1829.] PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE. 381 ABSTRACT OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE LEGISLATURE. SENATE. Nov. 23-Assistant door-keeper to be employed at $1.00 per day. Nov. 24.-Bill relative to division of Pittsburg into four wards, read a third time and passed. Now. 25.– Petition from Treasurer of Mercer county, praying that the state treasurer may receive notes of the Westmoreland Bank in payment of debts. Petition from Northern Liberties, for incorporation of "The Manufacturer's Bank," referred to committee on banks. Mr. Sullivan offered the following resolution. Whereas it is understood that a horse-race is expected to take place this day, in the vicinity of the seat of Government; And whereas the laws, and the moral sense of the community, have declared that horse racing is a common nuisance, and offence against this state; Therefore, Missouri, respecting power of Congress in regard to Mr. Bushfield offered the following resolution. Mr. Moore, of Beaver, moved to amend the same by striking out Judiciary committee and inserting the committee on vice and immorality, which was agreed to. The resolution as amended, was passed, and the preamble negatived. Mr. Craft offered a resolution for committee of Ways Resolved, That such an attempt is an insult to the and Means to inquire into the propriety of creating by representatives of the people, and merits the decided law, an officer, to be called "The Secretary of the disapprobation and reprehension of the members of Treasury," whose duty shall be to digest and prepare a the Senate; And further, that the members will not,report on the subject of the finances, &c. He spoke at either directly or indirectly countenance such an offence length in favor of it. Mr. Petriken opposed, as did also against the laws, and the moral sense of their consti- Mr. Waugh. It was postponed till Monday, on motion of Mr. Ellis. tuents, The following resolution, offered by Mr. Sloan, was Mr. Duncan and Mr. Burden opposed, and Mr. Sulli. van and Mr. Brown supported the resolution. Mr. Bur-adopted. den moved its indefinite postponement, which was agreed to, yeas 21, nays 5. Resolved, That the committee on bridges, and state and turnpike roads, be instructed to inquire into the Nov. 26.-Petition from contractors on Delaware di- expediency of passing a law, limiting all public roads vision of Pennsylvania canal, praying for provision to be that may be hereafter laid out within this commonmade for payment of interest on certificates issued by wealth, so that the vertical departure from a horizontal acting canal commissioners and superintendents, refer- line, shall at no point exceed five degrees, except only red to committee on bridges, &c. Mr. Burden pre-at the crossing of ravines and streams, whereby modesented a petition from citizens of Spring Garden, for an rate filling or bridging the declination of the road, may alteration of the time for holding elections of commis-be preserved within that limit. sioners, referred to the county members. Nov. 27. Mr. Scott offered resolution respecting adjournment from 28th Nov. to 14th Dec. disagreed to on 28th. Nov. 30.-Petition relative to improvement of the Monongahela presented; also from Berks county, praying road laws to be altered. Three petitions from Spring Garden, on change of time of election. Dec. 1.-Senate concurred in amendments to the bill of Schuylkill Navigation company. Dec. 2.-Resolution adopted, judiciary committee to inquire into the expediency and propriety of allowing certificates given by the acting canal commissioners, &c. to bear an interest of five per cent. from date till paid. Resolution adopted for appointment of joint committees to fix time and place of opening and publishing the returns of Governor's election-Messrs. Ray, Ringold and Hunt, committee. Bill authorising loan from certain banks, considered in committee of the whole, and reported without amendment. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Nov. 24.-Bill supplementary to the charter of Schuylkill Navigation company, ordered to be prepared for a third reading. Bill for furtherance of justice between obligors and obligees, &c. considered in committee of the whole, postponed till 14th December. Schuylkill Navigation Company bill read a third time and passed. Nov. 26.-Petition from firemen of Philadelphia, praying for exemption of their engine houses from taxation, referred to Philadelphia members. Petition from Franklin county, praying for the passage of a law to prevent the retailing of domestic liquors by those who have no license, by a less quantity than five gallons, and to prevent granting of tavern licenses, except for the accommodation of travellers, referred to committee on vice and immorality. Petition for a ferry across west branch of Susquehannah, at Great Island; from contractors on north and west branch canal for interest on certificates. Committee on judiciary reported a bill on elections; the first section is as follows. SECT. 1 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, in Geneneral Assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That every person claiming the right to vote at the General and Special elections as a naturalized citizen, alleging that he has been naturalized conformably to the laws of the United States, shall produce as evidence of having been naturalized as aforesaid, a certificate thereof under the seal of the court wherein such naturalization took place if required by any judge or inspector of such elections, or shall be examined upon oath or affirmation, & if by such certificate or examination as aforesaid, it shall appear that he had been naturalized conformably to the laws of the United States, and is otherwise qualified, his vote shall be received, any thing in the first section of the act to which this is a supplement, to the contrary notwitstanding. Nov. 25.-Petition for improving road from top of Alleghany mountain to Virginia line, referred; also for opening and improving state road from Pennsylvania canal to Kiskeminetas salt works; also petition from Susquehannah county, for creation of a fund for support of a system of a common school education on a permanent basis, referred; also petition respecting Manufacturers Bank of Northern Liberties; also from Washington Bill authorising a loan from certain Banks passed Bank, praying longer time to close its affairs; also for through committee of the whole-bill for erecting Juincorporation of Theological Seminary of German Re-niata Co. reported by Chairman without amendment. formed church; also for incorporation of Horticultural Nov. 27,-Mr. Wilkins from committee on corporaSociety. Committee appointed on resolutions from tions reported unfavourably to the incorporation of the Horticultural society—praying to be discharged, which was postponed on motion of Mr. Morris-as follows: Mr. Wilkins; from the committee on corporations, to whom was referred the petition of the Pennsylvania Horticultural society, made the following report. That they have given to the subject their deliberatè consideration. It is asked of the legislature to pass a law, incorporating a society; for the encouragement of Horticulture- When your committee reflect on the numer ous incorporations that are now in legal existence in the commonwealth of Pennsylvania, having in view the attainment of objects, if of any good to society, could be accomplished by individual exertion and enterprize; and the many powers, rights, capacities and privileges necessarily incident to all such institutions; they feel anxious to proceed with caution, before they would recommend the passage of any law, increasing their number. It is the policy of this government, to give equal encouragement to all her citizens in the pursuit of their lawful business; and to deny to associations of individuals, powers and immunities, which place them above individual capital and enterprise, and tend to destroy honorable and fair competition. So far only as public necessity, or benevolent and religous intervention, require the immunity of a corporation, would your committee be willing to recommend it: and even in these cases, with certain restrictions and limitations. But, in the present case referred to their consideration, the design, however praiseworthy, is dangerous as a precedent, and the encouragement required, could be obtained, your committee believe, without the aid of an act of incorpo ration. These institutions, when once life is given to them by the creative power of the legislature, have perpetual succession; the power of suing in their corporate name; and the privilege of making contracts and incurring debts; for which, the individuals that compose it,are not in their persons and estates liable, but suits must be brought against the corporation, and all judgments satisfied by the proceeds of the estate of the corporation alone. This power should only be bestowed when public necessity requires it, to accomplish a great public good. The legislature might as well incorporate a partnership of merchants, a company to navigate the public canal, or an association of agriculturists to carryon more effectually the business of farming, as grant the prayer of the petitioners. They therefore offer the following resolution. Resolved, That the committee be discharged from the further consideration of the subject. Committee reported a bill extending the time for closing affairs of Washington Bank. Mr. Mallary reported a bill from Committee of ways and means, authorising the Governor to sell Philada. Bank stock as follows: An act to authorise the governor to sell to the Philadelphia Bank the stock of said Bank, held by the Commonwealth, and for other purposes. SECT. 1. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania; in General assembly met, and it is hereby enacted by the authority of the same, That the governor of the commonwealth, be and he is hereby authorised to sell and transfer to the "Philadelphia Bank," the shares of the capital stock, held and owned by the Commonwealth in said bank, upon receiving from the said Bank the original subscription price of said stock, and interest thereon from the date of the last dividend, at the rate of five per centum for the year. The amount thus received to be paid to the commissioners of the internal improvement fund, to be applied to canal and rail road purposes. Sect. 2. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the act entitled, "An act to extend the character of the Philadelphia Bank," approved the twenty-eighth day of March, one thousand eight hundred and twenty-three, be and is hereby extended for and during the term of ten years, from and after the first day of May, eighteen hundred and thirty-nine, as fully and effectually, as if this limitation had been contained in said act. SECT. 3. And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That from and after the passage of this act, and the completion of the sale aforesaid, the capital stock of the Philadelphia bank, shall not exceed one million, two hundred and seventy thousand dollars. Mr. Parke's resolutions, offered yesterday, were read a second time, requiring state treasurer, auditor general, canal commissioners, commissioners of internal improvement fund, &c. to anticipate their usual time of reporting, which were agreed to as relates to the auditor, state treasurer, and improvement fund. Nov. 28.-Message from governor, with correspondence relating to continuation of temporary loans, “by which it appears that the Philadelphia Bank, the Banks of Lancaster, Schuylkill, Montgomery county, Penn Township, United States, North America, York, Reading, Commercial banks, Insurance company of Pennsylvania, and Union Insurance company, are willing to continue, and that the Banks of Pennsylvania, Harrisburg, Chambersburg and Stephen Girard are unwilling." Nov. 30.-Several petitions for roads and turnpike appropriations, and subscriptions to stock; proposition to adjourn from 18th Dec. to 7th January, laid on table; as was also a resolution granting gratuity of $40 on all revolutionary claims, where six months service in the militia is proven as well as the indigence of the appli cant. Resolution adopted as amended by Mr. Wagner, appointing "secretary of treasury," by adding, “or charge such duties upon some one of the existing offi cers, &c." Resolution on division of Mifflin county, on second reading, on which there was considerable discussion. Secretary's Office, Harrisburg, Dec. 22d 1828. Pennsylvania Canal and Rail-road Loan. Notice is hereby given, that agreeable to an act of the General Assembly, passed the 18th day of December 1828, authorising a loan for the continuation of the Pennsylvania Canal and Rail-road, proposals will be received at the office of the secretary of the commonwealth, until five o'clock, P. M. of the 20th day of January next, for lending to the commonwealth, for canal and rail road purposes, the sum of eight hundred thousand dollars, the principal to be reimbursable by the state at any time after the first day of December eighteen hundred and fifty-four. Certificates of stock transferable at the pleasure of the holder, according to law, bearing an interest of five per centum per annum, payable half yearly, either at the treasury office or the Bank of Pennsylvania, will be issued by direction of the Governor. The proposals will state not only the sum offered to be loaned, but the amount of premium proposed to be given. for every hundred dollars of stock bearing an interest of five per cent. as aforesaid. The state reserves the right to accept the whole, or any part of the sums offered, unless the proposals stipulate to the contrary. The money loaned will be required by the state as follows: $266,500 on the 1st day of February next, 266,500 on the 1st day of March next, 267,000 on the 1st day of April next. When proposals are only for a part of the whole sum to be borrowed, it will be proper to state in them, for which of the instalments they are made, and whether to be confined to that instalment only, otherwise it will be considered discretionary, with the Governor, to apply 1829. INAUGURATION OF THE GOVERNOR ELECT. the same to either of the instalments. No offer to loan 2. Jno. M. Irwin, Philadelphia, proposes to take 11,000 53 cts. at 5 per cent. per annum. provided, they will receive in payment a transfer at par or less a certi ficate of U. S. 44. The state stock to bear interest from date of transfer of U.S. 3. A letter from same--wishing if possible first instal ment. 4. Letter from York Bank, declining to offer for the temporary loan but proposing to loan $50,000 in the permanent loan. 5. Letter from Mr. Erwin of Erwinna, proposing to take stock to the amount of 5,000, io the loan of 800,000; neither asking nor offering a premium, but desirous of its being taken on the most favorable terms and that it make a part of the instalment to be paid on the 1st February. 6. An offer of Daniel Wagner, of Easton, to take $10,000 payable on 1st April with a premium of one half per cent. 7. A letter offering.$5,000, on same terms. 8. Stephen T. Cooper, of York, proposing to take $2,000 at one per cent, 9. An offer of John Forrey Jr. of Harrisburg, to loan $3,000 at 5 per cent. 10. Letter from Geo.Stevenson formerly of Pittsburg, offering $50,000 at per cent. payable at three different times. 11. Alex. Benson of Philadelphia, will loan $10,000, payable Feby. 1st, 10,000, 1st March, and 10,000, 1st April, at par; expecting to be placed on a footing with others who may get the whole or a part at a less price. 12. Mary and Sarah Johnson, wish to subscribe for $2,500, at a premium of 2 per cent. 13. Hale and Davidson of Philadelphia, $2,000 of first instalment at par. 14. Levi Ellmaker of Philadelphia, 2,000 at a premium of one per cent. 15. Thos. Biddle and S. & J. Nevins &co. of Philadelphia, will give par for 400,000 payable at such times as may best suit the state, not exceeding more than 1-3 on 1st February, or any proportion that may be awarded to them, if the bids exceed the whole amount of fered to the public. 16. James Loyd of Philadelphia, 100,000 at a premium of two and a half per cent., payable on 1st of Feb'y. March and April-"under the expectation that if the loan be effected at a lower rate of premium than that which I have offered, the same rate will be accorded to me." 383 21. Letter from Charles Smith of Lancaster, 31,000 at par, first April instalment; as his object is to sell out 6 per cent. stock of 815-to that amount. 22. Proposals from Thomas Biddle, S. & J. Nevins, &co. to take any balance of the loan that is left at par. 23. Letter from Secretary, to John W. Irwin, declining his proposals to exchange U.S. 44 stock for Pennsylvania loan. 22. Secretary accepts proposals of Biddle and Nevins for $400,000 at par. 23. do do do of York Bank, for 50,000. 24. do of Charles Smith for 30,000 at par. of James Loyd 100,000 no prem. of G. Stevenson 50,000 no prem. of Alex. Benson 30,000 at par. of George Thomas 20,000 at par. 2,000 at par. 2,000 at par. of Hale and Davidson 2,000 at par. 5,000 at par. do 25. do do 26. do do 27. do do 28. do do of James King of Levi Ellmaker of William Erwin of Caleb Brinton Jr. 5,000 at par. of Stephen T.Cooper, 2,000 at par. INAUGURATION OF THE GOVERNOR ELECT The committee appointed on the 2d instant to confer with a committee of the House of Representatives, respecting the time, place, and manner of ascertaining and declaring the returns of the election of Governor, Report-That they have performed that service, and the joint committee have agreed to recommend the following arrangement to their respective Houses: 1. That the returns of the election for Governor shall be opened and published by the Speaker of the Senate, and in the presence of both Houses of the Legislature, on Tuesday next, at 11 o'clock in the forenoon, in the chamber of the House of Representatives, and that each House shall previously appoint one of its members a teller, to cast up the votes. 2. That upon the publication of the votes of Governor, by the Speaker of the Senate, a certificate of the election shall be signed by the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, in the following form, to wit, "We the Speaker of the Senate and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, do certify, that the Speaker of the Senate did on day of December, in the year of our Lord, 1829, the in the chamber of the House of Representatives in the State Capitol, open the returns of the election for Governor of this Commonwealth, and publish the same in the presence of the members of both Houses of the Legislature, conformably to the constitution of the said 17. Letter from Geo. Thomas of Philadelphia, wish-commonwealth, and that upon counting the votes by a ing to invest 20,000 payable on the 1st of March at par teller appointed on the part of each House, it appeared had a majority of votes; whereupon or without any premium; "I cannot accept any average that was declared to have been duly for a premium above it, nor for any part less than the the said elected Governor of the said Commonwealth. In testisaid 20,000. mony whereof we have hereto set our hands and seals the day and year first aboye written." 18. Caleb Brinton, Junr. of West Chester, will loan 5,000 and will give a premium of 3 per cent.; will prefer first instalment; but is willing to have either of the others. 19. Isaac Wayne of Chester county, offers 1 per cent premium for 2,000, 1st April instalment. 20. James King of Philadelphia, 2,000 at the lowest offer of premium which shall be accepted, provided such premium does not exceed 5 per cent; first instal ment. 3. That the said certificate shall be deposited by the Speaker of the Senate, in the office of the secretary of the commonwealth, and there recorded, and a duplicate thereof attested by the Speakers of both Houses, be transmitted to the Governor Elect. 4. That 12 o'clock, at noon, be the hour fixed for the inauguration of the Governor Elect, on Tuesday, the 15th day of December, in the chamber of the House of Representatives. nial for his intrepidity, in rescuing from a watery grave, a lad named Jabez Corey, while in the employ of the company, on the 5th ultimo. The pitcher bears the following inscription. PRESENTED BY THE MANAGERS OF THE Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company ΤΟ 5. That a committee of three members of the Senate and three members of the House of Representatives, be appointed to attend the Governor Elect, on Tuesday, the 15th inst. at his lodgings in the borough of Harrisburg, and accompany him to the hall of the House of Representatives, where the members of both Houses are convened, when the Speaker of the Senate, or in his absence, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to show their sense of his humane and intrepid conduct shall administer the usual oaths of office to the Governor elect, which being done, the Governor shall be publicly declared by the reading of a copy of said certificate of his election by the clerk of the Senate. ABIEL ABBOTT, in rescuing a youth from drowning Nov. 1829. 6. That a committee of three members of the Senate, FINANCES OF THE COMMONWEALTH. and three members of the House of Representatives, be Summary statement of the receipts and payments appointed to wait on the present Governor, and invite him to attend the inauguration of the Governor elect. at the Treasury for the year commencing 1st DeMr. Hay was appointed teller on the part of the Se-cember, 1828, and ending 30th November, 1829. RECEIPTS, nate-and Mr. Mallery teller on part of the House. Messrs. Brown, Miller and Blythe were appointed a committee on the part of the Senate, and Messrs. Frick, Alexander and Newhard, on the part of the House, to attend the Governor elect. Messrs. Reiff, Fullerton and Sullivan were appointed a committee on the part of the Senate, and Messrs. Workman, Riter and Wilkins on the part of the House, to wait on the present Governor, &c. INDIAN REMAINS. We have received from Doctor David Watson, of Bainbridge, in this county, several curiosities discovered in the neighborhood of that place, by the labourers employed on the Pennsylvania canal, among which are a stone tobacco pipe, very neatly formed, a rude tomahawk, a small brass basin, two keys, a small globular bell, and some broken pieces of Indian Pottery; but the greatest curiosity is the scull bone of an Indian, which materially differs in form from any that we have ever seen belonging to the human species. The skull is remarkably large, and of an oblong or oval form; the bones themselves of which it is composed have been very thin, much more so than is usually the case. What is very remarkable in the general outline of the skull is the peculiar manner in which the frontal bone, which forms the forehead, recedes from the root of the nose, & the superciliary ridges on which the eyebrows rest, and rather lies on the top of the head thanjuts over the rest of the face, as is usual. Thus there is no forehead, properly so called; the cranium in this respect presenting rather the appearance of the skull of a dog than a human being. The Choctaw tribe of Indians were formerly in the habit of flattening their heads in this manner, by binding metallic plates on the foreheads of their male children. A chief having this singular appearance was in Philadelphia in the year 1796. Indians in habiting the source of the Missouri are to this day in the habit of moulding their skulls into this form. The Incas or kings of Peru, and all those partaking of our being within a certain degree of consanguinity to them, (and they only,) were allowed to enjoy the imperial privilege of having their heads thus modelled. It may be worthy of observation, that this artificial conformation is not known in the slightest degree to impair the mental operation. The skull above mentioned is that of a male, probably about 45 or 50 years of age. Lands and land office fees Dividends on Bank stock Tax on bank dividends Fees secretary of state's office Duties on dealers in foreign mer- Escheats Commissioners of the internal im- Loans Old debts and miscellaneous Balance in the treasury 1st Decem- PAYMENTS. Internal improvements Interest on loans 97,290 79 19,000 00 140,518 75 121,289 00 19,640 00 53,184 07 9,245 33 1,779 23 50,031 67 62,607 92 691 36 10,742 194 55 36 3,000 71 210 00 74 24 200,000 00 2,811,238 38 9,738,38 3,610,338 021 189,815 46 $3,800,153 49 3,049,893 01 218,393 85 17,738 22 27,800 32 16,702 48 91,725 00 168,787 18 978 92 542 27 6,000 00 5,466 25 411 27 287 58 2,500 00 17,550 16 3,624,777 51 The whole have been presented to Mr. Landis, who has since received from John Hamilton, Esq. who resides near Bainbridge, an ornamented tobacco pipe, which Balance in the treasury 1st Dec. 1829, 175,375 98 has a human head rudely carved upon it, also some beads, and a curious bead, apparently made of clay, which is as hard as stone.-Lancaster Gaz. TRIBUTE TO MERIT. The Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company have, through James Sinton, Esq. cashier of the Easton Bank, presented to Mr. Abiel Abbott, of South Easton, a handsome silver pitcher, as a testimo $3,800.153 49 Printed every SATURDAY, MORNING by WILLIAM F. GEDDES, No. 59 Locust Street, Philadelphia; where, and at door back of the Post Office, (back room) subscriptions will be thankfully received. Price FIVE DOLLARS per annum, payable annually by subscribers residing in or near the city, or where there is an agent. Other subscribers pay in advance. the PUBLICATION OFFICE, IN FRANKLIN PLACE, second THE REGISTER OF PENNSYLVANIA. DEVOTED TO THE PRESERVATION OF EVERY KIND OF USEFUL INFORMATION RESPECTING THE STATE. VOL. IV.-NO. 25. EDITED BY SAMUEL HAZARD. From the United States' Telegraph-Extra, Dec. 8. This day, at 12 o'clock the President of the United States communicated to both Houses of Congress the following MESSAGE. Fellow Citizens of the Senale, and House of Representatives: NO. 103. inspire sentiments of mutual respect, and to carry conviction to the minds of both, that it is their policy to preserve the most cordial relations. Such are my own views, and it is not to be doubted that such are also the prevailing sentiments of our constituents. Although neither time nor opportunity has been afforded for a full development of the policy which the present cabinet of Great Britain designs to pursue towards this country, I indulge the hope that it will be of a just and pacific character; and if this anticipation be realized, we may look with confidence to a speedy and acceptable adjustment of our affairs. It affords me pleasure to tender my friendly greetings to you on the occasion of your assembling at the Seat of Government, to enter upon the important duties to which you have been called by the voice of our countrymen. The task devolves on me under a provi- Under the Convention for regulating the reference sion of the Constitution, to present to you, as the Feder- to arbitration of the disputed points of boundary unal Legislature of twenty-four sovereign States, and der the 5th article of the treaty of Ghent, the proceedtwelve millions of happy people a view of our affairs:ings have hitherto been conducted in that spirit of canand to propose such measures as in the discharge of my official functions, have suggested themselves as necessary to promote the objects of our Union. In communicating with you for the first time, it is to me, a source of unfeigned satisfaction, calling for mutual gratulation and devout thanks to a benign Providence, that we are at peace with all mankind, and that our country exhibits the most cheering evidence of general welfare and progressive improvement. Turning our eyes to other nations, our great desire is to see our brethren of the human race secured in the blessings enjoyed by ourselves, and advancing in knowledge, in freedom, and in social happiness. Our foreign relations, although in their general character pacific and friendly, presents subjects of difference between us and other Powers, of deep interest, as well to the country at large as to many of our citizens. To effect an adjustment of these shall continue to be the object of my earnest endeavours; and notwithstanding the difficulties of the task, I do not allow myself to apprehend unfavourable results. Blessed as our country is with every thing which constitutes national strength, she is fully adequate to the maintenance of all her interests. In discharging the responsible trust confided to the Executive in this respect, it is my settled purpose to ask nothing that is not clearly right, and to submit to nothing that is wrong; and I flatter myself, that, supported by the other branches of the Government, and by the intelligence and patriotism of the People, we shall be able, under the protection of Providence, to cause all our just rights to be respected. dour and liberality which ought ever to characterize the acts of sovereign states, seeking to adjust, by the most unexceptionable means, important and delicate subjects of contention. The first statements of the parties have been exchanged, and the final replication on our part is in a course of preparation. This subject has recived the attention demanded by its great and peculiar importance to a patriotic member of this confederacy. The exposition of our rights already made is such as, from the high reputation of the commissioners by whom it has been prepared, we had a right to expect. Our interest at the court of the sovereign who has evinced his friendly disposition, by assuming the delicate task of arbitration, have been committed to a citizen of the State of Maine, whose character, talents and intimate acquaintance with the subject eminently qualify him for so responsible a trust. With full confidence in the justice of our cause, and in the probity, intelligence and uncompromising independence of the illustrious arbitrator, we can have nothing to apprehend from the result. From France, our ancient ally, we have a right to expect that justice which becomes the Sovereign of a powerful, intelligent, and magnanimous People. The beneficial effects produced by the commercial convention of 1822, limited as are its provisions, are too obvioús not to make a salutary impression upon the minds of those who are charged with the administration of her Government. Should this result induce a disposition to embrace, to their full extent, the wholesome principles which constitute our commercial policy, our Minis. ter to that Court will be found instructed to cherish such a disposition, and to aid in conducting it to useful prac tical conclusions. The claims of our citizens for depredations upon their property, long since committed under the authority, and in many instances, by the express direction of the then existing Government of France, remain unsatisfied; and must therefore continue to furnish a subject of unpleasant discussion and possible collision between the two Governments. ever a lively hope, founded, as well on the validity of those claims, and the established policy of all enlighten Of the unsettled matters between the Uuited States and other Powers, the most prominent are those which have for years been the subject of negociation with England, France and Spain. The late periods at which our Ministers to those Governments left the United States, render it impossible at this early day, to inform you of what has been done on the subjects with which they have been respectively charged. Relying upon the justice of our views in relation to the points committed to negociation, and the reciprocal good feeling which characterizes our intercourse with those nations, we have the best reason to hope for a satisfactory adjusted Governments, as on the known integrity of the ment of existing differences. With Great Britain, alike distinguished in peace and war, we may look forward to years of peaceful, honorable and elevated competition. Every thing in the condition and history of the two nations is calculated to VOL. IV. 49 I cherish how French monarch, that the injurious delays of the past, will find redress in the equity of the future. Our Minister has been instructed to press these demands on the French Government, with all the earnestness which is called for by their importance and irrefutable justice, |