plele them, nnoMhe policy of a ton
linucd atitl protracted delay in com
pleting works, which the state i3
pledged to accomplish, until the first
work done upon them has become use
less from decay, has proved disastrous
hnd ruinous on many Occasions.
The course heretofore usual, of ne
glecting lo appropriate a sufficient
eutn for repairs, and that early in tho
session, has been seriously detriment
al to the inleroslsof lieCommon wealth.
At the last session the Commissioners
stated that tho lovvcit estimate for re
pairs required 700,000, and tho Leg
islature appropriated S500,000, a great
psrtion of which was absorbed by
debts then dua. Tho result has shown
that tho Commissioners were right.
The fund has long einco been exhaust
ed, The necessary repairs have not
been completed. Those who havo
been engaged at them are unpaid, and
lie Supervisors are without funds to
lay in tho necessary materials for re
pair. The repairs on tha lines of Ca
nals in use should ordinarily bo made in
winter,, when they would not interrupt iho
Use of tlio Canals; and it has usually hap
pened that before tho airival of winter, the
officers have no means at their command,
nnd no appropriation bill is passed until late
in the session. Tha wbolo system of re
pairs in consequence of the uncertainty of
tha timo of paying tho workmen, and those
who furnish materials, cost tho Common
wealth much mora than it would do, wore
tha means of payment, amplo, certain, and
promptly applied.
Tho Beavor division ef tho Pennsylvania
Canal is already connoctcd with tho publio
improvements of Ohio, by tho Pennsylva
nia and Ohio canal, a work which has been
spieled by individual onterpnzo, nulod
by pttblic appropriations from both States,
and bidsuir to bo n valuablo tributary to
onr pnblio improvements, and a profitable
investment for the stockholders. It has
beea accomplished at a less cost than any
othor work of the kind which I have visi
ted, and is a monument of tha wisdom of
its projocters, and of tho skill, prudence,
and econemy of thoso charged with its con
struction. . I respectfully recommend to the Legis
lature, tho enactment of a law authorizing
the Canal Commissioners to treat with tho
authorities of tha State of New York, for
such n connection of our intornal improve
ments" with theirs, as will be3t promote tho
interests of the two Commonwealths. Tho
law should limit the terms and conditions,
and define tho power and authorities of the.
Uommissioners in such mannor as on Quo
consideration shall be deemed proper:
Tho interest of tho Commonwealth would
also bo advanced bv entrusting the same
board with the power of selling, or, leasing;
warcrpowurrtreated by our internal imple
ments. There are at many points, and in
very advantageous situations, surplus quan
tities or water, which could bo profitably
applied to various branches of manufaotue,
without injury to the duo supply of our ca
nals. Tho tolls on our public improve
ments would bo increased thereby, and a
considerable sum realized from such sale or
loaso.
By an act of tho seventh April, 1835. a
guaranty was made on the part of the State,
for tho payment of an interest of fivo per
dent, for twonty-fivo years on 6200,000, of
the capital stock of tho Bad Eagle and
Spring Creek Navigation company, and by
a subsoquont act tha State has since sub
scribed 825,000 to tho stock of tho compa
ny. The wholo of the work is completed
and in active oporation, except the last six
miles, on which about ono third of the ex
cavation and embankment is made, two locks
completed and another 'nearly completed.
A comparatively trifling sum would finish
this work, but tha funds of tho company
aro exhausted, and the Commonwealth is
annually called upon for the amount of her
guaranty, unit hor subscription is wholly
unproductive. It is n very valuable tributa
ry to the btato Canal, terminating in ono
of tho richest mineral regions in this or pet-
Jiaps any otusr country. Every articlo
coming out of it pays a toll on our State
canal for ICO miles to Columbia. I, there
fore submit to the better judgement of the
Legislature, whether sound economy does
nt dictate thofnrlhor subscription of n sum
sufficient to finish it; beliovine that is pro-
duetivencss wiil then be amply sufficient to
relievo tho Commouweallh from any furthor
paymeut of her guaranty.
There are at present many public im
provoments in a course of constiuction in
our Slate by meas of private companies
most of which I cannot but think are calcu
laled to boncfit Pennaylvania in a very higl
degree. Among the latter I may particular
ize tho wniiamsport and Elmira ran road
as tonding with certainty to propuco this
result. This road will connect tho Grand
Erio Canal of Now York by the Seneca
Lake, with the West Branch Canal at Will
iamsport; and also intersect, at Elmira, the
groat sopthern rail road now being con
slructed from tho Hudson river lo Lake E
rip at Dunkirk. Tho advantage likely
result to ouiselves, from the construction
this road, will bo, that the great amount
tonrtago and travel which now annually
finds its way from the Lakes through th
Slate of New York to tho Atlantic will thus
bo brought directly through our own public
improvements to Philadelphia; the distance
from Elmira lo tho hitler city, by this route,
being 71, miles shorler than from Elmira to
tlio city of Now York by any eonlcmptaled
improvement in that State. Other improve
ments of a similar character, and perhaps
of equal importance, might be noticed.
Every man is presumed to bo present in
the Legislature by his representative, end
to know what publio laws aro enacted, and
is therefore hold to be bound by them
from tho time of their enactment. This
notice, however, is but a constructive
one. I would respectfully suggoBt, wheth
er somo provision for tho immediate publi
cation of all laws of a publio nature is not
necessary, to givo lo the pcoplo actual no
tice of provisions by which they may be
seriously affected.
Tho Report of the Superintendent of the
Publio Schools, which will shortly be laid
before yon, will shew tha progress which
the cause of education is making in public
opinion, and the state and condition of tlio
Colleges, Academies and Schools, through
out tha Commonwealth.
Though tho active operations of the Go
ologioal Survey arc not yet ontirely comple
ted, a much greater extent of country has
been minutely explored during the past sea
son, than in any former ono. The Slate
Geologist, and bis corps, wcro laboriously
occupied in the Gold, their researches ex
tondiug into various districts, both cast and
west of the Allegheny mountains. Tho
insight acquired during tho progress of tho
survuy, into tho more minute features of
our Geology, and tho true positiou of our
various mineral deposits, has served great
ly to increase tho accuracy and valuo of the
largo body of facts now collected. Through
out several oxtonsive sections of tho Stale,
where hitherto, no accurato clue had been
discovcicd by which particular beds of those j
usefal substances, iron ore, coal, matblo and
limestone, could bo traced, much of the
obscurity has been removed. Soveral dis- j
tricts, however, of greater or less extent,
yet remain to be explored. J hough somo
of these havo been already faithfully exam
ined, one voar more will be necessary for
unravolling the intricacies of their structure,
and enabling tho Geologist to arrivo at a
satisfactory knowledge of their resources.
For this purposo an appropriation will bo
corao necessary. Tho amount, however,
will be less than the sum hitherto annually
expended. The Topographical maps now
in a course of construction, aro essential as
a basis for the Geological map called for by
iho law. In the chenuoal department ot
tho survey, as extensive series of ores,
coal3, cenacut, fluxes, &c, have been anal
yzed, resulting in a species of knowledge
now bocoming every day more important
to tho growing manufacturing and mining
inleiests of Pennsylvania,
It is an unbounded fact, that Ihe few last
years have been a period of pecuniary cm
barrassment in the business community. It
has been consoling, however, to rolled, that
during a portion of that time, our husband
men have boen reaping a full reward for thair
labor in abundant corps, tor which, until le
cently, they have found ready markets, at
fair prices. Thoy had not generally been
affected with that mad spirit of speculation,
which at one lime seemed to have seized
so large a part of other portions of our cit
izena, and induced them to engage in almost
every visionary scheme in their "haste to
get rich."
Tho causes of this ombarrassmcnt havo
been variously explained, as euiled the views
of those who undertook the task. My own
views upon this subject havo been fully and
freely expressed in my communications lo
the preceding Legislatures. JNo one, how
ever, can doubt, that, when our country is
importing large amounts of the luxuries
and superfluities of life from foreign coun
tries, and not exporting a sufficiency of our
products to pay tor them, there must be a
constant drain of tho precious metals, and
houcs a scarcity of money to supply the
wants of our community at home. A re
trenchment among our citizons, of whom
plain republican simplicity has ever been a
distinguishing characteristic, in tho purchase
and use of articles of mere luxury, would
groat by tend to lessen this cause or pecuni
ary embarrassment.
I ha consequences of tho embarrassment
in our mercantile and manufacturing opera
lions, aro now begining lo bo lelt, also, by
our farmors, in the more recent reductions
of the prices of their products, although
the fact communicated by ths faecretary ol
the Treasury, in his lata report is cheoring,
that during the last year the exports from
this country havo excoeued the imports by
nearly twenty-seven millions of dollars.
This is certainly encouraging, especially
when wo reflect, that in prior years the re
verse was the faot; and that without going
back further, in tha year 1830, tho excess
of imports exceeded tho exports upwards
of sixty-one millions of dollars; in 1837
tweniy-lhreo and a half millions of dollars;
in 1838,five millions of dollars, &in 1839,fnr-
ty ono millions of Do)lars;and that in 1837,
the import of the single article of silk, a
mere luxury, which our own country is as
capable of producing as any other, amount
ed to twenty-threo millions of dollars, while
our Txport of floor, during tho same year,
was but about seven millions of dollars. It
is to bo hoped, and the increased confidence
growing out of tho resumption of specie
payments about to take place, warrants the
conclusion, that business will resume its
accustomed channels, and taking lessons of
prudence from the past, our citizens will
not again be tempted into thoso wild oxces
scs which have well nigh led on to bank
ruptey and ruin, and the prostration of pub
lie and nrivalo credit and confidence.
Our Commonwealth possesses a fertile
soul, and unbounded ogricuitural nnd min ;
oral wealth. Wo havo within ourselves
almost all tho necessaries, and many of tho
luxuries of life. Within the increase of
intelligence and means, wo find oUr farmers
augmenting the products of their soil, im
proving their slocks of domestic animals,
and adding to the neatness of their house
hold establishments. No one can pass
through our Commonwealth, without be
ing struck with the air of substantial com
fort, and increasing prosperity, which per
vades the agricultural districts of the Slate
The variety and extent ot our water pow
er, give great lacilities to the manutacturc
ot our grain into biuad sums, and lor ovory
other branch of manufacture, cither nocd
cd for tho supply of our citizens, or for the
employment of their capital.
Had I'cntisylvauia already reached tho
full dovcloycment of her resources, with her
present pecuniary responsibilities weighing
bar down, wo might woll conletnplato our
situation, with trembling solicitude. Uut
this is not tho case. Ihroughout the whole
extent of her ample territory, there is
scarcoly a square milo, which does not a
bound in somo or all of the great staples of
her mineral wealth. Ahlhracilo and bitu
minous coal, iron, marble and limestone, have
bcon scattered by naturo with a moat pro
fuse hand, and have been hitherto worked
barely enough to prove, with what prodi
gality they havo been lavished upon us.
The coal held ot our commonwealth em
braces raoro than ono fifth of his area, and
moro than ihreo times as much as belongs
to entire Europe. Connected with tha coal,
which abounds in so large a portion ot tho
Commonwealth, we havo large supplies of
iron oro, almost in lmuieuiate contact with
In addition thereto, wo have, within
convenient distances, almost all the other
arielios of iron oro found in any part of the
world. l us aaapuon oi amiiiaciiB coai, io
the smelting of iron ore, has been followed
by its successful and profitable application
n tho luriner stages oi mo manuiaciure oi
the metal; and that iho samo results will
speedily follow from the application of bi
tuminous coal, may De iookcu lor, witu
almost absolute certainty. While tho iron
manufactured with chaicoal will always ba
wanted for tho finer purposes, and the de
mand for it, increased by the natural in
crease of the population of the country, thai
manufactured from mineral coai, will bo
employed in tho constiuction of rail-roads,
and for innumerable other purposes. This
discovery must stand as a distinguished era
in the annals of our Commonwealth. It
cannot fail ta add millions of dollars to her
active and available capital; nnd will ere
long transfer to our ewn citizens most, if
not all or the large sums that aro now an
nually sent abroad for rail road iron, and
other iron-manufactured articles. Tha man-
facturo ef these numerous and valuable com
modities will not only result in enriching
Pennsylvania, but will cut off a large item
in the imports of this country, tend lo eman
cipate us from European dependence, ena
ble our sister states lo complete their rail
roads at a cheaper and better rale, and
strengthen the National Union, by the
strongest of all ties, that of mutual interest.
Nor is there in f ennsylvania a swglo
class of citizens who will not share directly
in the advantages. The owners of coal and
iron deposits, and those who engage in (he
manufacture and sale of these productions,
will deiivo the first benefit; but the farmer,
the mechanic, the merchant and every other
citizen, will reel immediately, the salutarv
impulse which will be communicated to his
own peculiar business. The value of our
canals and rail roads must be greatly en
hanced, as well as that of all other species
of property. Willi the cheap and ready
means which they will attard Tor the trans
portation of our various products end man
ufactures, there can be no doubt, that the
trade and business of the state must oxtend
and increase with unexampled rapidily, alid
by prudence and good management bo per
petuated.
In this gradual and corttin devclnpcment
of our resources mav be found abundant
rae'Sns to liquidate our public debt, r.nd to
discharge every other liability, that can
justly be cast upon tho Slate. I confess it
affords me peculiar gratification to advert
Co this topio, for it shows moro salisfacton
ly, that though tnis Commonwealth has
has been somewhat in advance of tho timo
in extending her improvement system so
widely as she has done, the people notwith
standing aro destined at no remote period to
realize, most amply, all the benefits it was
ever oxpectcd to produce, Tho increase of
our manufactures will necessarily tend to
afford additional sources of employment
lor tho laborer, anduurnisli increased seen
rity against all improper combinations for
tho reduction of wages.
If any just caut e ot apprehension has ex
istnd.frnm tho attempts in largo mannfactur
ing establishments to keep their operatives
in subseiviency in matters of opinion and
the exercise of political rights, let the ev
be corrected under adequalo penalties. Lc
tho roaring up of children in factories with
out education bo prohibited, and tho light o
learning and science being dilluscd, as we
among the operatives as their richer em
ployers, tho danger of this influonco will bo
counteracted by shaking off tho shackles of
ignorance and undno dependence either up
on tho information or tho will of others.
Then instead of having a class of human be.
ings in a slate of vassalage, we would rear
up freemen capable of thought and reflec
tion, and of pulling a proper estimato on
that spirit of independence which influenc
ed our forc-fathcrs in achieving aur freedom
and wlh'ch ought ever (6 pervade tlio bo-1
soma of their descendants to the latest gen
eration. Performing, as Pennsylvania has always
dono in all exemplary manner; hct duliea
as a member or tlio great federal utiion, of
which she has not inaptly boen denominated
tlio ''Keystone," Wo must never forget, tho
duties which we, as hot immediate func
tionaries, owe to her own interests, and the
necessity of advancing and sustaining them
us far as can bo douo. without interfering
with her duties to the General Govomnioiil.
On the part of the Legislature; nothing h
wanted but a careful supervision ef her va
rious interests, to placo this Commonwealth
on a firm basis of pecur-iary independence.
Whatever courso other statc3 may think
proper to pursue, lot it bo the palrotic duty
of Pennsylvania to sustain and cherish eve
ry effort to dovelope her resources, and to
advance her glory and hor lcnowu. Vindi
cate her character for integrity fulfil all
her engagemonla faithfullyhusband her
resources with oconray,but not with a false
and mistaken spirit'of parsimonious liberal
ity and tho fair fame of Pennsylvania will
stand before the world without spot or blem
ish to tarnish it. To maintain this fame
unsullied, should bo the first and most un
yielding duly of every cilizen honored with
any station, in which he becomes its official
guardian. I should deem myself unworthy
of the office, with which tho people lutve
clothed me, if I proved reciaant to this high
trust.
By a judicious system of laws, corres
ponding with tho habits and wants of our
people, fosteriug and encouraging ontor
prize and industry, nnd enabling our citi
zens to reap tho full reward of thcit labor
and persoveiancc,wo shall fulfill the expec
tations of our constituents, and be the means
under Divine Provi lence, of perpetuating
tho blessings which have been so signally
showered upon us by tho Author of al
Good.
Tho experienco of many yoars fortifies
I1JU 111 ,.1U VUUUI, 'Ur' u u 1 giUtHCO, U1IUI iu
legislation, is ijigjroT legislating too much.
uur .Legislatures navo been holding ono
extra session afior another, and that too in
mes of profound peace, and when the calls
f patriotism aro imperiously made in eve
ry public functionary to diminish, as far as
in hi in lies, the pecuniary burthen under
which tlio slato has been laboring. 1 he
consequence has been, an unparralleled in-
rease m the logislativa expenses over all
ther departments ol tho government. 1
can recommend no mors certain and effec
tual retrenchment in this matter, than short
sessions; still let the conduct of every de
partmont of tho government bs thoroughly
scrutinized, and let no important interest of
the peoplo be neglected.
I he baneful practice of converting tho
halls of legislation into an arena for the
display of political gladiators, which has too
ong characterized the halls ot our national
legislature, is a lamentable departuro from
the courso pursued by the band of patriots
who composed "Ihe first congress;' and
whose example, I hope, for tho honor of
our common country, ?iaa not yet been
vholly forgotten by their successors. 1 ho
pernicious tendency of this practico of ihe
national legislature, will not, 1 trust, be ex
tended to Iho legislatures of their respective
Btutes; and I am sure, I need scarcely add, I
havo no approhensions ot its reaching the
legislature of this commonwealth. No
public functionary who would yield to its
influeuce need expect to retain the confi
dence and respect of tho paoplo ofPennsyl
vania.
In conclusion, I shall be? leave (o refer
yuu to the views on several subjects con
tained in mv last annual message That
message being iho first which I had the
honor to communicate at tho commence
ment of a session of the Legislature, I went
moro into detail on the various topics dis
cussed in it, then I suppose would be again
necessary, with a view to an expression of
opinion en them, as well for that occasion
as lor luuire rciercnce. i inereiore reier you
to it lor my recommendations on the sub
jects of reform of tho Banking system &c
tho importance ot connecting and com
pleting at the earliest day practicable th
disconnected part of our disjointed and un
finished system ot internal improvements
tho making of prompt and amplo nrovis
ion for keeping the public improvements in
repair, the necessity ol piesarving unim
paired tho credit of tho Commonwealth and
promptly meeting all her pecuniary encage
ments, the necessary care and caution to
bo exercised in creating renewing, and su
pervislng corporations, tho subject of ed
ucation, and as connected with it, that of
procuring competent teachers and school
books, the subject of the increase of writs
of error and appeals in the Suprorae Court,
and importing tho decisions of that court,
Iho militia system, the encouragement of
volunteers nnd tho reduction of militia train
ings to one day in Ihe year, the evasion of
the laws relative to collateral inhoiiianco
tax, and the revision of tho laws relative lo
tho selecting nnd drawing of jurors.
It will afford mo great pleasure lo co-op-crate
with the Legislature, in these and all
other measures calculated to piomole the
common good of our beloved Common
wealth.1 DAVID It. PORTER.
Executive Chamber, Jan. Cllr, 1841,
It is said that thcro aio 439 applicants
for the offico of Secretary ofSalc of Ohio,
and lhat 130 of them havo been promised
the station I ".111 for principle'' used to
be their disinterested mono,
SAMS.
BY virtue of sundry writs of alias vnmll.
liohi cxponas.to mo directed, will bo expos;
d to public salo at tho UoUrt House m Dans
villc.on Monday the 1 8lh of January, 1011.
t ten o'clock A. M. the following proper
ty, viz:
A certain tract oi tana siiuaipii in JJcrrv
township, Columbia rounty.ndjnining Iambi
of William Viinliorn, 1 iiomns yinorchead,
Thomas .flooroheatl jr.and Math Winches
lit, containing twenty-one acres, more or
loss about nineteen acre? cleared landi
whereon is erected a small
3LOG HOUSE
Seized taken in execution, and to bo sold
as ihe pioperiy of John Aborchead.
ALSO.
A certain tract or parcel of Land eiltutd
n Hemlock township, Columbia county:
beginning at a post, corner of John Egbert)
sen's, land, henco by the same north ond
degree, west one hundred and four perches
ud hvc-tcntlis to a post n corner ol Wn.
ow Cox's land thence by land of William
Montgomery, souih eighty-six degrees, west
ons nunueru anu sixiy-inur percnes anil
ixth-tenth to n chesnut-oak, thence by land
of John Egbert, sen.- south degrees
oast, ono hundred and thirty-eight perches
to a while oak grub, thence, by land of
Thomas Colo and Christian Clouso north
sovcnty-lhrco degrees, ono hundred and fif
ty-six perches to uio placo ot beginning;
containing
113 Acres & 33 Perches,
is the same more or less, whereon is creeled a
About Twelve acres of Afeadow and Sixty
Acres of cleared land.
Seized, taken in execution, and to be sold
as the property ol' Samuel Aft Her.
151 virtue ol a writ ot levari facias, to me
lirccted, will be oxposed to public sale at
tha time and place aforesaid.
A certain message and tract or piece of
and, .thereunto, belonging, fiitunlo part in
Hemlock township, and part in Ml. Pleas
ant township, bounded and described as fol
lows; viz: bounded by lands of Andrew
Afelich, tho Lancaster company and other
ands; wharcon is creclod
a mvr.T.T.Tvrj
jjuy ana several oui-nouses, a
And containing Two hundred and eighty
six acres of land, bo the same more or less.
Seizco, taken into excution, anil to bo
sold as the property of Jacob Wagoner.
uy virtue of a( writ ot venditioni expo
nas, to mo directed, will be cxpoceu to sale
at the timo and place aforesaid,
J wo corlam lots of ground situate in Ber
wick, Columbia county, adjoining lots of
B. Wilson, the heirs of William Evans,
deceased, and others, whereon is erected a
and numbered in the plan of said town No.
02 and 50.
Seized, taken in execution, and to be sold
as the property of Nicholas Seibert.
JOHN FRUIT, Sheriff.
Snnnirr's Omen, Danville, ?
Dec. 20, 1810.
BY viriuo of sundry writs of alias vendi
tioni cxponas.to me directed, will be expos
ed to public sale at She Court House iu Dan
ville, on Monday tbe 25th or January, 1811,
at ten o'clock A.. M. tho following proper
ty, viz:
A ccrtian tract of land situato in Madison
township, Columbia county, containing
one hundred and four acres, whereon is e
reeled ji
LOG HOUSE,
AND LOG BARN,
about ninety acres cleared, and a fine largo
meadow, a good orchard. Adjoining lauds
of Richard Fruit, John Swisher, John Fun
slon and others.
Seized taken in execution and to be sold
as Iho property of Pliineas Wolliver, bv
JUI1N FRUIT, Shorty.
Sheriff's Orrirc, Dauyille,
Dec. 30, 1841. 5
E,IST OF CAUSES
For Trial at January Term, 1841.
Ludwig Leight vs George Mulchler
Joseph Cavenee vs Isapc. ftlusgravo ct al
Isaiah Shuman vs Daniel Cusienbodor etal
B. W. Wapples vs Adam Michael
William Dale vs Charles Craig
Benjamin Haywood vs Ellis Hughes el tl
George Foegly el al vs Daniel Sponenber-
peret ol
T?nl)ftPt MnnffTnnnrv va Wllli.m QuMcltnr -I
Daniel Gross v .Tnrnh Tlnivnr
Jacob Wagner vs Dr. Wm.
West Branch Bank ctal vs
M'Cormick
Thomas More-
head
Albert B. Ashton et al vs Christian Ash
Richard l'lnmmer vs Theodore Wells
Same vs Samo
Samuel Brobsl etal vs C. A. Brobst
Jacob Gulling vs Peter Miller,
C. A. Brobst vs Jesse Price.