SPEECH 
 
 OF 
 
 liOYIi^2s"Oia, liL\XTOX- 
 
 TO THE 
 
 LEGISLATURE 
 
 DF THE STATE OP NEW-YORl^, 
 
 ON THt: 
 
 iSlXTH DAY OF JANUARY, 1819. 
 
 .*' i g O »» w 
 
 ALBANY: 
 
 PRINTED AT THE REGISTER OFFICE, 
 1819. 
 
61503 . 
 •05 ? 
 
 123 
 
^Pl^E^^B^ 
 
 Hentlanen of the Senate and. of the Assemlly, 
 
 A MEETING of the representatives of a free people for 
 the purposes of legislation, is, at all times, an event interesting to 
 the community and honorat)le to the human character : but its 
 importance is greatly enhanced, when they are called upon, by 
 the peculiar state of the country, to deliberate and to decide np- 
 on subjects intimately associated with its prosperity and its honor, 
 and with the cardinal interests of all future generations. Under 
 these circumstances you have now assembled, and fortunately at 
 a time the most propitious to patriotic views, to wise deliberations 
 and to energetic decisions. At no period, within my recollection, 
 has the public mind been in a state of greater tranquillity, more 
 exempt from the impulses of ambition, and the agitations of fac- 
 tion, and more accessible to the influence of reason and of pa- 
 
 triotism. , . , 
 
 Our country is in a state of profound peace, which promises a 
 long duration, and even the civilized nations of the eastern hemi- 
 sphere have 'sheathed the desolating sword. An enlightened 
 and exalted spirit predominates friendly, to the primary interests 
 of the state,— to the promotion of agriculture, commerce and the 
 
 arts, to the-encouragement of literature and science, of schools, 
 
 academies, colleges, universities and learned societies— to the 
 advancement of those great internal communications which form 
 the basis of individual and public wealth, and to the elevation of 
 our national character, by works of public snd permanent utility, 
 and by acts which consult the welfare and the dignity of the hu- 
 man race. In addition to these distinguished advantages, we 
 have enjoyed the blessings of a healthy season and of an abun- 
 dant harvest ; our seminaries of instruction have increased ia 
 usefulness; our population is augmenting beyond all former ex- 
 perience ; justice is administered with purity and ability; the 
 maiesly of the laws is respected ; the influence of religion and 
 morality is spreading : And, after fully estimating those afflic- 
 tions, which must be experienced by all human beings, and those 
 evils'which are incident to all human institutions, it is not too 
 much to say, that we never had more reason to be grateful to the 
 Almighty Dispenser of all good. At a period so auspicious, we 
 cannot therefore anticipffte disappointment from your delibera- 
 tions. As the faithful representatives of the people, possessing 
 their confidence, you will not hesitate to obey their voice. And, 
 'm discharging an important duty assigned to me by the constitu- 
 tion I shall exhibit to you without reserve, but with the most 
 profound respect, my views of the policy which ought to be pur- 
 sued, of the evils which ought to be corrected, and of the me^- 
 iures which ought to be adopted. 
 
4 
 
 The progress of our iuternal imiirovcnieuU has cquailet] oup 
 most sanguine expectations. In ilie course of the next season, 
 the Northern Camil, extending from Whitehall at the head of 
 Lake Champlain, to Fort Edward, on the Hudson River, a dis- 
 tance of twenty-three miles, and the whole of the middle seclion 
 of the Western Canal, comprising ninety-four miles, and reachiug 
 from the Seneca Uiver to the Mohawk River at Utica, will be 
 completed and in a navigable s<ate. Thus, in less thao two 
 and a half years, canals to the extent of one hundred and seven- 
 teen miles will be perfected : And, as the eastern and western 
 sections of the caoal from Lake Erie to Hudson River will be 
 about two hundred and sixty miles, it is evident that, by the ap- 
 plication of similar means and the exertion of similar powers, the 
 whole of this infernal navigation can be fiuished in six years 
 from the present period, including also the improvements essen- 
 tial on Hudson River, from Fort Edward to the head of sloop 
 navigation. It is satisfactory also to know that, so far as we can 
 judge from the lights of experience, the actual expenses have not 
 exceeded the estimates of the commissioners : And, with all the 
 advantages arising from increased knowledge, from improved 
 skill aud from circumspect experience, we are firmly persuaded, 
 that the aggregate expense will fall short of the total estimate. It 
 is also a most gratifying consideration, loliud, that from the pro- 
 gressive and flourishing state of the fund appropriated to this ob- 
 ject, the whole undertaking can bo completed without providing 
 any auxiliary resources and without ini|)Osing any taxes on the 
 community. From (he commencement of the next year, the 
 finished portions of the canals will be in a stale productive of 
 considerable revenue. 
 
 By the act respecting navigable communications between the 
 great western and northern lakes and the Atlantic ocean, passed 
 the l5fh April, 1817, the commissioners are only empowered to 
 make canals between the Mohawk aud Serieca rivers and be- 
 tween Lake Champlain and (he Hudson river. Possessing, how- 
 ever, under that act and the act to provide for the improvement 
 of the internal navigation of the state, passed the 17th A[)ril, 
 1816, authority to make (he necessary surveys and to lay out the 
 proper routes for the whole of the Western and Northern Canal?, 
 they have not overlooked (he latter, although their attention has 
 been principally devoted to the former object. By (hat initiatory 
 arn;ugement, it was obviously the intention of the Legislature to 
 bring the calculations of (he commissioners to (he (ouchs(one of 
 experiment and to determine whether the resources of the state 
 are adequate to the whole operation. 
 
 This trial has taken jdace in the most satisfactory manner, 
 and there cannot exist a doubt of the feasibility of the work or of 
 the ability of the state. It is therefore highly expedient (hat a 
 law should be passed, during the present session, authorising the 
 completion of the whole work as soon as possible. In the course 
 of this year, (he routes can be then so far definitively settled as 
 to enable (he formation of contracts to take effect in the spring 
 9f 1820, by which means a whole year will be saved to the op?- 
 
o 
 
 ration and the state ^viii have the benefit of experienced contiac 
 tors, who miglit, under a different state of things, be emj.Ioyed iu 
 other undertiikings. And, when we contemplate Ihe immense 
 benttiis which will be derived I'rom the consequent promotion of 
 agriculture, manulactures and commerce,— from the acquisition 
 of revenue, — from the establishment of character and from the 
 consolidation of the federal union, we muet feel ourselves impelled 
 by the most commanding motives, to proceed in our honorable 
 career, by perfecting with all possible expedition this inland na- 
 vigation. . 
 
 At the present period a ton of commoddies can be conveyed 
 from Buffalo to Albany by land for one hundred dollars and to 
 Montreal, principally by water for tweniy-five. Hence it is ob- 
 vious that the whole of the vast region to the west of that flour- 
 ishing village, and the greater part of the extensive and fertile 
 country east of it, are prevented from sending their productions 
 to our commercial emporium and that they must cither resort to 
 the precarious markets of Canada, or, to places more distant, less 
 accessible or less advantageous. When the great western Canal 
 is finished, the expense of transportation from Buffalo to Albany 
 ^vill not exceed ten dollars a ton. Almost the whole of the as- 
 cending trade of the west will be derived from the city of New- 
 York, and a great portion of the descending products will accu- 
 mulate in that important depot. If half a million of tons are, at 
 the present period, transported on the waters of the Hudson river, 
 it is reasonable to suppose that the time is not distant, when the 
 commodities conveyed on the Canals will be equal in amount. 
 A small transit duty will consequently produce an immense in- 
 come applicable to the speedy extinguishment of the debt con- 
 tracted for the Canals, and to the prosecution of other important 
 improvements. . p r . 
 
 In these works, then, we behold the operation of a powerlul 
 enaine of finance and of a prolific source of revenue. 
 
 It is certainly more important that the productive clashes of so- 
 ciety should have good markets, out of the state, than that they 
 should be exclusively confined to indifferent or fluctuating mar- 
 kets in it. In the former case, wealth is diffused over the whole 
 country, while in the latter, it is limited to a few great towns. A 
 wise government ought to encourage commnnications with those 
 places, where the farmer and manufacturer can sell at the highest 
 and buy at the lowest price. And, as the acquisition of many 
 markets encreases the chance of good ones, and diminishes, in 
 many instances, the expenses of transportation, and guards against 
 the pernicious fluctuations of price, 1 look forward with pleasure 
 to the speedy arrival of the time, when the State will be able to 
 improve the navigation of the Susquehannah, the Allegany, the 
 Genessee and the St. Lawrence,— to assist in connecting the wa- 
 ters of the grf at lakes and of the Mississippi,--to form a junction 
 between the Western Canal and Lake Ontario by the Oswego 
 River, and to promote the laudable intention of Pennsylvania to 
 unite the Seneca Lake with the bead waters of the Susquehan- 
 pah. 
 
"■But fliere are oilier anJ more important considerations con 
 .iiecled with this subject whicli enter into (he very essence of our 
 liberty and pros|»eritf. The gloomy and comfortless doctrine, 
 which Bupi)05e8 man incapable of tree government, necessarily 
 implies that he must be subject to a bad one, because it presuji- 
 poses his utter incompetence to govern either others or himseir. 
 In hereditary and elective monarchies and indeed in all govern- 
 ments not founded on the broad basis of equal representation, the 
 actual ruler is the prime minister of the day, elected from time to 
 lime l)y the prince to govern the country. Whether this right of 
 ••.housing be vested in an hereditary elector, or, in an elector for 
 life, appointed by a diet or a conclave, or, in an elector chosen by 
 an army of Janissaries, it is clear that it is a faint recognition of 
 the representative principle transferred from the body of the peo- 
 ple to an irresponsible individual totally unfit, from his situation 
 and education, to exercise it with patriotism and intelligence. 
 Who then can doubt the superior excellence of a free government, 
 its entire eccordance with the dignity of man and its almost ex- 
 clusive devotedness to his happiness ? But in the United States 
 our liberty and our union are inseparably connected, A (lis- 
 rnembermeut of the republic into beparate confederacies would 
 necessarily produce the jealous circumspection and hostile prepa- 
 rations of bordering states : large standing armies would be imme- 
 diately raised; unceasing and vindictive wars would follow, 
 and a military despotism would reign triumphant on the ruins of 
 civilliberty. A dissolution of the union may therefore be con- 
 eidered the natural death of our free government. And to avert 
 this awful calamity, all local prejudices and geographical distinc- 
 tions should be discarded, the peojile should be habituated to fre- 
 quent intercourse and beneficial inter-communication and the 
 ivhole Republic ought to be bound together by the golden ties of 
 commerce and the adamantine chains of interest. When the 
 "Western Canal is finished ami a communication is formed be- 
 tween Lake Michigan and the Illinois River, or between the Ohic 
 and the waters of Lake Erie, the greater part of the United 
 Slates will form one vast island susceptible of circumnavigation 
 to the extent of many thousand milas. The most distant parts of 
 the confederacy will then be in a state of approximation and the 
 dlistinctions of Eastern and Western, of Southern and Northern 
 interests will be entirely prostrated. To be instrumental in pro- 
 <lucing so much good, by increasing the stock of human hRppi- 
 ress, — by establishing the perpetuity of free government and, by 
 extending the empire of improvement, of knowledge, of refine- 
 ment an<l of religion is an ambition worthy of a free people. The 
 most exalted reputation is that which arises from the dispensation 
 of happiness to our fellow creatures and that conduct is most ac- 
 ceptable to God which is most beneficial to man. Character is 
 as important to states as to individuals, and the glory of a republic 
 founded on the promotion of the general good is the common pro- 
 perly of all its citizens. 
 
 Important however as these improvements are, yet they ought 
 cot to engross all our attention nor command all our resources. 
 
^bere are other objects ot primary consequence which tleiiianii^ 
 the raunificeuce ol' the government and, 1 am happy to say that 
 simple means are at our disposal. 
 
 The fund appropriated (or the benefit of common schools, con- 
 sists of a million of dollars, invested in bank stock, aod in bonds 
 and mwt gages, and about eighty thousand acres of laud. Here^ 
 lofore sixty thousand dollars have been annually divided among 
 the common schools, and at the present period seventy thousand 
 may be distributed ; but it is supposed that this cannot be done 
 with propriety, in consequence of the varying and increasing state 
 of our population until a new census is taken. There is also a con- 
 siderable fund denomiuated the Literature fund, and the Regents 
 of the Uoiversity distributed, during the last year, among several 
 academies, the gum of 4000 dollars, which they will be able to 
 i;ontinu«. 
 
 Without advertiRg to a million ofacres of unapproprialed land, 
 some of which is very valuable, and the ivhole of Avhich is com- 
 petent to the extinguishment of the public debt, it is sufficient to 
 observe that the surplus of ordinary revenue beyond the current 
 demands of government for the present year, will be about ninety 
 thousand dollars, which will be augmented by the payment otthe 
 arrearages of taxes seventy thousand dollars, and also by iho 
 payment of the debt due from the United States ; so that, without 
 taking into view large sums of money which may come iuto the 
 Treasury from Other source?, there will be iu all probability three 
 hundred thousaod dollars, applicable to objects of public utility. 
 
 The legislature having deemed itexpedieut to apply the avails- 
 Of certain lotteries to the encouragement of education, andothen 
 beneficial purposes, it was not witnout extreme regret that I have 
 observed the credit of those institutions seriously impaired. As 
 Ihe payment of prizes is guaranteed by the slate, and is not lim- 
 ited as to time, it is hoped that the public confidence will be com- 
 pletely restored under the administration of the present managers. 
 In ordtr to promote this desirable end, and to mitigate as far as- 
 possible the demoralizing effects of lotteries, (which can only be 
 accomplishefl by rapid drawing) aod to guard against fraud an<! 
 negligence, I have caused cerlaiu instructions to be eommunicat- 
 cd to the managers, a copy of which will be laid before you 5 
 and it will be expedient for you to protect the lotteries against the 
 control of contractors by meana which will be suggested, ant! 
 which will be efficacious. 
 
 Having on a former occasion solicited the attention of the Le- 
 gislature to the encouragement of agriculture, I have to express 
 my regret at the failure of a measure generally admitted to be 
 proper and expedient, on account of a difference of opinion as to 
 its modification. That this important pursuit is (he foundatiora 
 <if wealth, power, and prosperity — that it requires the energies of 
 the mind as well as the labors of the body — that it demands the 
 Ughtof science to guide its progress, and the munificence of go- 
 vernment to acfelerate its movements, to expend its usefulness, 
 and to diffuse i(s bicssinj:?, nre positions which cannot be contro- 
 vert fd. 
 
8 
 
 Why shoiiM the countenance of the stale tie retjuired for th^ 
 vncouragernent of the arts and sciences in general, and agricul 
 tiire, the niudt irnportuut of all arts, the niosl useful of ttll sbieuces, 
 be alone proscribed trorn partjcijiation in ita bounty / 
 
 A 8i)irit favorable to this great impruvenieni is rising and 
 ppreading in all directions, and wherever it is experienced it car- 
 ries in its train extensive and innumeraLle blessings. The So- 
 cieties already instituted have, by stinnilaling eniuiation and dif- 
 fusing inrormatiwu, elfectfjil great gooil ; an.l if they be assisted 
 in their useful and honoral>le careei- by pecuniary appropriations, 
 and if a board of agriculture, connec'ed with a course of approjMri- 
 ate stuilies, be instituted, we have every reason to believe that 
 the most bcueQcial consequeaces will result, in njultiplying the 
 products of ihe country — in encrcasini; (he value and ameliorat- 
 in;; the quality of our cjtntno'iities — in [»reventing the undue aug- 
 m<ntation of the learned professions, and in maintaining (he equi- 
 librium of society, by restoring Ihe most important interest, and 
 the most nuniiTOiis calling, to itsineritetl iutellectnal rank. The 
 Board of Agriculture ought also to l)e invested with authority to 
 iiii\ke a statistical survey of tbe state, and to obtain periodical re- 
 turns of births, marriages and deaths. A knowledge of our re- 
 sources, of our animal, vegetable and mineral [iroducfions, of the 
 condition of our agriculture, manufactures and trade, and, gene- 
 rally speaking, complete iiilormation of the stale of the country 
 v.'ith a view to its amelioration, would t^lFect great improvements 
 in the practical pursuits of life, and would open new and impor- 
 tant views in the science of political philosa;>by — a science of all 
 others the most interesting, and the least uiid^-rslood. Th? spe- 
 cial designation of a tund for these objects, either by some of the 
 expedients proposed at the list session, or by otliers i\hich can be 
 easily devised, is required by every consideration of public spirit 
 and public duty. 
 
 In connection with this subject it is proper to remark that the 
 reputation of our llour is at such a lo*v ebb in foreign markets, that 
 it sells from one and a half to two dollars less by the Oarrel th^ii 
 that exported Irom Philadelphia and Baltimore. 'JMiis caunot be 
 imputed to the inferiority of the seed — to the sterility of the soil, 
 or to its natural inaptitude for such productions. On the contra- 
 ry there is reason to believe that wheat is one of our indigenous 
 plants, and we are certain that our soil and climate are admirably 
 adapted to its growth. The fault niutt be with the farmi r, the 
 mauulaoturer, or inspector. The value of a bushel of wheat for 
 Ihe last ten years has averaged from one and a half to two dol- 
 lars, and the flour inspected in the port of New- York is about 
 300,000 barrels a year. The immense loss sustained by the bad 
 state of this 8ta|)le commodity requires an efficient remedy. The 
 Chamber of Commerce of the city of New- York have instituted 
 an enquiry on this subject, and their commendable zeal will, 1 am 
 persuaded, prove honorable to their institution, and beneficial to 
 thtir country. 
 
 As the prosperity of agriculture is essentially connected with 
 ensy and cheap means of transportation, the importance of good 
 
communications by land, as well as l)y water, cannot escape yoiir 
 attention. All roarts leading to navigable rivers and lakes — (o 
 cities, towns and villages — to manulacturing establishmenla and 
 depositories of produce and merchandize, are eulitled to your 
 countenance; and in places of a ditfertnt descviption, where a 
 thin and commencing population prevents the extensive and use- 
 ful application of individual exertion, there is every inducement 
 on your part to encourage the growth ind settlement of the coun- 
 try, by opening the means of communication. The improvement 
 of old, and the creation of new roads, is at al! times an incumbent 
 duty, and a beneficial exercise of power. It cannot have esciip- 
 
 -€d your observation, that in many instances the worst highways 
 are in the most ancient and opulent settlements; that several 
 turnpikes have injured instead of facilitating intercourse, and that 
 
 the laws on this subject do not reach the sources of the evil. 
 
 In our zeal, however, to establish new and good roads, indifferent 
 sections of the country, let us not transcend the limits of private 
 right and public utility. It is a novel, and to say the least, a 
 questionable exercise of authority, to coerce contributions to the 
 slock of Turnpike Companies, and it is apprehended that cases 
 have occm-'red where meritorious settlers and nonresident propri- 
 etors have grievously suffered by the exaction of assessments to 
 open communications artfully contrived for the bene^t pf individu- 
 als, without any view to the public accommodation. 
 
 The provision for elementary instruction is so liberal that no 
 further pecuniary assistance is required : but your interposition 
 in other respects would be attended with decided advantages. 
 The most durable impressions <are derived from the first stages of 
 education. Ignorant and vicious preceptors, and injudicious and 
 ill arranged systems of education, must have a most pernicious 
 influence upon the habits, manners, morals, and minds of our 
 youth, and may vitiate their conjluct through life; and it is a 
 subject no less of regret than astonishment, that, beyond initia- 
 tory instruction, the education of the female sex has been utterly 
 excluded from the contemplation of our laws. The ex[)ediency 
 of instructing teachers in the Lancasterian system and of pro- 
 moting its general adoption, has heretofore been intimated to the 
 legislature. 
 
 When it is considered ihat education is the guardian of liberty 
 and the bulwark of morality, — ajid tliat knowledge and virtue 
 are, generally speaking, inseparable companions, and are in the 
 
 ■ moral, what light and heat are in the natural world — the illumi- 
 nating and vivifying principle. — I trust that I need no apology 
 in soliciting an extension of your patronage to the higher semi- 
 
 maries of education. 
 
 In the year 1814, a grant of 200,000 dollars was made to 
 Union College — of 40,000 dollars to Hamilton College, and of 
 the Botanic Garden on the Island of New- York to Columbia 
 Collese, on condition that the establishment be removed to Ihat 
 place within twelve years from the time of the donation. It was 
 MndouI)tedIy intended that the grant to Columbia College should 
 be substantial and beneficial, but it was fettered with a condition 
 
 .linJer the mistaken inipression that a removal of the instiluiion 
 
 2 
 
10 
 
 wouM he rxpe.llent. The operallon of tins chan-c of pince 
 r.u hethe'conv.rsioi. of a city, into a country c<jll.se.and^ 
 a consequ-nt .xclu.ion of the youth ol the c.ty ol NewAork 
 ?roM ils'tM'nef.lB, unless thoy incurre.l sreat «"(! "nnrcessary ex- 
 e,.... An.I, H3 many persons ,>rdrr the cducat.on of t c r 
 rh '.renin ci>ie., it is uncjuestional.Iy In^t that ^-^r^^-^;^; 
 fe<re .houhl continue in its ,.resont po..t.on .n order t .U a 1 he 
 Ic^ur^ ...en of the state .n.y be ucco.nn,o.late.l accon hng to hn 
 • ns'of their parents. A compliance with the cond.t.on ol he 
 o antou^l.t therefore not to he e:ipecte<l ; an.l . ,3 »'or» / '' 
 The legislature will look wiih a benign eye upon th.sanc.cnt and 
 most excellent seminary and consent to extend .In bessmgs by 
 e uh^iiu.ionof .u equivalent donation. Nor ough, the .ntc- 
 rests of the other colleges to be overlooked. The character ot 
 Union College cannot be increased by any eu og.um Irom llm 
 nia-e And the infant establishment of Hamilton r.s.ng mlo 
 Usefulness and reputation with rapid strides under the guuiance 
 of Itinguishcd ,nen, not only requires InU deserve, the boun y 
 of the stTite. Having during the last year r.^commende<l 1o )our 
 nalronase the Colleges of Physicians an<l S.irgeons and the so- 
 ci.-tie. devoted to literature, f clence, an.l the arts I have o , y 
 to sav that these institutions continue to merit by then- inoelati- 
 gable activitv, well directed industry, and d.stmgu.she. k..ow- 
 led-e, the high character then ascribed to Ihem and that, in 
 evel-y respect, they are entitled to the public munificence. 
 
 Amnn-Ihe mi.nerous and interesting objects which have ex- 
 perie.u-ed the benevolence of individuals and the countenance of 
 L government, it is pleacing to observe that the interests of the 
 dur,ib an.l the insane have not been overlooked,-two unfortunate 
 descriptions of our fellow creatures shut out Irom the l>!ess,ngs of 
 social connnunion, and entille.l to our deepest p'^'V^^^'y' 
 
 The li'.>e.;!l ^^rant of 10,000 dollars a year to the governors of 
 the ^ew-Yo.•k Hospital has enabled them to erect a most spa- 
 cious and accon.mo.;aling asylum for lunat.cs about .even m.les 
 from the city, and on the island of New-York : An.l the appl.ca- 
 rlf this^-un.l has been so judiciously <lirected by ,ts benevo- 
 enl adn.inistrators, that the contemplated e.hfices a,id accomrno- 
 dations will l)c completed d.jring the next season, and without the 
 existence of anv del)t after the expiration of f.lteen year. 
 
 In Ai.ril 1817, the New-York Institution for the Instruction 
 of the Deaf and Dumb was incorporated, and it now contains 
 Ihirty two persons in a state of rapid improvement, communicating 
 ideas by signs and vocal sounds, and favoured wi.h able a..d ex- 
 cellent ieachers, who, l,y a combination of the I- rench am. Eng- 
 lish systems of tuition, conceived with singular ingenmty ami 
 ,^:^ec.ited with admirable felicity, have deserved well of the 
 
 friends of humanity. .„ . , .i • • «^-«„f 
 
 I cheri-h the fullest confuleDce that you will take th.3 interest- 
 ing rstablishmrnt und.r your special protection, «"'\.;'^'''^ 5;°"; 
 iminilkence will only be exceeded by its merits. A liberal po - 
 lion of the school fund applicable to the city of New-.ork u 
 one of the many mea.,s by which its exigencies may '"^^'-PPl'^ < • 
 In ot*cnilin<' to the general interests ol the community, let m 
 
hot overlook the concerns of two unfortunate races of men, ivHo 
 wih be forever iri^uhiteil from the grt'at l)oily oi the peoi)le, by 
 uncoutroll!\ble circumstances, and who ought to receive our pro- 
 tecliou and beuevolcuce. 1 refer to the iudian and Atrican po- 
 pulation. 
 
 The erratic and mii^ratory spirit, which niarkg the character 
 of all savage nations, 'has been cherished in our Indians, by per- 
 sons, either interested in renrioving them from their territory, or 
 -who feel an anxiety to protect them from the contaminating and 
 extirpating conti2;uily of a while population. On the other hand, 
 this pro[)ensity has heeh counteracted by individuals, who either 
 derive emolument from their continuance, or, wlio, governed by 
 the purest benevoleuce, are anxious to bring them within the 
 nale of civilization and Christianity. This collision has produced 
 a state of continual uneasiness and agitation among this uufortu- 
 nate people. As experience has almost uniformly demonstrated 
 that their diminution in number asid recession from virtue, have 
 been in proportion to their propinquity to a civilised people, 1 
 have never ceased to believe that Iheir departure is essential to 
 their preservation : But, in my Communications with them, I 
 have thought it proper, until the sense of the le-islnture is ex- 
 pressed, to abstain from urging this measure, leavmg it to their 
 own volition, without pressing ui.on them the mflut^nce ol the 
 governmeut, and assuring them that, in any alternative, they 
 shall experience the favour and protection oi the state, and its 
 best exertions for their happiness. 
 
 Ik pursuance of a law of last session, I authorized measures to 
 be taken for the erecliou of a church in the Ouei.la territory, 
 which were gratuitously executed by two distinguished gentle- 
 men of Oneida county, the first Christiau party ot Indians 
 agreed to increase the sum of four thousand dollars heretoiore ap- 
 Tiropriated by the second Christian party, by adding a thousand 
 dollars from their annuity : And, both sections having alsou.nted 
 in desi^^natin- the site of the edificor it is to be hoped,_ that the 
 feuds which have heretofore separated them, will be extinguished 
 by the mild influence and benign spirit of Christianity.^ 
 
 I)urin«- the continuance of this people among us, it will cer- 
 tainly be our duty to protect them against frauds and intrusions 
 and to make such arrangements as may best promote their wel- 
 fare In the partial sales, which freriuently take place ot their 
 territory, it might be useful to reserve certain portions lor ad- 
 vancing their irnprovement in the arts of civilized lile; audit 
 niny essentially accommodate them if, in cases of emergency, 
 particularly of s'carcity, the treasury were authorized to pay iheir 
 annuities in advance. It is the opinion of many pious aud be- 
 nevolent men, who have directed their attention to this subject, 
 that the condition of the Indians might be immeasurably amelio- 
 rated by the establishment of a board of commissioners, selected 
 from the diSerent reli^iious societies, who have manitested an in- 
 terest for their welfare, and with authority to take into considera- 
 tion all matters relating to the Indians in this state,— to investi- 
 gate their situation and wants,— to redress their grievances,-to, 
 liffu-^e amnne them education, agriiulfure, morality andreligloti 
 
."tud lo recommend to llic Lcgulalure the adoption of sucb rrife^*' 
 cures as shall be most couducive to the attainment of these desi- 
 rable obj« els. 
 
 Our code in ulalion to the African population has been ar- 
 rajngfd vith a twolold view ; as a n-quirement ol humanity to 
 prevent the scparaiion of near itlatiuns and their being conveyed 
 in a slate ol slavery to distant land?, by prohibitiug the exporta- 
 tion of slaves and servants : And, as a dictate of policy to pre- 
 clude tile increase of an uuvvelcoine population, by interdicting 
 their iinportatioii. A steady adherence to tliis system will, in 
 course of time, havt; the intended effect : Ami it may be jiroper 
 to ftrlify the existing provisions, on accounlof the arUul evasions 
 which are practised lo procure the ex|)orlation of servants. The 
 sirong propensrily of this race to congregate in our great towns, 
 where they are peculiarly exposed to the contagion of bad exam- 
 ple, and the degraded light in which they are contemplated by- 
 public opinion, must not lead us to expect from them many exhi- 
 bitions of extriordinary virtues or talents. It is due however to 
 justice, to say, that the establishmtnt of schools and churches, for 
 their benefit, under the auspices of benevolent nfien, have had a 
 benign influence in the ini|»rovtmenf of their minds and their 
 morals; and, it is believed, that the benevolence of the state will' 
 never be withheld from the encouragement of such laudable un- 
 dertakings. 
 
 Although the militia code enacted at the last session is, in some 
 instances liable to objections, and requires your correcting inter- 
 position; yet, on the whole, it has been productive of salutary 
 effects, lu order to accommodate, as far as practicable, our ar- 
 rhngeroenf to the most approved system, I constituted two brig- 
 ades into a division, and distriliuted the whole militia into twenty- 
 five divisions, iociependenlly of these of artillery and cavalry. 
 The generals of division, who were in many cases helore, mere 
 nominal ollicers, on account of the extended sphere of their com- 
 niand.s are now enabled, without essential sacrifices, to direct 
 their atlenllon lo their duties, and by the exertion of their ex- 
 perience Jind skill lo promote the knowledge of the military art. 
 A dia|)osition to iini)rove in tactics and discipline has generally 
 manifested itself duting the last year, in a manner and to an ex- 
 itnt, which reflects honor on the militia. Fully i)ersuaded, that 
 you justly appreciate this bulwark of national safety, and ihis |)al- 
 ladiuu) of free stales, 1 consiiler it unnecessary to press the im- 
 portJince of its encouragement. If the physical force of the state 
 >tere properly instructed in the military art, it would form an 
 inij)rpgn:;l.'Ie defence of the country ; and, 1 do not despair to see 
 the iUTomplishniem of tliis desiralde object, by the establishment 
 of military schools and by the exteusion of beneficial iramuiiities. 
 An exeri![)iion from personal taxation, either wholly, or, to a 
 limited jimount, in favor of those portions of militia, who uniform 
 therntclves in l"al)rics of Americari manufacture, would, I am |)er- 
 suarleil, induce the wliole body to array themselves in a military 
 dre?s : And, by these means, that most useful class of the com- 
 muniiy employed in manufaclures would be materially beripliHed- 
 On the suljtct of the medical sta.Tof the militia, 1 shall direct tut- 
 
■ hP Vaid before you an able and luminous report from the distin^ 
 ^ «uished seatleman who presides over that iaiportant department, 
 ^ Theer^barrassments arising from the disordered state o our 
 nirrencv have increased, instead ot diminishing, since 1 had the 
 honour to address the legislature on this subject. The vast excess 
 0?rper above metallic money, at least treble in amount -and 
 fhe constant demand for the latter, have produced a state ol alarm 
 and aox ieTy, and have created great distress, not only in the mer- 
 ^«nfHe -lies but in all the departments of productive industry. 
 An un Inefficient preventives are adopted and suitable reme- 
 dies applied, the evil will be in a state of progressive augmenta- 
 ? ion The supplies of the precious metals have decreased m con- 
 seauence of the agitations in Spanish America, ami our me al ic 
 mon vis continually diminishing by its conversion into articles 
 of "uLy and accommodation and by vast exportations to Asia. 
 OniheoLr hand, paper money is augmenting, by the improvi- 
 den conduct of the governments, in the creation ol banking insti- 
 futions for every new bank will increase the quantity ol paper 
 iSoney/by a forced circulation of its notes. A proposition to in- 
 vest bank^s with the power of coining money, would have no ad- 
 Tocates and, yet it might not he so pernicious as he - hor iy^a - 
 readv sranted of emitting bank notes:— tor, m the touner case^ 
 aie money vvould have intrinsie value, and its emission would be 
 mi?ed by the ability of the banks to procure the precious metals 
 an^ in the other, its value would depend upon the mock m- 
 tbi'ch these institutions were established and administered and 
 Ii:rttr of their issues might be >heir ^Hity U. ohta. the^oi. 
 
 ?;ur"'qre r c;rdiaranT:;.e'getic co-operation of the people 
 Ind their governments. If we return to the observance ol th t 
 economy and simplicity most becoming the d.gm y ot reemen, 
 we may confidently calculate upon being rescued Irom this u„en.. 
 TilbTe situTtion. Having uniformly opposed the multM-l.cat.ou 
 Tf bank I now only ex^r.ss opinions formed lor many years al^ 
 t matreddLration, knd which are every day sanctioned by 
 thP nroeress of time and the voice of experience. 
 
 The s a e of oUr penitentiaries requires your serious eonsulera^ 
 
 succeeded .«o her pUees and .y ^^^ ^^_^,^ ^^^^ ,^^ ^^. 
 
 IZce and "l™,, e,rmind'and Ids p=..io„s „,._=. b. disc.p .ned 
 Sc.ua,, ,U..nd,.^^^^^ 
 
 suhjecled '? P"""";- J ;.;Xc online comh.c( ,.r oti.ers, it 
 
 irrouMirnetTs: y i ., i .h.*\e certa-,,, a.d .hat i,. rea„.los 
 
 hS be unq, 3ti 'uable. 0.. the ,nccD. nlan, th«e .b no clas- 
 
n 
 
 siftcatiou of age or crime. Each apardnent h calcrlaJed hi. 
 aljoul eighteen persons. All deaeri|){.ous ol convicts are crowded 
 (ogelher vvilboui disliuction— the young and the old— the healthy 
 and the unhealthy — the novice and the adejit in crime : and here 
 the hardtMied oflVnder boasts of his vices, unfolds his expedients 
 Hnd completely eradicates every remaining impression of recti- 
 tude, hiich is the perversity of human nature that a man desti- 
 tute of virtue will be vain of his vices , and, as a spirit of prose- 
 Jytism prevails among the wickeil as well as the good, our (leni- 
 lentiaries become schools of lerpiiude in which profligacy is incul- 
 cated in its most odious forms and in all its terrible enormities. 
 
 OU'enders having thus the amusements of society, being ex- 
 empt from grievous privations and severe labor and entertaining 
 a persuasion that the encrcasing influx iuio the [)rison must soon 
 release them from confinement, view their [luui^hment without 
 terror, and rcluru into society wilh corrupt piinci|)les, with de- 
 praved feelings, and with every diij|)osition to renew their crimes. 
 Hence we sonietinies see oflenders imprisoned ou a third convic- 
 tion; and frequently, the day of their release by pardon, or ex|)i- 
 ration ol sentence, witnesses their apprehension for now otrences. 
 
 In consequence of the crouded state of the [jrisona, t'le execu- 
 tive is reduced (o this dilemma, either to exercise the pardoning 
 power to a |)ernicious extent, or to witness the destruction of the 
 whole penitentiary system. He is also frequently deceived by 
 misrepresentation; and pardons are sometimes granted to the 
 v.-orst on the recomuundatiou of the best men in the community, 
 Avho, in listening to their sympathy, lose sight of their patriotism, 
 and who submit themselves to the iuflufoce of a ^ickly and fas- 
 tidious humanity, which confines its view to the otJender, and 
 does not perceive, in his punishment, the establishment of the ge- 
 neral security. 
 
 Another ctrect is inevitable. Instead of rendering labor pro- 
 ductive, and maintaining the establishment without expense to 
 the state, aj)[)roprialiou3 for its support are annually called for, 
 and are in a state of constaat accumulation. 
 
 In November last there were in the State Prison at New-York 
 about 603 convicts, of whom 410 were convicted of grand larce- 
 ny, and 8G lor offences relating to the counterfeiting and ut- 
 tering bank notes. 
 
 There were, at that time, in the Stale Prison at Auburn, about 
 131 convicts, of whom 50 were confined for grand larceny, and 
 '36 for counterfeiting and passing bank notes. 
 
 The total numbi;v, in both prisons, was 734, and the offenders 
 guilty of grand larceny, and cou[iterfeiting and uttering bank notes, 
 were 582, leaving only 152 convicted of oiher crime?. 
 
 As one main source of the evil is the inordinate numherof prison- 
 ers, an efficacious remedy might be administered, by reducing the 
 number of those contioed for grand larceny, and otfences agaiust 
 banks. 
 
 If solitary cells for the punishment of offenders below the <le- 
 gree of grand larceny were established in the counties; and if 
 stealing below the value of filty dollars, were considered petit lar- 
 ceny only, it is believetl that our penitenfaries would be relieved 
 from the ?reat crcud which destroys their usefulness. 
 
15 
 
 ns the nialeriivia lor im pnq u. , , ,| .,jiu,ry.— 
 
 Not>vitbslaiHl"ig thai sl"!""^. "'''',,=,,,:,, ,Ut llie CTunterfeil- 
 ver„raent lu .upl.roB, ll,e cr.n,. t 'f « j'^ ' ;,'„ „„,„„ |,„i „f 
 
 money a,,,l coyey U ,"' l;'»»';.\;'' .tSr'sener.Uy in .he vicl- 
 
 ='^„-jy'-:nar,rs;ara" .rJ aS^'ri..'e .a.. „/u= >o o,he» 
 
 to pass. 
 
 4lh. Utlerers of counlerfeit ""'"'■?• . „.„,,, ,„ be sub- 
 
 As .hese crimes are o. .Ijffere. <="°™ f;,^;^: rerleilers, a„,l 
 
 .„,,,e,orsot,he.,epos,|or,es,ve. .^^^^ 
 
 rity, it is beUeveil that these oaemAb , , ^ j^-.^^ before 
 
 1 sh.U cause the statute ol Lo«er Can da o ^^^.,5. 
 
 ,ou; and if a similar act wer^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ,.,,.,, 
 
 i-i'e 9Ur!> arrin2;ements between uk iv%i^ & 
 
 ff:c:u,ny er.sh .he evii in i.s lnc.nen. ^^^-■^„„,,„„„a „, ,„ 
 „.„e.e„.ia| 'fj "^ ''-rVn tnltlnt in.,,ee.i„,.. _ Each 
 g-,ih pct convicts to compieie '«!' ' j as in the Cay 
 
 ;irender shouM have a ,-[-^^!,;;;;f7,^;,ou and under the 
 f,n.e, the prisoners would ^,^ f "Z';^'"^^^^^^^^ e.ch other, and 
 
 eye of t!.e keepers P*''^^'^'"^ V Ti, iS^^^ punishment wouh! 
 
 he in the nigh. S\me u. a stale ^^ /; ^^ f J ^vouUl pre- 
 
 ho appalling, and c'-^'^-^.^.^^^^^ ',; \ fl-onr^ed, no riols or 
 doniinate; and, as no conspiracies CA^ U = ^^^^^^^ ^^^ ^^ 
 
 insurrections would occur and no m. hta y g ,,,ecessa- 
 
 quired. A muU,pl.ctty «? P^-^;^!^ 7^;;7^^^,, . ,„,1 ,he prerogative 
 rV by the improved cond.hon ^ ^^^.^^^ jj.^h.j.j- rendering 
 of mercy .night be l^f;^^^^^^Z^^nsLu after the adjourn- 
 U the duty o! the *\'^'7'i^ ^^J.^'^^^'^./.-jed slatement of the case of 
 n.ent of every cr.mu.al ^'-^"f -^ ;^^^^^^^^^^ 
 
 every onvict to ^^^^^'^^^^^'^^^Z insurrection took place 
 In the course o^9^^^\^^ ^^d ,t various times a refractory 
 in ,he state pr.son ^^ ..^ ?;/;;, f^^^ discipline, destructive of 
 spirit has been nianile.ted. '"J"^ °"; - , \^,y ends of the rs- 
 Ihe public property, and ^" -'^ ; \^ ^ \, be crushed, by the 
 taldishment. This dangerou sp t ou n ,„ 
 
 infliction of -^-f^-y^";":T:^com"H.l obedience, in defiance 
 
 be expressly ^'•"'-V V con ider n^t'^^ -'''j'^^'^' '''''' "''' 
 of all consefptences. la c''".'''^' f j suggested as proper, 
 several minor arrangements ^-' ^\ '^,^^;: 'i]; of the stafe pri- 
 Incasenoeontr.ct can be ,"^ ''^^^J'^^^^^^,' "^Tlilcretionary power 
 r,on, or. in case of <Ji^-'lV;«n ^"-^^"^^ ' J^' « ' ^^^^^3. ^^ 
 
 for obtainins supplies ought to be a cs.ea m 
 
1^ 
 
 autFiority has been given for disciplining (he ® ^,}^ ^^^ ^^^ ^ 
 e<l to the stale prison in Ne.v-York. The inspectors of Ihe two 
 penitentiaries hold their olfices under distinct authorities, and it 
 is ditticult to discover any good reason for the discrepance. — 
 When revising and perfecting this code, it would be advisable to 
 cotnhine it in one statute. 
 
 There is no question but that, if the laudable efforts of the so- 
 cieties instituted in various parts of the country for the suppres- 
 sion of vice and the promotion of morality, were enforced by 
 additional and powerful sanctions, many of the crimes, which till 
 our prisons with uidiappy oOenders, woidd not be perpetrated. 
 In the resorts of gambling, drunkenness, and prostitution, we 
 must look lor the sources of those crimes, whii-.h poison the peace 
 of families, and violate the good order of society. 
 
 The statutes, passed at the last session, for limiting the number 
 of. magistrates, extending the jurisdiction of the inferior courte, 
 and restraining abuses in the practice of the lavy, have been at- 
 tended with salutary effects. And other important subjects will 
 undoubtedly [)resent themselves, in the course of your delibera- 
 tions, which may require your attention. Permit me to mention, 
 at this time, the propriety of placing the jurisdiction of the courts 
 of sessions in the counties, on the same footing as that of the city 
 of New- York; — and also of altering the law on the subject of 
 executors and administrators, by giving them time to arrange their 
 trusts before the institution of suits; — by abrogating preferences, 
 in the payment of debts; and by facilitating the proving and re- 
 cording of wills, and the sales of real estates. 
 
 After assuring you of my cordial co-operation in all your mea- 
 sures for the public good, I shall only detain you from your im- 
 portant duties, by informing you of my proceedings in the execu- 
 tion of certain statutes, passed at the last session. I appointed a 
 commissioner to examine the outlet of Buffalo creek, and to report 
 en the site, plan, and expense of a commodious harbor for that 
 important place. I have also made a similar arrangement in re- 
 lation to Little Sodus Bay and Great Sodus Bay, on Lake Onta- 
 rio. Commissioners hav« been associated with the Attorney 
 <Seneral, to perform the duties assigned by the act relative to the 
 claims on certain lands in the county of Putnam : And also, with 
 the Surveyor General, to lay out the village of St. Regis, and to 
 execute the other requirements of the act relating to the lands be- 
 longing to the people of this state in the St. Regis reservation. 
 An agent has been appointed under the act relative to the de- 
 mands of this state against the United States, and he has been 
 vigilantly and actively engaged in the performance of his trust, 
 Mhich is now in a fair train of completion. The duties confided 
 to me by the act, entitled " an act of honor to the memory of 
 General Richard Mo7itgomcrt/'^ were ex*cute(| under a full con- 
 viction, that every great example of heroic virtue ought to be 
 chprifhed as an important acquisition to the honor and dignity of 
 the human race. 
 
 DE WJTT CLINTON 
 
 Albmi/, 6th January, 1319. 
 
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 
 
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