a,
BELLEFONTE, CENTRE COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA, PRINTED BY 7HOMAS J. PETRIKIN.
Vol. VL
WEDNESDAY, December 24
fa
, 1823.
ee
arm
Eighteenth Congress
Wednesday, December 3d.
House of Representa-
tives.
The House resolved itsell into 2
commitiee of the whole on the statef]
of the Union, Mr. Condict in the
chaiv, and proceeded to the considera
tion of the Message of the President
of the U. States. or
Mi Taylor, of New York, submit
ted the following resolutions 3
1. Resolved, That so much of
the Message of the President of the
United Slates as concerns our political/d
‘4 relations with other independent gov - ©
ernments, be referred to the commit
m
1
0
acts of assembly providing for the
Brewster, Cadwallader,
md Power appointed.
as relates to Education, be referred to
(he committee appointed on that sub-
jects
as relates to bridges and artificial
roads, in which the State holds stock,
lor is interested, be referred to the com-
recommends an alteration in the acl
‘Vice President, so as to change the
by information which he is receiving,
be will be able tg introduce many im-
provements, as ti publication pro
fareases. wile R= i
We have the honor to be very re
spectfully, your obedient servants, ©
ANDREW GREGG, Secy,
SAM’L COCHRAN, 8.6.
Mc Smith offered the following
resolution «
Resolved, By the senate and hous
of representatives of the common
wealth of Pennsylvania, in general
assembly met: :
That the Secretary of the common-
wealth be authotised and directed ww
dispose of the state maps, as follows :
to the commissioners of the several
counties in the commonwealth, cach
one map for the use of the respective
offices.. To the sccretary of the com
aintainence and support of the poor,
or iy a bi otal eo - co : 0 ,
OR Bior
3. That so much of the Message
4- That so much of the Message
iittee vnwoads bridges and inland
avigatlon,
5. That so much of the Message as
irecting the manner, lime, and places
f electing Electors of President and
tee on Foreign Affairs,
92, Resolved,
Wad ly BR
referred to the Comm
mercer aA
3. Resolved, That so
the Presidents Message as r
the encourag
be refered to the Comm
That so much of
the Presidents Message as relates to
commerce, to the erection of piers in
the Delaware Bay, and the removal of
obstructions to the entrance of the
arbor of Port of Presque Isle, bein } )
Haruor of the of Com. tion of the act imposing a duty on re-
much oflred to a special committee. —-Lmien;
clates to Conyngham, Dickerson, Rea and Wia-
a revision of the Tariff, with a view
ement of manufactures, h
ittee on man. relates to the Militia,
lace of meeting of the Electors, from
the seat of government to some other
place, be refered to a special commit.
1ee— Burnside, D. Mann, Duncan,
Harrison and Feger appointed.
6. That so much of the Message as
recommends the repeal or modifica
tailors of foreign merchandize, be refers
to ter appointed.
7. That so much of the Message as
the state of the
|Arsenals and the Public arms, be re-
wits
SEP tT oh
Bi gs Wey an So
ufactures,
‘4. Resolved, That \
the Presiden’s Message as relates to §
the Army, the Militia, the O«dinauce!
Department, the Military Academy,
Fortifications, Armories, and Arscnals,
pe referred to the commtitee on mili-
tary affaivs. |
"5. Resolved, ‘That
the President's Message as relates to,
the organization of the Naval Estab-
lishment, and the suppression of Pi
racy, be referred to the Comimitiee on
Naval Affairs.
6. Resolved,
the President’s Messag
2
S
Public debt, be referred to the com
mittee of Ways and Means.
7. Resolved, That so much of
the President’s Message as concerns
the Post office Department, and the
revision of the laws relating to the
same, be referred to the committee on
the Post Office and Post Roads.
8. Resolved, That so much of
the President's Message as relates to
the settlement of the Public Accounts,
be rcfsrred to the Committee on Pub-
lic Expenditures.
9. Resolved, That so much of
the President’s Message as concerns
our relations with certain Indian tribes
be referred to the committee on In
dian Affairs.
10. Resolved, That so much of
the President’s Message as relates to
the the suppression of the African
slave trade, be referred to a select
committee.
11. Resolved, That so much of
the Presidents Message as relates to]
the Cumberland Road, be referred to,
a select committee. ?
12. Resolved, That so much of]
the President’s Message as relates to
the councction of the waters of the
Chesapeak and Ohio, by means of a
Canal, be referred to a select commit-
tee.
13, Resolved, That the said
sclect committees have leave to re-
port by bill, or otherwise.
These resolutions were severally
agreed to ; when the committee rose
and reported them to the House, and,
the same being again read at the
Clerk's table, were severally concur-
red in by the House.
The House adjourned.
Db GE
Proceedings
Of the Legislature of
Pennsylvania.
t
1
so much of ferred to the commiitee on the Militia
tees and salaries of oflicers, & recom-
mends a more early promulgation of]
'the laws, be referred to the committee
so much of on the judiciary system.
opted, and the committees appointed.
letter from the Secretary of the com-
monwealth and surveyor gencral, as|
follows :
ystem,
8. That so much efthe Message as
nggests a further diminution of the
9. That so much of the Message as
recommends a more prompt and strict ed
accountability of officers and agents
ientrusted with the receipt and expen-
diture of public movey, apd recom:
That so much of mends an annual examination of the
e as relates to sR0N/sY eoncerns oF ihe reastigy be
3 ireierred to a special committee.
ails Revenue and redemption of Gi ey Barnard, on Allshouse and
Coleman appointed.
| The forgoing resolutions were ad-
he day subsequent to t he above. |
Thursday, December 11,
The Speaker laid before senate, @
Harrisburg, December 9,1823.
“ The undersigned, in virtue of the
ecutive of each state in the Union for
the use of their respective legislatures
one map. Adjourned.
monwealth and surveyor general, each
one map. To the President of the
United States two maps, one for the
ase of his office, and ong for the use
of the library of congress. To the
secretary of war, the secretary of the
navy, the secretary of the treasury and
the postmaster-general each one map|
r the use of their resbective offices.
To the secretary of the senate of the
United States one map. To the
clerk of the house of representative:
of the United States, for ‘the use of
the said house, one map. To the ex-
Saturday, December 13.
Mr. Burnside, from the committee
to whom was referred that item of the
governor’s message relative to the
place of meeting of electors ol Presi-
dent and Vice President of the Unit
States, made REPORT :
The importance of the subject, and
the high authority from which the re.
commeudation of changing the place
of meeting the electors of President
and Vice President has emanated, in-
duced your committee to give it their
serious and deliberate consideration.
The constitution of the United
States declares that « each state shall
appoint, in such manner as the legis-
lature thereof shall direct, a number
of electors equal to the whole number
of senators abd representatives to
which the state may be entitled.”
This supreme head bas left it to the
respective states to direct who shall
choose electors, kod where they shal:
meet, to perform their functions
Congress has declared the day ou
authority vested in them, by an act of
assembly, passed the 1st April last,
entitled ¢ A supplement to an act di-
which those duties are to be perform.
ed. There is no uniformity io the
recting the formation of a map of Penu-
sylvania,” and agreeably to the direc
tions therein contained, took an early
opportunity of applying
sion. Mr, Hulme absolutely refused
complying with the demand, until the
government would pay, or assume the
payment of a large account stated 10)
knowledge the undersigned posscssed,
to Thomas
Hulme, the assignee of the late John
Melish, for the plates, prints and other
property of the commonwealth which
they understood were in his posses-
be due to Mr Melish. With the
that Mr Melish had received all the
money which by law he was entitled
manner of choosing electors : each
state pursued that mode which was be:
lieved by themselves, to be the mos:
suitable and best adapted to secure the
permanency and happiness of the Un-
ion. So important a subject as the
election of a President and Vice Presi
deat, was not to be expected to have
passed over,without producing some
excitement. It fiequently has engag
ed the attention of our distinguished
statesmen; and the want of a uniform
rule, as to the mode and manner of
choosing electors, has been considered
by many, as a most serious and alarm-
ing defect in the constitution of the
to receive until he would have deliv. United States.
cred a hundred copies to the surveyor] It is believed, by your committee.
general, agreeably to the provisions ofjthat at this time, the states of New
the act directing the formation of the; Hampshire, Rucde-Island, Connecti
Map, they, of course, denied any poss- cut, New-Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virgin
ibility, on their part, of complying with'ia, North Carolina, Ohio and Mississip-
the condition he proposed ; but engag 1pi, choose their electors by gencial
ed that on his surrendering the plates ticket. That Massachusetts, Maiy-
and other property, and furnishing and land, Kentucky, Illinois, Maine, and
delivering as many coplesas in addi- Missouri, choose by districts ; and
tion to those furnishedby Mr Melishithat in the states of Vermont, New-
would coinplete the hundred which, by York, Delaware, South Carolina,
law, he was to dcliver, he should be. Georgia, Louisiana, Indianna, and Al
paid five hundred dollars, as directed abana, they are chosen by the Legis-
by an act of assembly passed on the atures. In our own state, the elec
2nd of April, 1822, entitled © An act'tors have always been chosen by the
making appropriations for defraying people, with the exception of the very
certain expenses of government.” memorable election of 1800.
After much delay and considersble cor-f After the excitement produced by
IN SENATE.
MonDAY, LJECEMBER 8. |
Petitions, for a change of place of
holding elections in Auburn township,’
Susquehanna county : of
Grant, to be indemnified by another lo-
cation for sundry unsatisfied land war-
rants—were presented and referred.
Mr. Barnard reported the following
arrangement of the Governor’s Mes-
sage: ‘
1 Thetso much of the message
as relates to the election laws, and to
the subject of wagering on elections.
be referred to a special chmmittee—
(iroves, Herrington, Henderson, Ma-
hon and Dewart appoint
2. That so much of 3 Message as
reconunends a revision of the scyeral
George
respondence, personally and by letter, that election had subsided, when no e-
the plates were, at length, deposited in lection was approaching that could
his lank of Pennsylvania, aod the huo- produce a contest, when all was tran-
red co
subject to the disposition of the legis-
lature. The other property has, as the manner, times and places of bold |
yet, been retained by Mr Hulme, and ing the election, for electors, and di-
i
[Ls recovery by legal process, has been rected, that the electors so chosen,
|
committed to an attorney.
Mr
ithe plate, has bee
copies of the map, which the quil and harmonious the legislatu-e of
publisher was to deliver, are pow here, Pennsylvania passed a general" law,
providing for the future, and regulating
to Ishou d meet at the seat of government
Benjamin Tanner, who engraved of this state, on the day appointed by
-
Wednesday in December—the time Hays, Mitchell.
fixed by the constitution, for the meet
ing of the general assembly, the fics |county, for aid to re-build the public
Tuesday in that month—it will gener-ouildings destroyed by fire, and to sup+
ally happen, that the legislatire are{piy recérds whi
then in session, and that they bave{ieferred to Sill, Stinson, Ogle.
commenced their labors, the day pre-
ceding the meeting of the electors. [resolution :
Should it ever bappen, that the moath
of December commences on Wedoes-{portatce to the Commonwealth of
lay, the legislature will not be in ses- |{Peunsylvania at large, and to her mes |
sion until the Tuesday following, and tropolis in particular, that the waters |
a special provision will be necessary of the west and those falling into th
Atlantic ocean, should be Luited by a
If it were so, that there was some-(Canal and lock navigation, through
(0 supply vacancics.
thing imfiure and imperfect in a con-|
cise of ¢ extrinsic influences” for c¢i-
erally a majority of the popular branch
of the legislature are new members ;
each other; strangers to the executive
—a}l the members of the house of re-
presentatives, and at least one-fourth
of the senators, emanating immediate-)
ly from the people.—~Where a vacan-
cy has happened in the electoral col
lege, the practice has been, of choos
ing the elector from among the gentle-
men attending ut the seat of govern-
ment, from the vacant district.
Yoar committee are not able to dis-
cover either impurity or imperfection
{
p—
cither the want of vigilance or caution,
greater imperfection in the legislature
supplying a vacancy in the electo
colleges than there would be in ag
other body of men of the same nun
ber. In addition to this, it is a duty
prescribed by law, and performed un-
der the solemnity of their oaths.
Your committee, with all due res-
pect to the opinion expressed
presumed from a contingent necessit
of filling up vacancies, should any od
curyas the electors present will be
fully competent to the task of perform
ing that duty, humbly coaccive, that
it is the subject to strong objections,
so numerous as both branches ol the
legislature, nor are they so 1mmedi-
ately responsible to the people : be-
cause it is impossible to foretel how
many will be present—whether a ma-
jority of the electors or a less num-
ber : and because the electors present
may be strangers ; nor can citizen
be presumed to be there present from
distant parts of the state, where ab-
sence is most likely to happen:
The law of 1802 appears to your
committee to combine the very bes!
and most approved mode of chosing
clectors—first, by the people, the
source of all poweryin this common.
wealth, and the sovereign authority ;
and secondly, filling of vacancies by
their immediate representatives, the
mode adopted by many enlightened
republican states of this great and hap-
py confederacy. Believing, then, that
the existing system is neither impure
or Jess perfect than could be expects
ed from human institution, they sub-
mit to the senate the following reso.
lution :
Resolved that the committee be
discharged from the further consid-
eration of this item in the governor's
message,
On motion of Messrs Burnside and
Dewart, the resolution was read a
second time and adopted,
House of Representa-
tives:
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 6.
The speaker presented a letter trom
the secretary of the land office, with
documents, and one from the surveyor
general.
Mr. Brown presented a petition
from inhabitants of Allegheny ; pray-
ing for the repeal of the law providing
for the better education of the poor
in Pittsburg, and for the passage of a
general law on the subject,
Mr Commings presented the peti-
tion of Stewart H. Whitehill, praying
for aloan of two thousand dollars to
aid 2 manufacturing esiablishment.
Mr. Dale presented a petition from
tinue the publication of
) 0i the map, agree- happen, by the absence of any elector
ably to the provisions o;
he act direct-{the same law provided, that the legis
rity to make settlement and do allithe vacancy.
nif to con- congress. When vacancies should
ing its formation, having given secu-|lature should, by joint vote, supply
| Against thig systems,
ther matters and things agreeably tolysur committee have never, before,
inhabitants in Ubpion county,
3
Snyder, M’Bride.
Mr. Streator presented a petitior
from Stephen Wilson, of Bradfor¢
county, praying compensation for
the provisions of theact. Recent ad- heard a murmur or complaint.
vices from them furnish assurance that The
wale
iract of land, confirmed to Conaecticu
day fixed by conguess, the frst claimagly Referrgg @ Streator,
munication with the Jegisjature and 'cure the tiade of ti
executive of this state, there is no time ing the Ohio aud
for even the apficarance of the exer- to the city of Phitad
ther branch of the government. Gen- of western Pennsylvan
many of both branches unknown to fefent sections of this great and
in this system ; nor can.they discover |i
nor can they suppose that there is a {ge
in the message, “ that no objection tos
the proposed alteration can arise, it is§
of unfinished business, relative to x
Because the electoral college are notjcomplaint against Mills Hays, a jus-
relative!
to a turnpike road-—referred to Dale,
2ifurther violence
¢
Mr. Sill, from. inhabitants of Erie
-
3M
were consum
Mr. Clark offered the following
hy
Whereas it is of the highest im-=
1
f
the laterior of the stale
tate the transportati
the seaboard; and als
ties of mutual inlerest
grows
commonwealth. j- 5
And, whereas, a line of communi
through the centre of the statey t
ars to be practicable, by the Union.
nal as now laid down, between the.
ers Schuylkill and Susquebanna, |
by the Juniata, Conemaugh, and:
legheny rivers, to the city of Pitts- |
burg, Therefore : ik
“4 Resolved, That a committee be
appointed 10 inquire into the expedis
ccy of appoinung commissioners and
f¥csting them with authoriiy to ex- |
ine and report to the next legisias
whether a canal and lock ng
ation can be extended ata a
Wpense, trom Middleiown, on the |
usquelianna river, to the city of
pisburg, by the rivers Juniata, Cone
mgugh and Allegheny.” . os
oMr. Koight moved to refer an item
J ugfinished business, on the subject, |
gi the Potomac and Ohio canal, to a
gmmittee. Commitiee, Knight, Sta=
tnson, Markle, Sill; S. Lawrence
mmings, Cochran. Gr
Mr. Gardner moved to refer an
em of unfinished business, relative tor |
election of inspectors in York boroughs
Referred to members from York coune,
x
ty. Andon forther motion an item
Ph
¥
fi
tice of the peace, was referred to F,
Smith, Shearer, Forry, Hummel,
Hays. 5
Mr. Holgate moved to refer an item |
of unfinished business, relative to &
new county, out of part of Philadelpbi«
. Referred to Holgate, Stinson,
a
/ise.
big « Audenried moved for reference
of an item of unfinished business rela-
ive to an academy in Orwiggburg—
eferred to Audenried, Huggins, For«
by Aha
“Mr. Lehman moved to refer an iteny|
of unfinished businesss relative to the |
appointment ot a beard of commissions
ars, for the purpose of promoting in.
ternal improvement. —-teferred to Leh
man, E. Lewis; Reynolds, Hummel,
Diven, M’Clay, Ogle, Clark, Ever~
bart. ; :
On motion of Mr. Norbury, a joint
commillee, consisting of Norbury,
Shippen and Hutter, were appointed
to join a similar committee from Sen=~
ate, to open the returngel election fo
governor. 3
The following bills were reported.
An act for the relief of C, Treziule
ney of Centre connty.
An act to authorise the executor of
Elizabeth King dec’d, to sell a certain
house and lot. 5
BR ee
ATTEMPT TO MURDER.
On Tuesday evening last a most.
violent attack was made upon a Young
man, who is clerk in the Store of
James Noble, at Hop Bottom, “Phe
circumstances as told to us, are theses
The young man on returning fromy
Harford, whither he had been sent to
receive a sum of money, was fired at.
by a villian whe made bis appearagca!
by the way side. The fire was from oi
pistol ; the ball struck the clothes of!
the young man, and penetrated as. fap
as the vest pocket, where it lodged
its progress being arrested by a large!
knife which was luekily theres To
discharge of the pistol frightened the
horse, and the young mau was instant] 4
(dismounted, when the desperado fel
upon him with a knife and attempt
ito stab him; but did not succeed in ie
ing a serious wound, It is Mio f
‘probable that the villian was mistake,
in the person, and that he did got g; 4
cover his mistake till he came in close
engagement, when he desisteg fom
and made off |
Pires Gazgype, |
NV:
i
{great aste.