, , ' 1 Swor" tllc Altnr of ol eternal hostility to every form or Tyranny over the Mlml of Man." Thomas Jefferson.
PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY IL WEBB.
Volume Hf.S.
MjOOMSBUltG, COILgMBiA COUNTY, FA. SAIWRDAIT, JAtftfAUtf 18, 1840.
OFFJECB OF THE DEMOCRAT,
'Opposite St. Paul's Cutmcit, Main-st.
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MESSAGE
From the Governor of Pennsylvania, to.
both houses of the legislature, at tho com
mencement, oi Uic session) January,
1840.
To the Senate and IfoUse of Representa
tives of the Commonwealth of Penn
sylvania :
Fellow Citizens :
It appears to mo nn appropriate occasion
in transmitting to the legislature my first an
nual pieosago to contemplate for a few mo
ments, the peculiar change in the circum
stances .that altciul its present meeting, from
those vlucli attended the meeting of the last
legislature come together in a spirit of peace
and amity, to perform tho various inipor
duties confided to them by tho people Jar
ring and discordant interests will not, I trust,
distract their councils, nor "contested elec
tions," love of oflice, or reluctance to yield
submission to the will of the majority, dis
turb their hurmonius action, and shake for
a time the confidence of oui sister states and
of the world, in tho integrity and stability
of our republican government itself.
The scenes witnessed at Ilarrisburg on
the 4th day of December, 1838, and for
several ensuing weeks.are too memorable o
bo soon forgotten. During that uulorlunatc
Ticriod for the first time, in the history of
this commonwealth, was it deemed nccessa
vy, by those entrusted with the functions of
the governmentto appeal toniilitary force,
to protect tho civil authorities in the dis
charge of their own duties, against the al
leircd interposition of a portion of the citi
zens of this comomw'ealili, who were present
at the seat of government's waslhoir pnvi
lege, tolvitness the corimonics of organiz
ing.tho legislature. Whatever disqrdeily
occurrences look nlaco in tho house of re
presentatives and in the r,enate, on the day
already named, arc to be deeply regretted,
but still moro is to he regretted, -that these
occurrences found it the least cause to cre
ate, or palliation to excuse them in -the con
duct of men, whose stations, whose duty,
and whose oaths all conspired to res train
them from flagrant and wanton violations of
the law and the constitution, and hostility
to the restraints of social ordes, when even
Tirtvate citizens openly set at naught the
Jaws of the land: it is conclusive proof of
" a spirit worse, far worse in iis tendency,
when officers solemnly sworn to obey and
execute the laws trample them contempt
.uouslv under foot. In doing to, they seem
4o forget that not only public officers, but
even laws and constitution of government,
exert their authority over a free people, on
ly by virtue of public opinion. Withdraw
from them this potent support, and they fall
alike powerless and unheeded.
The public officer will possess tho confi
dence and enjoy tho respect of the people,
so longas his conduct is conformable to
their wfshes. thrir wauls and tho law; but
jie will possess the one and enjoy the other
.110 longer. 1 no law or tiiu cousiiiuuou v ui
(remain in force, while it is believed to bo
.capable of promoting the public happiness
and public good. The moment either cens
us to be productive of this result, it is sub
jected to the wholesome remedy of repeal or
modification. Tho laws of nalu.ro and the
i f .
l ,.,., ti nrmnm n ill r nw 1 lrcu r iv-
7i.k. - . . . . , ,
, . .... A It... Ult l An nnf llto fllltt
of this course.
Thrse elementary principles-should be
.ever present to the mind of those who are
invested with authority. They would en
k foico the lesson ineulo.iled by all experience
that no officer of the people can depart from
his dutv, and continue to command their re
spect and their support. They would ad
monish public functionaries, tlut those who
fotget them, those who deleriniuo to resist
the popular will and treat elections as if
they had not taken place, must expect on
tha nan of the ncoi)le, tho keenest disap-
and patriotic defiance of their menaces and
their power; against which, even legislative
enactments are vain, and tho bayonets of
any other soldiery than those of a standing
army pointless, impotent and unavailing.
In audi emergencies they would learn that
they could put no reliance on tho aid of
citizen soldiers," for they will participate
in tho feelings and the wrongs of their fel
low citizens, and refuse obedience to tlioso
who would command them, if they consid
er such obedience intended to insult those
feelings or aggravate those wrongs.
Our own recent experience allbrds abun
dant confirmation of these general truths.
We can proudly refer to tho history of Penn
sylvania for proof, undoubted proof, that odr
republican institutions arc reared on a foun
dation not only permanent but impreguablo.
We have seen them assailed, at times, by
both corruption and force, by adversity aud
prosperity, by foreign war and domestic
discord; by the independent energies of tho
people and the audacity of tlioso thoy had
entiustcd with powei;they have withstood
all those trialt, they have not been shaken,
but around them have cling with a broader
and a firmer grasp, evciy feeling of aJcc
tiou and every principle of liberty that can
animate the breasts of an American people.
liut a year has elapsed since the patriot
was trembling for the fate of this common
wealth, agitated as it seemed, to the very
verge of a civil war between the people aud
their rulers. The danger is pjsl Uanqnil
ity is rtstored this legislature assembles
da those did, composed of the fathers of the
republic, under auspicious omens; scarce a
haco of convulsion remains, except in tho
stern and awful lesso'i it has taught to all
public functionaries, a lesson they will not
in future dare to deride, that when a, major
ity of the people has passed judgment on
any men or any measure, it is worse than
folly and desperation, to treat that judgment
as if it had not been pronounced.
Wc are indebted to a gracious Providence
for a season of general health, of abundant
harvests, and for as great a measure of pros
perity and blessings, a3 in his inscrutable
wisdom, he usually bestows on tho- nations
of the earth. Peaco with foreign nations,
security to our wide and extended com
merce, land respect to our flag, in all eeae,
characterize our national relations, and de
monstrate that their guardianship is repos
ed in faithful hands.
In peifoiuiing tho duty enjoined on mo
by tho constitution, of giving to the legisla
ture information of tho stale of the com
monwealth, and recommending to their con
sideration snchjincasures asl muy judge ex
pedient, I muslin the first place, invite your
attention to our financial condition, as tho
subject of first importance to tho people
A full exposition of tho debt due by the
statu to holdeis of the certificates of the va
rious loans authorized by law, will appear
in the following tabular statement, showing
the amount of the several loans when au
thorized when due for what purposes
made, and the annual interest thereon.
iy tho loans autuorired ninco tho
16th January 1839, provision lias
been mdo for tho payment of
prior loans falling duo before tho .
Medina of the legislature in 1810
marked lliua in tho above tablo
and amounting to 1,810,000 00
Whole amount of slate loans bear
ing interest nt 5 per ccnt.pcr an
num except $200,000 00 which
bers '1 per cent. $50,914,003 32
Thefollnving tta(e debts da not tear intcrttti
7'hcro was duo on
the 10th January,
1839, by Appro
priations to inter
rial improvement
purposes miscel
laneous objects,
&c. (sco state ' '
treasurers report i " ' "
Journal 11. U, - , .
1838-9, vol. S, "
page 11,) tho
eum of $2,070,786 87
There has been paid
on this account by
Iojiw authorized at
tho Ictst sermon "457,750 00
Out of funds of treas
ury 238,891 17
Leaving the sum of 1,380,146 70
Duo United Stnlea on account, cf
surplus racuuo 2,807,514 78
Wunitier SSL
Aggregate amount of ctalo debt $34,141,603 80
Abstract of the appropriations cf the laws
authorized since the 10A January, 1839.
To p3y interest en
5822,250 00
the public debt
To p.iy temporary
and stock loans
Ta pay debts duo on
appropriations pro
viously made to
various internal
improvements
To pay lepairs of
the Huntingdon
breach
To pay repairs of tho
rnnaland railways
To pay for avoiding
Columbia inclin
ed piano
To pay ol.l debts,
V'o pay damages,
new wolk on -old
line.!, canal com
missioners, &c. .
To pay for locomo
tives, ropes, etc.
for railways,
To pay on account
U'fccrvoirs Por
tage railway,
1,810,000 00 '
457,750 00
380,000 00
09,000 00 ,
145,000 00
105,000 00 .
100,000 00
70,000 00
4,094,000 00
Towards completing public ivorks com
mencea tn 1830.
North Branch ex
tension,
Eric cxtcntion,
Sinncmahoning ex
tension, Wiconisco canal,
SG30.C00 00
800,000 00
30,000 00
190,000 00
1,650,000 00
Towards hc jollowing improvements:
Survey rail road ,
Hanisburg to
Pittsburg, 30,000 00
TABULAR STATEMENT
Xaturc of
Loans
Slock Loan
STATE LOAN
Dales of Ads
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do
do do
do do
do do
do do
do do
do do
do do
do do
do do
Loan for eastern
penitentiary.
Loan for Union ?
canal company. $
Temp'ry loan for )
12. & N. II. Ex 5
Tempoiary loan,
do do
Slock loan,
do do
do do
do do
do do
do do
Temporary loan,
Stock 4a
authorizing.
2d April
HO March
30 March
11 April
1 April
9 April
21 March
18 December
22 April
7 December
4 January
13 March
21 March
30 March
30 March
5 April
1 G February
27 March
0 April
13 April
.28 March
9 April
1 March and
10 December
Res. 1G Juno
1S21
1824
1821
1825
1820
1827
1823
1828
1C29
182Giuid
1831
1830
1831
1831
1832'
1832
1833
1833
1831
1835
1831 and?
1833 5
1833 5
1830
When reim
bursable 1 Juno 1811 '
1 January 1839"
1 Mav 1839
1 January IS 10
1 Decem'r 1840
1 Decem'r 1850
1 Decem'r 1853
1 January 1851
1
Decem'r
f 1 May
1 1 May
(.1 April
March
July
July
July
1 July
1 July
1 July
1 July
1 July
28 March
185 1
1839
1844
1847
1858
1850
1850
1800
1800
1853
1858
1802
18G5-
1801
Amount
0930.000 00
220,000 00
380,000 00
150,000 00
300,000 00
1,000,000 00
2,000,000 00
800,000 00
2.200.000 00
00,001) 00
62,500 00
50,000 00
4,000,000 00
2,183,101 08
300,000 00
2,348,089 00
300,000 00
2.510.001 44
530,000 00
2,205400 00
959,000 00
120,000 06
Stock in Franklin
railroad,
Stock in Pennsyl
vania and Ohio
canal,
10 April 1803 2oo,ooo oo
2 Sec, act 14 April 1838
3 See, do do
20 January 1839
0 February ' 1839
10 March 1839
Res. 27 March . 1839
Act7Juna . 1839
27 Juna 183!)
27 Juno 1839
19 Jul 1839
1 July
1 July
i July
i July
l July
i July
1 March
I July
1859
1801
1804
1808.
1859
1001
184o
1808
2oo,ooo oo
Goo,ooa oo
2oo.ooo oo
l,2oo,ooo oo
1, 280j000 on
1 00,000 oo
47o,ooo oo
5o,ooo oo
l,15o,ooo oo
22o,ooo oo
2,o54,ooo oo
100,000 09
50,000 Od
lSO.OOO 00
Whole amount of loans authorized
at tho last session,
SO.534,000 00
$31,751,03 23
It thus appears that the statn debt a-
mounts to tho tho vast sum of $34,141,003
80 of which the Dome or $29,9 14, 003 3'Jt
being duo upon states loans bears an annual
interest of $1,494,700 10.
This aggieiiute state debt (with exccptlon
of $180,000 00, appropriated at the last
session of tho legislature to the survey of a
railway Irom Harrisburg to Pittsburg to
stock in the Franklin rail road anS to stuck
in the Pennsylvania aud Ohio canal as a
bove slated was contracted prior to the
loth January, 1830, the day of my inaticu
ration, It is true that the sum of 80,02 1,-
000 00 was authorized to be borrowed
since that period hut tho whole of this
large amount (with the above, exception)
was upprupuated to the payment ol tlcbts
and liabilities due and falling due in the
year 1839, for tho payment of which no
provision had been made when I entered
upon tho duties of my office.
It is evident from this simple statement
of the public debt, that whatcier may be its
amount, or whatever the inconvenience wo
suffer from it, none of the responsibility
rests upon inc. All the additions that have
been made to it, since I came into office,
have been either to pay debts already due,
or to prosecute contracts for works then
commenced and in a stato so forward, as lo
forbid their abandonment. This public
debt has been contracted under full authori
ty of law, The faith and honor of the peo
ple arc pledged, in the most solemn manner
lo the payment of the interest annually ac
cruing, and to the final payment of the
principal. Every consideration of duty,
integrity and national fidelity, binds us lo
the honest performance of our part of the
baigain with the holders of the certificates
of our loans. It is immaterial whether we
reeeived these loans in paper money, or in
gold and silver ; whether in merchandize,
rail road iron, or any otiier commodity;
wc havo received a consideration in some
thing wc have issued the certificates of stock
and wc must abide by tho eoniracts which
wo ourselves ivited flthers to make with us,
aud ratified in all due forms of law.
I staled in my inaugural address, I be
lieved, although the state debt wo3 large,
and it considerable portion of it had been
incurred by injudicious legislation r.nd ex
pendituro yet that I was convinced ihe pub
lie imnrovemcnts constructed by it, and tho
general increase of the value of the proper
ly in the commonwealth, were fully equal
to the whole amount of tho debt. I still
entertain the same opinion, but in submit
timr to your consideration a statement of
the resources of the commonwealth, 1 feci
it to be incumbent nn me to exhibit the ac
ma! productiveness ol our internal improve
ments, in a light somewhat less flattering
than that in which it has usually appeared
1 am constrained to pursue this course by a
high sense of duty and not by any desire to
arouse hostility against them, or lo weaken
Iho coiifidence of the public in their ultimate
value nnd utility, it has been customary
hitherto, to slate the gross amount of lolls
derived from our canals anil railroads, in
such a manner as to convey the impression
that they yielded that sum, clear of all de
duelions for management aud repairs. The
constant yearly increase of tolls has served
as a powerful stimulant to tho prosecution
and extension of the entire system of our
improvements, Men of sanguine feelings
have confidently looked forward to an early
dav. on which ihe tolls, orisincr from our
improvement would not only pay the in
lercst on tho whole stnto debt, but yield, in
addition, a large surplus to bo applied lo iho
exliuguishmcntof tho principal. Local in
terest and ardent public enterprise readily
concurred in this opinion. We had em
barked in the system too deeply, both in
nccuniarv investments, and in a stato pride,
to turn back. Tho great undertaking must
go through; we had pledged our faith,
our firmness, and our ability lo that effort,
and wo gathered hope and confidence
wherever ihcy could bo found, It is not
surprising, therefore, that our governors,
legislators and people, havo deceived them
selves, and deceived each oilier, in pursuit
of this favorite object. It foims no just
ground of censure against tho activo sup
porters of our sysleiii of internal improve
ments, that they have fallen short, far
short of publiu expectation, in the amount
of revenue .they afford, Tho lime may
perhaps arrive, at no very distant day,
when the increases of our population, busi
ness and wealth, will enablo us to realize
tho flattering anticipations of tho "early
friends of the system; among whom, as an
unwavering advocata and supporter of that
systcrru on judicious principles, I am proud
to claim a rank. Jt is immaterial what wd
had hoped or what we now desire, Oil ihi
subject) it is our duty nS prudent and faith'
ful guardians of the public interests, to ex
amine it with candor, anil to act Upon it
without concealment or feat.
If tho income derived from o(lf public irri
provemcnts is less In fact, than has been
generally represented and anpposed, thrf
present is the time above all othersi when
it should he made kuriwnt and measured
bo adopted lo meet the deficiency. Thd
following tabular statements show the a
mount received from tolls and from rriotivo
power, dining each of the last five years?
the amount expended for motive power", re1
pairs nnd management lor tho same timd
nnd similar estimates of tolls anil expendi
tures for the ensuing year, lo wit:
1835. Tolls received, 850T.G31 G7
From molivo power, 80.727 10
Repairs and cost of motivo
power
$084,357 77"
431,020 id
1830i Tolls feceired
From motive powcfi
5671,849 74
100,281 01
638,130 73
Rcnairs and cost of molivo
powcrj G5 1,024 OS
8287.10G 18
'
1837. Tolls received. S758.7G5 13
From motive potfdf, 210,585 37"
Repairs arid cost of motivo
power
1838. Toll3 received,
From motive power,
i
Ttehntrs nfid ensf nf mnflrfi
power T.0G9.G57 71
075,800 49
bb;U)1( so
ii -1 ii in
$91,833 G3
--" '
$721,458 70
244;570 94
i i i
900,029 04
Deficit,
To which the deficiency for
said year may bo added fof
debts duo and unpaid the
sum of
103,028 07
275,00d 65
i i
6378,028 0i
. i i
821,780 53"
280,123 53
1,101,004 11
Repairs and cost of motivo
powert G50,!360 3i
1839. Tolls received,
Froln motive powef
8445,443 79
For this year the sum of 8100,000 was
appropriated to the support of motive pow-
er, but of this only five or six thousand dol
lars have been expended.
Thus it appears from these statements
that the tolls for the present year, exceed
the amount of expenditures for motive pow
or, repairs and management, only 8115,443"
79. The lulls for the lust five years, though
gradually increasingt only exceeding tha
expenditures on the lines from which thev
are derived 5098,587 17 and in fact, fit
ihe year 1833, fell short of meeting tho ex
pcnditiires 8378,023 07, including the de
ficiency and debts due at tho end of tha
year And ,f the public woiks be put in
a situation, available fur the business of ihe
coming year, the estimated tolls will not
more than equal the estimated expenditures.
It is perhaps due to the public improvements
ip stato, thtit, after payment of repairs and
all expenditures upon theni) tho tolls for tha
year 1839, thus appear, to have exceeded
the tolls for the year 1838, the sum of
$824,071 8G. I refer yon to thu Metalled
icport of the Ganaj Commissioneis for sucli
further information on the subject as may
be essential to a full understanding of
it.
The ordinary resources of the Common
wealth arising from all revenues payable
into the treasury, together with an est'imata
of Iho wholo amount of public properly will'
appear from tho following tabular state'
in cuts :
Abstract of the ordinary revenue' of the
State in 1839.
Canal and railway tolls, 082 1,?80 08
Auction commissions and .
nuelion duties, 101,728 01
Collateral inheritance tajti 35,908 '78
Dividends on bank stock, 100,079 CO
Do, turnpike, bridge navi
gation stock, 4l,0l7 70"
Land and land office fees, 40,504 93
Tax on bank dividend's, 133,440 73
Tax on certain office,- 2,882 90
Tax on writsi&c. ' 80,052 CO
pfibjlion, and it my be, ths oust fearless"