties, shall each elect one Member. Prorided, That in
; case of the creation of any new counties, by the present, or anv
future Legislature, they shall be entitled to one Member, until
the next enumeration ; ami the reduction for that purpose, shall
be made from the list of the forty counties, having the least
population : so that nothing herein contained, shall be so con
strued as to prevent the fifteen counties having the greatest
i population, from electing each, three Members; or preventing
any county now in existence, or which may be hereafter crea
ted, from electing one Member, or increasing the whole number
i beyond 160. *
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That
on the Ist Monday in October, 1839, it shall be the duty of |
the qualified electors in each of the said ten Judicial Circuits,
to elect four Senators, to represent each of said Judicial Cir
! cuits, in the Legislature of 1839, (provided that no two of said |
Senators shall reside in any one county.) z\ml it shall be the
duty of' the managers of elections in the several counties, to
; certify, under their hands and seals, and transmit to his Excel-;
I lency the Governor, in the usual manner of making returns, a
j fair ami correct list of the number of votes received by each ;
! person voted for. But where more candidates than one shall
I present themselves, in any one county, at said election for Sen- ;
ators, the managers shall certify, only as to the candidate hav
ing the highest vote in that county, in their respective coun
ties, to represent said Judicial Circuit in the Senate of Georgia
for 1839. And it shall be the duty of his Excellency the Gov
, ernor, upon the receipt of the same, to consolidate the said sev- ■
i ernl rtturns for each Circuit, and declare the four persons;
having the highest number of votes in each Circuit, to be duly I
. elected : which said forty Senators, thus elected, shall constitute j
the Senate of Georgia, for 1839.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That
the Legislature of Georgia, when thus constituted, for the year
. 1839, shall proceed to lay out each of said Judicial Circuits |
into four. Senatorial Districts, having due regard to popula- j
tion, and compactness of form, and to prescribe the mode of j
holding elections in the same. But no county shall be divided, ;
in the formation of’said Senatorial Districts.
And. be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That 1
at each subsequent enumeration, under the provisions of the |
Constitution, it shall be the duty of the Legislature, to re
model each of said Senatorial Districts in the respective Judi-j
cial Circuits, according to the true intent and meaning of
: this Act.
And be it further enacted, by the authority aforesaid, That'
all laws, and parts of laws, militating against the true intent and
meaning of this Act, be. and the same are, hereby repealed.
A BILL
To be entitled, an Act to Restrain the Circulation of the Banks of
this State; to point out the manner and time of making their Re
turns; and to point out the manner of proceeding against such
Banks as shall violate the provisions of this Act.
De it enacted, by the Senate anti House of Representatives of
the State of Georgia, in General Assembly met, anil it is hereby
enacted by the authority of the, same, That from and after the first day
of February next, no Bank which has, during the present year,
forfeited its charter, by a suspension of specie payment, shall put,
or keep in circulation a greater amount of its own bills, than the
aggregate amount of specie in its vaults, and of capital actually
paid in, until such Bank shall fully resume specie payment.
Sr.c. 2. And be it further enacted, That in addition to the semi-an
nual returns now' required bv law, it shall be the duty of the Presi
dent and Cashier of each Ban!;, to transmit monthly Statements of
the condition of said Bank, to the Governor, .who shall cause the
same to be published for the information of the people.
Sr.c. 3. And be it further enacted, That in making up the monthly
statements of such Banks, it shall be the duty of the President and
Cashier, to state the amount of capital stock actually paidin—Bank
notes issued—on hand and in circulation—amount of deposites—
due to other Banks—surplus fund—the amount of specie actually
in their vaults—specie funds, and of what it consists—if deposited
in other Banks—in which; notes discounted—in what months due;
bills of exchange—in what months duo ; and what portions of said
bill-, of exchange or notes, are good, doubtful and bad.
•Sec. ). And be it further enacted, That said monthly statements,
when transmitted to his Excellency the Governor, shall be certified
by the affidavits of the President and Cashier; that the same are
true, to the best of their knowledge and belief.
Sec. 5. And be it further enacted, That for the more ready
transmission of the rcturiisof the several Banks, it shall and may
bo lawful for tho President ami Cashier of the different branch
Banks of this State, to make out and transmit to the Governor, the i
monllilystatements of such branches, under the same rules and re
strictions as are i.oirted out and imposed under this act for the pa
rent Banks.
Sec. 6. And be it further enacted. That, should any Bank or its
branches, refuse or fail to transmit w ithin thirty days after the com- j
mencemciit of each month, the statement of such Bank, t>s herein j
contemplated, it shall be the duty of the Governor, to give notice |
thereof, and to require all receivcis ofpnblic monies, as well as the
officers ot the Central Bank, not to receive the bills of said Bank
in payment of public dues, or in payment to the Central Bank,
unless satisfactory reasons shall be given for the delay of said
Bank, in making its returns as aforesaid, which being furnished, the
Governor shall cause said order to be rescinded.
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That the time appointed for
the Banks to commence their monthly statements, shall be the first
day ol February next, and shall be made the first day of each suc
ceeding month thereafter, until otherwise directed by a succeeding
Legislature.
Sr.c. 8. And be it further enacted, That if any Bank shall exceed
in itscirculation, the amount of specie in its vaults, and its capital
stock actually paid in, by live per cent., it shall and may be law
ful lor the holder ot its bills, upon payment being refused, to make
affidavit, stating the amount thereof, that he is the bona fide owner
ot the same, that he has presented them for payment to the Bank,
and that payment was refused, and that he has complied with the
reqisitions ot the law, in making such demand, before any Judge of
the Superior, or. Justice o! the Inferior Court, of the county in
which such Bank may be situated; and such Judge or Justice, shall
issue an order to the clerk of the Superior or Inferior Court,requiring
him to issue an execution forthwith, for the amount sworn to be
due, and ol which payment has been demanded, together with till
costs, tis in cases ot mortgages ot personal property—directed to the
sheriff or his deputy, which execution shall be levied upon any of the
property ot said Bank, and advertised for the space of sixty days,
previous to the day of sale.
Sec. 9. And be it further enacted, That said party affiant may
proceed by garnishment against the effects of said Bank, in the
hands of its delitors or officers, under the laws now in force, and no
order ot the directors, or stockholders, shall be operative, to remove
the effects of said Bank beyond the control of the Cashier.
Si.c. 10. And be. it. further enacted, That it shall and may be
lawful forthe said Bank, by its agent, to suspend all proceedings un
dersaid levy, by filing a:: affidavit, that said Bank has a legal or
equitable defence against the claim of the said affiant, and shall state
the same; and upon filing such affidavit, such execution shall be re
turned to the term ol the Court to which it is made returnable, next
following the filing of’said affidavit, and the Court shall cause an is
sue to be made up, involving such defence set up by the Bank, which
shall be tried at the first term of the Court; but if either party s all
not be ready, it may be continued as suits at common law tire now
continued: ami the right of appeal shall likewise be had to either
party dissatisfied with said verdict.
Sec. 11. AntZ be it further enacted, That the jury before whom
such issue shall be tried, shall be sworn, in addition to the oath usual
ly taken, to give to the plaintiff damages not ess than ten per cent:
Povided, they should be satisfied that the proceedings under the
execution had been stopt for delay only.
Sec. 12. And be, it further enacted, That the provisions of this
act shall continue, and be of force, until the Banks shall resume
specie payments, unless sooner repealed.
AN ACT
Entitled an Act to alter and amend An act entitled an Act to
authorize the construction of a Road communication from
he Tennessee river to the point on the southern-east bank
of the Chattahoochie river, most eligible for the running of
branch roads thence to Augusta, Madison, Milledgeville,
Forsyth, and Columbus, and to appropriate monies therefor:
passed on Ist December, 1836.
Whereas, the General Assembly of this State, did, by said
Act, provide by law for the survey and location of a Rail
Road, to be constructed as a State work, out of the funds ofjthe
State, from some point on the J cnr.essee line, commencing at
or near Rossville, tq a pohit on the Southern East bank of the
Chattahoochie river. And whereas, a survey and location of
sai;'i road has been made under the provisions of said Act, and it
is deemed expedient that a permanent provision shoud be made
for the successful and vigorous completion of the work.
Be it therefore enacted, by the Senate and House of Re
presentatives of the State of Georgia, in General Assembly nut,
and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same., That there
shall be constructed on the route surveyed and located under
the provisions of the act hereinbefore referred to, to the North-
Western boundary of this State, or to the Tennessee river, if
the right of way can be procured on terms that may be deemed
reasonable by the Governor of this State, and the Commission
ers hereinafter named.
Sec. 2. And be it further enacted, That for the general
superintendence of raid work, there shall be elected by the pre
sent session of the Legislature, three persons to act as commis
sioners, (one of whom shall be the President of the Board,) whose
duty it shall be, with the advice of the Engineer-in-chief, to
procure such officers and agents, and adopt such system, rules
ami regulations as may be deemed best conducive to insure the
immediate, vigorous and successful prosecution of such work,
and tend to economical expenditure and the establishment of a
strict accountability of the officers and agents employed, which
rides and regulations shall be published fur the iufurnnitiun of
al! concerned.
Sec. 3. And be it further enacted, That the said Board of
Commissioners shall have the right to purchase the right of
way from individuals through whose land the said road may
pass, and to purchase all materials,machinery,and implements
that may be deemed necessary by the Engineer in Chief; and
in case disagreement should arise between the Board of Com
missioners and any individual, in relation to the value of the
right of way, the Board may apply to a Magistrate and two
Freeholders of the comity where the land which is the subject
of disagreement is situated, tvbo shall estimate upon oath the
amount which should be paid by the Board of Commissioners:
Provided, That either party, dissatisfied with the award of the
Magistrate and Freeholders, may appeal to the next term of
the Superior Court of said county, to be determined by a spe
cial Jury at said term; and provided further, That said Arbitra
tors and Jury shall take into consideration thebenefit which has
accrued to the individual by the location of the road through
said lands.
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That it shall be the du
ty of the President of said Board, to make quarterly returns
to the Governor of this State, of the disbursements of the cur
rent quarter, accompanied by the necessary vouchers, the
amount of work finished during same period, and an accurate
statement of the condition and progress of the Road; which
returns shall be publisherl for the information ot the people.
Sr.c. 5. And be it further enacted, That the President of
said Board sh ill receive a salary of per annum ; and each
of said Commissioners shall receive the sum ot S per diem,
during the time he may be actually employed.
Sec. 6. And be it further <nactcd, That for the purpose of
procuring the necessary funds for the accomplishment ol said
work, the said Commissioners shall, conjointly with the Gover
nor of this State, from time to time, and in such sums as to
them may seem most expedient, sell or dispose ot stock to be
created on the credit of the State, bearing an interest ol not
more than per centum per annum ; scrip f«r which stock
shall be issued and signed by the Governor, and the President
for the time being of said Board of Commissioners ; and the
said stock shall not be redeemable in less lime than year
after it is issued ; and the interest thereon shall be paid from
the interest on the discounted paper held by the Central Bank
of this State.
Sec. 7. And be it further enacted, That all laws or parts
of law, militating against this act, be, and the same are, here
by repealed.
AN ACT
To alter the third, seventh and twelfth sections of the first arti
cles, and first and third section of the third article of the
Constitution of the State.
Whereas, a part of the third section of the first article of the
Constitution is in the following words, to wit. “The Senate
shall be elected annually.” A part of the seventh section of the
first article is in the following words: “The Representatives
shall be chosen annually.” And a part of the twelfth section
of the first article is in the following words: “ The meeting of
the General Assembly shall be annually.” And whereas, apart
of the third section of the third article is in the following words:
“There shall be a State’s Attorney and Solicitors appointed by
the Legislature and commissioned by the Governor, who shall
hold their office for the term of three years.” And whereas,
the before recited clauses require amendment.
Be it enacted, by the Senate and. House of Represen
tatives of the state of Georgia, in General Assembly met,
and, it, is hereby enacted, by the authority of the same, That so
soon as this act shall have passed, agreeable to the requisition
of the Constitution, the following shall be adopted in lieu of the
foregoing clauses in the before recited sections, to wit: In lieu
of the clause in the third section of the first article, the follow
ing, to wit: The Senate shall be elected biennially after the pas
sage of this act, the first election to take place on the first Mon
day in October in the year one thousand eight hundred and
forty-one. In lieu of the clause in the seventh section of the first
article, the following: The Representatives shall be elected bien
nially after the passage of this act, the first election to take place i
on the first Monday in October, in the year one thousand eight
hundred and forty-one. And in licit of the clause in the twelfth
section of the first article, the follow ing: The meeting of the
General Assembly shall be biennially, after the passage of this act,
on the first Monday in November. And in lieu of the clause
in the third section of the third article, the following, to wit:
'There shall be a State’s Attorney and Solicitors elected by the
Legislature, who shall hold their office for the term of four years.
Tiie provisions of this act not to go into effect until the year
one thousand eight hundred and forty-one.
jjim Y—f "IF> II 111 mBMSMMangTma
STATE RIGHTS and UNITED STATES RIGHTS..
J .
of SBvdott.
“The friends of the Union are our friends,and its enemies, our enemies.''
I 1 ?/ 1 .' C IY-fi H Otl t
THSTKS6>AV 7.
'rom our E.vtra of SaturdayA
GOOD NEWS FROM FLORIDA!!!!!!!
We announce, with unfeigned pleasure, the cheering intelli
gence, that the gallent band of Volunteers, from the mountain
region of Georgia, under the command of our distinguished
fellow citizen, Major General Charles 11. Nelson, has reached
the Territory of Florida, where they have been received with
acclamations, and mustered into the service of the UNITED
States.
The following letters, with which we have been politely fur
nished by Col. Crane, to whom they were addressed, will re
lieve the friends of the Volunteers from a state of great anxie
ty, while they reflect the highest credit upon General Nelson,
his troops, and the State of Georgia.
Where now is the Veto? Where is that “ voluntary associa
tion of men,” marching like a band of outlaws through the
country, without authority from the General, or State Govern
ments ?
Behold! they arc now, as we said they would be, received
with the highest approbation, into the service of the United
States. May God prosper them in their patriotic exertions to
relieve their brethren of Florida, from a savage foe ; and may
their return be not as they went, rebuked and scouted by the
Chief Magistrate of their State—but crowned with imperishable
laurels.
Head Quarters, 2d Reg. Ist Brig Geo. Mtd. Vols. (
Tallahassee, 26t'i November, 1837. )
Col. Stephen D. Crane—With pleasure I announce to you that my
command arrived at this place on yesterday evening, a few hours after
the Ist Regiment, and one day after eleven hundred Alabamians. Al
so. with exquisite pleasure, I tell you, to the mortification of our ene
mies, that our command is not only received, but kindly, by General
.Jessup. When Nelson reported his command to him. through Governor
Call, he hailed our anticipated approach with even shouts of joy.
Therefore, you can tell the Nullies who opposed us (death in the pot
to them—go thou sinking into oblivion with eagle’s flight.) We also
are now drawing from the General Quarter Master of the South, sub
sistence and forage, and not only that, but money to meet our demands.
Crane, you and your bold patriotic Philanthropist, have a name with
us, which will only <iie when the Georgia Soldier shall breathe his last
Tell Garmony and Pitman that peace be unto them in life, and al
so in death. Wc have many Nullifiers in our corps whose hands ate
against their old party. All right. Present my warmest esteem to Mc-
Callister, McDonald, &e. &c. Tell Strickland anil Landsdown to ho
nor I'orsyth as they have heretofore. We left this morning forVallou
sia, w here Jessup is now expecting daily to attack the Indians. We
shall he kept here during the whole of our enlistment (no doubt.) You
shall hear from me soon again. Our health is generally very good.
Arrived here without any difficulty, as if we had thousands. We will
get to Head Quarters in six days, lamina great hurry and much bu
siness on hand, yet 1 cannot do my feelings justice only by giving you a
line. lam your very obedient servant,
IRA R. FOSTER.
HEAD QUARTERS, Ist B> ■ignde, Geo. Volunteers, )
Camp 15ODO, tvov. 27111, T 537. y
Col. Crane,
“ Dear Sir, —Our acceptance into the sert ice, has been fully
as complimentary, ns we had a right to expect. I have taken
up the march, with orders to reach the scene of operations by
the nearest possible rout from Tallehassee, to the sources of
the St. John’s river, w here Major General Jesup is at this time
expected to be operating, I am one day’s march in advance of
Tallehasse, where my Quartermaster, Mr. Rogers, reached
me last night, with the unpleasant information, that he had re
ceived no funds in Georgia. I must regret the disappointment,
as I drew but §5,000 at Tallehassee, to pay such unexpected
incidental expenses, as our future march might require, before
we reach Head Quarters, and I am tl.ere.ore unable to remit
those demands, for subsistance and forage, which the citizens
have so liberally furnished my command to enable us to reach
Florida, before I reach Genl. Jesup, as I cannot return to Tal
lehassee, but I assure all, that in the shortest possible time,
they shall be paid.
With high respect, &c.
C. 11. NELSON, Brig. Gen. Geo. Vol.”
P. S. Since the above was in type, Mr. McAllister, of Chatham county, has recei
ved a letter from General Nelson, corroborating the above.
RECKLESS SLANDER.
Never was there a party in this country, driven so complete
ly to desperation by their own acts, as that now headed by
Governor Gilmer.
Their course in the Legislature upon the resolution requiring
the Governor to advance money to the Georgia Volunteers under
General Nelson, to sustain them on their march to Florida,
followed by his Excellency’s veto, has awakened a feeling
among the people, which cannot be repressed; and which will
bear down all before it.
The presses of that party have labored to sustain the course
of the Governor by all the sophistry and ingenuity in their pow
er, but have rested their hopes mainly upon the prophecy that they
would not be mustered into the service, and that, as Governor
Gilmer said, they would prove themselves to be an ‘'unauthor
ized association of men,” and their rejection and disappointment
would bring mortification and disgrace upon the Union party.
In the effervescence of their zeal to sustain Governor Gil
mer, they have paid very little respect to the feelings and char
acter of General Nelson and the Volunteers under his com
mand. This was to be expected, and as long as they wAre
not libelled as a mob of plunderers, we were content to let it
pass; but the foul charges pronounced against them in the -dit
gusta- Chronicle and Sentinel of the 30th nit. deserves the se
verest reprehension of every Georgian. That print, in a labor
ed article defending the veto, pronounces the following gross
and malicious slander upon thirteen hundred of his patriotic fel
low citizens, who are now in the service of the United States,
and in full march to meet the public enemy.
Fellow citizens ! read it.
“But these ’troops have proceeded to Florida, and how?
Desolation marks their path— the locusts of Egypt, they
literally devour the substance of the country through which they
pass. They purchase the corn, fodder and provisions of the
unsuspecting farmers on their route, am! after having secured
it, tell them that they are soldier.; of the government, and that
they, the farmers, must get their money when the government
chooses to pay it; and giving them a sort of certificate or ac
count of what they have purchased, sometimes signed by some
self-constituted Quarter-Master, and sometimes with no signa
ture at ail, they go ofi'leaving /z’m plundered victims of their ne
cessities to get pay for their subsistence, when, where, and how
they can. Thus they march on, an unorganized and uncon
trolled mob ; CONST ERNATION precedes them ; riot and
confusion accompany them; desolation to the farmer follows their
footsteps. Never before has such an army, under such circum
stances and sustained by such means, been marched through
our peaceful country —an army unordcred, uncalled for, unde
sired, unoffeered, unorganized, unarmed, unpaid, UNPROVI
DED for, and UNFED except upon what their necessities
wring from the hard earnings of the peaceful people through
wliGse imfoi tunate neighborhood tl'.cy pass. If the farmer rc--
fhses Io si'll to them, they stop his expostulations by telling them
that they must :md will purchase ! He has no optfon —no choice
but to acquic.-ee in the bargain they < boose to make, and ac
cept the pay they choose to pi'offcr.
Who have they MOBBED, and who have they PLUN
DERED ? Tc t the Chronicle Sc Sentinel remember that the
character of :>, large section ofthc’State isinvolved in his sweep
ing denunciation, an I that Western Georgia will hold him to-
Ihe proof-—that the men whom he has thus outraged, have left
father;-, ami br-;ih< rs, and friends behind, who will vindicate
their cause.
A few months ago, and the same paper was denouncing Go
vernor Schley for refusing to pay the accounts of Volunteers,
no matter how extravagant. He was held as their enemy, and
Governor Gilmer, as the “ soldier’s friend.” Now a Volun
teer is too mean and degraded to cat the bread of the State,
ami is spurned by Governor Gilmer as unworthy of his conn--
tenance.
But to show more fully the malignity of me writer, we
quote another short sentence from the same paper, in which he‘
broadly charges the volunteers with dividing the money among
themselves, had the resolution been signed by the Governor:'
indeed if his charges ami insinuations be true, they are no bet
ter than a band of ruffians, robbers, and swindlers-—and this is
the brand which the Chronicle would stamp, upon a patriotic
brigade ol his own fellow citizens, embodyingas much of char
acter lor gallantry, honesty, and love of country, as can be found
among any equal number of men who have ever served their
State.
His allusion to Mr. Van Buren is not worth notice —and in
reply, we remark, that our men were mustered jnto
service, before Mr. Van Buren could have more than heard of
Governor Gilmer’s “ VETO.”
“ Will they be accepted when they get to Florida? Perhaps
they may—perhaps not. General Jesup may, out of compas
sion, accept them —he is under no obligation to do so ! As it
has been made a party question in the Legislature, Mr. Van
Buren may order General Jesup to receive them for the pur
pose of saving his party here ; but the possibility that they may
be mustered into service, affords no ground of justification for
the legislature in voting the appropriation.—Suppose the mo
ney had been appropriated and paid to them the very day it
was asked for ; that would have placed them under no obliga
tion to have gone a step further, and being raised under no le
gal- authority, and subject to no previous orders, then/ could have
divided the money among themselves and gone back home laugh
ing at the stupidity of our very wise and glory stricken Legisla
ture
ANOTHER VETO.
Governor Gilt'i r has vetoed the Resolution which passed last
week, authorising the Directors of the Central Bank to borrow
one hundred ami fifty thousand dollars, to enable them to com
plete the distribution to all the Counties. By this measure of
His Excellency, twenty-one Counties are excluded from the
benefits which have been extended to the balance.
We learn that the Directors, with a laudable desire to carry
out the distribution, had made arrangements to obtain the mo
ney—the peoples notes had been placed in Bank, examined and
passed upon by the board, —the Legislature had passed the
resolution—when down comes the veto, and leaves those twen
ty-one counties to shift for themselves.
We have not seen tiie veto message, hut have understood that
the Governor considers tiie resolution unconstitutional ; but
we shall see it, and speak of it as we think.
What will he veto next ? Not, we presume, the Bill which
appropriates to him, a salary of four THOUSAND DOLLARS
a year.—More anon.
The Recorder says the veto, (meaning the first veto, for they
are becoming so common that we find it necessary to number
them) is approved by both parties.
This assertion sounds very much like “a big word off of a
weak stomach”
DR. POWELL’S SPEECH.
We are very much gratified in being able to |.» v before our
readers, to-day the following remarks of the Hou. Senator from
Talbott, Doctor N. B. Powell, upon the resolution requir
ing the Gove’- :or to draw upon the contingent fund for thirty
thousand dollars, to defray the expenses of Gen. Nelson’s Bri
gade, on their march for Florida.
He has handled the subject with skill and ability, and his
speech n il! be read with peculiar interest by every citizen who
entertains a proper feeling for those who voluntarily step
forth in defence of their country.
Mr- Pres’dent: 'I he resolution upon your table simply proposes to au
thorise bis Excellency the Governor, to draw upon the contingent fund
for a sufficient sum of money to enable Gen. Charles 11. Nelson to
transport his troops to Florida, to aid in conquering that ruthless foe,
which has caused the suffering inhabitants to bleed from every pore.
In obedience to a call of Gen. Jesup, through Gov. Call of’Florida.
Gen. Nelson, with a patiic.tism and zeal worthy of all praise, succeed
ed in raising twelve hundred artd eighty mounted volunteers, to repair
immediately to th;: scene of war. With a spirit of zeal and chivalry
worthy of immortal praise, they left their delightful mountain region,
their homes and their all- —not even wailing the arrival of the U. S.
Quartermaster, whom they daily expected, and who was to afford the
necessary aid to speed them on their march. They reach your capitol;
destitute and suffering, disappointed in not meeting the U. S. officer,
as anticipated, to afford them succor and relief, they call on your Ex
ecutive. lie turns a deaf car to theii complaints; hence the applica
tion now made to the Legislature in their behalf The opponents of the
resolution have surely adopted a strange course, and to my mind, a very
inconsistent one. I shall not, Mr. President, detain the Senate by at
tempting a reply to their various arguments. Gentlemen first contend
that these troops weie not called into service by die authority of the
United States, and if we pass the resolution on your table, making the
appropriation. Georgia will pocket the loss ; the general government
will never refund the money; and they portray in most eloquent terms,
the embarrassed condition of our Treasury, and seek to alarm our fears
by referring to the condition of the Central Bank, around which they
endeavor to cast a darkshadc—an institution known to be the sound
est in the world; trading upon a capita] of two millions, without ever
having sustained any loss of consequence. The next position assumed
by gentlemen is the unconstitutionality of appropriating money by reso
lution. Most untenable ground! Is it not known, Mr. President, that
the sum of fifty thousand dollars was set apart, as a contingent fund to
meet such emergencies, by' the last Legislature, upon which his excel
lency, the Governor, had the right to draw his warrant? Such, Sir,
has ever been the practice of the Government. Is it not known to the
older members of this honorable body, that the contingent fund has ever
been used by the Executive to meet extraordinary cases, involving the
interest of the people? Who does not recollect the catastrophe of Savan
nah in 1820, when hundreds were reduced by rhe conflagration of that
city to wretchedness and misery? What, sir, was the course of the Go
vernor of Georgia, at that time? Bid he hesitate about his cuty? No,
sir; he promptly issued his warrant, drawing upon the contingent fund'
for ten thousand dollars, to relieve the sufferings of a portion of the
people of Georgia. Gentlemen noticing able to force the friends of the
resolution to abandon it, now turn round and offer an amendment, pro
posing the sum required as a donation to Ne£wn and his men. I trust,
Mr. President, that I have as much charity for my political opponents,-
as others, and feel unwilling to charge home upon them inconsistency.
Yet. sir, what was the language of those who now propose this dona
tion? A short time since, we were told our monetary affairs were in a
desperate condition: our Treasury bankrupt, and the Central Bank
broke. The friends of the resolution don’t ask for a donation: they ask
in the name of a brave and distinguished officer, and his chivalrous
band, that assistance which their present wants demand, to alleviate
their present sufferings; and shall it be told, that temporary relief will"
lie withheld by the Executive and Legislature of Georgia? a relief that
might be instantly afforded by the passage of the resolution on your ta
ble; for so soon as the General Government is made your debtor, the
brokers and bank men would most willingly make the advance, and
look to the General Government, whose funds ate worth a premium of
five per cent in this market. Strange things occur in modern poli
tics. Not many weeks ago, the late Governor of Georgia was most
wantonly assailed by the opposition presses, for refusing to pay the most
unreasonable and absurd claims; such as breast pins, thirty dollar coats.
Champaign ' wine, Bologne, sausage, Hyson tea, &<•.; indeed, the
whole burden of thsir song was the cruel treatment of the Governor
towards the poor soldiers. They were all benevolence and sympathy;
but now, sir, when asked to feed the hungry soldier, upon vender hill,
they have no tear of sympathy to shed; they talk of the constitution;
they tell vou these men have liceti deluded by Nelson, and must bo
sent back home. Admitting, sir. that these men may not be wanting
in !' lorida. mid that .they ate deluded; yet, sir. thev have volunteered
their services, to fight the battles of th-ir common ceimfrv. and I would
respond lothcircall. mid afford them aid, if it took the' last dollar in
your coffers.
MR. WATSON’S REMARKS,
On a resolution au'h >rizing the Directors of the Central Dinkto borrow
«ilti().ot)l>, for the purpose of carrying out the county distributions:
I he question before the House for consideration, is one that cannot
and ought not to be allied to feelings of any sort, save only such as
k to the interests of the great body of the people. I look rpon. it,