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THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

to take the surveys and levels of the waters, so far as may be necessary on the routes referred to, or on others that may be suggested, from the Delaware to lake Erie; by which the relative practicability and expense of improving the navigation by the different routes, may be ascertained, the most eligible one selected, and the prosecution of the work authorized. The magnitude of the undertaking would necessarily attract an accession of mechanical and common labor from other states and countries; and it might therefore be accom plished without injuring our agriculture, and other branches of industry, by withdrawing workmen from those pursuits.

bute a proportionable share for the promotion of [No. 1 the undertaking.

The secretary will lay before you copies of the act, with the communications and resolutions referred to: also a copy of a communication from aid for the Natchez hospital, accompanied by a the governor of the state of Mississippi, soliciting copy of a resolution of the legislature of that state on the subject

gen

The utility of the arbitration system has been erally admitted. These advantages may be intested; and the advantages resulting from creased by occasionally reviewing and modifying such of its provisions as experience may have We have no data at present for estimating the shown to be necessary. The present laws on the expense of completing the system. It is, howe-subject contain no authority, without the consent ver, probable, that it would exceed what could be of the parties to a suit, to supply vacancies occaexpected to be paid by companies associated for sioned by the death of arbitrators. This omission the purpose, together with any sum that could be is frequently injurious to one or other of the paradvanced from the ordinary funds of the common wealth; and that to render efficient aid to the bail on the appeal from the awards of arbitrators, ties: The defendant is required to enter special companies that might embark in the measure, it which bail is not liable for the payment of the would be necessary to create a distinct revenue, debt, if the sum recovered in court be less than and pledge it for the payment of the stock that the amount of the award. Justice would require, the state might subscribe. that the reduction of the award should not diminish the plaintiff's security for the payment of the sum legally ascertained to be due him.

The incorporation of companies for carrying on internal improvements has been objected to; but it is difficult to devise a better, or more effectual attention of the legislature. The mode of conThe laws respecting marriages may deserve the plan for the purpose. As they are already numerous, and their number is annually increasing, ap tracting marriages is so various and unsettled, that prehensions are entertained that they may, by sometimes disagreeable consequences result from combining together, acquire a dangerous influ-and often incapable of proof. As they are the it. Many of them are uncertain in the public eye, ence: it might therefore be proper, in order to allay these apprehensions, as well as from other basis of our laws of descent and inheritance, the considerations, to create a fund, and periodically apply its proceeds to the purchasing the interests of some of the companies in these improvements. They might then either be used by the public, free of expense, or tolls collected for the com monwealth, as the state of her finances might tify and the wisdom of the legislature direct. Since the adjournment of the last legislature, 1 have received communications from the governors of Virginia and Kentucky, enclosing resolutions of their respective states, in relation to the appointment of commissioners for examining the obstructions to the navigation of the river Ohio between the city of Pittsburgh and Shipping port, of which the commissioner, appointed by your predeces Fors for a similar purpose, was immediately notified. But the season was then too far advanced to proceed in the business; and I am informed arJangements will be made to prosecute it early in the next summer.

importance of which is daily increasing, from the extension of population and the accumulation of wealth, it is necessary for their due administration easily complied with, and susceptible of ready that marriages be celebrated in a regular manner, jusation, that, while the solemnization of marriages by proof. It is therefore submitted for your considerrules, be as at present sanctioned by law, the form any religious society, agreeably to their respective and manner by which the civil authority shall celebrate them, might be more clearly defined and better regulated; and whether it would not contribute to the good order and strength of society, if all marriages were directed to be registered in the proper county, within a certain period after their celebration. It may be proper also to mention the practice of granting licenses for the ce||lebration of marriages, on payment of certain fees

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This practice originated in other countries, and I have also received a communication from the perquisites of the proprietary governors and their was introduced into Pennsylvania as one of the board of commissioners, appointed by an act of secretaries. The power of issuing them has not the legislature of Kentucky, entitled "An act to been continued by any positive law, but is recogincorporate the Kentucky Ohio Canal Company,' requesting a subscription on behalf of this comnized in several of our acts of assembly. monwealth in the stock of the company, with a ought not to be applied to the enjoyment of a term license, implies a power to prevent; which copy of the act referred to. The act directs that natural right. The government may modify and five hundred shares of the stock of the company regulate its exercise, but cannot claim the authobe reserved for the state of Pennsylvania, and arity to prohibit it. Though marriages may be lelike number for each of the states of Virginia,gally celebrated without licenses from the state, Kentucky, Ohio, and of the United States. The still, as the recognition of the power of granting completion of the contemplated canal, so as to afford a safe navigation past the falls of the river them, it might be proper to abolish them altogesuch licenses, implies the power to withhold thio, near Louisville, would be peculiarly advan-ther. tageous to a great portion of Pennsylvania, as well as the three states that have been mentioned. We have therefore the inducement of interest, stimulated by a just spirit of emulation, to contri.

morality, will admit of some beneficial alterations The laws for the suppression of vice and imand additions; and particularly that of providing more effectually for their due execution.

It is

proper also to remark, that much inconvenience || the plighted faith of the commonwealth, liberally annually arises from the late promulgation and patronise agriculture and education, and aid in distribution of the laws. It is a ground of com- ternal improvement of every description, with the plaint, that many of them are in force before the exception of an extensive system of inland navipeople have an opportunity of knowing their pro-gation, for which a provision has been suggested.

visions.

I am not aware that the principles of our penal code require, at present, any material change. The punishment, however, of kidnapping, is not proportioned to the offence, and requires to be increased. In connection with this subject I have to observe, that it is usual to take colored per-legislature at their last session made provision for sons in numbers chained together through our state, and especially the south western parts of it, without inquiry being made into the cause or object of the procedure. This practice affords inducements to the commission of the crime, and facilities in escaping from detection.

As, however, the periods of making demands on the treasury for appropriations for some of those objects, are contingent and irregular, it may be occasionally necessary, as heretofore, to negotiate temporary loans, in order to enable the commonwealth to fulfill her engagements. The such contingencies; and in pursuance of the act of the 23d of March last, I negotiated a loan of 50,000 dollars in the month of April, and another of the like sum in the month of November, with the Philadelphia Bank, at 5 per cent. interest; both payable within four years from the dates of the loans, in such instalments as the finances of the commonwealth might justify. Whether it may be necessary to make further loans under the

which it prescribes, depends on circumstances which cannot be foreseen or controlled

In May last information was communicated by the major of ordnance of the United States, at the city of Pittsburgh, that he was prepared to deliver, at any point on the western waters, upon a requi-authority of the act referred to, within the period sition being made, artillery, with their carriages and implements complete, muskets, rifles, swords and pistols, in such number and proportion as might be required, not exceeding the quota due to Pennsylvania under the act of congress for arming and equipping the whole body of the mi litia. The arsenal at Meadville was not then completed; and there being no other place on the western waters where they could be conve niently received, he was requested to retain them in his possession for a limited time. The arsenal has since been completed, and it belongs to the legislature to direct the proportion of the enu merated articles that it would be proper for theive duties, it is incumbent on us, without abanstate to receive.

Some of the arms that may be directed to be collected and deposited in the arsenal at Mead. ville as well as those which are now in the state arsenals at Philadelphia and Harrisburgh, require repairs, for which an appropriation is necessary.

The last enrolment of our militia exhibits the number of one hundred and eighteen thousand and sixteen, ready to be called into the public service, whenever the exigencies of the country may require it. To avert the danger and supercede the necessity of standing armies, the auspicious season of peace might be profitably embraced to amend the defects of our militia system.

Copies will be laid before you of resolutions adopted by the legislatures of Connecticut, New York, New Hampshire and Mississippi, relative to

Many of the materials that have been collected, for the erection of the capitol at Harrisburgh, may be injured by time; and with all the vigilance that has been exercised for their preservation, they have been gradually wasting I would, therefore, with deference to the judgment of the legislature, recommend their being applied to the object for which they were originally intended.

The trust confided to the legislative and executive departments, is arduous, and imposes high responsibilities. In the discharge of our respect

doning political principle, to endeavor to allay the asperities of party rancor, and to inculcate, by the example of our personal intercourse, by private and public acts, the principles of benevo lence and harmony, the solace and happiness of

social life.

By pursuing a policy thus magnanimous, and divesting ourselves of every feeling in our official career, but that of zeal to promote the welfare and prosperity of our country, we cannot fail, under the favor of Providence, to continue a great and happy people, and transmit to posterity the distinguished blessings we enjoy.

WILLIAM FINDLAY. Harrisburgh, December 3d, 1818.

amendments to the constitution of the United Congress of the United States.

States, which have been transmitted to me by the governors of those states.

SENATE.

Thursday, December 24. The duties enjoined upon the executive by the Mr. Sanford presented the memorial of the laws of the last session of the legislature, or that New York society for promoting the manumishave otherwise occurred, have been performed,sion of slaves, and protecting such of them as or are in a train of execution. have been or may be liberated; which was read and referred to the committee on the subject of slaves.

It is, however, with regret I have to state, that the medals directed to be procured, and presented to commodore Perry and his associates in arms, are not completed. To apprise you fully of the circumstances which have delayed their execution, the secretary will lay before you copies of the correspondence on the subject, which passed during the recess of the legislature.

The accounting officers will shortly deliver to yon, agreeably to law, a detailed statement of the finances of the commonwealth. The revenues, if their sources remain undisturbed, will be sufficient to defray the expenses of the government, sustain

Mr. Williams, of Mississippi, reported, without amendment, the bill for the relief of the legal representatives of Alexander Montgomery, deceased.

The bill making appropriations for the support of the navy for 1819, and the bill for the reliet of Renner and Heath, were read a second time and committed

The resolution instructing the committee on public lands to inquire into the expediency of granting to the state of Mississippi certain por

tions of the public lands for certain purposes, was each of the counties of the several states, to reagreed to.

On motion of Mr. Noble, it was Resolved, That the secretary of the treasury be directed to lay before the senate information relative to the effect of the act to suspend for a limited time the sale or forfeiture of lands, of the 18th of April last, upon the receipts into the treasury, and the probable effect of continuing in force the act aforesaid for one year, with a condition that if the purchasers complete their pay ments on or before the expiration of the period aforesaid, interest shall only be required on the instalments due, from the time that they become due until paid.

The engrossed bill for the relief of Aquila Giles, was read a third time, passed, and sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence.

Monday, December 28.

ceive the tax due thereon to the general government, on lands which are or may be sold for the non payment of the said tax.

On motion of Mr. Pindall, the committee on roads and canals were instructed to inquire into the expediency of completing the road from Cumberland to Wheeling.

On motion of Mr. Pleasants, the naval committee were instructed to inquire into the propriety of authorizing, by law, the purchase of the timber, particularly live oak, necessary for building twenty sloops or other small vessels of war.

On motion of Mr. Lincoln, the committee on Indian affairs was instructed to inquire into the expediency of providing, by law, that it be the duty of the several public agents employed by the United States to transact business with the Indian tribes to obtain all the information in their power The Senate were occupied, the principal part relative to the population, manners and customs, of the day, on executive business, always transac-history, languages, or any thing peculiar to said ted with closed doors. The legislative business tribes, and report the same annually to the Secrewas of minor interest-the bill providing for the tary of War. admission of Alabama into the Union, and the other matters of interest, being deferred to fu ture days.

Tuesday, December 29.

On motion of Mr. Gage, the committee on Pen. sions and Revolutionary Claims were instructed to inquire into the expediency of making compensation to Reuben Colburn, for boats and other supA message was received from the President of plies, furnished, by the authority of Gen. Washthe United States, transmitting the documents re-ington, to the expedition under the command of specting our relations with Spain, requested by Col. Arnold, at the time it ascended the Kennethe resolution of the Senate of the 17th instant, beck river, in 1775, and that the documents for(the same as those transmitted to the other warded by the claimants be referred to the said House) which message was read, and with the committee. documents referred, and 500 copies thereof, or dered to be printed.

Wednesday, December 30. Mr. Tait submitted the following resolution for consideration:

Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be instructed to inquire into the expediency of || authorizing by law the purchase of live oak timber suitable for building sloops of war, or other small || vessels necessary for the naval service.

The Senate resumed the consideration of the following resolution, offered by Mr. Roberts on the 29th inst. and agreed thereto:

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On motion of Mr. Cobb, it was

Resolved, That the President of the United States be requested to cause to be laid before this House, if in his opinion the same should not be inconsistent with the public interest, copies of the correspondence, if any, between the Department of War and the Governor of Georgia, in answer to the letter of the latter to the former, dated on the first of June in the present year, communicated to this House on the 12th instant, and also the correspondence, if any, between the Department of War and General Andrew Jackson, in answer to the letter of the latter, of the date of 7th May, 1818, also communicated to this House on the 12th instant.

The engrossed bill to authorize the payment, in certain cases, on account of Treasury Notes which have been lost or destroyed, and the engrossed bill authorizing the election of a Delegate from the Michigan territory to the Congress of the United States, and extending the right of suffrage to the citizens of the said territory, were read a third time, passed and sent to the Senate.

Resolved, That the committee on naval affairs be and they are hereby instructed to inquire whether the rules, regulations, and instructions for the naval service of the United States, communicated to the Senate by the message of the President, of the 20th April last, are conformable || to the provisions of the act, entitled "an act to|| alter and amend the several acts for establishing a navy department," by adding thereto a board of navy commissioners; and whether or not they inconveniently interfere with other acts of Con- The engrossed bill for the relief of John James gress relating to the naval establishment, and how Dufour and his associates, was read a third time. far they may appear to be expedient; and also This bill provides, as will be recollected, for the whether any, and, if any, what legislative provi-extension of the time of payment of an instalment sion may be necessary to give them the force and effect of law.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Thursday, December 24.

due for public lands, for the term of six months. A motion was made by Mr. Strother, to lay the bill on the table, and negatived, after debate--68

to 55.

The question on the passage of the bill, was ta Mr. Poindexter, from the committee on publicken, by Yeas and Nays, and there were in favor lands, reported a bill supplementary to the act of the bill 65 votes, against it 66. So the bill was admitting the state of Indiana into the Union; rejected. which was twice read and committed.

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The resolution from the Senate, directing a survey of certain parts of the coast of North Carolina, was read a third time and passed.

Monday, December 28. Mr. Williams, of N. C. from the committee of

claims, to whom was recommitted the bill for the relief of Thaddeus Mayhew, made a detailed report on the case of the said Mayhew, which was ordered to lie on the table and be printed.

On motion of Mr. Pindall, the bill was referred to a select committee.

On motion of Mr. Tallmadge, it was Resolved, That the committee on the Judiciary A message was received from the President of be instructed to inquire into the expediency of the United States, by Mr J. J. Monroe, his pri|providing by law for the appointment by the Prevate secretary, transmitting, in compliance with a sident, by and with the advice and consent of the resolution of this House of the 15th inst. a report Senate, of the Clerks of the several district courts of such farther correspondence and proceedings, of the United States, and also to require from in relation to our affairs with Spain, as it should || them greater security for the performance of their not be inconsistent with the public interest to di duties. vulge. The message, reports and documents accom anying it, (comprising a volume of about 360 pages) were ordered to lie on the table and be printed.

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Mr. Palmer moved the following resolution: Resolved, That the committee on commerce and manufactures be instructed to inquire whether any, and, f any, what amendments are necessary to be made to the act supplementary to the act to regulate the collection of duties on imports and tonnage, passed the 20th of April, 1818, in rela

Mr. Johnson, of Ky. from the committee on military affairs, made a report on the petition of gen. Robert Swartwout, accompanied by a bill for his relief; also, from the same committee, a report|tion to the importation of goods, &c. into the and bill for the relief of Ezra Childs; also, from the same committee, a bill supplementary to the act providing for cases of lost military land war rants and discharges; which bills were twice read by their titles and committed.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter of the attorney general, in relation to the accounts of James Thomas, a quarter master general in the late war, which were referred to him by the House; which letter was ordered to lie on the table. On motion of Mr Johnson, of Ky, it was Resolved, That the committee on post offices and post roads be instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the postmaster general to contract for the transportation of the mad by steam boats, or otherwise, on navigable waters, in the same manner as he is authorized to contract for the transportation of the mail by land.

The Speaker laid before the House a letter from the secretary of the treasury, transmitting copies of instructions given by the secretary of the treasury, under the eighth section of the act of the 21st April, 1806, to the several boards of Land commissioners in the state of Louisiana, and territory of Missouri, rendered in obedience to a resolution of this House of the 17th instant; which was ordered to lie on the table.

The Speaker also laid before the House a letter from Thomas Dunn, the Sergeant at Arms of this House, sating that John Anderson has instituted a suit against him on a charge of false imprisonment, in consequence of his having arrested and held in custody the said Anderson, under an order of the House; which letter was referred to the Judiciary committee.

United States by land from the dominions of Great Britain in North America; and also, that the same committee be instructed to inquire into the expe liency of so amending the 4th section of an act entitled "an act to continue in force an act entitled an act further to provide for the collection of duties on imports and tonnage, passed the 3d of March, 1815, and for other purposes," passed the 34 of March, 1817, that the provisions therein contained shall apply only to steam boats on Lake Champlain which are employed solely for the transportation of passengers and their baggage; and that the said section shall not extend to authorize the entry of any goods, wares, and merchandise, except passengers' baggage, in any other districts other than the one in which the same are to be landed-with leave to report by bill or otherwise.

On the question of agreeing to the resolution, it was decided in the negative.

Tuesday, December 29. Mr. H. Nelson, from the Judiciary committee, to whom had been referred the letter of the Sergeant at arms, respecting the suit commenced aga nst him by John Anderson, reported a resolution authorizing and requesting the Speaker to employ such counsel, as he may think proper, to defend the suit brought by John Anderson against the said Thomas Dunn, and that the expences be detrayed out of the contingent fund of the House; which resolution was concurred in.

Mr. N. reported also a bill concerning suits brought on copy rights; which was twice read and committed.

Mr N. also made an unfavorable report on the petition of John Burgen, who prays to be reliev-. ed from a suit commenced against him as security for a postmaster; which was concurred in.

Mr. Pindall, after stating that information had come to his knowledge since the decision of the He on Tirsday fast against the bill for the relief of J. J. Dufour and others, which he thought Mr. Herbert, from the committee on the dishad a material bearing on the expediency of ex-trict of Columbia, reported a bill authorizing the tending relief, in some shape, to the petitioners,corporation of the city of Washington to open and after entering into some reasons which, from and extend certain streets in certain parts of the reflection and further investigation, had occurred city of Washington, through public reservations; to him, in support of the motion he rose to make, which was twice read. moved to reconsider the vote which rejected the bill, and to bring it before the House to receive the modification which he thought would entitle it to the sanction of the House.

Mr. H. from the same committee, reported a bill authorizing the Rockville and Washington turnpike company to extend and make the same from the line of the district of Columbia to the

On this motion Mr. Lincoln submitted the rea-boundary of the city of Washington; which bill Sons which induced him to favor the petitioners, an 1 to support the bill for their rehef.

The question was then taken on reconsidering the vote on the bill, and decided in the affirmaLive; when

was twice read, and was about to be ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, when, on motion of Mr. Rich, it was referred to a committee of the whole.

On motion of Mr. Pindall, the select committee

to whom was recommitted the bill to extend to

The bill for the relief of Samuel Burr, also John James Dufour, and others, the time of pay-passed through a committee of the whole, Mr. ment for certain lands, were discharged from the Desha in the chair.

further consideration thereof, and it was ordered The same committee took up, also, the bill for to lie on the table. [The reason of this proceed-the relief of John Delafield, (to allow him to fund ing was, that a letter has been received, that the forty-three loan office certificates, of 400 dollars payment requested to be deferred has since actu-each, with the balance of interest.) ally been made, by a sacrifice of heavy discount.] A motion was made by Mr. Hendricks, to reconsider the vote of yesterday, by which the bill for the relief of Ebenezer Stevens and others was rejected; on the ground of a desire to recommit it for an amendment, the object of which was to submit the justice of the claim to the decision of the supreme court, or of some other judicial tribunal

The bill reported at the last session, authorizing a subscription to the Chesapeake and Delaware canat company, being called, as the order of the day,

Mr. Tucker, of Virginia, after stating that the gentleman (Mr. M'Lane, of Del) who reported this bill, and who was particularly interested in its discussion, was absent from the House, as one of the Bank committee; and that the information directed by a resolution of the last session to be collected by the secretary of the treasury, on the subject of internal improvements, had not yet been received respecting the Chesapeake and Delaware canal; moved that the committee of the whole, to whom the bill had been referred, be discharged therefrom, and that it be referred to the committee on internal improvement;

Which motion prevailed, and the bill was accordingly so referred.

Wednesday, December 30. Mr. Robertson reported a bill for the relief of John B. Regnier; which was read and committed.

The bill for the relief of Sampson S. King; the bill for the relief of Harold Smith; the bill for the relief of Samuel F Hooker, were severally read|| a third time and sent to the senate for concur

rence.

On motion of Mr. Holmes, two thousand additional copies were ordered to be printed of the message of the President and documents, transmitted to Congress on the 28th (respecting our relations with Spain.)

On motion of Mr. M'Lean, the committee on the public lands were instructed to inquire into the expediency of establishing additional land of fices for the sale of public lands in the state of Illinois; and also into the expediency of appointing a surveyor of the lands of the United States in said state.

On motion of Mr. Newton, a resolution directing the distribution of the copies of seybert's Statistics, subscribed for by Congress, was twice read and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

On motion of Mr. Johnson, of Ky. the committee on the post office were instructed to inquire into the expediency of authorizing the establishment of a post route from Cincinnatti, in Ohio, to New Orleans, Louisiana, by steam boats or otherwise.

The bill to incorporate the medical society of the district of Columbia, and the bill to incorporate the provident association of clerks for the district of Columbia, passed through a committee of the whole, Mr Pleasants in the chair, and were, (the former with some amendments) ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

The documents were read, connected with the bill last mentioned, and Mr. Ruggles spoke some time in favor of the claim, after which the committee rose, reported progress on the latter bill, and the House adjourned.

Song,

FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER.

written on hearing a young lady sing "O'
a' the airs the winds do blaw."
Tune-"Bra' bra' lads o' Yarrow braes."
Lassie dear ye sing a song

O' a' the songs I lo' it better,
For it was sung lang syne to me,
By one most dear, near Mohawk water.
Your voice sae rare, your heart sae true,
That modest brow and breath like heather,
Seems as 'twere she, the bonny lass,
The lass that liv'd near Mohawk water.
The rapid sweep, the foamy falls,
Of this then unfrequented river,
Shall ay be dear though years ha' flown,
Since life was new on Mohawk water.

The blooming rose bush we caress'd
Still marks the spot enrich'd by nature,
Wi' a' things sweet and fair but her,
The bonny lass of Mohawk water.

I sought these falls, I sought the rose,
Where hopes and fears had chas'd each other,
But her who sang lang syne to me,
Lay cold in death near Mohawk water.
Washington, January 1st, 1819.

FOR THE NATIONAL REGISTER.
MINOR CRITICISM.

The following exquisite Stanzas, to the Irish tune of "Oh! the Wattle," appeared originally in the "Pittsburg (Pa.) Gazette:"

"The dogs they began for till bark,
And my mother came out for till see,
And its who but our red whisker'd spark,
Just a kissing young Molly M'Gee-
And its arrah what would ye be a'ter,
Devil fire ye you villain, quoth she,
Is it you would be leaving my dater,
To take up with Molly M Gee.

Poor Pat put his hand till his daddle,
And scratched at his haffits awee,
But the rolling pin thwacked o'er his noddle,
Lord save us! cried Molly M'Gee.
And its arrah what would ye be a'ter,
Wou'd you kill my poor Paddy says she,
Sure he's right for till leave your ould dater
For sprightly young Molly M'Gee."

The reader is requested to mark the force of the expressions "for till bark," and "for till leave," &c. They denote a strength of feeling far surpassing the plain English words "for to bark" for to leave," which an ordinary bard would have used; and they signify also an intenseness of cu

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