Page images
PDF
EPUB

for the purpose of introducing a new section, in the words following, to wit.

And be it further enacted by the authority aforesaid, That the accountant department be, and they are hereby authorized and required, to settle the accounts of major Samuel Galloway, captains Samuel White and John Roberts, for such property as they or either of them lost or had taken from them, when they were were made prisoners by the British and Indians, in the year one thousand eight hundred and fourteen, at the battles of Chippawa and Bridgewater, as they shall think just and equitable, which sum or sums of money, shall be paid by the state treasurer on warrants drawn in the usual manner;' and

On the question,

Will Senate agree to postpone for the purpose aforesaid ? The yeas and nays were required by Mr. Graham and Mr. Frailey, and are as follow, to wit.

[blocks in formation]

So it was determined in the negative.,

The title recurring was considered and agreed to, and
Ordered, That said bill be prepared for a third reading.

[blocks in formation]

Ordered, That the clerk return said bill to the House of representatives, with information that Senate have passed the same with amendments, in which the concurrence of that house is requested.

The Secretary of the Commonwealth being introduced, presented a message from the Governor, with the documents therein referred to, which were read as follows, to wit.

To the Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.

Its importance will, I trust, apologize for introducing to your notice, at this late period of the session, a communication to me from the executive of Virginia received yesterday evening, covering a resolution by the legislature of that state, relative to the long desired, and to the union all-important general inland water communication. To the cogent and convincing arguments of the Governor, on this obviouly interesting subject, I désire to add a hope that the public feeling and opinion thereon, may speedily be brought into operation, by the production in Pennsylvania of one more monument of generous policy, for which, and her liberality, she is acknowledged proudly pre-eminent; that as an earnest of her intentions, she will extend promptly a fostering hand towards effecting a communication between the Susquehanna and the Seneca lake, and progressively with the great northern lakes and river St. Lawrence, thus facilitating the introduction into this state and into the Chesapeake, the salt, plaster of paris, and the various other productions of the lake country, and the transportation into that country, and farther north by the same channel, the coal and iron of Pennsylvania.

I have also this day approved and signed the following acts of Assembly, and directed the Secretary of the Commonwealth to return them to the House of Representatives in which they originated, viz.

1. An act to authorize the Governor to incorporate a company fer erecting a bridge over the north east branch of the river Susquehanna, between the town of Catawissa and the mouth of Fishing creek.

2. An act for holding special courts of common pleas.

3. An act to enable the Governor to subscribe to a certain number of shares in the stock of certain turnpike companies. 4. An act to provide for the erection of two arsenals.

5. A supplement to an act, entitled, an act to authorize the Governor to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the west branch of the river Susquehanna from the east end of Market street in the town of Lewisburg in the county of Union, to the opposite shore.

Harrisburg, March 15, 1816.

SIMON SNYDER.

Richmond, March 4th, 1816. SIR-In compliance with a resolution of the legislature of this state, I have the honor to address you upon a subject deeply interesting to the states of Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, North Carolina and Virginia, and of course to the United States. Our experience during the late war evinced with what ease a naval force lying in safety within our bays and rivers, could deprive the United States of all export and import trade, and the inter

change of the product of our soil and our labour, between the different states. The latter was prevented in a great measure, or burthened with such an expence of land transportation, as to amount to a prohibition. The defence of our beloved country was made more dificult by the delay and cost of transporting from one part of the country to another, the men and materials necessary for that object. The line of defence too, was unnecessarily increased by the admission into the heart of our territory, of an enemy, who should have been met and repelled on his approach to the frontier. Our most valuable cities were exposed to an immediate attack and devastation, when it was practicable to keep an enemy at a distance, and thereby prevent great individual sacrifices and national degradation. It is believed that among the great objects of this sort that call for the attention of the government of the United States, there is none more important than the defence of the Chesapeake, when the extent of territory embraced by its waters, the bulk and value of its produce, or the population of the territory which will use it, shall be considered. It is very far from being the wish of Virginia, that the attention of the federal government should be exclusively directed to secure to her or to her immediate neighbors, advantages, in which all shall not participate. It is sincerely our desire that every part of the union shall enjoy the full benefit of the strength and re- ` sources of the nation for the purposes of defence; and the protection of commerce, the most valuable branch of which to every country is its internal or home trade. The position of the Chesapeake country, nearly central between the northern and southern extremities of the United States, through which the communication must be maintained, and is either to be carried on by roads or internal navigation, which latter cannot be effected but through the Chesapeake, and which at a very moderate expence can be obtained from Maine to Georgia, or from the lakes by the way of Susquehanna, to the southern extremity of the union. Chesapeake bay is not more necessary to facilitate the communication between the northern and southern states, than its waters will be useful to the connection between the eastern and western.

The road now rapidly advancing from the river Ohio to the Potomac, and the communication that it is expected a very few years will give between that noble stream and James river, will make the command of the Chesapeake of great importance to the western as well as the eastern country. The importance of this interchange of the products of the soil and labor of different sections of the union, cannot be more strongly illustrated than by a recurrence of a statement lately made by the committee of commerce and manufactures, in speaking of the present state of the cotton manufactures in the United States. That statement shews that one hundred thousand persons are employed in that business, who receive for their labor $15,000,000, and that in the year 1815 ninety thousand bales of cotton were manufactured, worth $27,000,000. It is a fact that cannot escape your excellency, that the cotton is made in the southern states, and that it is manufac

tured in the eastern; and that this artitle constitutes but a small part of the value of the property interchanged between the states. Among these are the important and essential articles of flour, coal and tobacco, of which vast quantities are sent from the middle states to their northern and southern brethern, to be exchanged for what they have to sell. This home trade must cease in a great measure when the United States shall be at war, unless we can' command our various water courses, which must be used in a connected inland water communication from north to south. While it is fully understood that the state of Pennsylvania will look with great solicitude to secure a provision for the defence of the Delaware, it is confidently hoped she will unite with Virginia in representing respectfully and earnestly to the government of the United States the importance and necessity of securing the absolute command of the Chesapeake. This bay may perhaps more properly be considered part of the Susquehanna, a river crossing Pennsylvania from north to south, and affording a direct water communication from the norther limits of that state with the sea at its mouth. Much of the produce of Pennsylvania is carried by land to Baltimore for exportation; as much or more will seek a market through the Potomac. The Chesapeake and Delaware canal will form an essential part of the inland water communication from north to south, which will be of very little value in time of war, unless our object can be attained. It will be recollected too, that in our revolutionary war an army was landed on this bay to attack the city of Philadelphia.

In taking the liberty of bringing to your view the particular interest of Pennsylvania in effecting this object, permit me to assure you, and with the utmost sincerity, that I have much more reliance upon the devotion to the public good which has so strongly characterised your state, than upon any other motive. I am sure your excellency will concur with me in the earnest wish that the union of the states may be strengthened and the way most likely to give it the longest duration, and that this can only be expected from the experience of its utility, and its becoming daily more necessary.

I have the honor to be,
With very great respect,
Sir, your humble servant.
W. C. NICHOLAS,

His Excellency Simon Snyder,

Resolved by the Senate and House of Delegates of the Commonwealth of Virginia, That the Governor of this Commonwealth be, and he is hereby requested, to open a correspondence with the Executives of the states interested in the effectual protection of the navigation of the Chesapeake in time of war, and earnestly to call their attention to that subject, and request their aid in prevailing upon the government of the United States to adopt, as

early as possible, such measures as upon due enquiry may be found best calculated to effect that object.

Resolved, That the Governor be, and he is hereby requested, to open as soon as in his opinion it may be proper, a correspondence with the Executive of the United States, calling its attention to the subject of the defence of the Chesapeake, and earnestly to desire its aid by prevailing on the Congress of the United States to adopt such measures as may appear to be most conducive to the attainment of that end.

Agreed to by the Senate and House of Delegates, February 22d, 1816.

WM. MUNFORD, C. H. D.

The clerk of the House of Representatives being introduced, returned the bills entitled as follow, viz.

An act for the relief of certain widows and children of those who died whilst in the service of this state during the late war with Great Britain."

An act relating to the sale of a tract of land by the sheriff of Greene county, to William T. Hays, in trust for the use of the commonwealth."

'An act authorizing the settlement of certain accounts of William Hamilton, late a lieutenant colonel in the service of the United States."

Also, a

Resolution on the obstruction to the navigation of the river Delaware.'

And informed,

That the House of Representatives have passed said bills and resolution, the two first without and the two last with amendments, in which the concurrence of Senate is requested.

He further informed,

That the House of Representatives have concurred in the amendments by Senate, to the bills, entitled as follow, viz.

A supplement to an act, entitled, An act to incorporate an academy or public school in the town of Waterford, and for other purposes.'

An act establishing certain election districts."

An act making appropriation to defray certain expences of government therein mentioned."

Also to the

• Resolution_directing the Secretary of the Commonwealth to forward to each member of the present legislature, one copy of the pamphlet laws, one copy of the journals, and one copy of Roberts' edition of the British Statutes.

He presented for signature the bills, entitled as follow, viz. An act to authorize the Governor to incorporate a company for erecting a bridge over the river Susquehanna at the town of Danville.'

« PreviousContinue »