1Hl1tfirf hit, M
I have (wnrnnpnii the Alter of (Jod, eternal hostility t every form of Tyranny ever the Kind of Man." Thomas J.flenjon
II. WEBB, EDITOR AND PROPRIETOR.
Volume
HLOOMSKUIl, COLUMHIA COL NT V, PA. SATURDAY, JANUARY 1G, 1817.
!Vuiuler
Governor's Message.
To &Nffe out ojse Ilvpmen
tatives: Gentlemen: The legislature has
assembled tl i lime which i cliftinoich -rd
for the general health end prc-jeri-ly
nf Ihe people.
While we deplore ti e wants and
wretchedness of numbers of our race,
result ing principally from ihe influence
of unjust governments, we re entiled
by comparing our condition with (heirs
lo appreciate Ihe inestimable vslue of
cur fire institutions, end are moved I
unite our grateful hoar'i in adoration
and praise for ihe wonderful goodness
of our Heavenly Fther, who haa mul
tiplied our civil and religioua bltesings,
and has not only preserved us from the
horrorc of want, but haa enabled u ou 1
of our abundance, to feed the hungry,
and has made us a great and a happy
people.
S. nee the last adjournment of the
General Assembly, the peace which
had ao long subsisted between this na
tion and the other nation of the world,
hat been disturbed by the war between
the United States and Mexico, The
grave causes which have produced this
are ably and satisfactorily net forth in
the late annual message of the President
to Congress. They show a dignifud
forbearance on the part of this govern
moot, under multiplied wrong and
agjroisiojs, and a laudable desire (o
peace while ita blessings could be secur
ed consistently with the national honor.
A free people, conacious that they aik
nothing but what is right, caonot submit
to wrong; and however much they may
deprecatu tha evils of war, their jst
right must be maintained. IlenceCon
gress, on the 13th of May, 18-16. an
nounced, that by the eel of Mexico a
etale of war, existed between that gov
ernment and the United States, and fot
the purpose of prosecuting it to a speedy
and successful termination, the Presi
dent was authorized to employ the mi
litia, naval and military force of th
United States, and to call for and except
the servicei of fifty thousand volunteers.
In pursuance of the authority derived
from this act, the President, the 19lh
of May, 1846, requested the Executive
of this State, to cause to be enrolled and
held in readings, for muster into the
eervice of the U. States aix regiments of
volunteer infantry, each to consist of
ten companies; to serve for twelve
months, cr to the end of the war, unless
sooner discharged.
In accordance with this request, gen-
.rot iM-rtnr. ware issued on the 23 J of
May, 1816, announcing to the citizen
soldiers that the offer of six regiments
of volunteer infantry would bo accepted
m h htdd in readiness for mustrr into
the service of the United Slates. In pur
r,f ihis announcement, the offers
eueui.w v
of ninety companies of volunteer ihfan.
irv, sufficient to fVl nine regiments
.me rereived ami transmitted on thr
(5-h day of July, 1846 to the War De
,artment. Ihe patriotism uu
tirh were ao rromptly and cheerfully
nunifested on this occasion, by the vol
.nteera of Pennsylvania, give proof of
;heir devotion to the service ol the coun
try, highly creditable to themselves and
t.nn.ahlR to the State.
tkp ii recimeots thus called for,
m a i v o
aire not mustered into the service
On the 16 h of November, 1846, a
'rnueal was made by the President for
' e regiment of volunteers from this
' ,tte, to consist of ten companies, lo be
.-. j ; .o.r r i urinif tne wai
i-onuiiutu hi t
with Mexico, unless sooner discharged
'"his reauetl was announced on the 1 8th
c KT..-,mt..r: 1816. totAe volunteer
1,1 JlUt'"-' I
vtm had previously tendered their aer
v ices
ii.ua fit mustered inio
United Stales at IMtsburg, on the 15'h
day or December. Six of the cnmpan- in my opinion, thi small aeknowledg
if. composing the regiment, were orgi-ment from the representative of the
nizod in Philadelphia: one in Pultsvil: people.
ne in wilkcrbarre, and two in Tilts
On the 14 h December, 1816, a re
quest was made by Ihtl'iesident for a
nother regiment of volunteer infantry
from this State, to serve during the wat
with Mexico, unless sooner discharged
This regiment was filled, even with
mora promptitude than the former, and
ordered to rendezvous at Pittsburg, op
the 5 h instant. One of the companies
composing this regiment was orenizrf
in Philadelphia; one in R-adinf-; onr
in Mat.ch Cliuftk; one in Hurisburg-
one in Danville: two inCambria county;
one inV atmoreland coun'yjone inFiy-
etle county; and one in Pittsburg
The energy and the exalted pa'riot
ism which have thus been evinced by
the citizen soldiers of Pennsylvania; an
n admirable illustration of the work
ings of our free system, Bnd of th.-
strength of our government.
The officer and soldier who bav
entered Into the service of the'eountry,
k independent freemen, in the vigor
of youth and manhood, intelligent and
energetic, animated with the love of lib
erty, and proud of the dignity of be
citizen of the United S1 'e. Such ap
ihe Volunteer soldiers of Pennsylvania
who have filled two regiment; and ar
ready lo furnish any additional iumbet
that may be required.
In referring to Ihe manly zol of th
soldier, allusion. lo Ihe benevolence ot
the cilizens'who provided for their com
foit on the march, aod who became thr
guardians of those thy left behind, an
were dependent upon them, cannot ht
omitted. Thone generous feelings
admirably expressed, in which mingta1
the fulness of her patriotism, and tin
chara of her influence, cat a halo a-
round the volunteer, when with iirgn-
ing looks at the loved objcts of home,
ho commenced his w ntry march forth
eat ol war, and give him the asennncf
hat Ihe blessings of Ihe aoldier frioncl;-
of the whole country, were upon hin
nd their protecting ore around hi-
family.
That compensation, in addition 'o ihr
mall allowance made ly tle laws ot
ihe United States, should be provider!
for lhee brave men, who have devote'1
themselves lo the country, is most roa-
onable. I submit, respectful')-, to Ihi
General Assembly, Iho propriety and
jua'ice of invoking Congress lo appro
priale, for their use, such portion of Ihe
public land as may be sufficient lo fur-
n;,h i competent Ireehnld'lo each of
he officers and soldiers, who have in
compliance with Ihe reqtios! of thePrrai
dnl, volunteered to serve in the wa
with Mexico, aud mustr-red in the spi
vioe'of ihe UnitedStates. A belter dis
position; could not, in my opinion, b
made of a part ol the public domain.
It n to be regreltpd thai, s the eon-
ilnimnov which haa arisen tvn n ol for;
xeen, there was no provision made by
ho Lfgifln'nre; for defraying the ex-
M.nm fii ine mm ciniic mo y...M..r..-
. I . l. ? . LA it. itnlaart
0 ihe pVe of rrndezvru. I he allow
nice made by the general government,
for this purpose, was linle mote than
cufficirnt, with the most rig'd economy
10 pay the cost of transportation, these
men were hurried Irom their romre
with little lime for preparation, and
when Ihey arrived, and were mustered
into the eervice, the small sum for de.
fraying their travelling expenses, which
.u..:. .,.t. nnmnpniialiOll U) 10 that
neriod was nearly exhausted. I ub -
was nit ii uu'j
mil to Ihe Genial smbly, the pro-jmportance of this subject. In preeenlirry
f .1....' .. . "t4 . .1.- t--. -,,w. !l U
1 a., am lllSl If 8 Ol reiUUUIllIt 'W aaiw.i
I
The saciifice they have evinced, merits
It is proper to add, that, aunougn
this subj-et has been presented to h
ffsnoril government, no provision hat.
yet been made to defray the expense
incurred by the volunteers, in preparing
ihemselves for mutor into the service,
under Ihe request of the Presidsol, ol
the 19. h of May. Uai. This auftjoM,
too, is worthy of the immediate consid
eration of the General Aiiembly.
ifl detailed report of the pro:edings U
this State, for organizing the iriinps, to
erve in lh MfX;can war, will be made
as early as pradicjb'e by the Adjutant
General, and submitted, a oon a it is
received, lo iho General Assembly.
In connection with ihi sulnc'iit i
my du'y lo stale, tlm', to the industry
.nd ability oi Ailjutani General llow
ncn, and his fialant; Colonel Pptri
ken, I hnvfi been essentially indebted,
for the promp'; methodical and satisfac
tory arrangements, by mean.s of which
he duty thi devolved upon me, u lh
irgnizatlon of these troops, has beeu
performed; ind as existing law mike
oo provision I respectfully submit, thai
r r
suitable compensation for the service
which have I een rendered, should be
promptly, made to these officers.
The debt, and finances of ihe Cum--nonwealih,
present one of Ihe moatiu
resting subjects llul can engage tha at
tention ol (Vim Legislature.
The lollowing is an exhibit of the
tate debt; on the 1st December last, as
ippears from tha Report if the Auditor
General.
Total funded debt. Mt,G5U.U7U 52
Relief sotra in circntatior, 1.081,061 00
Interest ceriificatesjomfratiding 703 810 CO
fnierfst cerl'fkaies unclaimed 4,433 11
Interest on ceriirkaies lo Au
gust 1, 1815, when fund
ed 44,423 21
Domeslio crctlilnri, 06.275 47
Total public debt, on the l.-l
Dcconber, 1810, e4fl.730.577 CO
Ik-ing S190.81C 22, lesa than it was or.
ile 1st December, 1815.
The payment of Ihe interest on the
funded debt had been suspended (or w?
years and a half preceeding the 1st of
Febuary, 1845, for whirh certificates
vire issued, which conetituta a pir; of
he existing debt. In consrquenee of
he .ion-payment of the interest, the bul
mce in Ihe Treasury had cumulated on
he ll of December, 1844. to the sum
of $663,851 ?8; and on the 1st day of
Febuary, 1845, the payment of the in-
i.rst on the funded debt was resumed
and has been continued op to (he pres
onl pe'iod, and the credit and honor of
he State maintained. This a aourca of
high gratification lo our cilizans, and
has landed gre atly to restore oor good
.ild Commonwealth, to the elevated bim1
proud position she formerly occupied,
nd which, I dust, she ii destined u
occupy for all lime to come.
While howevtr, we mingle our con
gratulatwns upon this comparatively
prosperous stale of allaii s, it is propei
ihat ihe true condition of our renoutcf
-boutd be accurately and critically exam
med, and always kept in view, not only
to gmrd by ample provisions sgainsl thi
possibility of another failure punctual!)
lo meet all Ihe demands upon the pub
lie Tieesury, but lo make provision foi
'he comme'icemenl ot a system for re
Slicing the publie debt.
Ilhas bpen my ronstatil etidcavnr esprc-
iiilly in the annual message of January Ian
and the special ruesKage of the 2Iat ot A
pt following lo impress upon Ihe ropre
Bentativea of the people ihe necessiiy and
it, j nib ijvkibiu.u.v . ...w
!sej on real and personal estate together with
all the other revenue that accrued within
the fiscal vear, ending on Ihe 30. h o No
vember 1815 were less than the expendi
tures nfthfl year by the sum of $414 199
2'2 which deftVil vss supplied out of itn
balance in the Treasnry on Ihe lit u( De
nembrr 1844 and bv dimir.ution of the out
standing taxes Thus,
On the lit December 1841,
the balance in ilie Treasu
ry was e063 851 88
nd on Ilie 1st ol Denerober,
1615, it was S94 686 09
Showing a reducihn of the
balance in Ihe Treasury of 278,005 70
On the 1st De
cember 1814
the estimated
amount of a
vailable out
standing tax
es was 1,009,778 03
And on the 1st
December 18
45. they wore
estimated at 874,544 50
Showing a diminution of the
outstanding taxes of 185,233 53
And making an aggregate dim
inution of ihe baUnce in ilia
Treasoiy, and outmanding
taxes, during the year end
inj 30li November, 1815,
of 8411,109 32
This statement demonstrates ih At thu lax
es, and other revenuos assessed, and accru
ing within the voir, were loss by theihovi
sum, than the demands upon the Treasury
luring the Same peiiod.
Tiie n.iMin i ll k(Mrtiions of ttn year.enJ
tug on ihe 30ih of Novtmber, 1846, att
'Xhibiis alike dclicisacy,bul kso in aruuun
I'hus,
I'hc balance in the Treasury
on the 1 ev December, 1813,
was, 433 1 586 O'J
ud tfie estimated amount of
available taxes oumtbridiiijf
al ilie same periud, wai 874,514 0l
Making an Aggregate amount
of balance in thu Treasury,
and outstanding taxes on ihe
lsi December 1845, of 1 259,130 DO
The balance in
ihe Treasury on
the 1st Decem
ber 1848 was $391,673 70
And the estimated
amounlof avail
able outstanding
taxes al the same
period was 542.638 61
Making en Bggrcgaie of the
balance in Ihe Treasury, and
outstanding taxes on the 1 s t
December 1616 of
027 307 34
Showings diminution of the
balance in ihe Ticasury aud
outstanding taxes during ihe
fiscal year eudinf on the
30tb November 1840 ot $332,003 25
It thus appears, that the laxrs asueeesoil.
i.mi tli o oih'T revenues accruing within ihe
tiMCdl year juoi ended, were insuliii'inut to
meet a demand upon tho Treasury, by
iho above sum.
It will be perceived that the balance in
he Treasury on ihe M of December, 1846
svas gieater than was estimated in the last
annual mei'age, and Ihat ilie amount of ifn
outstanding taxes has been reduced below
.lie esiimaie then made.
As it waa apparent that iheec recurring
deficiencies, would soon exhaust the bal
ance in the Treasury, and all the arrearage-
of available outstanding taxes, 1 was impell
ed to urge upon the General Assembly, si
their last session, W illi so much enrnesincse
ihe indispensable necessity of providing
some additional revenue, to place the (in an
ces of the State upon a permanent basis
Near the close of ihe session, an act puss-j
ed, entitled 'naot lo pr?ide for the reduo
ton of the publio debt, which embrsrea
tome additional objects of taxation, ami
rorrtains provisions for enforcing, more ef
fectually, the intention of die act of 1844
It was however, patted at a period of Ihe
eiion when there was no lime for deliber
ition, and contains some piovisions, which,
in my estimation, ought lo be modified. Ii
xeems to me thai, an attempt o tax book
accounts, and moncya due on contract, will
only proe vexatious to the citizens and of
ficers, without atliling substantially to tho
revenue. As ihe act of 1846 has not yet
Sad time to piodune any prac'ical result.
no reitiin entimaie can be made of tha a-
mount of additional revenue it will produce;
Pint, it is believed, that this Uw, together
with the increase of the value of properly,
since the last triennial assessment it fairly
madc.willenlarge ihe revonue derivable from
real and personal estate to an amount equal
to the deficiency that occurred in the accru
ing revenue of ihe last year. The Iojs of
lolls, and the additional expenditures upon
he publio works, occasioned by the extra
rdiaary flood of last spring, it a eubject
bich may bo properly noted here. Uy
reference to the report of the Canal Com
misaior.ers, it appears that they have esti-
nated the loss of lolls occasioned by the de
lay in opening ihe navigation, at the sum
of $150,000, end that (he cost of extranrdi-
Hry repairs, required in consequence of in
juries by the flood, was $11,515; making
the aggregate loss to the Slate, by thia unn
Hiial casualty. $261,515. If this disaster
ii id uoi occurred, the accruing revenue, ex
clusive r.f the balance in the Treasury on
he Qui of December, 1845, and the taxes
dido outstanding, would have been near'y
qual (a the demands upon the Tieasury,
luring the last fiscal year
From iho Canal Commissioner's Report
i sppeais. that the receipts from Canal and
itailroad tolls, ar.d charges for motive pow
sr, wers
! or the year 1843 $1,017,84112
For ihe year 1844 1,167.003 42
Nr ihe year 1845 1,106,079 48
For the year 1810 1 295,491 70
Showing a gradual and steady inereae,dur
inj the above period. Even last year, not1
withstanding the delay in opening the navi
gation, ihey exceeded those of 1845, by thr
juin of $98,515 32. There ia good reason
therefore, to believe, thai if ll.e public works
shall continue to be conducted with the
name degree of skill, hdusiry and integrity
wiih which they have been managed for
some yeais past the receipts from them will
ontinue to inoreae until the business upon
them reaches their full capacity.
Some apprehensions have been exprosse.d
that the construction of Ihe great Cvniral
Railroad, between Philadelphia nnd Pitts
burg, may be the means of diminishing ihr
income frorr ihe improvements nf the State.
In ibis I do not concur; ou the contrary, 1
entertain lbs opinion, that ihe increased
commerce, which it will invite between our
great Eastern and Western einporinnia, and
tho regions which connect with litem will
not only add lo ihe revenues of die Colum
tn a lailway but will greatly lucieaso the
prodnriivenes of all our public woihs. Such
1 beliovs has been (lie experience of New
York; and such I doubt not wdl in a very
frw years be thai of our own Common,
weal ih.
1 transmit herewith s sutnmenl showing
the actual receipts and expenditures for the
Insi fiscal year mail with nnn;h rre tipon
full consultation with the other officers ol
die government. From this estimata it ap
pears ihat the receipt! of the vpar will ex
ceed the expenditures by the sum of $194,
441 II.
The balance in ihe Treasury on ihe li
inslatit was only $138,986 68. It i.-. there
for allotfeiher probable that it rrsy become
necessary lo make tome atrangeinuni loan
ticipste a small portion of the revenue of
ihe year lo meel the interest which will fall
due on lh 1st of February next. 1 recom
mend thai tuine legal provision be prompt-,
ly made for this purpose. Th;s will not
alTecl the financial calculations and estima
ted results of the vear. I fel entire con-
fidence thsl taking into view the operationslof
of ihe whole year ihe rceulw will uslajitj
- substantially the eatimate that ban bte
preiented.
The sum of two hundred thousand d4
Urs which is now annually appropriated lo
the- cancellation of, ihe relief jseues, and
which is included in the estimates is dia.
charging that amount pf Ihe publio debt
yeaily, Bud ia in foci an existing linking-
fund.
If therefore the conclusion at which I
have ei rived ahall prove correct that tha
taxes assessed under existing laws on teat
and personal properly with the ordinary
revenues aud an amovtnl from the publio im
provements equal to that received during
the past year will prove sufficient to paw
the interest on the publio debt and other de
manda upon the Treasury the annual in
creaso of tolls upon the publio worka may
be added lo the present sinking fund of two
hundred thousand dollars a year. From tbe
experieneo of ibe three last preceding years
this inorease may be fairly estimated for
some years to come a) one hundred lbou
sand dollars per annum, end. if it be added
annually to the existing fund for the cancel
laiion of ibe relief issues they will ajl ho
taken out of circulation in about three years
it which time the State will have a sinking
fund of half a million of dollars to ooroi
mence the liqiudation of her funded debt.
rhe application of this fond annually with
its accruing interest to the purchase of five
percent. State stock at par will at the
end often years, disoharge $8,283, 029 of
the publio debt, and, at the end ot twenty
years, $16,532,881, which will reduce tho
debt, including the cancellation of relief i
sues, si the end of twenty-three years from:
this lime, to tho sum o'$, 175.033. The
net income from the publio works will then
it may be fairly presumed, be more than
ample to pay the interest on tbe Sue debt,
and the people may be entirely relieved
from all taxation, fur the payment of inter
est. In fact) there is reason (o believe, that
the increased wealth of tbe State, and the
cumulation of busiaess on the publio
works, will, at a much earlier period admit
f important reductions in (he taxes, with
mt retarding the consummation of :S fore,
joing plan for reducing tbe !bt. Notwllh
standing some may be disposed to view
these suggesiionc as visionary, I have tbe
most entire confidence in their practicabili
ty, provided the publio works shall contin
ue to be managed wiih integrity and skill,
the lax laws fail ly executed, an! the gov.
eminent, in all its departments, honestly &
faithfully administered.
In connection with this subject, re
spectfully recommend lo ihe General As
sembly ibe propriety and pol'cy of propose
ing to the people an amendment to the con
Htitution of the State under Ibe form, of the
tei,lli article of that instrument, by which
the income from tbe public improvement
fier deducting the necessary expensea for
repairs end superintendence the revenue
arising from the State tax oh real and peri
sonal property for a certain period and such
other items of income ns may be deemed
expedient to iiiolude shall be set apatl end
be sacredly pledged for ihe payment of the
interest upon the publio debt and Ihe gad-
o.n liquidation of ihe ptiucipil
Such an amendment, jidicionsly arraog
ed, would apprehend meet with the deoii
led approbation of ihs people of the Com
inonwealib. It would concentrate pnblia
credit and by the foundation for the final
extinguishment of ihe public debt. Ii would
an additional security and assurance In
lie people snd to ihe publio creditors tint
in no event could ihe publio revenue he riw
verted from its legiilmate ohjeol end would
furnish conclusive reasons for Ihe
promjij
ant cheerful payment of the taxes,.
I woold lespeeifully recommend a rar
tul exain.nntion of the operations of the ex
isling lax laws. Taxes however conectly
ihey may be arranged by law fall to a ccr
iftin extent unequally upon the people in
consequence of their various circumstances
and liabilities; but if lo this unavoidable re
sult be added careless and uregufcr assess
menu by which large amounts of property
escape taxation great injustice is dona
ihose who make an honest and hill reruru
their taxable pjoperty.
The aftjuflmeot by Ctmgreiiof the rah
9