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both in their influence and the veneration of the people, by their unaltered character and age.

His Excellency notices, with satisfaction, that the General Assembly was now convened in the new capitol of the state- -expresses his hope that it will satisfy the highest expectations formed of it, and that it may long remain a monument of the liberal ambition, and enlarged but not extravagant munificence of the state.

The first prominent subject presented for legislative consideration is thus introduced:

The Commissioners appointed to examine, value, class and select 400,000 acres of relinquished land in the Tennessee valley, given to this state by Congress, for the purpose of improving the navigation of the Tennessee and other rivers in this State, are understood to have made a return to the Register, and that the land office has been opened for the entry of the lands.' The Governor thinks the Commissioners have in some degree misapprehended the instructions of the act under which they were appointed; but if any mistake has been committed, is certain that it was altogether inadvertent and unintentional, as there can be no doubt of the high honor, integrity and intelligence of the Board of Commissioners. A protracted exposition and argument follow on the subject, the results of which may be thus expressed: - The Commissioners have not classed the whole of the 400,000 acres, nor have they valued the most inferior class of the selection, at a price not-less than the minimum price of the lands of the United States. The distinction of unclassed lands, composing a part of the 400,000 acres selected, made by the Commissioners, was not only unauthorized by the act, but in direct opposition to its express requirements. The law therefore appears not to have been complied with; and there seems reason to believe cannot be and the return made to the Register is consequently irregular and invalid. Some explanatory and corrective enactments are requisite for the honor and interests of the state, and the rights of those who have entered lands under the arrangements made by the Commissioners.

The observations in relation to the granted lands grew out of these circum

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state, and the proceeds to be applied to the improvement of the navigation of the Muscle Shoals and other parts of the Tennessee. This land was supposed at the time of the grant to be worth at least ten dollars per acre. The state appointed commissioners to value it, allowing preference of purchase to the persons in possession at the valuation price. The consequence was that in favoring the occupants, the lands were valued so low as to defeat the object of the grant,the 400,000 acres, estimated to be worth several millions of dollars, having been valued at only five or six hundred thousand dollars.

The insufficiency of the salaries now received by the Judges of the State, the Attorney-general and the Solicitors, is next pressed upon the attention of the Legislature. The present compensation of these officers is inadequate to the importance and dignity of their places, and both justice and sound policy require its increase.

On the subject of the Tariff the message remarks:

At the last session of the General Assembly, a strong but temperate memorial was addressed to the Government of the United States, on the subject of the last Tariff imposed on imported articles. It is hoped that more mature reflection as well as the experience of many pla ces, will have combined to produce the conviction, that it threatens the country in general with many evils, without producing even the common share of insulated benefits which frequently attend even bad measures. Its impolicy, injustice, and unconstitutionality, may be truly said to become every day more apparent. It would seem to have had its principal spring in the desires and passions of our nature, which are certainly the least respectable, and are more likely to produce feelings of just indignation, than to conciliate or reconcile. Judicious and temperate efforts for the constitutional repeal of this obnoxious measure, should in no wise be intermitted; the argument, if argument can still have place, should be more full, and the tone mcre earnest. In the meantime no expedient should be left unessayed the inore fully to counteract it. The dictates of honorable interest, as well as the love of country, (not that sickly and contracted sentiment which can only embrace the small circle of our own selfish pursuits, but that which is the offspring of enlarged benevolence and generous philanthropy) should prompt us to do

away, as speedily as we can, this pernicious error.'

A revision of the Criminal Laws is next recommended, not with a view to introduce new sanctions, but to insure the proper application of those already provided. It too frequently happens, that criminals, especially those who are affluent, influential, or who have many friends, escape the punishment due to their crimes. It is painful to hear the remark, that it is difficult to convict such a criminal, however clearly his guilt may be established. The present mode of obtaining the jury seems to be principally chargeable with the fault."

Speaking of the policy adopted by the Executive Government of the United States towards the Indian Tribes residing within the limits of Alabama and other states, the Governor says- It seems alike calculated to do justice to the states, and to promote the best interests and happiness of the Indians. There can be little doubt of its ultimate and speedy success.'

The buildings of the University are advancing handsomely towards completion, and will be ready for occupation as soon as the other arrangements for the commencement of the institution can be made.

Some local matters of little general interest are then adverted to among which we notice that the accounts with the State of Mississippi have been adjusted.

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INDIANS. By a census taken under the authority of the State Government, the Creeks in Alabama appear to exceed 20,000 in number and that 535 slaves are owned by Indians of that tribe. LEGISLATION. -The Legislature at the session of 1829-30 ordered the sales of the public lands granted for the internal improvement of the State to be suspended for three months. It also created a board of internal improvement.

A resolution was also passed to amend the State Constitution so as to linit the term of judicial officers to six years, and another resolution proposing an amendmet to the State Constitution so as to have biennial sessions of the Legislature. Several resolutions were also passed by the Legislature requesting the aid of the General Government in promoting the internal improvement of the state.

May, 1830. The Grand Jury of the Circuit Court for Pike County, Alabama, at a late term, presented Major Philip Wager, of the United States Army, for an alleged infraction of the rights of the citizens of Alabama; he having issued a proclamation, by order of the Secretary of War, directing all white persons not having permits, or Indian wives, to leave the territory of the Creek Indians within fifteen days. The Grand Jury pronounced the Major and his men guilty of a violation of the laws of Alabama, that State, at the last session of the Legislature, having extended its jurisdiction over the said territory.

MISSISSIPPI.

1830. The legislature at its session of 1829-30 passed an act extending the jurisdiction of the state over the Indians within its limits, and incorporating them in the mass of the free population of the state. The following is the act:

STATE OF MISSISSIPPI. An act to extend the laws of the state of Mississippi over the persons and property of the Indians resident within its limits.

Sec. 1. Be it enacted by the senate and house of representatives of the state of Mississippi in general assembly convened, That from and after the passage of this act, all the rights, privileges, and immunities and franchises, held, claimed, or enjoyed, by those persons called Indians, and their descendants, and which are held by virtue of any form of policy, usage, or custom, existing among said persons, not particularly recognised and

established by the common law or statutes of the state of Mississippi, be, and the same are hereby wholly abolished and taken away.

Sec. 2. Be it further enacted, That all the rights, privileges, immunities, and franchises, held and enjoyed by free white persons, inhabitants of the said states, be, and the same are hereby given, granted and extended to the said persons called Indians, and their descendants, in as full and ample a manner as the same can be done by an act of the general assembly.

Sec. 3. Be it further enacted, That all the laws, statutes, and ordinances now in force in the said state of Mississippi, be, and the same are hereby declared to have full force, power, and operation over the persons and property of and within the territory now occupied by the said Indians.

Sec. 4. Be it further enacted, That all marriages, matrimonial connexions or associations, entered into by virtue of any usage or custom of the said Indians: and by them deemed valid, be, and the same are hereby declared to be as binding and obligatory as if the same had been solemnized according to the laws of this state.

Sec. 5. Be it further enacted, That any person or persons, who shall assume on him or themselves, and exercise in any manner whatever the office of chief, mingo, headman, or other post of power, established by the tribal statutes, ordinances, or customs of the said Indians, and not particularly recognised by the laws of this state, shall on conviction on indictment or presentment before court of competent jurisdiction, be fined in any sum not exceeding one thousand dollars, and be imprisoned any time not exceeding twelve months, at the discretion of the court before whom conviction may be had.

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Sec. 6. Be it further enacted, That the boundaries, specified in an 'act, entitled an act to extend legal process in that part of the state now occupied by the Chickasaw and Choctaw tribes of Indians.' passed, February 4th, 1829, shall be so construed as to make all legal process returnable, as by that act required.

JOSEPH DUNBAR, speaker of H. R. A. M. SCOTT, president of senate. Approved, Jan. 19, 1830.

GERARD C. BRANDON.

March. HAIL STORM.- Port Gibson was visited on the last of this month with a very violent and destructive hail storm. During its continuance, (about half an hour) all other sounds were drowned, in the rattling of broken glass and pelting noise of the hail on the roofs; and the streets presented a scene of wild confusion. Such a storm never before, it is said, visited the country since its settlement.

Hundreds of bushels of hail stones of various sizes, and every shape, lay in the streets when the storm had passed over. Some were much larger than an egg, and the most common size was about as large; some that were measured were more than six inches in circumference, and weighed an ounce and a quarter. On the same evening, we understand a similar storm visited Natchez.

July. THE MISSISSIPPI.- A western paper states, that the agent employed by the government, Captain Shreve, has perfectly succeeded in rendering about three hundred miles of the river as harmless as a mill pond, and will, in the course of a short period, remove every obstruction from Trinity to Balize. His plan is to run down the snags with a double steam boat; the bows are connected by a tremendous beam plated with iron; he puts on a heavy head of steam, and runs the snags down; they are found uniformly to break off at the point of junction with the bottom of the river and float away.

LOUISIANA.

Sept. 1829. The yellow fever prevailed with great violence this summer at New Orleans. It ceased about the 1st of November.

1830. LEGISLATURE. - The Legislature met at Donaldsonville on the 4th of January.

The Senate chose Mr Moreau Lislet as their President pro tempore, and adopted a resolution 10 ayes, 5 nays, declaring that the functions of Governor devolved on the President annually elected by them. That resolution having been sent to the House of Representatives, was rejected by that body-17 ayes 18 nays.

The Message of Mr Beauvais, the acting Governor, was presented to both Houses on the 6th. A considerable portion of the Message is taken up with a respectful allusion to the late Governor Derbigny and his melancholy death

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and with observations on the constitutional ambiguity as to the proper successor to the office of Governor when thus vacated. Measures are recommended for obviating difficulties on this subject hereafter.

The Governor recommends a revision of the law relating to the importation of slaves, and to consider whether the growing evil has not now reached such a height as to demand whether it may be advisable to prohibit their introduction altogether, or, at least, to fix the age above which they shall not be introduced.

'Apprehensions have been entertained that the duties imposed on foreign sugars by the United States, might be reduced, and these apprehensions have spread great and serious alarm among those of our fellow citizens who are engaged in that branch of agriculture. I

recommend to you to impress upon our representatives in Congress the absolute necessity for the safety of this state, that those duties should be maintained. Large capitals are embarked in this culture, the expenses attending it are enormous, reliance has been placed upon the faith of the nation, and a change in the system which has hitherto been pursued in this respect. would plunge this state into inextricable embarrassments.

The law on the subject of roads and levees passed at your last session, needs, I think, some amendment. One section requires that all the inspectors of the parish must assemble to order what works shall be done on the public levees. It often happens that they cannot all assemble. I think it would be better to fix the number necessary for this business at three fourths or two thirds.

I would also recommend it to you to renew your exertions to obtain the share to which we are entitled in the proceeds of the sales of the public lands in this state; and also to endeavor to obtain from Congress a donation of those lands within the limits of Louisiana and which remain unsold. Their value to the United States is inconsiderable, to us their proceeds applied to the construction of new roads, and to the opening of canals by which the superfluous waters of the Mississippi may escape to the ocean, would be productive of great advantages Louisiana would become more healthy - our brethren of the North might settle among us without dread of those autumnal fevers which sometimes rage with such fatal violence upon the banks of this mighty stream, and this beautiful and fertile region, and the great emporium of the West would be rendered secure from the danger of inundation.'

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contains 17 sections, the purport of which is, that all free negroes, mulattos, and other free persons of color, who have come into the state since the 1st of January, 1825, in violation of the Act passed on the 14th of April, 1807, or who may hereafter come into the state, shall be ordered to leave the same within 60 days, under penalty of one year's imprisonment at hard labor; and unless they depart in 30 days after the expiration of their sentence, the penalty shall be increased to imprisonment for life. An exception is made in favor of those holding property, on which they actually pay state taxes,so far as to allow them one year before departure, on condition of giving security for their good behaviour, and that they will depart when the year has expired. Free persons of color who shall come into the state as seamen, &c, attached to any vessel, and who shall not depart with said vessel, provided she is destined for an outward voyage, or if not, who shall remain in the state longer than 13 days, are made liable to the same penalties as above provided. Free persons who shall knowingly bring or cause to be brought into the state, any free person of color, and shall hold him as a slave or offer to sell him as a slave, are made subject to a penalty of $1000 for each offence, over and above the damages which may be recovered. Persons emancipating slaves are required to give bonds of $1000 for each person so emancipated, conditioned on the permanent removal of the same from the state, within one month after the act of emancipation.

Sec. 9. Be it further enacted, &c, That if any white person shall be convicted of being the author, printer, or publisher of any written or printed paper or papers within the state, or shall use any language with the intent to disturb the peace or security of the same, in relation to the slaves of the people of this state, or to diminish that respect which is commanded of free persons of color for the whites, by the 40th section of an act entitled an act prescribing the rules and conduct to be observed with respect to negroes or slaves of this territory, approved June 7th, 1805,' or to destroy that line of distinction which the law has established between the several classes of this community: such person shall be adjudged guilty of a high misdemeanor, and shall be fined in a sum not less than three hundred dollars, nor exceeding one thousand dollars, and

moreover imprisoned for a term not less than six months, nor exceeding three years; and if any free person of color shall be convicted of such offence, he, she, or they, shall be sentenced to pay a fine not exceeding one thousand dollars, and imprisoned at hard labor for a time not less than three years, nor more than five years, and at the expiration of such imprisonment, be banished from this state for life.

Resolved, &c, That our Senators in Congress be instructed, and our Representatives requested, to accede to and support such measures as those that are contemplated by the law of 1828, on the tariff.

We understand that these resolutions passed the Senate unanimously, and the house with only seven dissentients.

ELECTIONS.

Bieunvenu Roman

A law was passed making it punishable with death or imprisonment at the July. For Governor. discretion of the court to do any act having a tendency to excite insubordination among the slave population.

It was also made an offence punishable with imprisonment of not less than one nor more than twelve months to teach a slave to read or write.

A law was also passed authorizing the Governor to surrender to duly authorized officers, any persons charged with having been guilty of murder, arson, robbery, forgery, counterfeiting or rape in any foreign country; provided that such evidence be furnished of his guilt as would warrant his commitment for trial.

Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the state of Louisiana, in general assembly convened, That the general assembly of this state do not concur in the views and sentiments expressed by the resolutions of the legislature of the state of Mississippi, relative to the tariff of 1823; and that the legislature of this state does not perceive any unconstitutionality in adopting such

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3638

Beauvais

1478

Hamilton

2701

Randall

463

Congress.

1st District
2d do.

E. D. White,

Gen. Thomas,

1040

Ripley,

910

Saunders,

515

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2787 1164

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Orleans

St Barnard

Attakapas and Opelousas
Plaquemines
Bayou Lafourche
Barataria

TENNESSEE.

September, 1829. The Legislature of this state assembled at Nashville on the 21st of this month. Dr Joel Walker, was elected Speaker of the Senate, and Wm. R. Hill and Gen. Wm. Martin, Clerk and Assistant Clerk. Ephraim H. Foster was appointed Speaker of the House, and Thomas J. Campbell, and Edmund W. Tipton, Clerks.

A Message was then received from His Excellency William Hall, the Governor. It calls the attention of the Legislature to the condition of the Judicial

Total 87965 39874

System of the State, and recommends that some measures may be devised for the punishment of criminal offences more effectual than appear practicable under the present state of things. The multiplied acts of violence and outrage, are doubtless encouraged by the facilities with which the heavy sanctions of the law are wholly evaded. State-prisons and Penitentiaries on the plans of many of the other states are suggested.

The promotion of Public Education is next presented to the attention of the

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