CP -L- (it ' " vwtj I jtMiLiIi frt.? an .;-(. .H I (-1 )(! SUNBURY, NOntHlIMBfeRLAND COUNTY, TA., SATURDAY, JANUARY 13, 1840. OLD, SERIES VOL. 0, NO. 16. til ;l ..v.l tU.i ! ni - . s .; . . . i j ' in, . , , . ' . , ' . . . ...... & T i- . sa-sse s I I . 1 ii - - 1 i. .. - - 1 . - . . 1 . t. - . . - . 1 1 CSk MASfefete C,?4I lt STREET. ' 5 r5ttk tr THE AMfiRICAIV. i .TfrB-XltWllCXN Ii aMuh(4 every Bulunhjr TWO tt)OIl.XR8 per annum to b paid half yearly In advanc. Wo saner discontinued until u arraarnna are paid. - Ail aummuiucationi or letter, on buainrm rrlatiiif to the TTmce, ta insure attention, niun oe runr rAiu. Three eoiaa lo addreea, '7 . . WOO in no JBeVen h Vo t , Do ,; , ' Fifteen . , & . P ' -v KUDO Five doilferi Jn adrMca 1M pay for three year'a tubecrip- OB IO UW AlUCriCKU, -f , : l. - ' Oaa Rquaaj of ft 1fma t (Une) v,,.-1 . Every lubeeqaeat juaanlon, 'Z ' . , One square, monlhi, " Siimonthe, One year, taineia CaNC of. Five linet, prf annum, " 100 ' 85 $30 375 600 300 ercnantf am oinera, aorertinnf try ina year, with the privilege of iniertief dif- lerent aovertiaemenu weeny. 'W Larger Advertieementa, aa per agreement. 1000 H. B 1CAS3EP., ' ATTORNEY AT LAW, " lUMBUBT. PA. Buainee ailendej to in the Counliee of Nor kutrlwland. Union, Lycoming oi Columbia. .t ;.,'.. !: Refer to i P. & A. IIoviii'iit, Low an & Biii.ri, So'Mtki & iol9aai, PMlad. . -'' RtfOLi)i, McFtii At Co. ' ' 8mi, 'loon 5c Co., ' TUB CHEAP BOOK STORE. , & SMITE'S Cmar Niw & Skcond-hakd Book Stoat, North Wul corner nf Fourth and Arch Strtetr . rhUadelpMa. Law Booki, Theological and Clattical Books, ItlBDICAX. BOOKS. BIOGRAPHICAL HISTORICAL BOOKS, . SCHOOL HOOKS. . SclKMTIFlO AND MATHEMATICAL BooXi. i Juvenile Books, in great variety. Hymn Booki and Prayer Book,' Bibles, all tizei and pricfa. Blank Booh, Writing Paper, and Stationary, Whotitnl and Retail. ffTOem prleee are much kiwer than the liouia pricei. fW" Libiariea and email parcel! of bnnk purchaaed. ff Booki impnrtnl tn order from London. Philadelphia, April I, li-lf y POFJTEP. & E1TGLXSZ, CROCERS COMMISSION MERCHANTS j 1 and Ilrnlera In Seeds, -. .V.. S. Arch St. PHILADELPHIA. CoBitanlly on hand a general assortment of GROCERIES, TEAS, WINES, SEEDS, ' LIQUORS, &c. "Ta which they reapectfully invite (fee attention of the public. 'All kinds of country produce taken in exchange for Groceries or sold on Com mils inn. Philad; April 1, 18-18 . V, BASKET MANUF ACTOR Y, Wa.'lS Stuth Stamd ttrcct East tide, down ilairt, PHILADELPHIA. , , HENRY, COULTER, BESPECTKULLY informs bis friends and the public, that be constantly keeps on . large assortment of cbi drens willow Coachea. Chairs. Craves, market and travel lipg baskets, and every variety of basket work ananuactured. Cauntry Merchants and others who wish to archase sueh articles, good aud cheap, would o well to call on him. as they are all matiutat tared by him inthe best manner. Philadelphia, June 3, 1848. I y ;. CAItD & SEAL. C!f GRAV1NO. ' ' ' WM. G. MASON.' 4 Chitnut it. tdoort above indtt.. Philadelphia - X a rarer l BUSINESS k VISITINO CARDS . Watch papers, Labels, Poor plates, Seals and Stamnt for Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance lie., fcc-rAlways on band a general assortment f Fine Fancy Goods, tioltl pens ol every quality avok voiiara in great vaiieiy. C4iis;iv. and materiala ' 1 Agene tor the Manufacturer of Glaziers Dia anonda. ' Orders per mail (post paid) Will be punctually attended to. . ' -i ' .' ,, , , Philadelphia,. April 1,1848 Jr flvHE SUBSCRIBER has been appointee agent 1 for the sale of CONRAD MEYER S CELE BRATED PREMIUM ROSE WOOD PIANOS. al thia nlace. These Pianos have a plain, mas sive and beautiful exterior 'finish', and, for depth 'of tone, and elegance of workmanship, are not surnassed bv any in the Lnited btates Tfaeaa instrument! are highly approved of by A most -eminent Professors aud Composers of Music mi this and other cities. . , , For qualities of tone, touch and keeping in taae opoa Concert pttebj tbey cannot oa sucpas ' aed by either A merit-en or European Pianos. Suffice it to say that Madame Castellan, W. V Wallace.' Vieog Temps, and bia sisttv, tha cele brated Pianist, and many others of the most die- -tinquished performers, have given tbese inttru jnents nreference over all others. They have also received the first notice of the .three last Exhibitions, and fhe last Silver Medal by the Franklin Insthute in 1843, was awarded tm Ibaro,. which, with other premiums from the aame source, may be seen at the Ware-room No, Jsonth Fourth st. " . it-; -;) ;t- i t DAaother Silver Medal was awarded to C. Meyer, by the Frahklin Institute, Oct.. 184 9 fit the best Piano tn The exhibition. - Aeaii at the exhibition of the Franklin Insti 'ttttf, Oct 1848, the first premium and medal was awarded ta U. Meyer for his Pianos, although it bad 1eeti warded t the exhibition nf the year betnre.on the ground that be bad marie still great- er improvenents in his Instruments within the past 18 montbs. Again the last exhibition of the Franklin tnerrrate, 1847, another Premium was awarded te'C.Meyer, jor inenest nana in ibe exhibition. At Boaton, at their last exhibition, Sept. 1847, Meyer received the first silver Medal and Di Blama, for the best sauare Piano in the exhibition These Pianoe will be sold at the manufactu rer's lowest Philadelphia prices, if not aatnething lerwer."i Peraoni art reejaested ta call aad exam 'iaa for tkeeuelvaa. at tha residence of the sub 'ieribaT. " " H.B. MASSER.- Iswbary, April 8. 1848 .5. j-. ? 1 jpnitby pomb una Variety f.)6iir 'STOltEs . ', , n BOCKIUS AND BROTHER, AKIi DBAUERS Itf COM BR VARIETIES aM North Third, beloa Hat St. tmd North ". ' Ejui Conner of Third and Market etrtet, .'!! t; n yBxz.AAnJBZA. ''' ' WHERCthay ff tor aaa general aasart aseot of all kinds of Brushes, Combe and varieties which tbey are determined la sell Lawer taaa ran. be purchaaed a aewtere. . Catiy Metchaats and albert Purchasing ia JaVteeava liaa will f,od it to their advantage to eatl beiare parrbaaing elsewhere is tha quality aad pricea artU be fullf guaranteed agaiaet aB petit iaa. , PhRadelfhia, Jane .3, Utl-ly SELECT POETHYa ' IProm the Lady's Wreath. ' v THE TEAR, OR CONSOLATIOrt. . Translated from the Frtnth of Lamar tine. BT BOS. ILLlt LIWIS. Descend, thou silent tear, . - On Earth's cold bosom talh ' . No pidus hands are near, ' . No friends on whom 16 call. . Fall, like tha ltarirtg rain On rocks, from tow'ring sky, ' Where sun is never seen, Or wind, to wipe thee dry. What care mv fellow men For my poor heart'a deep woe 1 Too far above my pain, My distant griefs to know. They're free from doubts or cares; No clouds their sky shall pall ; -Their future has no fears ; Their cup is free from gall. . That crowd, with friv'lous noise, Move on, in laughing ghee, They need no pitying Voice, To eay, -I wsxe with tbii!" When friendship turns away, -1 Forgetful of her bond ; The staff, that was my stay; Gives way and tears the hand ; When man, as frail in faith, To shun contagious woe, Deserts our dreary path, And leaves as to tire foe ( The gloomy future bears No promise for to-morrow 5 The taste of hitler tears Is the sole bread of sorrow 1 Tis then Thy power relieves The silence of my breaat ; 'Tis then Thy Hand removes The icy weight that presa'd. Thy tender Won), too pure To rqix with Earth's vain strife, ' Comes Lord, with solace sure, , When all is lost in life. Thy Heavenly Love beguiles Our woes, like friend's embrace, The world, which aces out smiles, Their eouroe can never trace. tn prayer dissolve the soul, And mingles with the sklea, Our tears no longer roll Thy Grace has dried our eyes, As sunlight, in the glen, X)n branch and rocky glade, Breaks through, and dries the rain That lingered in the shade. Correspondence of the Boston Atlaa. OEN'L TAYLOR HIS PERSONAL APPEAR AKCCE AND MANNERS. Niw Orleans, Dec. 4, I848 As you may well suppose, the recent visit of Gen. Taylor to this city created an im mense sensation. Everybody in N. Orleans of course had often seen the old hero, but not an individual of them all had set eyes upon the President of the republic. Of course, every body must see Gen. Taylor over again, as if as indeed is the case some new splendor were suddenly attached to so popular a per sonage. Such a hurrying to and fro snch a running among office-holders and office seek ers such long faces and bright facea ah you can better imagine than 1 describe the scene that followed his landing from the boat Wearing his usual military coat and cap, he quietly took his way on foot to his quarters; but the moment the word went round, 'There's Old Zack,' he had such an escort that he found it almost impossible to put one foot Deiore the other, the old General was obliged to carry his cap in his hand) bowing and smiling all the way, with such a perfect recklessuess of all consequences to his never surrender principle, (each new bow and smile raising a hundred new men in his progress,) that I began to fear the guardian angels of his neck and life had suddenly deserted their posts. Then came the loud rorr of artillery all over the city, and at every new discharge the old hero's eyes would brighten up, as if he were admid the blazing cannon at Buena Vista or Monterey. .1 The President elect is a little above the middle stature, with a compact frame, and rather stout withal.. He has just Completed his fifty-eighth year, and though his hair is beginning to be a little silvery in hue, he has none of the marks of age Upon him His ruddy countenance and almost wonderful ac tivity, bespeak him in the enjoyment of the most perfect health , Aa he sits in the jotun- da of the hotel, chatting with all, hit appear ance it that of a downright honest man. of sound sense and great frankaneas,' good hu mor, and urbanity in his character. You would hardly take him to be one of the "whose namea were not born to die.1' He haa not the commanding figure of Scott, nor the ferocious nity of Twiggs,' nor yet the aristocratic bearing of that Orson of warriors, Harney. Neither is that stamp of intellectuality upon his brow which marks Webster, Clay, or Cal houn, among a thousand. But he haa a hich and lofty brow thai amplitude of Jbrahead wmcn proclaims the intellect within. ' Tho eharadterislio expression of his countenance that which lights it up ia conversation and makes you loth to take your a yet from it is benevolence. The sunlight of hit heart beams right through it, and wanna you at once to ward! him. . But auohao VtaaQanaraJ Ta. lor bat i have rarely, if vw, mt in a ha- man being. Each particular -irfrrtf htetn Mfall tlnon vou like a smalt flash ef lie-hi. - ning, and did not the smile upon his face for bid the idea, "you would expect a small clap -P. 1 . t ... ,. . .. tr or inunaer 10 ioiiow 11 immediately, rtnow; ing him to be, as we do, a master in what the poet calls ! ' . ., . 1 ' l' - ( "'The art Napoleon, the mj rtery of commanding," I can easily imagine how the fires of that eye must kindle and flash amid the discharge of artillery 'on die tiattle field. I do not doubt it will keep a vigilant watch over the constitufioA and the best interests of the ccJnrrtry. Gen. Taylor has been acoustomed to sleep on the ground, On plank and plat form, and he sleeps everywhere equally well' 1 do not know ' that he sleeps with one eye open, but if he should be beset at Washing, ton by an army of office-holders and office- seekers, forcing their way into the White House, I should not be surprised to hear that, wrapping himself in his blanket, he threw himself on the floor, some tiight, near the en trance of the Executive mansion, with one of his eagle-eyes wide open, to "see that the Repu-blio rectives no detriment." Gen. Taylor is one of the most sociable men in the world, and when there is a large crowd around him, o may be seen running about, chatting and laughing as pleasantly as if it was his particular business to make everyone happy ; and you come away with the con viction thnt he is the only rrtari of the whole crowd who has not beeeti thinking of Presi dent Taylor. In a mixed assembly, he makes tie alhrnon to political topics, though in a company of personal friends he speaks his mind very freely.- His off hand speeches and he has made quito a number here show unusual intelligence aud concentration of thought, clothed in simple yet beautiful lan guage. From the Philadelphia Ledger, THE TKA PLANT. In ten years wo shall astonish the world by producing tea in the United States, supe rior in quality to and cheaper in cost than the tea of China. This is no idle prediction. Al ready we find it produced in large quantities and of excellent flavor in Brazil: and Mr. Junius Smith is now planting the shrub in one of our Southern States with a view to its ex tensive cultivation. Mr. Spencer Bonsail, of Philadelphia, has been for ssme years engaged in snperintend ing a very extensive rnnge of tea plantations in Assam, having some thousands of hands employed in the field and the factory. The success was perfect and Assam is now a tea country, This gentleman has returned to Philadelphia Under the certain conviction that tea can be grown here without doubt or diffi culty of any sort. We have been favored with a perusal of his notes which record eve ry particular of his valuable experience and from them we are enabled to present to our readers such a satisfactory summary as will convince them that we heed no protection to grow our own tea. Assam is the northeas- temmost part of British India, lying diagonal ly between 25 and 28 N. Lat. It is Watered by the Brahmapootra. The tea plant, which, in China, is a shrub, grows native in Assam to the height of 30 and 40 feet. But for plantation use, it is ne cessary to trim it, so that it shall not grow over five or six feet, to place the leaves in reach of the gatherer. With Yankees, it might be allowed to grow much higher. Green and black teas are made from the same plant, the difference being owing to the manner of curing, though some leaves are al lowed in making black tea whio would be rejected in green, because of their being a little too old. ; The wood of the tea bush is light colored and close grained, and it snvills, when peeled like the black currant. The flowers are white and fragrant. It is very leafy. The green leaf is bitter, pungent and uusavory, and its decoction would be any thing but pa latable. : The seed consists of two to five ha zellike nuts, enclosed in a smooth, broad cap sule. . The kernel is white, oily and nauseous. The tea plant is remarkably hardy, and it flourishes on the high slopes of mountains, where frost and snow prevail' three months In the years ! Its favorite soil in China and also in Assam, is the poorest yellow sandy loam, with carbonate of iron in analysis. Si lex, 19; clay, 10 : carb iron, 10 j water, &c, 4100. No lime. 1 . Plantimo. Cuttings do well. But usually several seed, are, when gathered, put at once into shallow holes fonr feet apart, and allow ed to grow up bush fashion. Or it is grown in nurseries and transplanted, lu four or five weeks the germ appears above ground, tt grows about a foot every. In the third year they begin to gather the leaves; nipping ofl the end bud to to restriot its height and breadth It it desirable to select hillside ground, where the sun shines about half the day!. A good tree ia expected to yield , At 8 yean 14 ox. tea,or 187 lbs. per acre 11 4 ' u 21 31J " 5 ' 11 4 50q At 6 years, when it is fuii beaing, 6 or tea or 750 lbs. per acre. j. ' -... 2000 trees are allowed to tha acre. The tree lives to 50 years of age. 11 The process of manufacture consists chiefly in ofKepeated exposure of the leaves in well heated iron vessels, with quiok and aocurata manipulations, till the nngent oil is extracted from them, and in dexterously rolling them in baJl-massea, to curl tht leaf at we tee it, This band process spoils a vast deal ol it, for the least ' over toasting, or the smoking of a stray W, Injures thy flavor of the mass. Mr. all cootnvM roaohins to dispones with Jet! of kbor raployod in beating th learn betweea'the eeekinge; by whirh one hoy ifid the work of ten men, and fully as well. ' Ho feels confident that the expensive hot hearth process can be done with far greater nicety by steam-heated metal plates, which would preserve the flavor of the most delicate teas and circular wird screens, moving by steam power, would Sort the teas easily enough. Thus tho whole manufacture is perfectly adapted to machinery, and Mr. Bonsail thinks that the best teas can be produced in this latitude, at a cost not exceeding a shilling a pound ! When we say the beet teas we do not wish to be understood to mean the best that we' know here. 1 For nota bene we will let you into a secret, asking pardon of our tea drinking and chatter eyhiliratinc friends, for the necessity which the conveyance of scien tific information imposes of thus letting the cat out of the sack Good tea, or rather real genuine tea at all is a commodity which, like the delicate and blushing aurora borealis, we read of every day, but see only once in years, and then by chance. Ileal tea begets tho most refined and lady-like allusions to the foibles of our neighbors ; while the trash we drink gives our tea-table scandal its proverbial harshness, There is not a single box of tea, after all the pains taken by the country makers, that is not opened and extensively be-rubbished by the Catiton dealers before it is allowed to get into the hands of Christian barbarians. In our cities it undergoes also a liberal be- Vankelication ' beforo it reaches our tea rooms: so that whut is real tea is tne excep tion, and what is not tea is the rule. Almost every farmer iu China raises his own family tea, and thus escapes the adultera tion. Now we would earnestly recommend some of otir agricultural friends to form an associa tion for the cultivation and manufacture of tea, and to secure tht aid of Mr. Bonsail, whoso character is entirely tree lrom san guine enthusiasm, and who is tho only per son in our counrry thoroughly familiar with tea culture in all its details. The seed is easily procured ; of its adaption to our soil there cannot be a doubt ; and of its profits there can scarcely be much fear, while the risk of loss would in any case be trifling. Our agricultural societies throughout the land and the governments of every State should be earnestly pressed to turn their at" tention to this matter, and to do whatever is in their power to promote so useful a branch of home Industry. Anthrax. Religion Slightly Sprinkled with Poli tics. At the late Conference of the Metho dist Episcopal Church, South, held in the town of Elizabeth City, N. C, tho Rev. Mr. Rosser, toward the close of a sermon preach ed by him, in illustration of the mishtly a- chievements which perseverance had accom plished, referred in his usual eloquent style to the guVlant Zachary Taylor leading his small, but Spartan Band, against the superior numbers of the Mexican forces; and feeling that enthusiasm so becoming the heart of an American citizen, notwithstanding he was a democrat, he broke out in the following lan guage : "I pray God that he may be elected ' Here the speaker paused, and looking over the congregation he saw at a glance the ef feet producted. Tho friends of tho old Gene al seemed ready for a hearty amen, whilst his opponents seemed awfully to fear it, He immediately added "to eternal salvation by faith and good works." At this point the preacher took his seat, and immediately a reverend gentlemen of the democratio party slruck up the old familiar hymn, "Come all my partners in distress." The friends of the old General lost their gravity at the singular coincidence. A Wit Disc-omitted "We remember witnessing the complete discomfiture of a wit, of no inferior order, by a message, polite ly delivered, at a supper party by a little girl : "If you please, Mr. B , mamma sends her compliments, and would be much obliged if you would fccgin fo be fanny " lb. A Jew d'Esprit. Somebody asked the Baron Rothschilds to take venison "No," said the Baron, "1 never eath wenshon ; 1 don't think it ishsocoot ash mutton. ""Oh!" said the Baton's friend, -'I wonder at your saying so; if mutton were not better than ve nison, why does venison cost so much more V "Vy 1" replied the Baron, "I will tell you vy in dish world de peoples alwaysh prefers vat ish deer to vat ish jWp."-TAo(for Hook's Remains. . . ON SNEEZING. If you sneeze on Monday, yon sneeze for danger t 8neezeon a Tuoaday, kiss a stranger ; ' 1 Sneexe on a Wednesday, sneeze for a letter; feueete on a Thursday, something better; 8neexa on a Friday, sneeze for sorrow ; Sneeze on a Saturday, see your sweetheart to- , morrow; ' Sneeze on a Sunday, and the devil will have do minion over you all the week f Shaxspeare Frenchified A Fienchtnan who aspired to do the leading parts in an English theatre, gave the following as a spe cimen of his ability to play Richard the Third! ; 1 Now is da winter of dam uneasiness, . Made into hot weddor by York's little bay, (Dai is tot you oaU da son of York 0 Arid d dark doud which stick at top. Of de kouae In da boUom ofde aea, , . Da. Graves, in hit Clinical Leotnres, states, as a remarkable circumstance, that female are very rarely affected" With stammering. ) ; ' ' ii 'l' Ut'ARER anecdote, , There is a good story told of a quaker, who during the lost war with England owned vessel, in which he had taken passage for home, having beeu to a foreign port on busi ness. On the passage the vessel was over- hauled bv a nrivatoer. The Friend was of course anxious to save his property, and nt the same time desirous of avoiding a partici pation in fighting. He said to the Captain "I do not approve of fiahtine, but thee must get the vessel to port safely." He then went below. The enemy rapidly approached, and having fire a few times, came near with the intention of boarding. As she got along side, our1 Quaker friend came upon deck with a hatchet in his hand. One of the enemy had seized a rope which hap pened to be hanging over the side of the ves sel, and was climbing upon deck. Approach ing him, tho Quaker said : "Friend, if theo wants that piece of rope, thee may have it !" . And 8uitingthe action to the word, he cut off the rope and down went the poor fellow into the ocean. It is needless to add, that tho privateer hauled oil and her intended piize arrived safely at its port. Lynn News. A Tough Customer. A Canadian of this city who bought a patriarch of a turkey, that had frightened every other purchaser from the idea of making a jaw-fill feast of him, said afterwards: "1 took him home mV wife bile him tree hours, and den he crow. My wife put him in depot wid de taters, and he kick 'em ull out." Northern Tribune, Hath, iVe. Gen. Tavlor. The editor of the New York Courier, on his return from Washing ton, says that no man there knows, or pre- iutends tends to know, whom calling into his cabinet. Gen. Taylor A Poor Endorser. A worthy, but poor minister, writing to a friend from the coun try, requested, a few days since, the loan of fifty dollars from the cashier of our bank ; and in the note requesting the faVor, he said that if the cashier would oblige him, he would pay him in ten days, on the faith of Abra ham." The cashier returned word "that by the rules of the bank, the endorser must re side in the State!" Knickerbocker English TiHevbs represent themselves at the west as traveling noblemen, "tuking notes.' which they do only by picking poc kets. . Mrs. Partington says that her minister on Thanksgiving day, preached about "the paro dy of the probablo son." A young girl intending logo and buy some hard soap, stopped some time at the store end received a great quantity of soft soap from the clerk. Extraordinary Feat of A Mare.'- Yankee veteran of the turf, John Sherman of Cambridge, Mass., rode his celebrated mare Lady Romp twenty miles within an hour, on Tuesday last, at the Washington Trotting Course, Including tha old roan, his saddle, &c, the mare had to carry over 200 pounds a feat, they say, never before equalled. Sir Henry Lytton Bulwer is, it is said, shortly to marry the Hon. Georgiana Welles- ley, youngest daughter of the late, and sister of the present Lord Cowley, An eruption of the volcano Klu't, in the Island of Borneo, has occurred aud spread immense destruction of man, cattle and prop erty on every side. GOVERNORS MESSAGE. To the Senate and House of Representatives oj the vommonwealtn oj rennsylvama ; Fellow Citizens, In performing the res ponsible duties enjoined by the Constitution, on the Executive of the State, a sincere plea sure is felt in addressing at the commence ment of each session of the Legislature the immediate representatives of the people. To present to them in faiihful oaudor the true positiou 01 puuuu uuaira, tu ouyyesi tatncuies for known wants, to aid in the enactment of such measures as the interesis, happiness nnd welfare of tht) citizens seem to demand, is not less gratifying that it is ma la the duty nf the Executive department. The events of the past year, will not fail to teach us the lesson of an overruling Providence and the gratitude we owe as a people for the bless ings wnicn, tnrougn tne wisaom ot Aimignty uoodness, havo been vouensateu to the na tion. When the representatives of the peo ple last met, there existed between our coun try and a neighboring republic, a fierce and bitter war. The result, indeed, was not doubtful, for, with a people justly celebrated among nations, for their unconquerable biave ry, unsurpassed skill in military affairs, and ineir gieai superiority over tneir enemies in physical and mental qualities, victory was the necessary couseuuence; yet lha undecided contest was a source of profound regret, for the sacrifice of human lite, and the expendi ture of public and private treasure neueasary to the re-establishment of our own peaceful relations. . . . " It is therefore gratifying to know that the war lial fully terminattid, aud that Peace,. the rational desire of all, sheds again its blessings on every portion of our country. To the Al mighty Father, who in mercy turned the hearta of the rulera ot both countries, to lay aside the aword, to cultivate the spirit of brotherly kindness, and to establish peaceful relatione between tht Citizens of their respec tive governments, wo owe tha deepett and most fervent gratitude. The abundant of our harveett, the blessings of continued and general health, and tht pressrvatioa of our oivil and religioua rights, aa guaranteed to ut by tho free institutions of our country j while destitution, misery, and convulsed govern ments, and precarious oivil ami religious in stitutions harass the rerplt of other lands, shoulJ produce) in our hearts' a forVent ac knowledgement Of His superintending kind ness and mercy. t In the late contest with Mexico, this Com monweallh was called upon by the National Government, to furnish a portion of the troops deemed necessary by the constituted authori ties 10 carry tno war to a successiui issue. With this requisition it is scarcely necessary to state, our Commonwealth complied with the alacrity which has heretofore distinguish ed her among her meter republics. A large volunteer force was instantly placed nt the disposal of the National Government, and it is a matter of just pride to their fellow citi zens, that in the discharge of every duty, these volunteers maintained the honor of the State, and the renown of their country. The citizen soldier who fortunately escaped death, has returned to his family and friends, after having earned for himself and the State, a reputation for undaunted bravery, for endu ring and patient suffering, and manly and he--roits virtue, that the future annalist will delight to record. It is due to theso patriotic citizens, that this commonwealth do some net as an ac knowledgement of their past illustrious ser vices. To the memory of the dead who fell in the service of their country, it is the duty of the Slate to erect a suitable monument, that their bravery and virtue may bo endu ringly remembered, and their heroic sacrifice emulated in other times, fhould the honor and safety of the country require it from future generations. cince the adjournment of the last LegisUf monwealth. the late Governor Shnnk, has sunk beneath the malady which then afflicted him. Ho died on the 20lh day of July, 1848. It will not be deemed improper in me to say a few words in leferenctJ'to the character of ihe illustrious deceased, 1 he late Governor Shunk having spent a large portion of his life in the public service, and having mingled much with his fellow cilizens, was well and extensively known thronshout the Slate, and it is with pleasure the circumstance is recalled to my mind, that at one period of his life, I had the honor to enjoy his intimate personal friendship. During our intimacy, it always gave turn great pleasure to aid and assist the youngand inexperienced to relievo the distressed, and to impart to his fellow men by words of kind ness, and deeds of charity, ns large a share of nappiness as his condition would allow. His intercourse with others was courteous, his friendships were laslinrr, his attachments strong and enduring, while his resentments tor linunes Were transltorv and made no per- rtianent impression in his bosom. It may with truth be said of Governor Shunk, that he was a sincere friend, a good neighbor, pure Christian and an honest man. Such was the reputation ho sustained unions his fellow citizens when my intimacy with him, gave me a Knowledge ot his character, and al though a difference of political views separa ted us for many years before his death, his friends, at a later period of his life, have borne testimony that the same purity of in tention and desire ot well doing remained with him until the hour of his dissolution. The Legislature is respectfully invited to take such action in relation to the decease of the firot Chief Magistrate of the Common wealth, whoso death occurred during the pe riod tor which be was elected, as may be deemed most appropriate to express its sym palhy for the sorrow and bereavement of the surviving relatives, and to testily its respect tor the memory ot the virtues ot the distin cuished dead. Prior to tho decease of Governor Shunk ; on the 9th day of July, 1848, as appears by the records in the State Department, ho re signed the office of Governor of this Common wealth, and thereupon, under the provisions of the 14th section of the 2nd article of the Constitution, which declares, that "in case of the death or resignation of the Governor, or of his removal from office, the Speaker of the senate shall exercise the office ot Go vernor, Until another Governor shall be duly qualified," the duties ol the Executive De partment of tho Government devolved on me. Official iuformatidn of the act of resignation, did not reach me until tho 17lh day of July, 1848. Tho section of tlio constitution herein referred to also declared in reference to the same subject, that '-in sueh case another Go vernor shall be chosen at the next annual p lection of Representatives, unless such death resignation or removal shall occur within three calendar months immediately preced ing such next annual election : iu w hich case a Governor shall bu chosen at the second succeeding annual election of Representa tives." By the 34th section of the act of the General Assembly relating to the elections of this Commonwealth, it is provided, that "in case any vacancy shall occur in the office of Governor ot ttus Commonwealth, more than three calendar months next preceding the Tuesday in October in any year, it shall be the duty ot the speaker ot tne senate) or whoever shall bu iu tho exercise of the office of Governor, to issue his writs to the Sheriffs of the several counties, reqni ring them to give the usual notice, that an election to supply such vacancy will take place 011 the second Tuesday in October next thcrealter, and wnen sucn vacancy occurs within three calendar monlhi before the sec ond Tuesday in October, it shall be the duty of tha Speaker of the Senate, or whoever shall bo in the exercise of the office of Governor to issue his writs as a aforesaid, requiring notice of such election on the second Tuesday in October next, after the issuing of said writ, aud in each case said writ shall issue at least three calendar months before the election." 1 An examination of the constitutional provi sions; the act ot Assembly ; and the circum stances of the resignation, will satisfy you) that while the resignation occurred more than three months before the next annual election of Representatives it took place at a timq rendering acompliance With the act of assembly in relation to the issuing ot writs, utterly impossible. In this view of the case, it might have been deemed a compliance with duty, to have refrained from all interfe ranco in the matter, inasmuch a events had put it out of my power to comply with tha terms of the act of Assembly, directory of the mode in which tha Constitutional provision 011 the subject should be parried into effect. , After a full and careful examination . Ot the whiila mailer. I believed it my duty td issue the writs requiring notice, to be given, that an eleolkm Would be duly held 011 the second Tuesday of October then next ensuing, for the election of a Chief Magistrate of this Commonwealth. It appeared Id me, that in all eases of doubt, there was no safer retting plaoe than submission to tht decision of the neoole. and that in the eonatruotiou of the law a. relating to Ibe poiut to. Question, if any doubt arose, tht better cod r so 111 a republican govtrumtut, waa to refer to the citizen voter right of seltoting at tht earliest pariod his presiding officer, rathtr than assume a fosi- tion which would continue official station in myself, beyond the earliest legal opportunity to surrender it into his hands. Theoiuanio law required the election, and tha Legislative en- " aciment should bu so cons-trued as hot to con- . tiavene IheCcnstitutlonal provision. Had the ' terms of the Constitution aqd laws clearly given a different position to the question, v however unpleasant the task of performing the duties of the office without the. 'endorse ment of the people's will, they would have been faithfully executed. In assuming as Speaker of the SerVae. the T' exercise of Executive functions, although not deeming it absolutely necessary, prudence... suggested the propriety of being sworn Ip a ' faithful discharge, of the Executive duties and an oath to that effect was administered to me by the honorable the Speaker of the " House of Representatives. A law requiring in all cases of death or re signation of the Governor, or of his removal from office; that writs to the Sheriffs of the different 00001)68 shall be issued as soon as the Speaker of the Senate shall be Officially informed of such death, resigSrotfoh or re- . moval, and requiring, further, that the officer assuming Executive functions should be. . sworn in the same manner and to the same effect as in case of a Chief Magistrate indue- -ted into office, determining also the person authorized to administer the oath, would ob viate future doubts, and the same is resnecU fully recommended to the Legislature. -It is worth v the attention of iIir l.piriMinro and the people, that no provision exists in the Constitution in the contingency of the death, or inabilty to serv of the Speaker of the Seni ate after the death, resignation, or removal of tne tiovernor, tor I lie election ot a presiding magistrate. Such an event happenine, the govomment would be left without a constitu tional officer to carry on its operations. An omission of such importance should be supplied at tho earliest possible period. resolutions expressive ol tha profound sor row of the legislature, for the death of that illustrious patriot and sage, John Quincy Adams, and of condolence for the familv in their bereavement, were passed by that body at it's lust session : and the Executive was di rected to transmit the same to the widow and familv of the deceased. The letter of the late Executive in the performance of that duty, ond the reply of the venerable survivor, are herewith transmitted. Tho attention of the Legislature having been called to the neglected and suffering condition of the insane poor of the Slate, ait act was passed on tho 14th day of April, 184 providing for the establishment of on assylurri for this unfortunate class of our inditrent' pop ulation, to be located within ten miles bf the seat of government. The commissioners named in this act, with funds contributed for the purpose by humane and benevolent citi zens of Harrisburg. aided by a liberal appro priation mado from the treasury of Dauphin County, purchased a farm of about 130 acres, eligibly situated within a mile and a half of the State Capitol. In January, 1846, these commissioners made a report to the Legisla ture, iu which they stated, that on a critical, examination of the aforesaid apt, such defects were apparent, that they did not conceive themselves justified in proceeding with the building, or in making any expenditure of the sum appropriated by the State, towards its erection, until some modification sho-ild be made in the law under which they were acting To remedy these defects a supplementary act was passed, on the lllh day of April, 1848, upon which the commissioners forthwith a dopted measures for the commencement of the work. Apian for the proposed building was adopted, and a contract was made with an experienced architect and builder for its construction. A considerable portion of the materials, as I am informed, has been provi ded ; the excavation bf the cellars and found ation has been made; the laying of the stone masonry commenced, and the hydraulic apt paratus for rising water to the building nearly completed. Of the appropriation made on account of this building, a warrant has been drawn tor $5,0U0, ot which only $2,726 05 has been expended. It is hoped and believed that the work will be forwarded with as much despatch as is consistent with prudence and a. proper regard lor tne corn ions una restoration of Ihe atllicted insane poor. . . By the act of the 4th of May. 1841, enti; tied "An act to provide revenue to meet tho demands on the treasury, and for other pur poses," certain banks were authorized to sub scribe tor a loan to the commonwealth, to an amouut equal to a fixed per cenlage therein slated, on their respective capitals; the a- mount of such loan to be placed in the trea sury for the use thereof, in notes of said banks of the denomination of one. two and five dol lars. By the terms of lha law, the loan was redeemable at any time within five years, and was peremptory that it should ha paid, and the notes authorized to be issued, with drawn from circulation on or before tho 4th day of May, 1846. The act also provided, that the bauks issuing said notes should re ceive them ut par value In payment of debts due these institution?. It was thought, that by making their redemption dependant on tno tattnol the state, as well as on mat ot the banks bv which they were issued, a safe and reliable currency would be constituted, while the Mate would be larsrely bt-rjeiilted by a loan at one, instead of five and six per cent., as on previous occasions. , . The notes thus issued, were;-sjjbstantially. . the creatures of tho banks TTi(J const itu-.V ted a loan to tho Commonwealth, were requi- . red to be paid into ihe treasury in the mari ner prescribed in the lawjff1 were Ver1e'rt ablo ut their par Value at fhe cBhnters W the banks! and the circumstance of the faith of the State in addition to that of the banks, he ing pledged for :lheir. redemption, could not raise a rational doubt df their constitutionality How far a aub&tduent act, passed the 31st day of May, 1844, by relieving the banks from all responsibility touching their red amp tion and payment: thereby making then! an ' issue on the part of the Commonwealth, re deemable at the treasury alone,' contravened the Constitution of the United States, il iaf not necessary now to decide. . ' : j Under the provisions of the Original aol of tho 4 in of May, 184 1,' the amount of note issued was '2,220,205 tols.. which waf specifically appropriated to the suppoit of the government during the year, the payment of debts, and other tpecmi purpose therein mentioned. Within two year thereafter, the sum of 135.214 M.t of said issue wea fund ed by tha bank and converted into perma nent loans at five per oent. By a resolution of the 6th Of February, 1843, and the act of the 8lh of April of ihe earn year, 68,087 dols.y were cancelled and destroyed. . 7 ' ' , It wa doubtless, the Intention of the lew. Iaf are. that the um of 50.000' doll., sfcraM destroyed quarterly. Under jriiftcf. the sum of 100,000 do!., was cancelled iu 1844; thai further sura of 85,000 dol., In 1845, 4 further aura of HftSOd dole., In 1846.-!S0r C?0 do't , in 1M7, and V Is 1M
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