GOVERNOR’S MESSAGE. To the Senate and House of Representatives, of the CommonioedUhof-Pennsylvamtt. GuNtiAWENI—No- ordinary, reasons .for, thankful? ness to'tho Great upon the. Representatives of ihb people* at ihW annual meeting.' Abnndanbo the 'past ward of honest: industry, in every purauit-ofthq citizens. - Animated with health i\nd encouraged by success, they have steadily progressed in thb'accoin*! plialmiontof llidir destiny ,n.ndwhi!o chtcrprlzo lias beep highly favored in the developomentof our great resources, the elevating purposes and life of social organization, religion, ihoralily, education* refinement and civilization have been cherished and advanced. •, Although peace and tranquility havqj'teigned within the borders of Ibis Stale, wo are irfdehtifiod with, and,deeply inloreslcd in the war with Mexico, in which \hc nation is war which the prudence, forbearance, and dcsiro of the people to rhfdln ’fpioWdly relations, could not avert; and which was eventually forcbd lipoh ut», duly that rests upon every well regulated Government to protect the rights of its citizen?, and maintain iho honor of the nation. , Our religion, our interests, and our institutions, are;essentially peaceful. The-people hold in their hands the sovereignty of the nation, and exact from their rules' obedience to their will. By their con* influence, they sanction and preserve - the cardinal policy - of maintaining amicable relations, with 4 all oilier nations. By them the rights of Amcr iqan citizens,in all p.trls.ofthe world, and the, honor of the nation are hold sacred. • Violations of those | national rights and national honor, appeal lo lho justice, and invoke the power of the whole people for their vindication.- The.war of 1812, with England, and, the existing war with Mexico, are illustrations of thia distinguishing feature in tho character of the American .people. Patient of injury while wrongs ore. sufferable, and reasonable hopes of a return-to amicable relations, upon equitable principles, can be entertained, :yct • no nation may, with impunity, violato the obligations of treaties, or break faith with the United States, ;• In defence of these just rights- the power of this people is resistless. Every citizen holds himself responsible, and springs into existence, not by conscriptions, or contracts for enlistments, but by the Voluntary, impulse of indopendotit freemen, nni’. mated by patriotism and urged onward to.deeds of . heroic valor; bv tho approbation of the whole nation. This invincible spirit, guided by tho scicncc and skill of the officers, has led our armies in Mexico, from one victory to another, and from one greab-triumph . to (greater, and will lend them still onwprd, until .a -permanent and honorable peace is sdeufed; While the honest pride of every American is gratified, by ' the great achievements of our soldiers, his confidence in ourfreo institutions, and in the moans to defend arid preservc'them, is strengthened.- > In tiie support and prosecution p.f‘tho war in which wo arc engaged, Pennsylvani^M, 1 given token of her ancient and.uniform and the lienor of the nation. Her volunteers were among the first to tendcr their scrvlccs*amijn,ovcry encounter with tho enemy, have magnified tiro.military fame of the Commonwealth, by deeds of romantic chivalry and noble daring. : . In these great achievements, many of out heroes havoVfullcn in a foreign land. The moans of the winds of Heaven, in passing through the long grass on their graves, are re-echoed by the sighs of theirfrionds.in the fatherland, and the sad requim is a jnsl tribute* to .their sufferings and their valor. ’ Tho finances and credit of tho State —the amount end condition of the public debt, and tho means of roducingJi, are among.the objects which claim the first attention of the Representatives of the. people. < Tho amount of tho public debt, on the -Ist Decem ber, 1846,was , . $40,789,577 00 On the Ist December, 1847, it was, • according to the Report-of tho Au : ditor General, as follows, viz: ‘ k - • ' ; Funded Debt, 6 per cent. Blocks, $1,753,335 OG 5 “ u 37,267,991) 37 4J. : “ . " • 20,0,000 00 Itelicfissucs in cir culation, Interest certificates .outstanding, ,;, - Interest cerlificatca unclaimed, ■ -Interest on outstan - , ‘dingaDduritelaim . •cd certifioales, at cent., to 'Tst‘August, : 1845, time of funding, Domestic creditors, x 353,956 43 Being 1' ’ . , . , $160.627 49 less than it was on.lho Ist December, 1846. l - I v-TliU paymcnt, or reduction of the debt, within, the I Uat financial year, was offecloU by the cancellation, • at the Treasury, of one hundred and fifty thousand | dbllqrp of ih.e relief Issues, and by the receipt of Stale . stocks in payment of old debts, which is allowed in certain cases by law. There would have been two hundred thousand dol lartoftbe relief issues cancelled, within tho year, in accordance with'the requirements of the law, but the payment of the interest which fell duo on. the first of February, last, loft.(ho Treasury so much ex hausted, that the.amount which should havo bcon cancelled on the 3isl March, was not then on - hand. It will bo recollected that it became necessary to an - ticipate a portion of the means of tho-ycar,'by a loan 0f5200,000 00, to meet tho interest which fell duo on t,he Ist February. . The balance in the Treasury on tho Ist.Deeomber, 1846( was The receipts into the Treasury, dur ing tho financial year ending the 30th Nov. f 1847, from all sources, • including tho load of $200,000 00 aboTo referred to, were, - Mahingan aggregate of Tho payments made out of tlie Troa sury, during the tamo period, in* .. ciuultig Uio, repayment of thd.loan of 200,000, were; . Leaving the balance in the Treasury, on tho let Dec. 1847, 080,890 85 being $296,212 15, more limn it was on tho Ist of Dec., 1646, Tho estimated amount of available outstanding taxci, on tho Ist Dee.,' 1847,. wan, arid Uio estimated amount of tho same, - on Ist Dec., 1846, was, which exhibit! cn increase, in this : ' item, of ■ To which odd the increase of the balance in the Treasury, of, and wo have' the sum of 04 the aggregate increase of tlio balance in the Trea sury, and of outstanding luxes on tho Ist Dec,, 1847, over the some items on the Ist Dee. 184 G. This calculation shows, that tlio rovcuuos assessed nod accruing, within the financial year, ending on the 30th Nov. last, were not only adequate to meet the demands upon the Treasury, within tlio your, but exceeded them by the sum of $302,404 51, ns above stated, and ifto this sum bo added the amount of the debt paid within the year, to-wit, 9160,697 aO, • wo have the sum of $463,032 00, as tho excess of r lbe revenues accruing within the year, over the pay ment oflho interest on tho public debt, the expenses of the government and tho other ordinary demands upon the Treasury. • This presents a very encouraging view of the Improving condition of tho finances of the Stale. It ie tlio first lime, since iho commencement of the Internal improvement system, that the permanent , ipvouues accruing within the year, unaided from any other source, have exceeded or been equal to the demands upon tho Treasury. It js true, the Interest upon ino funded debt, and . other claims upon tho Treasury, during tho two proceeding years, including the payment of a portion of the . public 1 debt, by the cancellation of relief notes, were punctually paid; but, in.doing this, the bal ance which had accumulated in tho Tteaeufjr on the Ist Dee. 1844, by the previous suspension of ! lhe payment of the interest on the public debt, for two and one-half years, as well ns the amount of taxes then outstanding, werodimintshed each year, Udlil the last, as Is particularly explained in my pnhnal messaged, in 1846 and 1840, to which you airc respectfully referred. Altestimate of the receipts and expenditures, on iho fltirrent year, made with m.uch cure, and upon : oon.ult»llon with the other aOioen of tho guvororntru, | ilUouroo., fur llio finnncl.l year, 3o^l. November, 1848, Is . * fully.invito Iho attention of thoOo.noral Assembly,to a'thorough cxaminatibn Whatever just'amount of taxation'ono tnkn escapee by an eya sion'l'or impor.fect execution, qf'lhe.law; is on- jmpo position and'fraud upon his neighbor, who makes £ fullircwrmif.liis property, and pays u tax upon a iaty. 'valuation. \\ > ~V. . • , ' There orb no subjects more intimately connected with,'or which have a. more .direct: Influence upon tha iiilcreats of the country, than' the , currency and| - »tjn hnttklny fofitnm. - '; 1 ‘- '' 'i v! .... k *4*510 00 ' T 'There is good reason to believe, lhat lho prosper!- And we Imve tho samuf . f ‘ » burrcnt ly of the peopled Uio United -States,, particularly as the estimated ejtcess o • I • oVell ,|, er j,c.\t, those connected with tho agricultural iiitoresta*-; lifts, financial year, ending on ])U blie debt, been promoted, by tho removal on the part of the Brit over tho payment of ' ish Govcrnment.ofthc high duties:,upon our exports and ho current‘ 1 ” tho Zrogalo, 1 of gram, and bH.cr agricultural production. and tho llicso estimates, wl» . Durme the last modification of out own tariff, by which tho com. consider 'V. bcen miifo fuvdra- morcial oxcliangca of tho two countries have boon few years, the actual r. 1 . ■ ( - greatly augmented; withoutnffccting, injuriously, so wMchmocurrcd darlng.liti past your, tho consequent mg mtereal., or other md U ßlrial ; pMBU.l3 of our poo [ Oliiqf cau.aa. in oombimttiori ■taken by tho collcclora; within Urn-your, according have produced a largo influx ofapccio into IhoUni. to the.report of tho Canal'Commiasionor., amounted led Stales,- during the past year, which Jim 8,. to Hu- sum of : 9I 5«1 575 87,'being 8286,081 1 , to oclivo circulation among tho.. poop oor louml us n%ro Ulan taken in the preceding 'yoar.'ond cxl way into the ceded tho cstiraato made far Hid lakt year, hear one Hie precious inolals, wh io it 8 f ‘^ 3e ’ J hundred thousand dollars, Hqd no unusual intorrnp. groat degree, with llid o«o.of mpo ; eurronqy.l ta a lion of business Sccprred, the cinourit,taken would ondenoy to increasel, Jy “f eortainiv have reached eighteen-hundred' thousand the imnks.lo extend tbpir issues,, Ihccflccl ol.wlnoi co tamjy have .rcacucu uy.ii , n- oncoar n ff od, will bo .to prdmolo speculation, and o, rhe" estimate of canal and railroad tails, for tho over .atidn in end.ftd curront vonr is sovonlcch hundred thousand dollars, tnako Hie present subslantiaUrosporily of tho poo. which, there'Vs good mason, to' iieljcve, is rather bo- pie, tbo mean. °f low than above the amount which will to ■ received. Tho operations o the I Cons .1 Hops Ths oxnenses of repairing tho damages to Hio public bad, and no doubt will continue to have, a most sal works, by Hid floods of the past yoarf will principally utdry influence, in rcßlraming.tholendencyofcxcca fiill dpon Hm current year They are, hiweveJ, in- oi.o hanking, by keeping the public rovo ues out of eluded in Iho estimate of the expanses’ of tho year, the Vaults of the bajHrvand «“P«"“f ‘ ecio and w.it. not afloat the results presented in the pro- prepared to -“"V Th|amounUf rcliof issues in “hiVjy of ll" 8 which ~l l> 0"B “ n li. kundre l and eiXy caution and prudence, on tho pert -of-the' Stales, in every thing pertaining.to banking and paper c.rcuia. outstanding. Tiitf moans of , o' discriminating diiltesTtyUlrrsaand cur. whole’amount now in dcdTe HiTlolural'LndEtl.y cOndlfl^ and sueccedingyeur. Many of Ipcin “ re 80 b wllich lhe j UBI row „ r da of Ikbor arc secured, and I violation of iiiw, and lessen the circulation ? ns unnatural stimulants and croalo apparent but do ment of liioir interest, P wiien they are below'par, ns nanco of our present oBoUnd well as to the people at largo, imperatively do,needs Pennsylvania ujah.n J that they should be taken out of circulation as soon description required-by the ' wanU of i d.,qnd as practicable. I; therefore, rocommond the passage no lung is necessary lo makc hot H o most of a law, allowing aucli of tho Banks as have issued independent in the regard for hor theso notes to Idnd them at o rale of. interest nut true interests. .To advance those, she must not bo exceoding six per cent, per annum payable senii.nn- seduced from her devotion to sound principles, by.the s^Asas»t , iacs» those that mav remain in circulation, as the/ dome « abundance of gold and silver m the counlr), to ,h 0 payn,cnlof,,ic a Tt 0 the Treasury will be sufficient wisdom of (ho framers oflhb Constitution oflhoUni* m payment of S dues to lhe commonwealth, and Ip pay the banks • 8houl(J i, O Jiroctcd ao secure .tho solvency of those the. amount funded within two years. ..By this w | licjl already exist, and thereby render their circa process,:shonld the banks agree to fund any cpn- ktjon goun j nnd re j iab i c . aldernhle portion of them, they may all bo • taken j m p rcssei j w ith the force ot-th»4}onsid?rationß, I oui'Pf circulation within tlie present year. It may conv inced that the increase of the banking capi* bo urged, that as those notes do not no.w. bear, in- ta j of tho State, would bo unwise and impolitic; and I lorest, they ought.notto be converted, into a debt \ respectfully recommend,that before any ono of tho I on which interest will be payable. This, howey- exislihg .banks,is reclmrtcred, a searcbinga.scrutiny er; is but a superficial, view of ihesubjoct. There bo instituted into its affairs, its, management, ilsl Is no longer any excuse for a - continued violation credit, and .its mcantf; and if it bo found that the of thenublic faith, by the payment of the public notes have been suffered,to doprcciatq, r/iat tho ac creditors. in a depreciated currency, and, the small commodations haw bten bestowed upon favorites, and ssaiaE^aaffiiC'd cidentto a deproomled ctrculaUon. Ibis curren- „ ranl ®| i, avo nol b eo n by fuir/tkithfaUnd judicious cy had its origin in an ovasion.ol theconstllulton, accomplished, tton tbo charter should I and ought to be blotted out of remembrance. . b c . suffered/, to expire Sy listen limitation. Tho j; It 'may now. bo saiely assrfmed, that* wo. have discontinuance of such institutions will promote the 1 reached a period, in our financial history, when p U bl| c good, nnd will bo hailed with approbation by the’ perrhanent revenues of tho Commonwealth a n but those tyho, have, for .private gain, wrested! exceed, annually, the interest on the, public debt, them from tho purpose for- which,they wcrocatab-l and the ordinary demands upon tho Treasury, by lUhcd. . . 1 at least half a million of dollars. And this excess, , This policy, so .juslJtowaTds the public, while it ,it is confidently believed, may, by a judicious re- may, to a moderate extent, diminish the present! I vision and amendment of the ; reyenuo laws—a amount of banking capital, will ■) r , c "e l l'ep P u bu^ I nntilehl ami economical course on the part of tho confidonco in thc oHici- bunks uml ada to lio B ab.Ulj legtalatWa anfl Exooulivo depatlmonUorthoGov- and .oupflness of tho cutrcnoy. And us it may, itiso, 1 eminent, and “L P^\lifs^ ic works, be augmented in a few years none mil- men > daa ,^ a OIOCaa ofgain ia dorive d from Hie lion of dollars, n s_as lnklnfand,wllli o u 1 1 n c re a s - g|)E( ,. al priv i| egCß oonferred upon llioin by the Lcgis. mg the burdens of thoso who now pay their taxes | uture j recommend, that the tax imposed by the act on a full return and fair valuation of their taxahle jbe Ist April, 1835, upon dividends exceeding six I property. This sum applied semi annually, with por oenU pec unnum| bo increased. While tho in. its accruing interest to tho redemption of the five d uccrucn t to cxccssivo banking will bo reasonably per cent. Stale stocks, at par, Would discharge cheeked, by the increase of this tax, the finances of upward of‘sixteen millions, four hundred thou- |ho Slate may bo, to some extent, improved, and the sand dollars, of,the debt in twelve years, and re- public welfurepromolcd. ■; .. - 1 diice it at the end of that time,'to twenty-three . The policy indicated, will load to tho rigid execu*! millions. Il is believed that all tho relief issues (ion of the law proliibiling'tho circulation of foreign I will be redeemed and cancelled, by the year one notes, under tho denomination of five dollars, as soon thousand eighljumdred and'fifty, and if tho bper- as the balance of Urn rolicrisaucs is cancelled. Ins aliens of the sinking fund are then commenced, will bo a positive advance in the improvement of tho tin the fumied debt, the result thus anticipated, currency, whieli .linn dbe then fnllowcd I by a law will bb realized in ‘b° dcnnminatmi of Sn°dM™. °Tke clmnnolsofcirou bumlred and stxly-lwo at which lime, there is good | alion wi| , ,| icn bo f)l | c( | wilb nI) abundance of gold reason to believe, Uto’net . income from the pablio anJ B n tcr u, O public securcdLOgtinst the chances of works, will bo more than sufficient to pay the in- j OBB by broken banks, and doprcclotcd currency; and lereat on the balance of tho public debt, and there- wa y wl || bo opened to such Author improvements, 1 by relievo the people from all further direct taxa- a 8 ib o ro al interests and convenience of the people I tion for this purposd, 1 may demand. : I Some may view’this proposition as visionary and The cautionary enactments I have suggested,can-1 I delusive, but 1 regard it as entirely practicable, no t fall to increase, rather than diminish tho amount under a wise and prudent administration of the af- of a sound circulating medium, lully entitled to the fairs of the Stale. The augmenting trade upon public confidonco, The cffcct.tvill bo to bring the our public works, and the consequent increase of l-speclo of the country into active circulation, to fur business in our commercial and manufacturing ci-1 nish the people with a suhstaptiul currency, that ties aud .lowns, aniV the increase of population and Iconnot bo impaired by bank failure*, and to restrain ) taxable property, within our limits, cam.ol fail, llm loudonoy of Hm banks to foster sxlruvaganco. in under n proper enforcement of the revenue laws, tmm of prosperity, and check Hm moans of oppression jo add Treasury every year. Ifj y n .dvoealcd and put into practieo, however, tins great objuel t» bo effeoled, hu n / r Ulo Hlatcs c „|l c d,Fßi;E BANKING. — public revenues must not bo diverted to other, pur- u | BbaB od.ln part, upon B pccio f uiid Inpart.upon posqs, and the most rigid economy, and the strict* Blfttc B i oc k H| hypothecated with the Government. In esl accountability, of thp public agents, niust bo O (i JC j. wor( i ß banka become llio creditors of tho CopK . required and enforced. It is-among tho first, and monwoullb, by purchasing licr bonds: theso are do hlghesidutles, of those enlruoted with the afimin- poshed with tho govormncnl, andHho government istration of the government, to adopt the most ef- endorses, and returns to thu hankers, notes prepared ficicnt muans, under existing circumstances, to in- for circulation, to an equal amount. I can perceive crease public confidence and guard against the no grounds for confidence in this system.; It must oood faith of tho Stale being ever again culled in explode, in a country whcro.il is adopted to.any con* question—to reduce the public debt, and. relieve *ldernblo extent, whenever n revulsion occurs to test the people! from perpetual taxation to pay interest, dts stability, for il is a deviation from true principles. I, therefore, feel impelled by a sense of duty, to Sound uml safe bunking cun only ko baaed and con renew tho recommendation contained in the lost dueled on money—gold und silver. , [ annual messu.m, which is in Iheso words: “In uals or banks, can 1 »" d ‘ bl | in ' v ''‘ ~k "mV , connection wall, this Bubjiol, 1 rcspcoirully rocom- r J,locm H.cm in gild and silver! ' mend to the Gnnoral Assumbly, the propriety and t , commit a frapd upon tho community, aa they . policy ol proposing to the people, an amendment | OII J „ nJ ~u tin circulation, tlml which is not money, ■to the Cone tlulioti qf,tho blato, under Iho totin of nor lbo r ' , 011 tativ.c of money. , the 10th nrliolo of that instrument, by wh oh tho If ~ ', of convorUnß , lalo .took, into incotno from tho public improvement*, after dc- ballW capital, and l,ypotlieoatin B il a. n security ducting the necessary expenses for repairs and mi- for tho payment of bank issnea, were not a delusion, perinlendenco—the revenue, arising from the Stalo mof|gni{e B upon real estate, might bo used for the lax on real and personal property, for accrluin.pe- gmno purposo, which would uflbrd an equal if not a riod, and such other Items of income ns it may bn bettor acourUy t for the puyrticnt of notes,and by this, deemed include, shall bo set apart process, the whole-value of the real, estate of the and sacredly pledged, for llio payment'of tho In- country, might ho converted into banking capital, and| (erest upon the public debt, and the gradual llqui- the people Into a nation of bankers. • This proposi. dalion of the principal. Such nn amend mont,Jn- lion the whole scheme is Illusory and dicinlly arranged, would I apprehend* meet with unsound; v ■ ■'■■■ ■• j ; the ducided approbation of the peoploof tho Com- Free bonkmg, m it. logiltmalo sense, is the right monwnallli. t would oonoentrato public sentiment which ovsr» man enjoys, in lend ins own money to mpnwn.iuu. * ui f r I, whonWio ploasos. It ia tlia oxohango of.monoy for upon n fixed,ohjoct remoyo nil doubt of the luU- accur^as 1 10 ro|my with l lltcr e.l—it involve; no ness of tho pnhlio credit, ami lay tho foundation n ° t | t , oua illcreo ,Jj & tho circulation, hut may ho oor of the final extinguishment of tho pub lo debt. j fl| j on t 0 an | nt i o fmUo extent, without affocling.thol Itwoulllglveiinadditionfilaocurletynndoflßiiranco currone b This is the free banking, which has at, to the people, nnd lo the public creditors, that in o jj t j m c B supplied, nnd does »io\y supply, the wants no event, could (lie publicrpyenuebodlyertod from o( - (l i nrgo proportion of borrower!, und commends its legitimate object, nnd would furnish cpnclusivd i tßO if to general confidence nnd approval, by its slm* reasons, for tho prompt and cheerful .payment of piicity and adaption to the circaimttanoos of the tho taxes." people. ; j- ... - . Tho inequality of taxation rising from largo quan* TI»o ! policy of incorporating mining, mnnufuctu titles of property subject to tax Under existing law*, ring, transporting and other companies, tor purposes escaping asHosiinenl, and the unequal valuation of appropriately within Individual competency* has been that winch is assessed, continues to bo a subject of; fairly discussed; and,guided by the unerring de just complaint. lam well awnre there are inherent .'monslmtions,thot these enterprise* ore most success* difficulties connected with the subject but still the fully and beneficially conducted, under the control experience of the operation of tho system, and'tho of individual responsibility, the public opinion has defects which have become apparent, will point o.ot been expressed in .the spirit qf the ogo in. wliiqli wo some remedies forlho grievances wlncli exist, ami live, againsttho policy. • .3; ■' wiiich should he adopted. lhcroforo» most respect*!., \YhUo all the great doparlmenUi of.businpss In.tho And that the estimated amount of ex penditures, for the same period, in- t eluding the cancellation 01'5200,000.. relief notes, is • V . :Which,oxhibils .im csl'muitGd excess of rccoiptß, of . To which add iho estimate for .the. • ‘ cancellation- of relief notes, which • nAft nn , arc a part of Iho public debt,- 300,000.00 931,604 00 4,448 33 22,459 80 96,095 47, 40,628,949 51 *384,678 70 3,977,025 89 4,301,704 59 3,680,313 74 548,881 00 542,688 0‘ 6,192 30 296,212 15 302,404 51 3,576,390 00 8315,51000 Gdtnmdnwcalth; aro: prosperously conducted, under free,and equdj competition, there tiro yet some, men, who scorn Id stand Stilly while llio world is going on* ward'around them, and- who cherish the antiquated notion, that the timid, contracted and selfish aggro 'gallon of wealth, under the prolccliop of corporate privileges, is preferable for the transaction of, nessi to tho free ardent and bounding capabilities of indlvidiniioiilorpmcj—a power which,'since William Penn 'arrived ontbeso shores, in 1082* has Changed ah'immenso Wilderness into fruitful-holds, and hap* in this inarch of cw!ization;and improvement, provi ded for the-wants, the comfort, tho- education' and refinemonli.of two millions of free people. What have corporations dono in this groat achievement? Whore .are the trophies of their' generous spirit, their valor or their utility? They are behind the limes— they belong to'aTi ago that is past. 'The time .was, in other countries, whore all tho rights of the people were usurped by .despotic governments, when a grant, by the king to a portion ot his subjects, of corporate privileges, to carry oh trade, or for municipal purpb ads, was a partial enfranchisement, and.nVado, the means dffesuming some of their'civil rights; .Then and.there,-corporations had merits, and were cherish ed friends of liberty.. But, in thU ego and country, under our free where tho people are, sovereign to grant special . privileges, it is, on inver sion oflho order of things. It is not to restore, but to take away from tho people,.their common rights, nnd givo them to a few. * It is to go back to the dark : ages' far instruction‘in tho science of*governmeiit; and .having found, an example, to wrest it from.its original purpose, and to make it llio instrument of restoring the inequality and despotism, which.its in troduction tended to correct. ) The fuiiocy that, where.largo investments arc re quired io carry on a profitable business,'(and corpo ratora do not associate for that which is unprofitable,) individual means are inadequate, is everywhere re futed in this.happy country. , , Further, by cherishing-any .particular business, and, surrounding it'with special privileges, the natu ral law, which secures to oxery branch of bnsinuss, its appropriate encouragement and reward, is viola ted. Under this law, so kindly provided by Him who rules all things, every individual mnh» nnlrammclod i by the curses of bad government, guided by his mor al and intellectual powers and his religious.princ iples, advances his own happiness’ and improves his lown condition '; and thus the happiness and proapor iey of all aro prompted. Every-effort to modify or subvert this sovereign law, by placing' classes, pro 'ies’sions oS-callings beyond its control, has,hitherto, and ever will, like'every other transgression,->bo de structive of good. If our free institutions arc right —if it is right'that nil men should-be hold equal—if this is the law of our nature; unstamped by Him who ma T de tie, then every human law* which impairs this equality, is radically and intrinsically wrong. . .The Report of tho Capal Commissioners,will fur nish information, in detail, in regard to. tho public works. .Notwithstanding tho interruptions of busi- 1 ness experienced during tho year, Iho gratifying rc suit is presented, of a lorgoincreaso of tolls over any preceding year. The increased and increasing value | of these groat works, render them on object worthy ot peculiar oaro-.und protection; and must forever, negative the idea of the Slate surrendering tho con trol oyer, them, 16 a corporation. . Pennsylvania railroad company, liavo com menced tho construction of their road, between this place and Dio city of.PUlsburg, under very favorable auspices. Tho Eastern division is nowsunder. con tract af» far as Lowistown, and it is expected tho re maining portion of it, as,far as Hollidaysbnrg, will bb put under .contract during tho ensuing Spring— Tho completion of.-thls grout.public work, even to Holliilaysburg,. .will augment the ,trade ; upon the Philadelphia and Columbia road. -Tins pro spccllvo incrcoßC of business, urges tho necessity of [considering tho best moans of avoiding Iho inclined plane, at tho Schuylkill. , ; • . . , As the Philadelphia and Columbia railroad, is the important link which connects Iho mam; lino of our public improvements, as well as tho North and ■West branch canals, with tho commercial metropolis of the State, and upon tho control and management of which the value of our canals mainly depend, every thing which relates to.it, is of tho highest concern to tho- interest of- the Commonwealth. In. adopting measures to chongo its route, so.as to roach.the city without passing tho inclined piano, tho greatest cir cumspection and care should bo observed’ to secure tho best-location practicable, and to protect tho. Stale against exorbitant claims for damages. No change oNocatlon should ho 'satelioricdV'iUUU the- whole question is carefully examined, by one or more of tho most competent arc entirely free from all interest in tho decision. Uhdor no circumstances should any plan or arrangement ,bo.entertained, by. which Iho Stale would,.for A single moment, be de prived, of tho ownership and .entire'control of tho road. . The reports of the Auditor General, and .State Treasurer! present, in dotal), tho financial operations of tho year; and! lake pleasure in saying, that the industry, ability, and fidelity, with which those de partments havo been administered, aro deserving of iho highest comipendalion.; , ,- The Commonwealth has heretofore sustained many losses, by tho delay ol* tho sullloment of accounts, and tho omission to epforco tho payment of tho bal ances fnund'duo, when settled. Within tho last .few years, many old accounts have boon finally settled, and suits.brought and prosecuted to judgement end execution, for balances of long’ standing embracing the terms of several administrations. This, has,.in many instances produced eases of extreme hardship upon bail, some of whom havo been compelled to pay ll)c balances*found.duo, with the accumulated inter est, after the insolvency of thoir princlpals and cosu reties. . !i’ ~ ' > . • ■ -I ’ lam gratified In being able to say, that'tho busi ness-imposed upon the accounting-officers, by a special act of Assembly, in collecting those old.dcbts, i has not only been faithfully performed, but that the current business has been promptly attended to, and kpptup. : To'enable the Auditor General, however, to continue to do'full justice to tno interests of tho Stale, and all concerned, in tho prompt scUlomontof accounts, liberal .provision should bo made to pay additional dork'hire. While on lliis subject, I would respectfully invito attention to tho organization oftbo offices of tho Au ditor General and State Treasurer,) to ascertain whether tho regulations and chocks existing, aro suf ficient, in all rfcspools, to socuro a proper acoounta bility, and protect the interests oftbo Commonwealth. It is true, thatthu public has for many years sub; lamed no losses,but, I apprehend thatthofuithfiilncsß of tho agents, having charge of . these departments, and riot.the checks, provided by.law, has produced tills result. This is a propiluous period for institu ting an examination of,the subject, particularly as the present worthy officers hold so largo a share of tho public confidence. Since tho establishment of tlm precept system, tho finances of Die State havo increased from a*fow hundred thousands, to'nearly faqr millions of dollars annually. The regulations and checks which were then considered' sufficient, may now bo inadequate, to protect Dio Interests'of tho Coninipmvcallb, in Us enlarged and increasing financial operations. Tho Auditor General's office, to bo on efficient) clicck upon the Treasury, should bd so organized, that the Auditor General might know .at all limes, iho condition of tho Treasury, from the Books’of liHj own office, without being dependent bn those of Dio Treasury.- If errors or omissions exist in Dio Treas ury, tho Auditor General's books should detect and correct thorn. This is not Dio pose under the present organization ond mode of doing business, in Die two offices. .. > • ' . It also occurs to me, that greater security against tho misapplication of-Dip moneys in the Treasury, and on deposit in the banks, to tho credit of the Treasurer, should bo provided,.by Dio institution of some chocks upon his drafts and payments. Tho moneys of the Commonwealth, op deposits to tho credit of; tho Treasurer, varying in amount, for Sumo months in tho year, from four hundred thousand, to near a million of dollars, aro subject tq his draft alone, while he is only required to givu security in tho sum of eighty thousand dollars. Thus ft very great mid dangerous power is confided to ono man, ' . I, therefore, suggest the propriety of requiring (ho Auditor General to countersign all drafts for the pay ment of money drawn by the .Treasurer, on Dio de positories, or for transferring moneys ftom ono depos itory to another. Tho report of. the Adjutant General; exhibits tho number of militia of tho Commonwealth, as well as tho arms and 1 military stores. This detail shows, tho elements of tho military power of tho Commopwoullh—the strength of a | Republican Government. . Tho experience of tho I last few years, has added proofs to (ho value of this institution, and presents tfio subject, as one of groat importance, to tho caro and supervision of tho Lop l ture. The report of tho Superintendent of. Common Schools, exhibits a full view of tbo progress and Bloo dy advancomentr of ouf 4l admirable system of Coip mon School instruction! which is diffusing its bloss- inga to tho rising generation, and strengthens all our free institutions, TLfo man who loves tils race* can not fin'd a.-moro delightful subject of contemplation, (ban this Universal provision for the education of all tho children of. the-Oommonwealth, and thus ariniug ihom, with Unowlcdgo and power, and • fitting them for maintaining thoienk ohd dignity of freemeni. The perfection of lliosystein, is one of llio noblest objects of. legisiatitfn, mid will sccui6 ih'o.cnrJy'j-and continr' lied ottcnlion of tho General Assembly. . You arc respectfully referred, lo.lho report of Ilia Surveyor General, for informatidnlitrclallon toHhe oncralions of ‘lho Land Office,-during the past’yqdr, by which it will bo seen, tho .receipts into the Tree- I sury, from that source, have boon increased. • The final Geological,report, now finished qnd rca dy for tho pretis, has been deposited by Henry 1). Uoffors, Esq. tho Slate Geologist, with the Secretary, of tho Commonwealth. This ■ report w represented to contain a general and scientific view of all tho | Rocky straits, mid. their contents—their mderof ar rangement, and tile region of country they | and representing, in detail,.the situation of every, layer of Cool, every 'important vein and bed ot iron oto, and every other mineral depositor of utility, within', The stale has expended «. largo sum,, in collecting'the materials, and information, contained Jn this elaborate,; and, .extensive report, which will.bo in a groatdegrcc,los|, unlops His pub lishcd. X therefore,.recommend the subject of, pub lication to the early attention of the Legislature. The rights of j proporty‘‘pfmarried women, present, in my opinion, a proper, subject of.lcgislulivo consid* oration. By pur laws, the liusbpnd upon marriage, -possesses’the power, of becoming thp.absolute owner ofllio personal estate of his wife, by,reducing it possession, arid when he thus acquires the ownership, ho may dispose of- it by will to whom ho pleases.’ She Ims thu. pilyilcgc, by, law, of re nolinping tho 1 estate or property devised or bequeath ed to her by will ; and upnri suqh renunciation, she is cntitlcd to dowdr of her husbands’real estate, of which ho died .seized. Tho wife lias no control of her own personal estate dr of that of her husband during tho marriage; unless it be an,extorted allow ance for necessaries; and nt her death, sho-has no power to dispose of even that which washer own by will—-but the whole belongs to llio husband,, The husband may encumber his*, estate, by contracting debts wilhoat'lho.consent of his wife, and mpon his .dying intestate, she is only entitled to‘thc one-thm ' of the personal estate, and a lilb estate; in one-third of the real estate, after the payment of all thd debts; I and, if t|io estate is not- sufficient to the. payment of the debts,"she looses all. .-Bi^L-thp-wife cartnot on*. !cumber.the.-,real estate sho'hplds In-Hcr own right, 1 and upon her death, the whole rests in : lhe husband, during his natural life. -, „ ~ ' The policy,as.woll as the justice oftthis distinction,- made by the law in favor of the husband,and against llio wife; may*well bo questioned,, The. liberal and enlightened ’spirit of tho age,‘has developed and se cured tho rights of man, and Ims-rcdCcmcd women and elevated licr, fronv the degrading position she occupied, and placed her, where she always should have been, at the side of hcr.husbund, his. equal m rank and dignity.’ Then why should her hghu of properly still be, to ft great extent, controlled, by the contracted and illibcral'cnactments of an ugo.vyhcn her husband was her lord, and lie might chastise her, by law; as if she were, a servant 1 Our law very carefully provides, that the husband shall not, with out the formal consent of his wife* convey his red •estate’by deed, sd ns to bar her right of dower, and if this consent is not given, her-right is protected, after his ‘death, against tho claims.of his creditors. Now, iftliis.bo a sound principle, and worthy of this solemn sanctions it has received from tho Legislature and the Judiciary,why should it not be extended, so as to preserve io the.widow her dower, in all eases |- where.the husbdtld has hot only by deed, but by other means, sanctioned by the lawjdispnsccl of his real estate, without the formal cortScnl of Ins wife? It '.the husband-contracts dcbls. his .real estate is as effectually transferred by the jaw, for the use oft hts creditors, ns if lie had convoyed it- by deed, With the Consent of his wife:—thus, the law, at present, enables the - husband, by, one mode of transfer, to bar Ids wife’s dower, without her consent, while it protects her right with,tho greatest pertinacity; if 1m adopts another mode of transfer. Jflhc widow’s right of dower Is good in oho ease, as is univei sally admitted, ll is equally as good in the other, and the power of the husband to lake it away, by changing'the mode of transferring the estate, is destructive of a sound, and Well established .-principle, and should be repeal-, I od. - This l&h cl us loh ogfffirai to iric tb bo iireslsttblor land I, therefore, recommend llio passage of a law, securing to married women their right of dowdr, in all ■ cases where tho estates of their husbands arc transferred, after the passage of the act, without their formal consent; _ ’ ‘ ... „ In the annual messago to the Legislature, at the last session, and in several messages containing ob jeetions to bills' for dissolving marriage contracts, l‘l have expressed my opinions, upon the subject pi granting legislative divorces. These opinions have been strengthened by further icflcclion, and shall adlicto to them. Tho grout purposes for which tho. law-making power was established in the Commonwealth, have] boon accomplished. General laws have been enacted, and have received the approbation of tho people,.tor securing tho enjoyment of. the life, tho.liberty, and repute,lion of tho citizens, and for protecting .them in tho acquisition, possession, und transmission ol pro perty, and in the pursuit of their own happiness.— Tho foundations of good government being thus laid, tiro lirno of the General Assembly, at Its, annual ses sions, is. more occupied in providing for tho contin gencies tliat,arise in the progress ©four affairs, than in changiiig.lho organic laws, as la. attested by refer cnee to iho annual enactments of the Legislature. For soiho years past, but fow general, while a large number of local laws, have been enacted.. ; Tho ton -1 dcncy seems to bo to substitute special, fp'f > ’,g o P c J‘ tt J : i legislation; a practice wliich may well be regarded las of doubtful utility—add it presents a -question, which, in my opinion, deserVeo grave consideration. 1 General laws, affecting Iho whole community, receive, iiu their discussion, tho deliberate consideration ol ull I tho Representatives of tho people. r l hat which in* 1 tercsts all, arrests the attention, and secures the euro I and closo'lnvcsligalion of all. - lienee, general laws I have impressed upon them, llio wisdom, tho export* j cnco, and the judgment, of every member of the I Legislature. ’ Having received this, deliberate sanc tion, they, usually meet with the approbation of jho people, and become permanent rules of action. This reasonable practice, limits and simplifies lliotiucslibns submitted for .legislative discussion, is calculated to shorten the sessions, reduce llio expenses of govern ment, and give dignltyaiul importance to llio pro ceedings of the General Assembly. On the other hand, local legislation excites no in terest. ' A few fuembers only/ who represent the county, lownship’or- borough; In which the changdui tho law is proposed, arc concerned in arranging the, provisions, und.being.loo often passed upon llioir re quest, these special nets are sent forth, with all the imperfections, which tho wisdom and’dcliberatc care of the whole body, if ;thoy had been'general laws, would have corrected. The direct tendency of this) practice, Is to multiply the demond.for local laws— a demand which has increased front yoof tp year, to pn alarming oxtonl, In which no industry of, the ,Gc ncrul Assembly will bo able within the.limits of an ordinary session to satisfy, if the practice, is qontin- 1 tied. Is it not impracticable, in a great Stato like Pennsylvania to provide s|icclal acts to 'meet all the dificrcntahd changing views of the citizens of every borough, township and county? :and,lf this wore prac ticable, would not the policy of establishing an Infi nite variety ot different rules, for tho same people,bo -exceedingly questionable, and introduce great confu sion and uncertainty 7 Would it hot defeat one groat and beneficial object of sound legislation, which Is pormaneticy r of the laws? Is there noftruc wis dom, and sound policy, in preserving und strengthen* inn’tho unity of tho Commonwealth, and In main taming uniform interests, customs und habits? It is Iruff there are shades of differoneo in tho condition and local circumstances .of tho citizens, of separate districts of the State; but, in an advancing and im proving country, whore intercourse is so direct, and the social relations of. life oro su generally diffused, these will gradually and certainly disappear under the Influence of general laws. We. are, one people without • reference, la our ancestry, ortho place of our birth’. Wo arc all .Pennsylvanians—wolmvotho same constitution o/jjovcrnmcnl—thosiime common rights—(hen why should we not have tlio same com ; mon laws? ' . ’’ lii conclusion, permit mb to assure yen, gentlemen, that 1 shall most heartily co-operate with youj in nt your efforts to advance our beloved Cuminonwoalll | and to promote the welfare of the people. J ' * FRB.R.SIIUNK. is 1 ~ i Executive Chamber; 1 J Hntriiburgf, January 5,1648. \ , dj*Cnpt, Wm. F. Small has returned ( from .tho wars, and will lakoj his seat in iho Stal'd Senate ,at ] tho opening of Iho comingsession. Ho has leave of, absence from iho army for throo months. - . : <CEINERAIiS SCOTTP : AND WOUTIIT^ Some weeks'ago, wo learned-via Si. Louis *M difliculiy^liutl.taken, l| lo dialingi/? * soldiers wlibso namcq'lioad this paragraph. Tlic lusioii to it .wnß not ' clear'then j how wolHvfT | whole story,from Gomez, tho Mexican correspond * of Hie- Si/Louis Rcpubljohni ’He say* : *, Cn * d correct, understanding of the merii B o r«k controversy, it is proper to remark, that the f lrß , l htr qf eorn'plaint bn the-part of Brevet Muj. Gen. w'7 against tho.'Gencral-m-chipX.was tho unqualifim!?' upprobaiibn of thb ldller. orTho terms ofcamtnj ,• entered into by the ,former, with tho inm * •° n authorities of the city ofPueblft,in his advnnc* and occupation of, that city.’- Gen. Worth, It wS' recollected, was directed .by Gen. Scott, to act * u his division as tho advance corps of the armv W * • reaching and occupying Pucblu. /’ Un,, i V (Tho capitulation is given but wo do not deem i of sufficient-importance to copy.) 1 * Tjio second caußoofcbmplainl bn the part ofr Wbrlh ’against tlie Genetai-in-chicf, was - the di Cn ’ probation of tho latter,.at a bircular addressed UiT former, to his < division ulonr, a period when it entire force of the army, including the'General* chief; was garrisoned in the city ofPuebla, with p cxccplidn-oftho small force loft at Jalapa nnderr i Childs. Tlint circular purported to convey the fop mation to the first division, of which Gen. Worth ° r * the commanding officer, tliat a dcsign was com' VaS plnlcd by tho citizens of Puebla.to poison the f CIn * Wins from whence our army drew their daily eu |I U | , ‘ of water, and in that -way destroy' us; and p) 0 m them on their - guard against sdeh-inhuman a!5 nefarious deajgns, if in reality thero was any rroimH bfopprphonsTon whatever, that such threats had be made, or !f made, whether there was the ali»hie CI » possibility of their being put in execution. k lCal . -7> the exceptions taken by the Gcnoral.fo.rhiefat these' two official.acts of Gen;, Worth, the latter be incensed, and .permitting his fccliim* to pervert his.bcltcr judgment, became mostviolcmlv biltcrly inimical Ip the'General-in-chief.' Tlj result was, vvliuf every reflecting, officer in the armv most deeply regretted, a rupture In those friemll, relations which for upwards of thirty years h Q d existed between.these two gallant and justly dlufo. gulshed military chieftains. The following order, published to a very limited extent by the GonoraMn chief,after tho finding n f tho Court of Inquiry detnauded by General Worth * contains sufficiently explicit, nil other facts material . to a,.correct understanding of the affair by y our - - . . ORDERS, No. IDG. '■ ' • Headquarters 6f • jir Anuv, Puelila, Juno 30, 1847. 'Abstract of proceeding of a Court of Inquiry tvM c j, convened at this place, by Virtue of general orders No. jlB6, head quarters of the army, und of which -MtijrO&n. J. AVQuilmnn is President: 1. 'jplite said Court of Inquiry proceeded in dOeform idliriveMigtllo tlio subjects embraced in dm iwo pa. ponhicrcrn cited, viz; First,the General Order No. 180, Headquarters of the Aimy, Puebla, Mexico* Jane 24, 1847, as follows! 1 “ A t the instance of Brevet Major General Worth u Court of Inquiry will meet in (ho building called the Palace of this city, at, ten o’clock tomorrow morning, to investigate certain moltcrs in which that (toncral ofijccr conceives himself to have been injured by the GcncraMn.ctucf of this army, viz: in the mutter of the,terms granted by the said Brevet hlaj. General to the functionaries of this city, in die way 'of .capitulation, as gurunties, at or about the timo (May IS, 1847) of his entrahed with the advanced corps of,the army into the city; and in the mailer of a circular, dated June 16,1847, published by the said Major Gen. to the officersof his division.” If there bo other mutters inllio conduct of (lie raid Brevet Major General, which ho may specially 'desire to have investigated by the said Court oflnquiry.lio will submit them to the General-in-chief, through the Recorder, for furlhcr'ordcrs in (ho ease. detail. Moj/Gen. Quitman, 1 * . Brig. Gcri. Twidos, V Members. Bvt. Brig. Gen. Smith, y Lieut. R. P. Hammond is Appointed special Judge Advocate, •• . .The court will give.an opinion of the merits of all the inullcrs invcßllgalcd by it. By command siflVbjpr Gen. Scott. ■ '' • (Signpd) . U. L. SCon*, A. A. A. G. •; Stcond, A brief statement by Brevet Major Gev | Wouth, of the matters in which he conceived luinaeli' wronged by the Gcncral-in-chicf, and to which the investigation extended under the order instituting the court,-in the following terms, viz: - I, In tho matter of an interview-had May 15lh#l Clilchupa,Mexico, between Brevet Major Gcu.Worth, commanding Ist Division of the army, und the civil autliorilius of Puebla, utthp instance uf said breut Major General—lhoGonoraMn-cbicf (verbally audio writing) has improperly, in manner and in matter, characterised tho; proceedings. at ,said- interview, I* the prejudice end wrong of said Brevet Major General. 11, In the matter of a circular,which wasnddrcii -1 cd by Brevet Major General Worth-* to the ht Din i slou, on or about Juno IGlh, 184Tr“tho General in - chief, verbally and in writing, Iws harshly nsd inju riously characterised said circular*ond hi a manner , uncalled for, and to the undeserved reproach of «id - inferior officer. • After an investigation of tho above mallerr,lh? i court mudp the following decision hvtlic cim"- * - • OPINION. “That, regarding tho remarks of the GencwWi' chief, dated June, 17th Inst, endorsed upon ,c lalcd copy of a letter from the Mexican Judge Duns to Major General Sobll, dated the 16lh of Junc.imi ns hypollict’icol and applicable only to elolms urjrrt) by the Mexican authoriliuswhich iheGeiicriiWu-clief I at the lima of his remarks, supposed to be •• willioni | authority,” and which Bruvet,Major General Worm Insists were not conceded by any of hi* otVxci.il —the court can perceive nothi'-g in the remarks ul the Coucral-in-chief to 'which Brevet Major Gem-M Worth could properly luko'cxcopjion. . * The court is further of opinion, that tile fcrm» * stipulations granted by Brevet Major Gcnerul Worl to the functionaries of the city ofPucblo.nponlm* en trance with tho advanced corps of llio army mrajlia city on tho l/slh‘ of May last, wore «riMrct’W»nyj M J nly : improvident, and in ofibci detrimental to public comoo. iAnd that the grant of these pnv* leges was In contravention of tho ninth iindtcm* paragraphs of General Orders No. 20, puliliah*d» Tampico, on the tilth day of February lust, and not wnrrantfit. hy tho letter of instructions of w* GcnuraMn-clilof lo.Gcn, Worth, , . . Tho court,.ns required, further declares H* 1 " 10 that tho **circular" published by Brevet Worlh-tohis Division, elated Pueblo, I • was higfuy improper and extremely objectionable many respects, especially, os 1 it might tend by c peratiiig llio whole Mexican nation, to thwart .well known pacific policy of tho United Slates, in view of (ho. high source from which itcniana < lo dislurb.lho friendly relations of our Governn .wi(h Spain, or at least, givo occasion to that P° * to call for explanations or apologies. The baron offence, ngoinst which tho circular warned J it ,c diets of the First Division ,'i fit existed affected, U*.o whole unity* The information o . by Gen. Worth, if worthy uf notice*should l ® have been communicated to tho General-In-cu • ho might.hdvo exercised'his’discretion on t* l to bo adopted for correcting llio evil. ~ .u I With these'views of tho circular allude 1.- ( I court Is of opinion, that it called form* admonition and re/mfceoflho General-in-chle. - in conclusion, this court deems It R nd case, to express the opinion, (hat it Is (h° the duty of thnGonoraMn-chlef.ftnd Indlspo tho preservation 'of proper discipline in .. „f that ho should at. all limes possess the priv freely commenting upon, the official nets ofliis subordinate ofllccrs. jj nc s ~, 11. The Genera] in-chief approves tbo pr° and opln|pn in the foregoing cose, ’ , n( j (Ito 111, TM. order, wlir.nol bo o*lonVW" c i,|eft commanders of divisions and brigades, anti ' elf,tho General , * Kfft | or Gen. IV. Tjiu; Court of Inquiry, of which W*J Quitman Is 'President ,1s dissolved. , By command of Major, . , (tjrTho ilinnor io A”*! SlW* at Washington, on Frjday ; Wt» wna nP w . jn , fair, It scems. , Speeches woro mode by an, Dallas, Quitman, Shields, and many.° Speeches and'loaata were kept up to a a and every, thing passed off admirably* GovbhNmgnt Loans —Wo learn tM ) ,lfl * , ost government loanO.wlU be pa • plication nt tlio Philadelphia Bonk, c
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