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Gently Charles disengaged her from _th* lifeless luiui. aud led tier away. Mary heard not Ins winspeied wordsol comiort — her wt*ic sister. In an rieg;»»»tly luruittied *•*>«*»l merit; in Wlntii every ibmg se^,,,c “ w " l ' i,M Urine beautiful, the *•«»*•« ol our sketch, wittitter h-sband, Charles Miluor. ArollDU were gaiiicie*! tier S'StetiS. Ti|»>n etch brow otic ought aimost trace : aa4 tarUrm-J— irm.thl be the memory < t the lair i totel. Mary hntl j*rst lititshed leading to them an exqusite Poem by a ladv ; and as she laid it Ttside, she asked the opinion ul h r *r husband. »Ji«*iHtuLt\< et > ■ tey beaniifnU’ w as his icply ; mi“ who wi'iivs so rxt|irrsltely, must he gifted with .lie m.bio.t ut human vir tue !’ •Von astouish me, 1 b-trle*. •And wii-y. dear Maiy ! •£jl|i! IS a -0111.111 Ol g'-Utlt-S. •Well. '• ary, one who,loirver reads the same page caj li ir dy reitrse to cotnmit it to memory! I have km It too long at t!ie same lair shrine t>» be unconverted still; ami you, have taught me, dearest, that a woman ut true gen.us can beau inestimable wife!’ A SKETCH FROM LIFE. An old.lellow. whose name we v and under th-tof Hunks died in Charlestown, New Hampshire, last week, who would have been a capital subject lor lhckens, and might have sat to Scott for 1 is inimitable character of Trapbois. in the Fortunes of Nigel, lie was a miserly, close-listed old hunks, a real skinflint, who.it was supposed by his neighbors, had -scraped together, as such oharacte, swill, inorie way and another, a considerable amount of money. Th's was not known, however. Some said that he had money concealed in the eartu; others iudged, from the slovenly manner in which tie lived and diessed, ’hat he had nothin'* but the few acres v hicb lie cultiv i •ru trtrc TTVe poorest, shutting his door u|#v , v , intruder, till at last death knocked, and he was omigeo io open.— During his sickness he was wont to sent! daily lor a small purse of silver and gold, hid in the wall of his cellar, which he would count over with that feeling ol painful delight which inhabits the bosom of the true miser alone. Disease, however, were down his frame rapidly, and at last he was “unequal to the task of going through his daily custom of counting the pieces in Ins purse, and could only, as they were displav • oil before him, pat them softly with ms hands, as a lady pais tier favorite dog on the back. Oae dp.y, during the last stages of his disease, he sent fur a neighbor, and expressed a wish to impart a secret to him: ‘Go down eelhi, (.aid lie,) and in the fur ther corner you will find .< tub ; raise it, and you will see a shingle, beneath which is a b>x.” The individual followed the directions, and found a box of specie.— “Now go to another corner,” said the nils er, desci king the place. Another box was found imbeded in the earth. A day or two after, when he found he must soon leave all his earthly treasures, lie desired to be raised up in his bed. His request was granted; when he immediately reached out his skinny hand beneath His pillow, and lo ! another box was found cunn ngly concealed, wirich it is-understood, he took from oneoi the hanks about the time of the suspension of specie payments. All these. buried treasures were given into the keeping of his neighbor for the benefit of others. He said there was one other box, but that he did noi like to tell where it was, as lie might want want it himsef. He however consented to write the place of interment on a piece ofpaper, so 'hat the secret m-ght not perish witli him. He died soon alter and his hidden treasures —no inconsiderable sum—were counted over a, the close of lire funeral ceremonies. Thus *iied, at an advanced nge, one whose only asparrtioo, through a loug life, seems to have been the Hoarding of s >ecie and burying it, where it could be of ns earthly benefit to ~ny one—a perfect miser—a lov er of money, not for the blessings which it might impart and diffuse around him. but for its own sake ; not for'the name ot pos sessing-it for He'leaned and was thought to be poor, but because the mere habit of acquisition had become a passion, ami the bare consciousness of possession was a pleasure, a phantom of delight, which h* could hug with rapture to his bosom. Well will it be for such if they have laid up treasures in heaven as weil as on earth.— lint we will not sermonize, the lesson con veyed by the sketch is left with the rea der..- Claremont (A. H ) Dagle. Fro/* the Arte York Dispatch. HELPIN'* OUT A LOVER. “Widower Smith’s waggon slopped one ’ morning before widow Jones’ door, and he gave the usual country signal that he wan ted son ebodv in the house, by dropping the reins, and setting double, with his elbows on his knees. Out tripped the widow, live ly as a cricket, with a tremendous black riband on her snow white cap. Good mor ning w.is soon said on both sides, add ihe widow wailed lor what was further to be said. “Well, Ma’am Jones, you don’t want to sell one of your cows, do you ?” “WtH, there, Mr. Smith, you could pot have spoken my mind, better. A poor, lone woman like me, does not know what to do with so many creatures, ami j should be glad to trade if we can fix it.” SO they adjourned to the meadow. Far mer Smith looked at Roan—then at the widow—at Briudle—then at tire widow • at the Downing cow—and at the widow VS&igTTWi & r sfS week, but farmer Smith could not’decide which cow he wauled. At length, on Sat urday, when widow Jones was in a hurry to get through her bt-lriqg for Sunday, and had -ever so much” to Ijo in the house, as ali farmers’ wives and w idows have on So*- uiday, she was a little impjtiput. Farmer Smith was as irresolute i*s ever. “That »-re Downing cow is a pretty fair -creature*—but—” pe flopped to glance at the widow s iace, •.-id then walked round her—lint the widow but ih' 1 cow. ‘\l hat. ere short horn Durham is not a - had looking lie w-t, bul l don. i know* I ——au other look -it the widow. “fee Pit* nitre cow J knew before t' ,late Mr. .£ as bought her ” Hc>- ne - sjche i al UwNiHpsi&n to rhe fate M* . ,ones she sighed, sod botffh pkbd at oth er,.. It was ahvgh l ? interesting moment. “Old Roan tea tawilfully old milch, and «o I-* Burwiie—but f have -known tr-tirr.” A long sure su«cee ( feif ibis ‘Speech* the pause « as getting awkward, and at last Mrs. Jones broke out— • - •. . -jord Mr. Smith, it i'mihe eow you want • 0o nay sir'.'" ••-».. •* W intention* of-tJie widower Shjitli and Jy.e.widow Jones-were- duly pablishftd the .next lay..as ,s the law and. the oustoVn in . M-aseachu« ? tts; and, as soon as they were -“out pubhxhrtj," they, were married. GOVE IS IVOR’S MESSAGE. EXECUTIVE PrteAhTMEIST. G A., ? Milledgcville. November 6th, 1839. J relloic Citizens of the Senate av df lon si of Representatives i Assembled together as ihe rulers of the ’people, to pass laws for ilieir govern item, it is an appropriate actofduiy to ac.knowl ed'-e our dependence upon the Sovereign Rider and Law giver of the universe, and to ask that he will so guide the public coun cils ns to secure the 1 appiness of the govern ed. ; ' In accordance with established usage, I proceed to give you an account of the course which has been pursued by the Executive, Department during the past year, in dis ■chnrging its various duties; and to recom mend to the Legislature the measures of public policy which experience, or reflection may suggest as best calculated to advance the public interest. \ The Milita of the State, under the com mand of Gen. Floyd, who were employed at the time of your last session in protecting the inhabitants of the counties adjoining Florida, coreeeded hy their constant ac t'-viiv and cm.rage in driving the Indians from the Okefanokee Swamp, and their other fastnesses, so effectually that the en d-tigered part of the country has remained insecurity ever-since. The act passed at yorir last session to provide for the payment of the Militia who were called into the service of the State during ihe year 1838, to repel the invasion l of the Indians from Florida, lias been car ried into execution by this Department, as fully as possible. The appropriation of fif ty thousand dollars proved insufficient to satisfy all the claims arising tinder it. The Companies of Lowndes county remain un paid, and the accounts for the supplies furnished all ilip Companies "do were in service ill that county. The report of Col. King, the Commissioner appointed.— under the act, will show the manner in which the appropriation has been expended, ■oid the mobable amount of Us d»fi« •«■—»• f regret to inform tTie Legislature that the Department has failed in its efforts to procure from the United States Government the repayment ofthe fifty thousand dollars which lias been thus advanced by the State, or the sum which is yet due to the militia for their services and expenditures. When the application was first made to the Sec retary of War. to pay the militia, the answer received was, tint the restrictive terms of the law then in force, making appropriations for the suppression of Indian hostilities, did not admit l Ihe payment of such troops, and that the authority lor that pur|>ose must be given by as| ecial act of Congress. The Pi -sident and Secretary of War failed however, to bring the subject to the view of Congress, at the opening of its session; and although it was afterwards brought before ■Congress by the delegation from this State, no such special act was passed : neither mas the general act making appropriations for the suppression cf Indian hos'ililies, so drawn up as to avoid the difficulty which had occurred under the previous law, nr to porvide in mv other niannei for making the required payments. That this State has just reason tb complain of this conduct ofthe authorities of the United States, is evident from the facts, that before the State ordered any troops into its service, Gen. .Tesup. then commanding in Florida, was informed ofthe danger which threaten ed the inhabitants ofthe counties adjoining that Territory : That he promised to afford them protection: That when the Indians entered the Okefanokee Swamp, soon there after. in sufficient force to endanger the whole of the neighboring population, no means had been provided by Gen. Jesup, or any ot'ier officer ofthe United Sta'es, to re pc I tliem: That the emergency rendered it Midispensible that the militia of the State should be called ou! for that purpose : That information of ihe invasion of the SState Wy the Indians from Florida-’was immediately communicated officially to the President of ofthe United States, Sccrt-nry of War,and to Gen. Taylor, (who had a short time be toro succeeded to Gen. Jesup’s command, in Florida,) with a pressing call for assist ance and protectien: That no greater force was called out by the authorities of the State than the extent ol the danger required, nor retained in service longer than was neces sary: That the General Government is bound by the Constitution to protect the States ngaiust invasion, and *that it is its practice to pay the tnilitia of the States for performing that service whenever it could not have been performed by the troops of the United States. in pursuance of other provisions of the same r.ct already referred to, Augustin H. Hansel. Esq., was appointed a Commission er to audit the claims arising under it iu the Cherokee counties and middle Georgia, and William S. Rockwell, Esq!, com mis sinner for the counties west of the Ocmul gee river and south of the road leading from Milledgeville to Columbus. The commissioners fonn I great difficulty in auditing tiie claims presented to them as did this Department in allowing tliem as “just and well founded.” None had in their inception any lien upon the Treasury ofthe State as having been created under the authority of its laws, or in accordance with any general principle rendering it obligatory upon the State to pay them, and could only therefore be determined upon hy the strict letter of tlie law which directed their settlement. Copies of the report of the commissioners are laid before the Legis lature, and will show in what manner they have discharged the duty assigned them. The Legislature was informed at its last session, that the accounts against the United States, for payments made by this State to 18-3 a inf i- had been presented to the \\ ar Departure it for reimbursnieot, accom panied by the request that they should be passed upon as soon as possible; and that the Senators and Representatives from this State in Congress, had ilso been requested to ascertain what portion of these accounts would bo paid by the War Department, and to apply to Congress for the passage ofa spe.-iai ,av, to authorize the payment of the remainder. These Accounts were placed in the pos session ot the Secretary of War, for adjust ment ia t| le month of June. 1838. In the month of January, theieafter, having re ceived no information that my progress had been made in (h«*ir settlement, and per ceiving that the subject hid not been brought befor* l Congress, the attention of the Secretary of War and the Delegation, was again called to it. Near the close of the session,, and when it wa. too late for the LM.pnr.on to attempt to oh-ain the passage ot a law by Congress to reimburse the State tor.lie payments made by it. the acconnt "i« ofitcers ot the War Department, report e<J thni flie whole ( 1 1 1090 payments had been made either contrary to law, or requir ed forms', or that they were unsupported bv sufficient evidence. J l lay before (he Legislature for the exer cise of its pardoning power, the case of two convict, for murder, to whom reprieves Jnavc.bccngratited. 1 w'uld avail myself of the prese it, as a fit opportunity lor earnestly recommending to the • egislature, so to modify the law de fining murder, ami prescribing its punish nieu!, as to make a large portion of the ol fences which are by the deeisious ol our Courts, determined lo be murder, and pun ishable with death; subject to a different punishment. Perilous have been so uni formly. for a long tiiife, granted to c«nvicis for murder, whose guilt lias been unattended by circumstances of great atrocity, as to prove conclusively, that some other means than mere sentaneea of haag'tig must be provided, to secure society against such crimes. It is submitted to the wisdom «t the Legislature, to determine whether the object of the proposed alteration of the Law, wi I be best effected by crealing two distinct crimes of tiie acts which are now included in the definition of murder, distio t guishing them by the circumstances al tendant upon their different degrees of guilt, and making the offence of the least degree, punishable, by confinement in the Penitentiary—and the highest with death; or hy leaving it to the discretion of the Judge, before whom convictions for mur der may take piace, to pass sentence of death, or confinement in the Penitentiary, accordingly as the guilt of a convict may lie attended, by circumstances of alleviation or aggravation. In obedience to the requirement ofthe Legislature, the Board of Commissioners of the Western and Atlantic Railroad pro ceeded to examine the country on the Tennessee river, with the view of ascertain ing flie most eligible terminus of the road for securing the advantages of tiie trade with the West. This examination resulted in their fixing upon Ross’ Canning as that terminus. The selection lias been concur red in bv the Executive Department. One hundred miles of tlie grading ami masonry of the railaoail is now completed, except a small distance where unexpected difficulties have been met with, which will soon be oveicmno. 1 lie remainder- of the road would have been put under contract for construction before this tiuie, but for the want of funds. The inlire cost of the road up to the first of October last, has been one million three hundred and twenty thousand one burn!red and forty-eight 10-100 dollars. Ot this sum, about one million and seventy thous and dollars have been obtained through the Central Bank, and by the sale or pledge of the stock issued under the acts of 1837 and 1838, leaving a balance of upwards of two hundred and fifty thousand dollars, due to the contractors and other persons in the employment of the Commissioners. The payment ofthis last sum, together with what has beconip due the contractors since the first of Octob r, ought to be provided for immediately by ihe Legislature. The annua report of the Board of Commissioners to the Legislature, will show the liability of the State for stock sold, for money advanced upon the pledge () f stock, and for interest whicii may become due up on those sums. The great embarrassment in he money market of »his country- anti Europe, and the low price to which State stocks have fallen, render it impossible for the State to raise money upon credit. The Legislature inns! therefore determine by what other mean-* it will provide the funds necessary for executing its great work of internal inn roven-ent. Although the failure ofthe State's agent to sellstock may increase the amount ivniclt must be provided at once for carrying on the construction of the road, yet this cir cumstance neither adds to its final cost, nor lessens its advantages when it shall be com pleted. The indisposition of the Legisla ture to impose heavy and unusual taxes upon the people; the large demands which must be made upon the treasury for other purposes during the present year; and the deranged state of the finances• h ive cran ted an apprehension lest the road shall lie abandoned altogether. Great as the diffi culty will he in Tiding means for constructing the road, this apprehension cannot Inti prove needless, when it is considered that $1,320,148 10 have ahead been expended in its construction, which will be lost en tirely to the State, if it shall he ’abandoned: Thai the line of the road is tiie cheapest and shortest practicable route by which tie West and Southwest can he connected with the Atlantic; and that its great cost will th-refore create an additional security that it wiil enjoy tiie monopoly of its advantages : That it is due to her enlerprsing citizens who are constructing the Georgia, Central and Monroe Railroads, that the State should finish the Western and \tlantic Railroad : That, as the Gnvornnibnt of the State bolds the political opinion that the Gemral Government lias no constitutional power to make internal improvements within the State, owes it to itself and the other mem bers of the Union, to execute a work neces sary fhrtlie prosperity of several, and ad vantnsretMis to all, and which none ran exe cute but Georgia : That the road will fur nish the. only means hy which the heavy and valuable productions ofthe Cherokee coun ties can reach a profitable market : That it will connect the State with one ofthe most extensively fertile countries in rhe world, so as to introduce into' every part of it supplies ofthe first necessary, at all times and in any quantity which may be demanded : That i‘ will give to our cities a large export trade in Ihe productions ofthe Western and Southwestern States, and an equally bene ficial trade in supplying their home con sumption : That it must become the great thoroughfare for travelling between the Southwest and the Atlantic: That it will strengthen the bonds of the Union; add to the means of mutual defence and protection among the States; elevate the character ol the fuate ; advance its general pfosperilv and retain within it the popul nion and wealth which would otherwise emigrate to other Stales. If however, the Legislature should con sider the finances to be in such a condition as to forbid the continuance of the road by Innds to be drawn from taxation, | would recommend that the legislature authorize the board of Commissioners to accept ofthe proposal which has been made by the con tractors now at work on the road, to receive six pet cent, stock of the State in payment for its construction to Ross’ Landing. A copy ofthe corresnondenoe of this De partment with the Chief Engineer, upon this subject, and ofthe ptoposal on the part of the contractors, is laid before you. It the Legislature should determine t:-son accepting the terms offered by the contract tors. I would advise that it be done a soon as possible so that they may be notified of 1 j ‘ ,IP ••me that their present contracts shall be completed. Reports have been received frot# all the I>anks m the State, showing their condition on the first of October last. These reports are so numerous and extended that copies could not be made out to accotupatfv this message They are file,! in the Executive Office subject to the disposition of the Leeis latnre. * ‘ I lie late suspension of specie payments by most of the batiks, affected so generally and to such an extent, the interest of the | whole community, as to call fortbe decided interference of the Legislature, to prevent the injurious consequences which may fol low from it. The preceeding suspension of specie payments hy the Banks, loond its justification in the extreme necessity which was created by the sudden revulsion in trade, and general loss of confidence in commer cial transactions, which succeeded immedi ately after tfie excessive issues of the Banks, which had been called tor by overtrading, on the part of the liter' ll mts, extravagant purchases upon credit, and living beyond their means, hy the people, and the spirit of speculation winch pervaded the whole coun try. It gave to the B>nks the me ns of af fording the usual facilities for business, and at the same lime of gradually curtailing their discounts, so as again to resume specie payments without great pressure upou their debtors ; and to debtors the opportunity of making pay-men's by tune, industry and economy, without (lie ruin which would have been the consequence to many, ot for ced collections immediately after the pres sure took place. Tiie present suspension has been made under very different circum stances; and if permitted to go unnoticed, by the Legislature, will tend to produce au insecurity at and vacillation in Bank issues and credit affecting most injuriously the relation of debtoi and creditor, and the general wealth and prosperity ofthe community • The conduct ol many ofthe Banks shows the slight control which tire obligation to perform their contracts has ovcrthein, and the probability that they will use the oppor tunity which the suspension gives them, of making profit from it unless restrained by efficient laws. Whilst, therefore, 1 would recommend that all the Banks should be permitted to retain their charters whose reports show that their business lias been conducted with ordinary caution, and regard for the rights ofthe public, I deem it very i upnrtant that the Legislature should im pose such conditions upon 'liprn as will pre vent rteote- n-sking excessive issues ; specu lating in cotton or other productions ; or selling specie; and three them to resume specie payments as soon as the present em barrassment in the money market in those countries with which we have commercial dealings, shall have passed away. They should be required to make quarterly re ports to the Governor, showing their condi tion and exhibiting the amount of their lia bilities, and the specie in their vaults. The conduct of several Banks during their pri vi ous suspension and since, proves tlie propri ety of subjecting them to increased penalties for issuing change bills or notes under five dollars; and of compelling them, by the same means, to pay their five dollar notes in spe cie, when presented to them lor payment in small amounts. The Bank of Darien and the Bank of Rome suspended specie payments, and stop ped discounting in the early part ofthe year. The loss which has been sustained by indi viduals and the public from the depreciation of the bills of these Banks, renders it the duty ofthe State to enquire into the cau ses of their failure, that such remedies may be applied as will guard the community from similar losses hereafter. As the fail— nresof the Darien Bank leave most probably proceeded from its having been in the hands of Directors appointed by the State, who have had little or no interest in its safe or profitable management, I would recomend that either the charter ofthe Bank be for feited, or that the S'ate dispose of a large portion of its stock, so as to place the direc tion of the Bank in rhe hands of those who will h ive e strong individual interest in con ducting it properly. No persons have as yet availed themselves of the privilege granted by the law passed at your last session, to all the citizens ofthe State, to establish banks. This result is firtunate for the country, as it is very cer tain, that if any Kaniis find gone into opcin tinn under that law, they would only have i»ercased the derangement of the currency and monied embarrassments; and because it gives to the Legislature an opportunity of repealing t lie law, before any rights are acquired under it. As long as ihe curren cy of the country is in hank notes, its pro per regulation is of so much importance to every individual and the public, that the State onjjtit to retain sufficient power over it to protect the community from its abu ses. Tiie Legislature should assertain what amount of capital it required to furnish the circulating medium, sufficient for the pur poses of trade where such capital ought to be employed, and to grant the privilege ot using >t to such persons, and upon such conditions as Would best secure a sound cur rency. Bank charters are not ihtended for the exclusive benefi: of the stockholders, but to advanc the wealth and prosperity of all. The tendency of the general Banking Law, is to induce those who have no money, are largely indebted, and those who are" em ployed in extensive speculations to engage in making money, or what passes for it, as an easier and more rapid means of acquiring it than by labor. Although tiie law as pas sed, contained provisions, which for tire time have prevented the country from being flooded with irredeemable bank bills, yet its policy is believed to be founded in error, in considering land and negroes a better secur ity for a circulating paper medium, than gold and silver ; and that all persons owning such property, ought not only to have the right of using it, enjoying its profits, and selling it for its valne, but the privilege of depreciating or affecting the value of t-very other person’s property, by putting into general circulation bank bills, to pass for money. The great mistake in this matter consists in providing for the eventual re demption of bank notes, rather than for their continued circulation, without depre ciation ; and for the benefit of tire issuers of bank notes rather than the interest of the whole community. Land and negroes are unfit instruments for carrying on rhe busi ness of barter and exchange, or for being made the basis for issues of bank notes, be cause they cannot be exchanged into money at the will ol the holders, or as the necessi ties of commerce may require. The rich may profit oy land and negroes, being (he basis fur .he issues of banks which fail, but a large portion of the holders ofthe notes of such banks, must part with them at any ratt of depreciation. If, however, the Legisla ture should continue of the opinion that the 1 business of banking may be left to regulate itself,under the restrictions imposed upon it hv .he general law upon that subject, those restrictions ought to he increased by requir ing tin thanking companies shall consist of a sufficient number of stockholders, and the stock held by each be so limited as to prevent the batiks from falling under the con trol ot individuals, or o: a tew persons, and thereby secure them from being directed to speculative or fraudulent purposes. Mn compliance with the resolution of the Legislature, John McPherson Berrien, Win W. Holt, and Absalom H- Chappel. Esffrs., have been appointed commissioners to ar range and digest a System of finance for the State Their report will be made to you at an earjy day. The high qualifications of these gentlemen for the duty imposed upon | them, the labor which has been employed in its performance, and tiie imjiortatice ol its subject, will entitle their report to great con sideration. William Law Joseph Henry Lumpkin and David C. Campbell, Esqrs., have been appointed commissioners to envesligate the claims ot T relevant, Galpbin and Elliot.— The result of their investigations will be re ported directly to tiie Legislature; and w ill, it is to be expected, produce a final disposi ti.in of those claims. In pursuance of the authority given this Department, Cl arles Dougherty and James A. Merriwether, Esqrs., have been employ ed ascounselto defend the actions pending in the Superior Court of Habersham county, in favor ot the heirs of certain Indian resev vees, against the grantees of the State, or those who hold under them. The Legisla ture is referred to the report of those gentle men. for information upon the subject of those suits. I refer the Legislature to the correspon dence between this Department and the Governor anti Commissioners ofthe State of Alabama, for information in relation to a pro position made by the Governor of Alabama, to run again the line between the two Sta't-s, in conjunction with the authorities of tiffs State. I transmit to each branch of the Legi-da ture, a list ofthe Executive warrants signed during tiie past year, and ot officers appoint ed by the Executive during the same time. Tne proceedings of the Legislatures of several ofthe States, upon subjects of nip posed common iuterest of all the States, are laid before you, at their request. Brigadier Generai Zncliariah White's com mand has become vacant, by Ins removal from the State. I hy before the Legislature, copies of the correspondence between this Department and Col. Asa Bates, the contractor for im proving tiie navigation ofthe Chjgt ihooehie i-ivpr i'mw ilic cityol Columbus to the Flor ida line, and the superintendent, Benjamin V. Iverson, Esq., with copies of iheir ac counts against the State. These papers sat isfied the Department that the sum of thirty five thousand dollars, which had been receiv ed from the State, by Col. Bates greatly exceeded what he was entitled to for his ser vices. 1 hey will also show the difficulty which occurred in ascertaining what ought to be paid to the superintendent. T 1 e\ are referred to the Legislature, tiiat such deter mination may be had upon them, as a just ■regard for the. public interest, and the rights ofthe contractor and superintendent, may require. Mr. Howard, the ngeot who was sent to England to procure copies ofthe colonial re cords, relating to tiie early history of >his State, has place I in the Executive office nineteen manuscript volumes as the result of liis labors. Great credit is due to Mr. Howard for the industry and perseverance with which he overcame the difficulties w hich lie met with iu effecting the object of his mission. The appropriation for building ? house for ihe, residence of the Governor having proved insufficient to complete the building iff the style and according to tile plan on which it was commenced, the Committee who had the supcrintendance ofits erection, borrowed from the Central Bank, upon their own credit, the sum of 3213 dollars to supply the deficiency. 'J lie public spirit w hich induced the Committee to incur this responsibility, entitles them to he relieved by the Legislature in the same spirit. An enclosure and out houses corresponding in style with the principal building, remain to be erected. The limits of the districts within which Justices ofthe Peace exercise their regula v Jurisdiction, and Captains of Militia their commands, are by the laws now in force sub ject to the control ofthe Regimental Courts «>f inquiry. The militia of the Slate is so disorganized at present that it would be a matter of some convenience to both the Peo ple and the Executive Department, if this power were taken from the military courts and given to the Inferior Courts of the Counties. Notwithstanding the efforts of the De partment to collect into t! e Arsenal at this place the public arms u hich are scattered over th» country, a great many yet remain in the possession of individuals, where they are becoming useless by want of care, or are us ed and disposed of as private property. The evl is sufficiently extensive to authorize the Legislature to compel, by penal enactments, those who may have public arms in their hands, to deliier them up to some designa ted officer. 1 he state in which the public arms were found, which have been collected into the Arsenal, rendered it necessary that consid erable expense should be incurred in clean ing and repairing them to preserve them fit for public use. In executing the act passed at your last session, directing this Department to have sold such of the public arms as might be deputed unnecessary in retain, an order was issued to the Military Store-keepers, to sel ect and sell, accordtiig to the terms of the act the useless arms under their care. The *eports of the Military Store-kee; rrs copies of which are laid before the twollou ses. will show the manner in which that act has been carried into effect; and the con dition ofthe public arms in each ofthe Ar sen-’ls. The appropriation of ten thousand dollars for a Geologica' Survey of the State, will be expended before the end ofthe present year. It will be necessary that an additional appro priation shall be made, if it is the purpose ofthe Legislature to continue the opera tions of the Geologist until an entire survey of the Stole shall be completed. The building which is now being erected fer a ijunatic Asylum, w ill tie completed Le lore your next sessiou, and ready for the re ception ofthe insane. I,would call the at tention ofthe Legislature to the necessity of prescribing the rnles upon which its in mates shall be received, adopting proper regulation'for the government ofthe Insti tution, appoiutin a Board of Trustees for ijs superintendence a'd inspection, and a Physician for its Medical direction. There are „t present one hutidrep and six ty convicts in the Penitentiary. This num ber is too large to be employed within the present building, or to admit ofthe convicts being subjected to solitary confinement, the number of cells now erected being only one hundred and fiftv. Pi p Principal Keeper, his assistants, and the Board of Inspectors, have discharged the duties of their respective offices in a manner which has secured for the Institu tion ns successful management as can be given to it under the laws which at present control it. There have been no disturbances among the prisoners during the past year, but one escape, and the amount of labor of the convicts lias exceeded in value that of any previous yp.ir, upwards of eight thou sand dollars- But no efforts of the officers, however well directed, can make the Insti tution what if ought to be. a terior to evil doers, and to means of reforming criminals without the aid of a well regulated police It is especially necessary that the unrest rai#. ed daily communication which is now milted among the convicts should be ■ ro * hibited, and that asepaiate building should be erected for the reception of female con victs. Upon the subject of the reforms which are necessary in the government of ih e Penitentiary, the Legislature is respectfully referred to the reports of the Board ot ],, spectors, and of the Committee of the Le islature. •»* 1 would respectfully recommend the re peal or modification of the law passtd at your last session, to promote the culture of silk. From enquiries made by this Depart ment, it has been ascertained that U, e ~r e minm of silty ccms offered by that law [„ each pound of silk cocoons raised inth. State, is twice the sum ot their value - g 0 that the producers, receiving the premium will receive certai-ly twice the value f o r cocoons, and three times, it they can find market for them. The extended plantin'.! ol the moms multicaulis mulberry tree w hich has already been made iu this State • the facility with which it can be rai id|w propagated ; its quick growth aim early fi t . mss for feeding tiie silk worm;and theease with which any quantity of the silk worms may be obtained ; tender it highly probable that a sufficient quantity otsilk cocoons will be raised, entitled to premiums, to exhaust the Treasury in a few years. There can be but little doubt that this will be the case if our climate, soil, and cheap lands, adnut ofthe application of labour to the cultiva tion of the mulberry tree, and raising silk cocoons, so as to derive therefrom the ortlin ary,profits received from other employments. It not, then all the premiums which shall have been paid, will be so much public mon ey thrown away. As the law gives an im plied pledge that the premium shall be paid for ten years, regard lor the public faith, as well as the public interest, requires, ih«t it it is to be repealed or modified within the ten years, it be done at once, and bet ore ve ry extensive obligations shall have been in curred to our citizens ur.tler it, or lar<’e a motißts of the j üblic money paid away. Besides these objections to the pniticnlnr provisions oftl.e law, the policy in which it is founded is itself very questionable. The people of this country are so keenly alive to their own interests ; so little under the in fluence of lonv continued usages ; and e.iaiige from one employment to another so readily ; that the interference of the Gov ernment jn giving a forced direction to their labour by bounties, can scarcely be justifi ed in any instance whatever. As the rais ing of silk cocoons requires neither extiaor di' ary capital nor skill; has been known to Ihe people of this State from its first col onial settlement; is designed to supply me demands of luxury and not of necessity pand t'.erefore only encouraged by the State to enlarge the sources of profit; theie is no stronger induct ment for its encouragemei t by bounty, than any other production which the Legislature may lie of the opin ion can be raised with advantage. 11 the Legislature should be of the opin ion, however, that tiie law is found' dio sound policy and oughtto he rontinurd in foice, J would recommend that it i.esomod ified, as to take off the hoiintv now allowed upon silk cocoons, aid iricitase that allow ed upon silk, and especially upon raw or reeled silk. Frauds are so easily commit ted iu weighing cocoons that they cannot be prevented. There is besides no i bj. ct be tfleeted by encouraging the raising r.foo cnoris at present, as there is no m fluent market lor their sale iu the United Nates, and beca se they cannot be sent abu.a ' mi , account of their great bulk in propor ion to their value ; the injury t one to ifeern bv compression; and their liability !o ilreav when exposed to the damp ct the oicm;. Raw situ on the contrary, finds a read’, mar ket (o any amount in England or France, and is so light in proport,on to its value, . s to be sent abroad at very little expense. It silk is to be made in this State iu sufficient quantities to become one ol its staple | in ductions, it will most probably be in the toitn ol raw silk, and, therelore, encouragement should be given to it in that form, it at ali. No distribution has been made during tiie past year ot the funds appropriated by the acts ot 1837 and 1838. to establish a gener al system ot education by Common Schools. 1 his delay has proceeded from the exhaus ted state ol the Treasury and tiie inability ot the Central Bank to advance the amount, except in t lie hilts ol the Darien Bank, which the Treasurer refused to receive. YV lii Ist the general system ot education is yet imperative a suitable opportunity i$ af forded to the Legislature of again enquiring whether the means proposed to be used by it are calculated to auswtr the end designed. tV til a view to such an enquiry, it may be proper to observe, that the primary objects to be attained in establishing such a system, are generally understood lo oe the building ol comtortable school houses, ofdurable ma terials, in every school district; the placing in them a libnry ol the use of all the scltol :us, ot books calculated to impress upon them religious, moral and practical truths; and the increase ot the number and qualifi cations ot the teachers, by providing certain and sufficient public funds to effect that pur pose, Avery slight examination of the Acts of 18-37 and 1838, w ill show, that these ob jects are not provided for at all, or verv in adequately, by the proposed system. These laws direct that the trustees of the school disti icis shall locate and superintend the cr ecti* a ot suitable school houses in their res pective districts: but expresly prohibit their using he school fund for that purpose; no books can be purchased except what may be necessary for ths children whose parents are unable to supply them; although the State could perhaps in no way advance ihe cause ol education more efficiently than by causing the highly improved cl. ss books which have lately been published in this country, to be placed in the hands of every chbd. Neither doe» the system provide ad- equate funds to procure the necessary sup ply of qualified teachers. The academic and poor school lunds and the interest de rived ’roin one-third ofthe surplus revenue •eceived from the United States, make tip the entire sum appropriated lor the suppoit of the general system of education, and may be considered equal to sixty thousand dol lars per annum. The law intends that this sutn shall be so expendec as to extend the advantages ot education equally to all the children of the Stale. The extent of the State is equal to sixty thousand square miles, so that it tiiere should be a school house in each sixteen square miles as there must be to bring a school within reach of all the children, the whole sum applicable to the payment of the teacher of each school, will be sixteen dollars, including in that sum what may be necessary for purchasing books and stationary for the poor childreu. A nother view may perhaps present, the subject in a yet clearer light. The whole number. of children between the ages ol five and fifieen, being those who are entitled to the benefits ofthe system, exee« and one hun dred and six thousand. An equal expendi ture of (he sixty thousand dollars among them, will dilow somewhat more than fifty