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The whole art of Government consists in the art op being honest. Jefferson- . "?
VOL 7. STRO UDsiBURG, MONROE COUNTY, PA., THURSDAY, JANUARY 14, 1847. ' , No. 30,
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
To the Senate and House of Representatives ;
Gentlemen: The Legislature has assembled
.it a time which is distinguished for the general
health and prosperity of the people.
While we deplore the want and wretchedness
of numbers of our race, resulting principally
from the influence of unjust government, we
are enabled, by comparing our condition with
theirs, to appreciate the inestimable value of our
own free institutions and are moved to unite our
grateful hearts in adoration and praise for the
wonderful goodness of our Heavenly Father, who
lias multiplied our civil and religious blessings,
and lias not only preserved us from the horrors of
want, but has enabled us, out of our abundance,
to feed the hungry, and has made us a great and
a hannv neonle.
Since the last adjournment of the General As-1
sembly, the peace which had so long subsisted
between this nation and the other nations of the
world, has been disturbed by the war between
the United States and Mexico. The grave causes
which have Droduced this rupture are ably and
satisfactorily set forth in the late annual message
of the President to Congress. They show a
, dignified forbearance on the part ot this govern
ment, under multiplied wrongs and aggressions,
.and a laudable desire to preserve peace while its
blessings could be secured consistently with the
national honor. A free people, conscious that
they ask nothing butnvhat is right, cannot sub
mit to wrong, and however much they may dep
Tecate the evils of war, their just rights must be
mnintrunnrl. IInce Cond'CSS, On the IStll of
Mnv Mua. nnnnnneed. that, bv the actof Mexi
co a state of war existed between that govern
ment a"d the United States, and ..or the purpose
of prosecuting it to a speedy and successful ter
mination, the President was authorized to em
ploy the militia, naval and military forces of the
United States, and to call for and accept the ser
vices of fifty thousand volunteers.
In pursuance of the authority derived rcm this
act, the President, on the 19th of Ma-, 1S4G, re
quested the Executive of this State to cause to
he enrolled and held in readiness,for muster into
the service of the United States, six regiments of
volunteer infantry, each to consist of ten compa
nies, to serve for twelve months, or to the end of
the war, unless sooner discharged.
In accordance with this request, general or
ders were issued on the 26th of May, 1S46, an
nouncing hi the citizen soldiers that the offer of
six regiments of volunteer infantry would be ac
cepted, to be held in readiness for muster into
the service of the United States. In pursuance of
this announcement, the offers of ninety compa
nies of volunteer infantry, sufficient to fill nine
regiments, were received and transmitted on the
15th day of July, 1846, to the War Department.
'The patriotism and zeal which were so promptly
and cheerfully manifested on this occasion, bv
the volunteers of Pennsylvania, give proof of
their devotion to the service of the country,
highly creditable to themselves and honorable to
the State.
The six regiments thus called for, were not
mustered into the services.
On the 10th of November, 1846, a request was
anade by the President for one regiment of vol
unteers from this State, to consist often compa
nies, to be continued in service during the war
with Mexico, unless sooner discharged. This
request was announced on the 18th of November,
1846, to the v
olunteers who had previously ten-!
.dered their services, and the regiment was
promptly filled and mustered into the service of
Xhe United States at Pittsburg, on the 15th day
of December. Six of the companies composing
.the regiment, were organized in Philadelphia ;
.one irt-Pottsville; one in Wilkesbarre, and two in
Pittsburgh.
On the 14th December, 1846, a request was
made by the President for another regiment of
yolunteer infantry from this State, to serve dur
ing the war with Mexico, unless sooner discharg
ed This regiment was filled, even with more
promptitude than the former, and ordered to ren
dezvous at Pittsburgh, on the 5th inst. One
of .the companies composing this regiment, was
organized in Philadelphia : one in Reading : one
Mauch Chunk: one in Harrisburg: one in
Danville: two in Cambria county: one in West
moreland county : one in Fayette county, and
one in Pittsburgh.
The energy and exalted patriotism which
have thus been evinced by the citizen soldiers of
Pennsylvania, are an admirable illustration of
the working of our free system, and of the
strength of our government
The officers and soldiers who have entered in
to the service of the country, are independent
freemen, in the vigor of youth and manhood, in
telligent and energetic, animated with the love
of liberty, and proud of the dignity of being citi
zens of the United States. Such ard the Volun
teer soldiers of Pennsylvania, who have filled
two regiments, and are ready to furnish any ad
ditional number that may be required.
In referring to the manly zeal of the soldier,
allusion to the benevolence of the citizens who
provided lor their comfort on the march, and
who became the guardians of those they left be
hind, and wera dependant upon them, cannot be
omitted. Those generous feelings, so admirably
expressed, in which, woman mingled the fulness
of her patriotism, and the charms of her influ
ence, cast a halo around the volunteer, when with
lingering looks at the loved objects of home, he
commenced his wintry march for the seat of war,
and gave him the assurance that the blessings of
the soldier's frieuds of the whole country, were
upon him, and their protecting care around his
family.
That compensation, in addition to the small al
lowance made by the laws of the United States,
should be provided for these brave men,who have
devoted themselves to the country, is most reas
onable. I submit, respectfully, to the General
Assembly, the propriety and justice of invoking
Congress to appropriate for 'their' use, such por-
tion of the public land as may he sufficient to
furnish a competent freehold to each of the offi
cers and soldiers, who have, in compliance with
the request of the President, volunteered to serve
in the war with Mexico, and are mustered into
service of the United States. A better disposi
tion could not, in my opinion, be made of a part
of the public domain.
It is to be regretted that, as the contingency
which has arisen was not foreseen, there was no
provision made by the Legislature, for defraying
the expenses of the marching of the volunteers
to the place of rendezvous. The allowance made
by the general government, for this purpose, was
little more than sufficient, with the most rio-id
. . .... &
economy, to pay the cost or transportation.
lhese men were hurried irom their homes, with
little time for preparation,and when they arrived
ana were mustered into service, the small sum
for defraying their travelling expenses, whicl
was their only compensation up to that period,
was nearly exhausted, i submit to the General
Assembly, the propriety and justice of refunding
to them,the expenses of the march to Pittsburgh
The sacrifices they have made,and the spirit they
have evinced, merits, m my opinion, this small
acknowledgement from the representatives of the
people.
It is proper to add, that, although this subject
has been presented to the general government.no
provision has yet been made to defray the expens
es incurred by the volunteers, in preparing them
selves to muster into service, under the request
of the President, of the 19th of May, last. This
subject, too, is worthy of the consideration of the
General Assembly.
A detailed report of the proceedings in this
Sfete, for organizing the troops, to serve in the
Mexican waf,will be made as early as practicable
by the Adjutant General, and submitted, as soon
as it is received, to the General Assembly.
In connection with this subject, it is my duty
to state, that, to the industry and ability of Adju
tant General Bowman, and his assistant, Colonel
Petnken,I have been essentially indebted, for the
prompt,methodicaland satisfactory aarangements,
by means of which the duty that devolved upon
me, in the organization of these troops, has been
performed; and as existing laws make no provision,
f respectfully submit, that suitable compensation
for the services, which have been rendered,should
be promptly made to these officers.
1 he debt and finances of the commonwealth,
present one of the most interesting subjects that
can engage the attention of the Legislature.
The following is an exhibit of the State debt,
on the 1st of December last, as appears from the
Report of Auditor General :
Total fund debt, $38,859,970 52
Relief notes in circulation, 1,091,661 00
Interest certificates, outstanding, 703,810 69 ,
Interest certificates, unclaimed, 4,433 11 1
Interest on certificates, to August
1, 1S45, when funded, 44,423 21 j
Domestic creditors, 96,274 46
Total public debt, on the 1st
December, 1846, 840,789,577 00
Being $196,816 22 less than it was on the 1st
December, 1845.
The payment of the interest on the funded debt
had been suspended for two years and a half pre
ceding the 1st of February, 1845, for which cer
tificates were issued, which constitute a part of
the existing debt. In consequence of the non-
payment of theinterest, the balance in the Trea-
' siirv nun nrnmn nrpfi nn rnp isr.nr ipppmnpr.
1844, to the sum of 8663,851 88 ; and on the 1st
day of February, 1845, the payment of the in
terest on the funded debt was resumed, and has
been continued up to the present period, and the
credit and honor of the State maintained. This
is a source of high gratification to our citizens,
and has tended greatly to restore our good ojd
Commonwealth, to the elevated and proud posi
tion she formerly occupied, and which, I trust,she
is destined to occupy7 for all time to come.
While, however, we mingle our congratulations
upon this comparatively prosperous state of af
fairs, it is proper that the true condition of our
resources should be actually and critically exam-
ined.and always kept in view,not only to guard by
'ample provisions against the possibility of another
punctually to meet all the demands upon the pub
lie Treasury, but to make provision for the com
mencement of a system for reducing the public
debt.
It has been my constant endeavor, espe
cially in the annual message of January last,
and the special message of the 21st of April
following, to impress upon the representatives
of the people, the necessity and importance
of this subject. In presenting it to the legis
lature, at the last session, it became my duty
to show that the taxes assessed on real and
personal estate, together with all the other
revenue that accrued within the fiscal year,
ending on the 30th of November, 1845, were
less than the expenditures of the year, by the
sum of 8414,199 32, which deficit was sup
plied out of the balance in the treasury on
the 1st of December, 1844, and by a dimi
nution of the outstanding taxes. Thus,
On the 1st of December, 1844,
the balance in the Treasury
was, 8663,851 88
And on the 1st, of December,
1845, it was
384,886
09
Showing a reduction of the bal
ance in the Treasury of 8278,965 79
On the 1st of December, 1844,
the estimated amount of
available outstanding taxes
was $1,009,778 03
And on the 1st December.
1844' they were estimated
at 374.544 f50"
Showing a diminution of the ' ' -
outstanding taxes of . . t 135.233 53
And making an aggregate diminution'oft!ie iJf-
balance in flic Treasury, and outstanding
taxes, during the year ending 30th Novem
ber, 184G, of $-114,109
This statement demonstrates that the faxes
and other revenues assessed, and accruing
within the year, were less, by the above sum
than the demands upon the Treasury during
the same period.
The financial operation of the year, ending
on the 20th of November, 1 846, also exhi
bits a like deficiency, but less in amount.
Thus,
The balance in the Treasury on the
1st December, 1845, was $384,S86 09
And the estimated amount of
available taxes outstanding
at the same period, was 874,544 50
Making an aggregate amount
of balance in the Treasury,
and outstanding taxes, on
the 1st of December, 1845,
of
The balance in
the Treasury
on the 1st
Dec, 1846, . ;
1,249,430 59
was
And the estima
ted amount of
available out
standing taxes,
at the same
period was
$384,6781 70
542,688 64
Making an aggre
gate of the bal- "
ance in the
Treasury,and
outstanding
taxes, on the '
1st December,
1840, of
927,367 34
Showing a diminution of the
balance in the Treasury, and
outstanding taxes during the
fiscal year ending on the
30th November, 1846, of 8332,063 25
It thus appears, that the taxes assessed, and
the other revenues accruing within the fiscal
year iust ended, were insufficient to meet the
demands upon the Treasury, by the above sum.
It will be perceived that the balance in the
Treasury on the first of December, 1846, was
greater than was estimated in the last annual
message, and that the amount of the outstanding
taxes has been reduced below the estimate then
made.
As it was apparent that these recurring deli
ciencies would soon exhaust the balance in the
Treasury, and all the arrearages of available out
standing taxes, I was impelled to urge upon the
General Assembly, at their last session, with so
much earnestness, the indisuensable necessity of
proviumg some auauionai revenue, 10 piace me
finances of the btate upon a permanent basis.-
Near the close of the session, an act was passed,
entitled " An act to provide for the reduction of
the public debt, which embraces some addition
al objects of taxation, and contains provisions for
eniorcmg, more effectually, the intention of the
act ot 1844. It was, however, passed at a pen
od of the session when there was no time for de
liberation, and contains some provisions, which,
in my estimation, oup-ht to be modified. It seems
to me that, an attempt to tax book accounts, and
moneys due on contracts, will only prove vexa
tious to the citizens and officers, without adding
substantially to the revenue. As the act of 1846
has not yet had time to produce any practical re
suits, no certain estimate can be made of the
amount of additional revenue it will produce; but
it is Delieveu that this law, together with the m
crease of the value of property, since the last tri
ennial assessment, will, if the present triennial
assessment is fairly made, enlarge the revenue
derivable from real and personal estate to an
amount equal to the deficiency that occurred in
the accruing revenue of the last year. The loss
of tolls, and the additional expenditures upon the
public works, occasioned by the extraordinary
flood of last Spring, is a subject which may be
properly noted here. By reference to the report
or the Canal Commissioners, it appears that they
have estimated the loss of tolls occasioned by the
delay in opening the navigation, at the sum of
cSloUjUUO, and that the cost of extraordinary re
pairs, required in consequence of injuries by the
flood, was 8111,515 ; making the aggregate loss
to the State, by this unusual casualty, 8261,515
If this disaster had not occurred, the accruing
revenue, exclusive of the balance in the Treasury
on the first of December, 1844, and the taxes
then outstanding, would have been nearly equal
to the demands upon the Treasury during the last
fiscal year.
From the Canal Commissioners' Report it ap
pears that the receipts from Canal and Railroad
tolls, and charges from motive power were
For the year 1843,
For the year 1844,
For the year 1845,
For the year 1846,
81,017,841 12
1,167,603 42
1,196,979 43
1,295,494 76
Showing a gradual and steady increase, during
theabove period. Even last year,notwithstand
ing the delay in opening the navigation, they ex
ceded those of 1844, by the sum of 898,515 33.
There is good reason, therefore, to believe, that if
1.1? i l 11 I . . 1 1 .J
uie puonc worKs snail continue 10 oe conuueiuu
with the same degree of skill, industry,and integ-
rity,with which they have been managed for
some years past, the receipts from them will con
tinue to increase, until the business upon them
reaches their full capacity.
Some apprehensions have been expressed, that
the construction of the great Central Ruilroad,
between Philadelphia anjd Pittsburgh, mayjbe the
means of diminishing the income from the im
provements of the State. In this I do not con
cur ; on the contrary, I entertain the opinion,that
the increased commerce, which it will invite be
tween our great Eastern and Western empori
ums, and the regions which connect with them,
will not only add to the revenues of the Columbia
railway, but will greatly increase the produc
tiveness of all our public works. Such, I believe,
has been the experience of New York; and such,
I doubt not, will, in a very few years, be that of
our own Commonwealth.
I transmit, herewith, a statement showing ac
tual receipts and expenditures, for the last fisical
year; and also, an estimate of the same, for the
present year, made with much care,upon full con
sultation with the other officers of the govern
ment. From this estimate, it appears that the re
ceipts of the year will exceed the expenditures,
by the sum of 8194,441 11
The balance in the Treasury, on the 1st inst.,
was only 8438,986 68. It is, therefore, altogeth
er probably,that it may become necessary to make
some arrangement to anticipate a small portion of
the revenue of the year, to meet the interest
which will fall due on the 1st of February next.
I recommend that some legal provision be promj t
ly made for this purpose. This will not effect
the financial calculations and estimated results of
the year. I feel entire confidence that, taking
into the view the operations of the whole year,
the results will sustain substantially the estimates
that have been presented.
The sum of two hundred thousand dollars, which
is now annually appropriated to the cancellation
of the relief issues, and which is included in the
estimates, is discharging that amount.of the pub
lic debt yearly, a: id is in fact, an existing sinking
fund.
If, therefore, the conclusion at which I have
arrived, shall prove correct, that the taxes asses
sed under existing laws, on real and personal
property, with the ordinary revenues, and an
amount the from public irnprovements,equal tothat
received during the past year, will prove suffi
cient to pay the interest on the public debt, and
other demands upon the Treasury, the annual in
crease of tolls upon the public works may be ad
ded to the present sinking fund of two hundred
thousand dollars a year. From the experience
of the three last preceding years, this increase
may be fairly estimated, for some years to come,
at one. hundred thousand dollars per annum, and,
if it be added annually to the existing fund for
the cancellation of the releif issues, they will all
be taken out of circulation in about three years,
at which time the State will have a sinking fund
of half a million of dollars, to commence the li
quidation of her funded debt.
The application of this fund, annually, with
its accruing interest, to the purchase of five per
cent. State stock, at par, will, at the end of ten
years, discharge 86,2SS,929 of the public debt
and, at the end of twenty years, 81G,532,S81
which will reduce the debt, including the can
cellation of relief issues, at the end of twenty-
three years from this time, to the sum of 823,-
175,032. Thenet income from the public works
will then, it may be fairly presumed, be more
than ample to pay the interest on tne State debt
and the people may be entirely relieved from al
taxation, for the payment of interest. In fact
there is reason to believe, that the increased
wealth of the State, and the accumulation o
business on the public works, will at a much
earlier period admit of important reductions in
the taxes, without retarding the consummation
of the foregoing plan for reducing the debt
Notwithstanding some may be disposed to view
these suggestions as visionary, I have the most
entire confidence in their practicability, provi
ded the public works shall continue to be man
aged with integrity and skill, the tax laws fairly
executed, and the government, in all its depart
ments, faithfully and honestly administered.
In connexion with this subject, I respectfully
recommend to the General Assemblv, the pro
priety and policy of proposing to the people an
amendment to the constitution of the State, un
der the form of the tenth article of that instru
ment, by which the income from the public im
provements, after deducting the necessary ex
penses for repairs and superintendence the
revenue arising irom the State tax, on real and
personal property, for a certain period, and such
other items of income as mav be deemed expe
dienl to include, shall be set apart ana oe sa
credly pledged for the payment of the interest
upon the public debt, and tho gradual liquidation
of the principal.
Such ar amendment, judiciously arranged,
would, I apprehend, meet with the decided ap
probation of the people of the. Commonwealth
t would concentrate oublic sentiment upon i
ixed object remove all doubt of the fullness of
the public credit, and lay the foundation for the
final extinguishment of the public debt. It
would give an additional security and assurance
to the people, and to the public creditors, that,
n no event could the public revenue be diverted
rom its legitimate object, and would furnish
conclusive reasons for the prompt and cheerful
payment ot the taxes.
I would respectfully recommend a careful ex-
nnination of the operations of existing tax laws.
Taxes, however correctly they may be arranged
by law, fall to a certain extent unequally upon
the people, in consequence of their various cir
cumstances and liabilities; but if to this unavoid
able result be added careless and irregular as-
essments, by which large amounts of property
escape taxation, great injustice is done to those
who make an honest and full leturn of their
axable property.
The adjustment by Congress of the rates ot
uty on imports, is a topic that continues to di
ide public sentiment. In my message ot the
th of January last, I took occasion to express
le views which I then entertained regarding it,
and to these views I continue to adhere. I can
utertain no doubt of the constitutional power
f the federal government, to make such dis-
criminations ih: the rales oft duties on. imports, (
l rr t , . . . ,
us niuy iiiiuiu iciiauiinuit; t;ni;iiur.i'ji;rneni 10 do
mestic manufactures and productions which may.
be injuriously afTected by foreign competition'.'
This is a power incident to every sovereign
State, and as the separate States of this Union
are by the express terms of the constitution pro
hibited ftom its exercise, it follows that, unless
it reaides in the federal government, the United
Mates are without this essential attribute of
National sovereignty.
The extent of these discriminations, bearing,
as they do, upon conflicting interests, and in
some degree arraying those of one ponton of
the Union against another, can only be adjusted
under the influence of that spirit of concession
and compromise which prevailed in the adoption
of the Constitution itself. The history of our
legislation on this subject, demonstrates most
conclusively, that a tariff, to be permanent,
which is so essential to the manufacturing, as
well as all the other great interests of the coun
try must be reasonable and equitable, and that
all attempts to establish a rate of ultra protec
tive, or low horizontal duties, have only tended
to keep the question in a state of constant agi
tation, than which nothing can be more prejudr
c al to the interests of the business comiminitv.
I am, therefore, in favor of such just discrimina
ting duties as may be sufficient to sustain all our
great National interests against injurious com
petition from abroad ; such as will give the home
manufacturer, and producer, reasonable profits
on his capital, and enable him to pay his work
men fair wages, without unnecessatily taxing;
the consumer.
Pennsylvania, possessing as she does suciv
vast agricultural, manufacturing and mineral
resources, and commercial advantages, has
a
peculiar interest in the adjustment of this ques
tion, upon a permanent basis. Should the
changes made in the rate of duties, by the tariff
act oi 1846, affect injuriously any of the great
interests of the country, we must, unite our ef
forts to induce Congress, to whose care and
discretion the subject is committed by the Con
stitution, and on whose wisdom and justice we
may safely rely, to make all just and reasonable-amendments-
From all the reflection I have been able to
give this vexed and complicated subject, I am
thoroughly convinced, that reasonable discrimi
nating duties, such as can be permanently main
tained, in connection with the operations of the
Constitutional Treasury and a sound currency
will do more to promote the permanent and gen
eral prosperity of all the great interests of the
country, than any other system of policy which
can be adopted. High duties, with the employ
ment of banks as the depositories of the public
moneys, and a consequent inflation of paper cur
rency, by which the advantage of the duty to
the home manufacturer and producer is destroy
ed, are as certain to hasten and aggravate those
commercial revulsions, to which all nations are
exposed, as profligacy and vice are to produce
want and misery.
The repeal or modification of the British Corn
Laws, by which our agricultural products are
admitted into British ports, while it was a meas
ure dictated alike by sound policy and humani
ty, toward the suffering population of the United
Kingdom, has had a most happy influence upon
our farming interests. This measure has al
ready augmented the demand for our bread
stuffs, at enhanced prices, and there is reason
to believe it will continue to increase perma
nently our agricultural exports, which cannot
fail to add the general wealth and prosperity of
the State and Nation.
In the last annual message I expressed my
views at length in regard to the policy of the
banking system, to which I respectfully refer.
To the opinions therein contained, I continue to
adhere. At present there is reason to believe
that our banks are in a comparatively sound
condition. Without ascribing this creditable
and healthy state of things entirely to the policy
which has been adopted, of limiting the amount
of the banking capital, and making bankers, in
dividually liable for the payment of their debts,
I am persuaded that it has a salutary influence
in preserving the soundness of the cuirency,
and that it should be adhered to inflexibly.
I refer you with great pleasure, to the able re
port of the Canal Comn.issioners, for a detailed
statement of the operations upon the public im
provements during the past year.
The economy, skill and integrity, with which
they have been managed for a few years past,
have greatly tended to restore public confidence,
and re-establish the credit of the State, and
justly entitles every member of the respective
Hoards ot uanai uommissioners, who has had
an agency in producing this great reformation,
to the gratitude and confidence of the whole
community. I refer to the fact, with no ordina
ry satisfaction, that during the last three years
there has not occurred, among all the officers
and agents employed on the several lines of im
provements, a single case of defalcation.
The improvement of the Ohio river, from its
mouth to the city of Pittsburgh, has heretofore
been deemed an object of sufficient national im
portance to claim the attention ol the federal
government. JNumerous appropriations have
been made for this purpose, hut not snfiiciont to
carry out any efficient and useful svstern. Many
of the Western and South-Western States of
the Union, are interested in this improvement.
The connection, however, of the main line of our
canals and railroads, at the city of Pittsburgh,
renders its improvement an object of the greatest
interest to this State. If it were made naviga
ble during all seasons of the year (except when
ce bound) ior steamboats of a large class, it
would add to the commerce of Philadelphia and
Pittsburgh and to the carrying trade upon the
public works, an amount of business that cannot
be readily estimated. I therefore suggest to the
members of the General Assembly, the proprie
ty of memorializing Congress on this subject.
and pressing it upon the attention of the general
government, unincumbered with any-minor.pro-
f.