Next in importance to this first and great object, is the execution of the design of the last assembly for the internal improvement of Virginia: A subject which combines the interest, the feelings and the love of country of every man in every part of the State. The last assembly gained, and deservedly, great applause by their attention to those all-important subjects. It could not be expected that systems so new and comprehensive, could be perfected at once; much remains to be done; you, gentlemen, and your successors, may have an opportunity of participating in the high gratification, of aiding in giving to your country the great advantages to be derived from the completion of designs which promise such solid and incalculable benefits. I avail myself of this opportunity to make my acknowledgments to my fellow-citizens, for the confidence they have so frequently reposed in me, and to announce my intention to retire from the office of chief magistrate at the expiration of the year for which I was elected. I trust this will not be considered a dereliction of duty, as there are so many of my fellow-citizens much better qualified to serve the commonwealth. This consideration, and the necessity I am under, (after having devoted the greater part of the last thirty-three years to the public service,) to employ more of my time in the care of a numerous family, than is permitted by the duties of my present office, will, I hope, be a sufficient apology for this determination. LEGISLATURE OF MASSACHUSETTS. On Wednesday the 13th inst. the legislature of Massachusetts met agreeably to appointment. Quorums of both houses being assembled, committees were appointed to inform the governor that they were ready to receive any communication he might think proper to make. His excellency met both branches at 12 o'clock, and delivered the following SPEECH. Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, ment, there can be little ground for the apprehension of mischief in a discretionary selection of a constitutional mode. The special purpose of our convening at this season being the choice of electors of President of the United States, agreeably to a resolve that passed on the 13th day of June last, no suggestion of mine will be necessary to induce you to enter upon the execution of that important duty with all the deliberation which a due regard to the national interests and the honor of Massachusetts can demand.-The duty is not only important as the ultimate result of it may respect individuals, Before I take my leave of you, permit me to but as the continuance of the national government observe, that all who are or may be employed in depends upon the choice of electors, the obliga the general or State governments, are in a situation tion to perform it is imperious. The mode inof great responsibility. By the divine permission, deed being optional, a diversity in practice among and the valor of our ancestors, the fetters prepar- the different States, and in the same State at difed for them were broken, and our independence ferent times, may be expected. But while the achieved. With a boldness and sagacity, that great, the imperative demand of the constitution, will immortalize the patriots, who framed our go- in this particular, is fulfilled by the State legisla vernment, they built the holy fabric upon the ba-tures, agreeably to the dictates of their best judgsis of equal rights, and real responsibility. The eyes of all mankind are upon us; the whole hu- || man race is interested in the result. Since the downfall of the ancient republics, an opinion has Among the subjects which may probably solibeen inculcated with solicitude, that a govern- cit your attention at the present time, the ques ment, emanating from, and responsible to the peo-tion respecting the separation of the District of ple, was not practicable. Not satisfied with de- Maine may not be viewed as the least important. priving the people of their political rights, the The people of the two sections of the State, bemanner in which they should serve their Maker, tween whom the question of separation is pending, has been prescribed to them in most countries. were generally derived from the same origin, and To the American people, belongs the glory of were educated in the same principles of civil and restoring to man his inestimable and natural rights, religious liberty, and they and their fathers freely Forty years experience under a government esta-commingled their blood in combatting for their blished by the people, the legislative and execu tive branches of which are elected for short periods, and in which there is not only a perfect toleration of religious opinions, but a complete sepa-able as a whole, they have been mutually satisfied ration of church and State, must convince the most sceptical, that it is a libel upon the people, to say, they are not capable of self government. The tranquility, happiness and prosperity of America, and the competence of our government to the defence of the country, disprove the aspersions upon popular governments. To entitle us to the gratitude of all mankind, and to secure to our posterity the great blessings we enjoy, we have only to cherish the ardent patriotism, the veneration for the institutions of our ancestors, obedience to the laws, and affection for the Union, for which my fellow citizens have been so much distinguished. That this will be done, I have no country's independence, and with one accord united in framing the existing forms of government. And while they have been highly respect and happy in the relation of members, brethren of the same family. May no root of bitterness spring up to alienate their affections, whether united or separate. Judging from the ingenuous and dispassionate manner in which the subject has been hitherto discussed in your respective houses, we may confidently hope that wisdom will mark its future progress, influenced as you undoubtedly will be, by a due respect for the interests and happiness of the people in both sections of the commonwealth, and under the guidance of a spirit of candour and moderation, there can exist no cause to awaken our apprehensions of an inauspicious result. A resolve that passed the legislature on the 15th arms and equipments for the public defence. The of June last, authorized and requested the gover-balance due to Massachusetts, I am unable to asnor, with the advice of council, to appoint one or certain, as the data upon which the ratio is to be more persons, at his discretion, and at such time deduced, are not within my control. But the neand manner as he might deem expedient, to pre-cessary measures are in train for ascertaining and sent the accounts and claims of this commonwealth receiving the amount. While on this subject, I for military services rendered, supplies and mu- would suggest for your consideration, the propri nitions of war furnished, labour performed and ety of authorizing and directing the quarter master expenses incurred during the late war with Great general to cause all the muskets belonging to the Britain, and arising in consequence thereof, to State to be designated by an appropriate mark or the government of the United States for allow. stamp. ance, and to settle and adjust the same. The annual return of the militia made by the The subject of this resolve was, immediately af. adjutant general, and four returns from the quar ter it had passed, submitted to the council, and ter master general, marked Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 4 will after due consideration, a postponement of the ap.be laid before you by the secretary. On referring pointment of an agent or agents for the purposes to the return of the militia, I am led to mention expressed in the resolve, was advised. The ad- to you, gentlemen, that in the course of the past vice of council was understood to be grounded up- autumn I have had an opportunity of seeing a conon the opinion, that some special legislative pro- siderable number of the regiments and brigades vision of the national government, was requisite of the militia of this commonwealth, and it is but to the settlement of our accounts at the war of doing justice to them to observe that their arms fice. If I mistake not, the report of the then se- were efficient and in good order, that their apcretary of war, made to Congress in March last,pearance was generally highly martial, and their is decisive on this point. The correctness of the movements correct. It is likewise due to the li advice of council has since been supported by aberality and wisdom of the legislatures of several coincident opinion of all the members of Con- former periods to observe, that much of the re gress whom I have had an opportunity of consult-gularity of the militia, of the uniformity of their ing upon the subject under consideration. That discipline, and of the intelligence of their officers, you may be fully possessed of the measures which is to be ascribed to the system of discipline and had been adopted prior to the passing of the re- other means of information, that have been placed solve of the 15th June last, the secretary will lay at the public expense, at different times, in the before you a copy of the proceedings of the coun-hands of the officers. cil the last year, resorted to with the design of having the amount and the items of our accounts and claims against the United States brought into the view of the general government. It will now rest with your wisdom, gentlemen, to allow the subject to progress in the course contemplated by the resolve last mentioned, or give it some other direction which you may deem more eligible. In conclusion, I avail myself of the occasion, gentlemen, to felicitate you upon the continuance of peace, upon the prevalence of good order, there storation of public credit and the general aspect of prosperity, contentment and happiness, which our country exhibits. Commerce, if not exempt from restrictions which other times and different conditions of the world did not impose, employs an immense capital, and demands, and circulates all the surplus products of our country. I have received from the hon. James Monroe, Esq. secretary of state, a letter dated the 25th of Immunity from embarrassments at the termina October last, communicating the agreeable infor- tion of a war unequalled in modern times, in dumation, that lands belonging to some of the citi-ration, that had subverted the principles of social zens of Massachusetts on Moose-Island, which had been withheld from them by the orders of the governor general of Canada, had recently, by the interposition of the national executive, been restored to them. A copy of the letter I have instructed the secretary to lay before you. deration. order, of political economy and regular commerce through a great part of the civilized world, was utterly impossibile. After such an arduous and dreadful conflict, time is necessary to tranquilize the world; to allow the faculties of men duly estimate the new relations that peace has produc I have at the same time, the satisfaction of com- ed among the nations—and for individuals to acmunicating to you, gentlemen, a copy of a letter Icommodate their feelings, views and habits to the have received from the ordnance department of actual state of things. Happy will it be for us if the United States, by which I am informed, that we learn wisdom from experience; if from the where arms and equipments may be found due to force of circumstances we are taught the value of a State, on the apportionment of its quota, accord-circumspection and economy, of industry and moing to law, the ordnance department is desirous, and will be prepared to supply the same without delay. According to a return made to me by the quarter master general, I find the commonwealth has received only thirty-one hundred muskets, without any equipments, since the law of the United States appropriating $200,000 annually for arming and equipping the whole body of the militia, was passed, on the twenty-third of April, 1808. We may therefore, I apprehend, confidently look forward to the period when we shall not only receive the number of arms now due to us, but when the ranks of our militia may be relieved from the present burden that falls heavily upon a large proportion of them, of furnishing their own Wishing, you, gentlemen, all the satisfaction that can result from faithful endeavors to render your constituents happy, I only add a tender of any facilities in my power to aid your efforts. FINANCIAL. J. BROOKS. The following documents were read in the Vir ginia house of Delegates, on the 12th inst. as reported by the bank committee, on the question for suspending the law compelling the banks pay specie on the 15th inst. cluding Branches) on the 11th Nov. 1816. Bills discounted outstanding, Specie, Foreign notes, Due from other banks Real Estate, United States' stock, Loan to the Commonwealth of Virginia, 99,000 77,950 66 98,716 38 $4,726,768 78 General State of the Farmers' Bank of Virginia ( in- || common pleas, or mayor's court in this state, shall, in addition to the oath or oaths now prescribed by $3,053,222 28 || law, take the following oath or affirmation: "Ido 907,615 20 solemnly swear or affirm, (as the case may be) 233,313 57 that I have not been engaged in a duel by send256,950 69ing or accepting a challenge to fight a duel, or by fighting a duel, or in any other manner in violation of the act, entitled" an act to suppress duelling," since the first day of July, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and sixteen, nor › will I be concerned directly or indirectly, in any duel during the continuance of the said act, and while an inhabitant of this state;" and that if any person taking such oath shall wilfully swear falsely therein, such person shall, on conviction thereof, be liable to the like pains and penalties as those who are convicted of wilful and corrupt perjury. Stock, Notes in circulation, Deposit money $1,812,427 50 $4,726,768 78 General State of the Bank of Virginia, Nov. 8, 1816. Specie, Foreign notes and Treasury notes, Real estate, United States' stock, Loan to Commonwealth, Due from foreign banks, Capital stock, And be it further enacted, That it shall be the duty of the justices of the courts of oyer and terminer and general gaol delivery, and general ses. $3,075,223 71sions of the peace, at every session, to give in 791,300 97 charge to the grand jury of the county in which. 157,639 83 either of the said courts shall be held, to enquire 286,352 of all offences committed against this act. 112,612 And be it further enacted, That whenever any judge or justice of the peace shall have good cause to suspect that any person or persons are about to be engaged in a duel, he shall issue his warrant to bring such person or persons before him, and if he shall think it proper, to take of them or ei$5,033,248 32ther of them, a recognizance to keep the peace, he shall insert in tne condition, that the party or parties shall not, during the time for which he or they shall be bound, direct or indirectly be concerned in a duel, either with the person suspected or with any other person, within the time limited by the recognizance. $2,340,000 $5,033,248 32 LAW OF NEW-YORK. TO SUPPRESS DUELLING. Passed November 5, 1816. And be it further enacted, That if an person shall, for the purpose of eluding the operations of the provisions of this law, leave the state, the person so offending shall be deemed as guilty, and be subject to the like penalties as if the offence had Be it enacted by the people of the state of New-been committed within this state; and if any perYork, represented in Senate and Assembly, That if son shall leave this state with the intention of giv any person whatsoever shall challenge another to ing or receiving a challenge to fight a duel, or of fight a duel with any weapon, or in any manner aiding or abetting in giving or receiving such whatsover, the probable issue of which may or challenge, and a duel shall actually be fought, might result in the death of the challenger or whereby the death of any person shall happen, challenged, or if any person shall accept a chal- and the person so leaving the state shall remain lenge or fight a duel with any weapon or in any thereout, so as to prevent his apprehension for way whatsoever, the probable issue of which may the purpose of a trial; or if any person shall fight or might terminate in the death of the challenger a duel in this state, or aid or abet therein, whereor challenged, or if any person shall knowingly by any person shall be killed, and then flee into be the bearer of any challenge or message sent for another state, it shall be the duty of the person the purpose of requesting or inviting any other administering the government of this state, to person to meet the person so sending such chal-pursue all legal means to cause such offender to lenge or message or any other person, with intent be apprehended and brought to trial in the counto fight any such duel, such person shall be deem.ty in which the offence was committed when the. ed guilty of a public offence, and being convicted thereof, shall be incapable of holding or being elected to any post of profit, trust or emolument, civil or military, under this state. duel hath been fought within this state; and when it shall have been fought without this state, then in that county, where, in the opinion of the person administering the government of this state, the evidence against the offender can be best obtained and produced upon his trial. And be it further enacted, That every person who shall hereafter be elected a member of the senate or of the assembly of this state, and from And be it further enacted, That it shall be the and after the first day of July next, every person duty of the several district attornies within this who shall be elected or appointed to any office or state to give information to the person adminisplace, civil or military, under this state, excepttering the government of this state, whenever a town officers, and every person who shall be admitted a counsellor, attorney, or solicitor of the court of chancery, supreme court, or any court of case shall arise within their respective districts, rendering his interposition under this act necessary; and each of the said district attornies, either 202 WILLIAM SLADE, Cornwall, Vt. Oct. 22, 1816. at the first court of general sessions of the peace, jure it very much. I have tried this method three to be held in his district after the first day of July years, and the beef has been sweet and good. next, or at the time of his acceptance of his office where such district attorey shall be hereafter appointed, shall take the following oath: "I do solemnly swear or affirm (as the case may be) that I will, to the best of my ability, execure the duty imposed on me by the act to suppress duelling.' And be it further enacted, That from and after the first day of July next, the act entitled "an act to prevent duelling," be, and the same is hereby repealed. AGRICULTURAL. ECONOMY OF PLANTING POTATOES. Mr. Kollock, Sir-As it is an opinion with many that potatoes will yield best to change the seed and plant the largest, therefore I made the following experiment:- THE FINE ARTS. Christ Entering Jerusalem.-Col. Henry Sargent, has nearly completed his large painting upon the subject of the entrance of Christ into Jerusalem mounted on an ass, the multitude spreading their garments, and strewing branches in the way. The composition and arrangement of this picture we think will do great credit to the artist; the grouping of the numerous figures, the harmony of colouring, the bold expression of hatred among the Jews, and the humble adoration of the Christians, are executed with equal felicity and judgement. The canvass is of exactly the same size as that of "the landing of the Forefathers," which was exhibited during the last year; and we hope Col. Sargent will soon be able to favour the public, by afford Last fall I sent to Albany for some of the best red potatoes, which were very good and large;ing them an equal gratification. and on the 26th of April planted one row containing nineteen hills, in which I put one potatoe to a hill, (larger than a goose-egg, weighing in the whole 8 lbs.) and put a shovel full of fine manure in each; and when dug, the above 8lbs. of the largest potatoes produced 54 lbs. The next row I planted with cut potatos, of the same kind, putting five pieces in a hill, the whole of which weighed 4 lbs, and manured in the same manner as above, and they produced 50lbs. as did several other rows in the same patch. And on the 15th of May I pealed five of the largest of the above potatoes, carefully digging out the eyes about the size of a cent, which I planted in three rows of sixteen feet long, putting the eyes eight or nine inches apart, and the rows three feet, which contained about half a rod of ground; it produced one bushel and nine quarts (weighing 78lbs.) of good sized potatoes, many of which weighed from eight to ten ounces, and but a very few small ones. This ground received no ma nure. Yours, &c. RICHARDSON GRAY. P. S. The whole and cut potataes were planted in a light sandy soil, and the eyes in a damp soil; and, as the odds is so great, I think no one will hesitate to follow the plan, as it is a saving of near all their seed. Elizabethtown, Oct. 21, 1816. CULINARY ECONOMY. METHOD OF PRESERVING BEEF. An engraving designed and executed by Mr. Kidder, of the effects of the great Storm of last September, as they appeared at Providence near the bridge, is now to be viewed in Boston; it erhibits a very faithful representation of the distressing scenes, and the confusion of the occasion and violence of the wind are well delineated-The execution of the plate though respectable is rather too coarse, and besides requires some accompanying explanation of the particulars which it is intended to exhibit.-Boston Intelligencer. A NEW THERMOMETER. We have seen lately a Thermometer, which was invented and made by an artist in Copenhagen of very extraordinary workmanship-and upon a principle which, although well known, has never before been employed for this purpose. This Thermometer is in form similar to a watch, and is entirely composed of different metals without any fluid.These metals are so combined as by every contraction and expansion to move an index in like manner as the hour or minute hand of a time piece-which index points to a division of a circle corresponding to Reaumur's scale. This index we were informed showed the alterations of heat and cold more sensibly than even the best quicksilver Thermometers. accurate. [Lynchburg Press. FOREIGN INTELLIGENCE. New establishment at Matagorda, and Galveston, is the province of Texas, appertaining to the g vernment of Mexico. NEW-OELEANS, October 19. The following articles have been handed for Sort your beef, let it be cold, but not frozen. publication by a gentleman recently from Mats To 200 wt. use half a bushel of salt, half a pound gorda: they were originally written in Spanish, of salt-petre, and two quarts of molasses. Dis- and, the translation having been made hastily, may solve your salt petre in water, and add the mo-be deficient in precision of style, but is literally lasses-then pack down your beef tight, put salt in your barrel, and between each layer; and let | a suitable proportion of the salt-petre and molasses be put on each layer, till all is put togetherA small squadron, well armed and equipped, reserving four or five quarts of salt to make a brine, sufficient to cover the beef, which must be under the command of M. Aury, has taken pas added in four or five days, and your beef will be session of the posts of Matagorda and Galveston. good through the year. When you salt beef again, This squadron being the property of the said casuse the same process-10, 11, or 12 quarts of salt mander, had, for a considerable time, been enwill be enough-but keep your old brine, and in gaged in promoting the independence of South A4 or 5 days add it without boiling, as that will in-merica, under the flag of Carthagena. During the 5. There shall be a superior judge, with his clerk-this judge shall take cognizance of cases of appeal as well from the inferior tribunal of justice, as from the court of admiralty; his jurisdiction shall also extend to all sums above the one mentioned in the preceding article, and to criminal cases where the punishment may exceed imprisonment, observing the 198th article of the constitution, relative to sentences of death and banishment: there shall be an appeal from this court to the supreme tribunal, according to the rules prescribed by the laws of the republic. siege of that place, they had fought gallantly tion, judging and deciding according to the laws against the Spaniards, and protected the besieged of nations and of the admiralty, with a clerk to ceras much as was in their power, until they were re-tify the acts of the tribunal. duced to the inevitable necessity of emigrating. 4. There shall be a judge to act in civil and On the fall of Carthagena, M. Aury, with all the criminal cases. His jurisdiction shall extend in officers under his command, offered their services civil cases to all sums not exceeding one hundred to the republic of Mexico, from which he obtain-dollars, and in criminal cases his powers shall exed authority to cruise, and permission to occupy tend no further than to imprisonment: there the posts of Matagorda and Galveston, whither he shall be a clerk to this court, which may be denowent under a passport from the late governor of minated the tribunal of justice. Carthagena. This expedition just arrived at its destination, when some turbulent persons, exclusively occupied with their own interests and incapable of rendering any service to humanity, began to spread rumors in order to seduce and alarm the faithful and more numerous part of the division, endeavoring to persuade them that they had cot come thither with the noble object of assisting the Mexican patriots, engaged in the glorious contest for their liberty, but that their sole object was, to compel them by force to undergo the drudgery of cultivating the sugar-cane. By this means they drew from them a considerable number of partizans, and, by exciting a mutiny at the camp, they would have strangled in its birth this important establishment, had it not been for some prudent and brave men, who opposed the mutineers, and obliged them to take flight in three vessels, which they had previously prepared, in case they should be defeated in attaining their ob- || ject. They stole and carried with them some merchandize, and were accompanied by about 200 malcontents; this was all the injury produced by the commotion. Two days afterwards the Mexican minister arrived with an ample supply of military stores for the purpose of organizing the es tablishment, conformably to the powers and instruction given to him by the republic. He was received as its deputy, and the oaths of obedience and fidelity were received by him from the commander and his officers. The rest of the forces had taken the same oaths before their respective officers, and raised the Mexican flag with all the usual ceremonies. The minister has issued the following DECREE. Citizen Joseph Manuel de Herrera, Deputy of the By virtue of the powers and instructions given to me by the Mexican congress, I order and command that, until the said congress shall sanction a form of government more conducive to the welfare and happiness of this province of Texas, the following articles relative to the establishment of Matagorda and Galveston shall be observed. The constitutional decree respecting settlements and villages in the rest of the province, remains in full force; 1. There shall be a civil and military governor, who shall discharge his functions agreeably to the laws and ordinances enacted by the republic, and shall obey the supreme executive power of the nation: there shall likewise be a secretary to certify the acts of the governor. 6. There shall be a notary public to authenticate all contracts, writings, powers, and other similar instruments, and an alguazil mayor to execute sales, seizures and other orders of the court. 7. The governor shall determine, according to circumstances, a place between Matagorda and Galveston, for his residence, and that of the offi cers appointed for the new establishment. Given in Galveston, the 17th day of September, 1816, and 7th of Mexican independence. JOSEPH MANUEL HERRERA. A. M. MORIN, Secretary ad interim to the legation. In consequence of this decree the following ap pointments were made: Governor of this new establishment, citizen Louis Aury. Judge of admiralty, citizen Joseph Torrens. Joseph Manuel de Herrera, in the name of the Mexican Republic. Matagorda is ours. The extensive and healthy province of Texas is free; its inhabitants, filled with enthusiasm, fly to the standard of independence. The constitution of the Mexican republic has superseded the despotism of the Spanish mo2. There shall be a collector of the revenue narchy. The oppressors fly before us; there is no and a treasurer, subordinate to the governor, who || obstacle to retard our march into the interior of shall obey the acts and decrees of the congress; || the other provinces. A commodions and safe harthe governor shall appoint the under officers ne- bor; a respectable land and naval force; magacessary to the due administration of the treasu-zines well supplied with arms and ammunition; rer's office. 3. There shall be a court of admiralty, taking cognizances of cases falling under its jurisdic a soil fertile in all the necessaries of life-we want nothing but to exterminate our enemies, and drive the miserable remnant into the ocean. The |