HAZARD'S

REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA.

DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE.

of life. With advantages such as these, and in a state of unprecedented prosperity, such as is distinctly seen and felt in every section of this highly favored commonwealth, the language of complaint ought not to be heard, and poverty and want, the consequence sometimes, indeed, of accident or some peculiar casualty (which the

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Com- humanity of our citizens will not suffer to remain long monwealth of Pennsylvania.

FELLOW CITIZENS:

unrelieved,) but more frequently to be traced to indolence and vice, ought rarely to be seen within our bor

Among the many arduous and responsible duties en-ders. joined upon the executive by the constitution, there is Extending our views beyond the limits of our own none which, in its faithful performance, calls for more state, we have abundant cause for unaffected felicitacareful consideration and serious reflection than that of tion and profound gratitude, in the contemplation of our arranging the details, which,that it may answer the design increasing greatness as a people, whose progressive intended, ought to enter into the annual message usual-improvement has been rapid and extensive beyond the ly transmitted to the General Assembly at the opening example of any other nation, and the dignified and enof its session. viable superiority of whose government,institutions and It was doubtless the design of those, by whom it was laws, in comparison with those of every other country, deemed to be of sufficient importance to make it a sub-furnishes a subject for universal admiration and respect ject of constitutional direction, that every such docu- | abroad, and inspires a laudable patriotic pride, venerament should be so framed and adjusted as to contain a tion and confidence at home. Blessed with peace and succinct, but faithful narrative of the true state of the tranquility, and a disposition to cherish and preserve commonwealth, exhibiting distinctly and without dis-them-with an extended commerce rendering tributaguise, to the representatives of the people and to those ry to us the resources of other nations, and enhancing whom they represent, all such prominent acts and mea- the value of our own productions,a rich profusion of agrisures adopted and transacted in the course of the ad- cultural products commanding generous prices,liberally ministration of its affairs as immediately affect the pub-rewarding the toil and labor of the industrious farmer; lic interests or require legislative action, and recommend ing the adoption of such measures, for their deliberations as in the opinion of the executive will best tend to promote the general welfare, and to ensure the prosperity and happiness of the people.

a sound currency circulating freely, and without impediment or loss in every section of the Union; an overflowing treasury and a public debt nearly extinguished. Our domestic industry encouraged and protected, and possessing a sufficient guarantee in the opinions heretofore entertained and expressed, by the venerable panal improvements, of a national character, will not be permitted to languish; we may indeed appreciate with becoming confidence and with feelings of patriotic exultation, the unexampled success which has attended our republican form of government, formerly considered an experiment of doubtful efficacy, to sustain itself against all the variety of changes and embarrassing perplexities to which, in the course of its manifold politi cal probations, it would necessarily be exposed; but since proved by the unerring test of time and the experience which a combination of adverse circumstances, the consequence of occasional popular commotions, but more recently of a protracted and vindictive war with a powerful foreign nation, has furnished, not only to possess the capacity to secure to its citizens a greater amount of true happiness and enjoyment, and of temporal bliss and prosperity than is conferred by differ ently constituted governments elsewhere, but also to combine the strength and energy, necessary for nation. al security and protection, with the firmness and stabil. ity which eminently fit it for every vicissitude to which governments are exposed in the ever varying course of events.

In approaching the performance of this difficult undertaking, I feel myself relieved from much of the em-triot at the head of the general government, that interbarrassment which a different state of circumstances would have occasioned, by the consideration that whatever aspect the state of the commonwealth may present to the view of others, I feel myself warranted in declaring it as my deliberate opinion, that there has not been a period in the history of Pennsylvania, taking into con sideration its prosperous condition and its magnificent future prospects, when there was greater cause for mutual congratulation, and for devout aspirations of gratitude to the great Dispenser of every blessing, than that which the unexampled state of prosperity of this rich and flourishing commonwealth now presents. What citizen of Pennsylvania does not feel the honest glow of patriotic pride and unfeigned satisfaction in the contemplation of the eminent advantages possessed by his native or adopted State-in its abundant resourcesthe elevated position it occupies amongst its sister states its numerous benevolent and charitable institutions its extensive public improvements, finished and in progress towards completion, giving assurance of an ample and speedy return, sufficient to compensate for all the disquietude and uneasiness which the unavoidable delays, the heavy expenditures, and the many difficulties and embarrassments, that occurred in the course of But whilst we are indulging in congratulations with their construction have occasioned-its vast and almost regard to the general prosperity of our common coununlimited agricultural, commercial, manufacturing and try, and adverting to the extensive artificial improvemineral wealth—its healthful climate, its rich, luxuri-ments constructed and in progress in our own commonant soil, its extensive and well established credit, and wealth, may I not be permitted, at the same time, with its citizens enjoying every where in rich profusion all the sensations of unaffected exultation and delight, the necessaries and all the comforts and conveniencies which the deep interest all must feel in the subject, VOL. VIII.

49

cannot fail to inspire, to direct your attention to, and to congratulate you upon its recent extraordinary moral improvement, exemplified in the gradual, but clearly perceptible, decrease of crime of every grade and description, and especially in the manifest diminution of the number of victims to that most degrading of all vices, intemperance, the genetrix of crime; and to which most vic owe their depraved origin: but upon which the philanthropic efforts of the wise and the good every where, aided by the force of public opinion, have stamped the seal of reprobation and doomed it to such an overwhelming measure of odium and ineffable contempt, as even the unfortunate votary, with habits the most inverate and confirmed, cannot assume the hardihood to brave or to resist. The entire prohibition of the use of ardent spirits to persons employ-berry tree, and that both wine and silk might, in a shott ed upon the public works, now constructing by the State, would, there is reason to believe, greatly aid in still further extirpating this loathsome and destructive moral contagion from amongst us, be attended with the most happy consequences to the indviduals themselves, and produce results highly beneficial to their employers and to the State.

beneficial tendency in favor of extending and diffusing the business of agriculture more generally throughout the state, and of infusing into our farmers a spirit of laudable ambition to excel as well in the quality as in the quantity of their productions; by means of which the general wealth of the State, as well as that of individuals, will be greatly increased. It is believed, however, that the condition of our agriculturists might be still further improved by fostering and encouraging, by judicious legislative enactments, the culture of a greater variety of productions, and the improvement, as well in the art and manner of producing as in the kind and quality of the thing produced. It is generally supposed, that neither the soil nor the climate of Pennsylvania are adverse to the culture of the vine or the multime, with proper attention, and the aid of legislative encouragement, be raised in such sufficient quantities as to furnish, if not a part of our staple for exportation, at least an adequate supply for home consumption. Besides there is reason to believe that the former, if successfully cultivated, would, in addition to the advantages it would confer upon the producer, have a salutary moral influence upon society, by lessening, in a great measure, the sum of human misery in the dimunition of the use of ardent spirits, as a substitute for which it would in all probability be used, and thus aid the philanthropic efforts of the friends of temperance in speedily removing from the community, one of the most deplorable and destructive calamities with which the human family ever was afflicted.

A kindred evil to that of intemperance, however, equally ruinous to the morals aud destructive of the comfort and happiness of the community, is the practice of selling foreign lottery tickets, and the drawing of lotteries within this commonwealth, which has been permitted to progress for many years, and is still tolerated amongst us; no successful effort having hitherto been made to arrest it. And so long as we shall have a lottery drawn within the State, by authority of law, we Would not the encouragement of societies in each must expect a continual influx of tickets upon us from county, to give effect to the objects I have mentioned, other states, the sales of which will be cloaked and con- and to be formed upon such principles and under such nived at, under the legalized sales of tickets of the regulations, as the legislature should prescribe, give a Union Canal Lottery. And such is the infatuation pro-healthful and vigorous impetus to agricultural enterduced upon the community, by his fascinating and allu- prise, and stimulate, in the industrious practical farmring enticement to adventure, that until there shall ers of own State, a laudable spirit of emulation to surno longer be a vestige of a lottery authorized by law, pass each other in the art of producing, and in the va tolerated in the State, the several acts of assembly, pro- riety, the superiority and abundance of their produc viding severe penalties against the venders of foreign tions? To awaken an interest upon this subject, small or unauthorized lottery tickets, will remain a dead let annual appropriations might be made, to be distributed ter, and will not be enforced against offenders. The among the several societies, and by them dealt out in Union Canal Company having heretofore transferred the shape of premiums, to such as should merit them, the right accruing to them, under the several acts of which would not fail to excite a wholesome emulation assembly authorizing the lottery, to Archibald McIn- among a valuable class of citizens, and add to the tyre, a citizen of the State of New York, and the con- wealth and prosperity of the country without injurioustract of transfer having recently been renewed with the ly affecting the public treasury, transferee, for two years, from the first day of January next, I would recommend that after the expiration of that period, or sooner if practicable, such arrangements with the company, should, if possible, be made, consistent with good faith, as would relieve the Commonwealth, from a great and apparently interminable moral evil. It is believed that by expunging from the statute book the last act to be found there in favor of lotteries, a great and lasting benefit would accrue to the community at large, as the foundation upon which the mischief rests, would then be entirely eradicated; and by providing for a rigorous prosecution of the laws already in force against the venders of foreign tickets, and of tickets issued in our own State, without the authority of law, an end would soon be put to a grievous and growing moral malady, and the community would be relieved from a species of taxation, which, although voluntary, is of the most onerous, oppressive and ruinous kind.

As a grain growing State, Pennsylvania is not excelled by any of her sister States; and much has been done by former legislatures to encourage an increase of her agricultural productions, by making liberal appropriations for opening avenues to market, by means of artificial or turnpike roads, and for the erection of firm and substantial bridges: and much is still in progress to be done further to facilitate the intercourse between the interior of the State and its principal cities, by means of canals and rail roads; which will not fail to have a

The improvement of the mind should be the first care of the American statesman, and the dissemination of learning and knowledge ought to form one of the principal objects of his ambition. Virtue and intelligence are the only appropriate pillars upon which a Republican Government can securely rest: without these, liberty itself would soon degenerate into licentiousness, and our free and liberal institutions, so highly cherished by ourselves, and so much admired and respected by the wise, and the patriotic of other nations, would be ingulphed in anarchy, and become the reproach of their friends and the derision of the enemies of the equal rights of man in every quarter of the globe. Under these impressions, no opportunity has been omitted earnestly to press upon the attention of the legislature, the indispensable necessity of establishing by law a general system of common school education, by means of which, in the language of the constitution, "the poor may be taught gratis," and that the benefits and the blessings resulting therefrom, may be extended to the rising generation, indiscriminately and universally. It is cause for no ordinary measure of gratification, that the legislature, at its last session, considered this subject worthy of its deliberations, and advanced one step towards the intellectual regeneration of the State, by laying a foundation for raising a fund to be employ ed hereafter in the righteous cause of a practical general education; and it is no less gratifying to know, that public opinion is giving strong indications of having

18 1.]

OVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

387

ted from the jurisprudence of our country. Pennsylva nia has always been remarkable for the mildness of her laws, and has uniformly been in advance of her sister States in all legislative enactments founded upon the principles of humanity, or having for their object the security of personal liberty-hence it is, that she can lay a rightful claim to the proud distinction of having been the first State in the Union, to have virtually abo lished imprisonment for debt, by the mild provisions of her insolvent laws. A citizen of Pennsylvania, who has not been guilty of fraud, and complies with the provi sions of the several acts made for the relief of insolvent debtors, cannot now be imprisoned for debt in this State: with this legislative arrangement, both debtor and creditor appear to be satisfied; and how far a further exemption of the person of the debtor, from execu tion or imprisonment for debt, would really benefit the indigent class of our citizens, is a question worthy of grave and serious consideration. Short credits are, it is believed, essential accommodations, without which the comforts of the poor man would be greatly curtailed, and although by exempting his person from execution altogether, in certain cases, his immunity from restraint would be enlarged, yet it can scarcely be doubt. ed, that, from that very cause, his difficulties to obtain credit for even the necessaries of life would not fail to be greatly increased. To guard the public against frauds, and to confine the provisions of the law to the honest poor, would be attended with no inconsiderable difficulty: should the subject, however, be presented for your consideration, it will doubtless receive the attention to which its importance will entitle it.

undergone a favorable change in reference to this momentous measure, and by its gradual but powerful workings, is fast dispelling the grovelling fallacies, but too long prevalent, that gold is preferable to knowledge, and that dollars and cents are of higher estimation than learning. This powerful lever, by which the actions of men are principally regulated, is fast approaching a crisis in relation to this much agitated question, and there is reason to believe, will speedily induce legisla. tive action in reference to it: not, it is hoped, howeer, too speedily for maturing a well digested system, possessing that degree of perfection by which it will be rendered generally acceptable to the people, and have a tendency to realize the ardent hopes and fond anticipations of its many warm and zealous friends. A sys tem that would not have such a tendency, but would be received with dissatisfaction by the people, would have the unhappy effect of blasting for a time, the anxious expectations of the advocates of general education; of reviving former prejudices, and of retarding for many years, the progress of intellectual improvement. In order therefore, that a system, the most perfect that can be devised, and one that will be best adapted to the views and wishes of our constituents, may be projected in the first instance, should any difficulties occur, in the course of your deliberations in relation to the subject, or in regard to the most eligible plan to to be adopted, I would suggest for your consideration the propriety of appointing a commission, to consist of 3 or more talented and intelligent individuals, known friends of a liberal and enlightened system of education, whose duty it should be to collect all the information, and possess themselves of all the facts and knowledge, that can be obtained from Although our State can boast of as mild, as perfect any quarter, having a bearing upon, or connexion with and as efficient a code of laws as an enlighted course of the subject of education, and to arrange and embody legislation could produce, or as a well regulated comthe same in a report, to be transmitted to the legisla-munity could reasonably desire; yet there are comture at their next session, for examination and final ac- plaints, and it is believed many of them are well foundtion thereon. Such a course, there is reason to believe, ed, not indeed of any defect in the laws, but of vexawould tend more than any other, to elicit much valuable tious delays occurring in the judicial administration of information that could not otherwise be obtained, would them,not ascribable to any want of ability,fidelity,indusfacilitate the progress and final completion of this much try or zeal in those whose duty it is to administer them, desired work; and would not fail to secure for it a grea- but owing principally to a defective organization or ar ter measure of protection than could under other circum-rangement of the Judiciary System itself, and an injustances be attained.

dicious distribution of duties to be performed, and of The policy of a protecting tariff, and the encourage- the public business to be transacted, among the several ment given to works of internal improvement, of a na- tribunals charged with their execution. This is a sub. tional character, by the general government, are favor-ject of too grave a character and altogether too imporite measures with the people of Pennsylvania, and the tant in its consequences to every one of us, to be passed former is esteemed by them as being identified with over lightly or treated with indifference. The highest their best interests. The constitutionality of these judicial tribunal in the State, the court, in the last resort; measures is not questioned here, nor is there any doubt from whose decrees and judgments there is no appeal; entertained of their entire expediency; and much as we and whose decisions and the principles established by may regret that complaints, with regard to the suppo- them, are to constitute the laws of the land, and to consed oppressive character, and bearing of one of those tinue to be binding upon us and our posterity to the measures, should obtain elsewhere; yet from the uni- remotest generation; has become so completely surchar versal prosperity that is admitted to abound in every ged with business, arising from the nature of the du part of our happy country, there is reason to doubt ties that have been heaped upon it by the revival of the whether the prevailing discontents are well founded; circuit court system, the natural increase of a spirit of and we are admonished to restrain our sympathies in litigation consequent upon a rapid and extraordinarily behalf of our complaining brethren, lest in lending increasing population, and the manifold and diversified ourselves to aid in relieving them from an imaginary pursuits in which that population is engaged, that the oppression, we put ourselves in a condition to be se- whole of the time of the judges is indispensably devoriously oppressed. Upon these all engrossing ques- ted to the hearing and hurried decisions of causes-I tions of national policy, the voice of Pennsylvania has say the hurried decision of causes, because from the inbeen repeatedly expressed through her State legisla- terminable mass of business before them, which is conture, as well as by her representatives in congress, and tinually increasing, and upon which their unwearied so long as she shall continue to place a proper estimate industry and untiring efforts can make no impression, upon her own prosperity, and the success of her infant there is no time for research, examination or reflection manufacturing establishments, she will not cease to cherish the same sentiments in favor of measures indispensable to the successful fostering and encouragement of her domestic industry and enterprise.

The policy of abolishing imprisonment for debt, is a subject which has for some time past occupied the attention of the humane and philanthropic portion of our citizens, and has awakened a deep interest in many parts of the Union, to have this harsh feature eradica

the supplicating, anxious appeals of the suitors impel the judges to an exertion of all their energies, to rid the docket of its cumbrous and oppressive load, and decisions are, and necessarily must be hastily made, to enable them to progress with the celerity which the necessities of the country, and a desire to despatch the public business require. Hence the frequent difference of opinion that but too often manifests itself upon the bench, tending to create doubt and uncertainty as to

what the law really is, and which will, it is to be feared, ultimately lead to a want of confidence in our judicial decisions. It is due to the judges that they should be measurably relieved from an excess of labor; it is due to their reputations as jurists, and to the character of their decisions, that they should have some leisure for reading and reflection; but above all, it is due to the good people of the State, in reference to the security and protection of their persons, their reputations and property, that the judiciary branch of the Government should be so constituted, as to afford them that security and protection, by a prompt, vigorous and wholesome administration of the laws. It is to the General Assembly that the people anxiously look for relief in this important particular-some of the existing evils have been attempted to be pointed out-and there is every confidence that the remedy will be applied.

Standing armies have always been considered as dangerous to liberty, and will not be tolerated in a free country a well regulated militia is the only kind of military force to which freemen should resort for defence upon any emergency, either of invasion or rebellion; but to make that species of force effective, in Pennsylvania, would require a change in its organization and the manner of its discipline, entirely different from those which now exist. It is universally admited that the present system is generally defective in its provisions and its details, and oppressively burdensome to those upon whom it operates, without accomplishing any adequate, useful purpose.

Volunteers should be encouraged by every honorable incitement tending to induce an increase of that valuable and efficient portion of our military strength -immunities should be granted, privileges conferred, and every facility afforded and provisions made for the prompt organization and complete military equipment of all who are willing to enrol themselves in corps of that description.

It is altogether questionable, whether any thing can be done to render the militia, as such, a better disciplined or more formidable force, than it already is, without the sacrifice of more time and the introduction of a more rigorous enforcement of military tactics and discipline than in a state of peace would be either useful or necessary. More knowledge of the military art, it is believed, would be acquired in one week of actual service, than is obtained in years by the ordinary militia trainings as at present practised.

first day of July then next. Among the several proposals received (copies of which will be laid before you) that of the bank of Pennsylvania, containing an offer to take the entire loan at a premium of six per cent. or one hundred and six dollars in money for every one hundred dolls, of stock to be created under the act, bearing an interest of five per cent. was accepted, by which transaction the State will receive the very liberal bounty of one hundred and forty-eight thousand nine hundred and eighty nine dollars and seventy one cents. of the loan thus made, the sum of one million six hundred and ninety-three thousand two hundred and sixtyfour dollars and seventy two cents has been received and applied to the repayment of the temporary loan authorized by act of 12th January, 1831-for the relief of certain turnpike roads, as directed by the act of 21st March last-towards payment of interest which became due on loans on the first day of August last, as authori zed and directed by the last mentioned act-in disbursements for work done under old contracts and for payment for labour performed under new contracts, in pur suance of the directions contained in the same act. The reports of the commissioners of the internal improvement fund, and of the board of canal commissioners, will shortly be laid before you, and will exbibit, in detail, the several disbursements, made out of the sums drawn on account of the loan aforesaid, from which it will appear that the payments on contracts, authorized prior to the passing of the act of the 21st March last, amounted to a larger sum than had been anticipated, which will induce the necessity of a pro rata deduction from the several specific appropriations authorized by that act.

The loan of three hundred thousand dollars, authorized by the act of 30th March last, entitled "An Act authorizing a loan of moneys to be invested in the internal improvement fund, to be applied to the payment of repairs, damages, and other demands upon said fund, and for other purposes," was, after due notice given, also taken by the Bank of Pennsylvania, that institution agreeing to pay one hundred and six dollars in money for every one hundred dollars of stock to be created under the said act, bearing an interest of five per cent, that being the best offer received for the entire loan, was accepted, yielding to the Commonwealth the further sum of eighteen thousand dollars, in the shape of a premium or bounty, to be applied in aid of the general interest fund. The whole amount of this loan has been drawn and expended upon the several objects, and for the several purposes, to which, by the act aforesaid, it was directed to be applied. The season having been unusually humid and rainy, breaches in the canal, where the banks had not yet become firm,

It is gratifying however to learn, that a military spirit honorable to our citizens, has recently been awakened in many parts of the state, and that a laudable desire to invigorate this arm of our defence, and to cause a more perfect system to be provided than has hitherto obtain-were more frequent than would have been the case in ed, has been generally manifested.

Much valuable information will in all probability be speedily elicited from that source, and should the General Assembly feel disposed to apply the panacea of legislative reform, in accordance with public expectation in relation to this subject, it will give me much pleasure to co-operate with them in any measure that will tend to relieve the system from its objectionable features and those who are embraced within its provisions from its present onerous and useless exactions.

In compliance with the directions contained in the sixth section of the act of the 21st March last, entitled "an act to continue the improvement of the state by canals and rail-roads," public notice was given in news papers published at the seat of government and in the city of Philadelphia, that proposals would be received at the office of the Secretary of the Commonwealth, until a certain day mentioned in the notice, for loaning to the commonwealth for internal improvement purposes the sum of two millions four hundred and eightythree thousand one hundred and sixty-one dollars and eighty-eight cents, (the sum authorized by the act aforesaid to be borrowed,) reimbursable at any time after the expiration of twenty-five years from the

an ordinary season; besides, some of the streams were raised by sudden freshets to such height, as to cause great injury and destruction, not only to the works in their immediate neighbourhood, but also to the dams erected upon them, which called for a larger expenditure of monev for repairs, than would otherwise have been required. As there is no fund left, therefore, to meet the claims for repairs, or for damages along the several lines of canal and railway, or for the payment of wages of superintendents, collectors, supervisors, and lock keepers, an immediate duty will devolve upon the General Assembly to make such provision to meet the several enumerated objects, as in their wisdom they shall find to be expedient and necessary.

The finances of the commonwealth derived from the ordinary sources of revenue established for the support of Government, and those pledged for the payment of the interest accruing upon loans, do not vary materially from those of the last year. By an act of Assembly passed the fourth day of April last, the Auditor General and State Treasurer are required to close their financial year on the last day of October, instead of the last day of November of each year, as had been heretofore established by law, in consequence of which alteration

1831.]

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

389

their accounts transmitted to the clerk of the House of the State, and some of them had been actually made, Representatives, at the present session, will exhibit the and arrangements preparatory to the commencement financial transactions at the Treasury for eleven months of a system of improvement were in progress; yet it is only, and not for an entire fiscal year, as formerly. believed that the celebrated Canal Convention which From the reports made by these officers it will appear assembled at Harrisburg in the month of August, 1825, that the balance in the Treasury on the first day of No- gave the first impulse to public sentiment in favour of vember last, was one hundred and twenty-four thousand commencing a system of internal improvement, within four hundred and eighty-two dollars and eighty-two the State, upon an enlarged and extensive scale. By cents; the receipts into the treasury for eleven months that convention, composed of one hundred and thirteen from the 1st of December, 1830, until the 31st of Octo- members, representing forty-six counties, and combinber, 1831, exclusive of loans, but including the premi-ing as much talent, respectability of character, and ums paid upon loans, amounted to seven hundred and there is reason to believe, as much genuine patriotism nine thousand and thirty dollars and three cents; the as could be found in the same number of individuals, disbursements for the same period, excluding the sums any where, resolutions were adopted, declaring it, for internal improvement fund and for internal improve- among other things, to be the opinion of the convention, ments, but including the sum of ten thousand four hun-"that the improvement of the commonwealth would be dred and twenty-five dollars and eighteen cents paid to best promoted, and the foundations of her prosperity turnpikes and to commissioners for improving the pub- and happiness most securely established, by opening an lic ground at Harrisburg, amounted to three hundred entire and complete communication from the Susqueand seventy-one thousand two hundred and ninety-five hanna to the Allegheny and Ohio, and from the Alledollars and sixty cents, leaving an excess of receipts gheny to Lake Erie, by the nearest and best practicaover ordinary expenditures of three hundred and thirty-ble route, and that such a work is indispensably necesseven thousand seven hundred and thirty-four dollars sary to maintain the character and standing of the State, and forty-three cents; for the disposition of this sum and and to preserve her strength and resources." the balance of one hundred and forty-nine thousand four hundred and thirty dollars and seventy-nine cents which remained in the Treasury on the first day of December, 1830, amounting in the aggregate to the sum of four hundred and eighty-seven thousand one hundred and sixty-five dollars and twenty-two cents; I would respectfully refer you to the several reports of the Auditor General and of the Commissioners of the internal improvement fund.

Other resolutions were passed by the convention, in which they expressed their views in relation to the manner in which the public works ought to be prosecuted, &c. And so entirely did public opinion coincide with the views of the convention, in reference to the propriety of making, in the language of the resolutions, "a vigorous and united exertion for accomplishing without delay the connexion of the Eastern and Western waters," that at the very next session of the General The magnificent enterprise in which Pennsylvania is Assembly an act to provide for the commencement of a now engaged in the construction of her stupendous canal to be constructed at the expense of the State, and works of internal improvement; the maguitude and ex- to be styled "The Pennsylvania Canal," (approved the tent of her loans, to enable her successfully to prose- 25th February, 1826,) authorizing the commissioners cute those works; and the necessity, that has occurred, appointed by a former act immediately to locate and to resort to the enactment of revenue laws to secure the contract for making a canal and locks and other works establishment of a permanent fund for the payment of necessary thereto from the river Swatara, at or near interest; are all of them subjects in which the people Middletown, to or near to a point on the east side of have a deep interest, and about which they have a just the river Susquehanna, opposite the mouth of the river claim to be correctly and minutely informed. The Juniata, and from Pittsburg to the mouth of the Kiskialarms and apprehensions, however unfounded, which minitas, and also as soon as they should deem it expethe imposing grandeur, the extent, the diffusiveness dient and practicable to construct a navigable feeder of and the supposed expensiveness of the works, as they a canal from French creek to the summit level at Conenter into the grave discussions, and are introduced in-neaut lake, and to survey and locate the route of a cato the serious speculations of the day excite, and the nal from thence to Lake Erie, and the sum of three hungross misrepresentations to which they are not unfre- dred thousand dollars was appropriated for carrying quently most unjustifiably subjected, will furnish a suf- the provisions of the act into effect. And by act of the ficient justification, it is presumed, for submitting to 1st April of the same year, the Governor was authorized the people, through the medium of the executive mes- to borrow, on the credit of the commonwealth, the sum sage, transmitted on the present occasion to their repre- of three hundred thousand dollars, to be vested in the sentatives a brief account of the origin and progress of commissioners of the internal improvement fund, to be the system of internal improvement adopted and prose- applied to the construction of so much of the Pennsylcuted in this state-and it is the more gratifying that vania canal as was then authorized by law to be made the occasion, of entering upon the performance of that or constructed. part of my duty to our common constituents, happens at a time when the public works have been so far progressed in, that a large proportion of them are now in full operation, and are giving earnest of extensive future usefulness; when others of them, of considerable extent, will be in a condition for active business early in the next season; and when the residue of those under contract will, it is confidently believed, be finished and in operation in all the next season or early in the summer of eighteen hundred and thirty-three.

To make the subject plain and intelligible to every capacity is my earnest desire, and for that purpose it will be necessary to commence with the movements of the people themselves, to which, it is believed, the scheme of improvement is indebted for its origin, and to enter somewhat minutely into the legislation of the State, which succeeded those movements, commencing with that which took place in the session of 1826, and tracing it down to the present time. Although surveys and examinations had been directed in some parts of

In pursuance of the provisions of the several acts just recited, there were in that year (1826) put under contract by the board of canal commissioners twenty-two and a half miles of canal on the Susquehanna and twenty-four miles on the Allegheny river, making a total of forty-six and a half miles-the disbursements for the construction of which for that year, including preliminary surveys, &c. amounted to one hundred and forty. one thousand and seven hundred and thirty-one dollars and thirty-eight cents. This legislative effort of the session of 1826, laid the foundation of a system of internal improvement, which, as might easily have been foreseen, could not fail ultimately to lead to the expenditure of large sums of money on the part of the State for that object. No alarm, however, appears to have been excited in the public mind in regard to what had taken place, but such, on the contrary, was the calm and silent acquiescence on the part of the people, that at the succeeding session of the legislature, another act was passed and approved by the Governor on the