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?.?. *1 "37 S6? 20 The auiplus rovinue was thus . ,. . ,,, 7M m jn accordance with the rouuire l^U uf'^ -n.??taUou the -,m ei ?!,?*, Sdl g ha, Tin *rt apart for the x.wious purpo??* ,pe.-,tlel in that ##eu P i..in.iiiiv KttH) 000 t0WAf4i th? ?* j instrument, ? There in ft deficiency, twrifow, Ike State government. There li a ocncuuojr, to tho revenues ot the canals o $ ^ ?r?rhirth it m iv corn er E*?:(Z ?f n' cVan:."g and the active rivalry of com ?t*ng modes of transportation, have combin^1^ peiiiiK K,iain.isll ana the revenue* of these great mhiish the bus i . increase in the expenditures ?* m^r?''uartly due, without doubt, to Inconsiderate . P Ki'oToiiit Lotion and other cause*, have in I^^the expe"*"* f?r bsyond ? prjper^tjlt. UU t^a that these cause ii of einbarrassmenTand of Ions i?'ths?"?,s way be removed, but without a mjch ZSj^ArtSww in the revenues than can reasonably be ??eted there will uot only be no surplus to beuppro th.. work of enlargement, but tlie usual con ^^ontohr/en.ral ?und mu.t'be withheld^ There |Tn"*oSd reason te apprehend any inability to . make ?tfS3 X' ^de for the purpose, of the enlargement. realued a premium of . 7. The to tal amount of contracts entered lntoforworkoii the < a Uriement of the beveral cauala, Is $4,5JS,741 H4, at ?rice* averaging over 21 per cent less than the esti mates of the engineers. .The report of the Auditor of tbe Canal Department contains much information and ?any suggestions on the general subject, well worthy of ^rnVbe' records of the Banking Department it bap MarH that fifteen banking associations have been orga nUed and eight individual bankers have deposited se curities and received circulating notes, during the la?t ?seal year. The total amount of circulating uotcs Is sued to banking associations and 'ndividual banker. , and outstanding on the 30th of Sep^mbcr l^ ^ ?24 M1.M2, for the redemptisn of which there m trust by the Superintendent securities a^''l'"tin* ^ 5a 902,1?O, of which $8,718,248 11 was m ??? mortgages. The whole number of b?o w. >8 a'? ejations and 883,686 and the ^r^ouVofb?ktgMwM $83,773,288, being ?n increase of 7 081,213 ?m' the pr?vl?u" yea,r- *ot" tnthntHndinff the extraordinary financial embarrass of the vear, tho banks of the State, with but few exeeptioss hare promptly met their liabilities to the bill Zelders ao J the public. The eases in which failures have ?scarred afford rented evidence 01 the comparative in security of allowingbonds and mortgages to be received at their par value, as a basis for banking. During the mast year there has been an increase in this claas of securi ties of $040,070 72, much of which has replaced State stocks that have been withdrawn. Inasmuch as the new issues of State stock authorized by the recent amend ment of the constitution) will furnish all tho securities required for legitimate and healthy banking purposes, the attention of the legislature may very properly bo directed to the propriety of modifying the existing law to this respect. Abuses that have occurred in the ap propriation by banks of discount of funds deposited in Savings banks with which they are connected, suggest the necessity of some additional legislation for the more meifect security of that very large class of our people fcr whose benefit banks for savings arc established by law. The details of the condition or the banking inter ests of the State will of course be set forth in the report cf the Superintendent of the Banking Department. The increasing importance of our penal institutions ?ot only entitles them to your continued watchful super vision, but demands a closer scrutiny of the system npon which they are conducted, with a view to such amendment* an may be necessary to obviate its existing ??ils, and secure, through it, the highest good attaina ble. 8ueh a classification of offences aud of criminals as should prevent the association of the young, unschooled in crime and suffering, perhaps, for their first deviation from the path or veetitude. ^ ith hardened oflenders who glory in their &uilt, would conduce much to the refor - nation of the rormer, or at least prevent our prisons from being wliat they now too often are? schools or de pravity. Under the existing organization of our prisons th.s much needed discrimination cannot be exercised, and thus the reformatory influence which, under a bet ter system, they might exert, is lost to tho community; and they are made, in some sort, the instruments tor perpetuating the vices which they are designed to re strain. How far, ir at all, this evil can he obviated by farther legislation, is worthy of your inquiry, and will receive. 1 doubt not, that mea-ure of consideration which its importance demands. The financial condition of our prisons will be presented $0 you by the Comptroller ami the Inspectors of Statu nrinou n. me fir-'iiont applications made to the Legis lature for appropriation to discharge the pecuniary liabilities of these institutions led to the adoption of 11 resolution on the part of the Remit?, last year, calling upon the several In?pectors to report the wW. in. iebtedness of the prisons of the State. This was done, and it was found that their aggregate liabilities amount ed at the lowest estimate, to $-14, ? 15 3H. When it is ' remembered that but a few years since the pri ?ens were a source of revenue to the ^atettiis vast indebtedness compels the conviction that tlio t ?barged with their management were incompetent to tne performance of their duties, or utterly un worthy i he trust which had been confided to than. The enormous discrepancy between the Reports or tlio Inspectors and the annual eAibits of the respective ?(rents, attracted the attention of the legislature, which, at its last sesaion, passed a bill directing t he Comptroller te appoint three Commissioners who should be charged with tlie duty of investigating the affairs of the prisons, and report thereon. The Commissioners appointed un der that act have not yet completed their labors, but will do so in time to make their report at an eai^ pe riod of the session . The evidence which they can pre sent will enable you to jodge what evils have existed, ud what further measures, if any, are neelod to pre vent their recurrence. Under the law as amended by the last legislature, the duties of agents were more minutely defined, and greater restrictions and . safeguards thrown around th'-in. These, under tbo administration ?f proper officers, niay be sufficient to guard against the tepetition of gross abuses. Should addition*! legislation be needed, however, any law that pronn-.es to sceuie ?sore accuiacy )a the transaction of the business, and I demands more rigid accountability from the oil cers of ?ur penal institutions will meet with sny cordial ap '"'Ihe Auburn prison, under the operation of the amended law, has been enabled to more thnn ra -ct Its expenses during the past six months; and the accoun s ?f the agent exhibit a Inrgc balance to his credit on the books of the Comptroller, notwithstanding tho 1..W rate at which contracts bavo been let, and the pressure to which all industrial enterprises have been subjected. There is great wrong involved in the ope ration or our existing law Tor the detention of witnesses. I nder its provisions, the person who lias been so unfortunate as Id witness the perpetration of a mufder. and who Is un able to give bonds to testify to the facts In th? case Is jmbject to the same confinement, the Rime diet, and the name associations, as he who is charged with the com mission of tho crime. Surely tlie ends of puble justice cannot demand ?o gross an invasion of individual right. That a usage so unjust ?ho\ild have obtained, and con tiausd until now, a foul blot upon our cr minnl code, re fleets little credit upon oui progressive clrUUatiOn, au l Varnishes but indifferent demonstration of the maxlni << [,aw U the perfection of human reason." 1 trust that to direct your attention to this Injustice will be suffi cient to secure Its removal, by such modifications in the bw referred to as will reconcile the rights of tho indi vidual with the interests or the public. My immediate predecessor, In tils last annual Mes?ige, recommended that a portion of tho esru ngsof prison r?, daring the period of tlisir Incarceration, be reserved ror their own use, in the following terms;?" 1 suggest the propriety of allowing to convicts, as a reward for indus try aud rood conduct, some portion of their earning', for the benefit of themselves or their families. This would be catculatod to animate them with hope to create habits of foresight and ^ prudence, and, by enabling them t? assist their tamllic", would cultivate the better Instincts of their na ture. It would also give them, at the explra .on of their terms of imprisonment, some means of support an til they could overcome the difficulties of outlining employment. In numerous instances, diiohiTfW con ?lets are led to the commission of crime by the poverty and want conssuuent upon the prejudices which exist against them. Humanity and policy alike dictate th ?t every encouragement should be afforded to tho?e unfor tunate persons to retrieve their psst errors." This re commendation Impresses me as both politic and light, and therefore worthy of your consideration. The onerous, and still increasing, burden thrown npm the executive by the numerous pernios for pard m brought before him, demands the adoption ot some rnes aure by the legislature that shall Umlnlsh the number ?f tlieie applications, which, during the past year, aaionnted to no less than 1,200 cases, manr or which re quired laborious and protractel investigation. The evil ?tight, perhaps, be remedied in part by giving greater discretionary pover to Judges, in the graduation or pe nalties according to the different degrees of turpitude " that mark the crime; so that they will not be compelled to teatene.e the offender five or ten years, because the law arbitrarily Axes both the minimum aud the maxi ?num of the term, when one, two, or three, would he ?lore proportioned to the offence, and equally beneficial. Such a modification of the statute, rendering It nior" ac cordant with equity, would also tend to the prever tion ?f crime, br increasing the chances of its adequate pun. labment ; lor all experience has demonstrated that It is the ccrtainty of the penalty, rather than its aununt, that Waters men norn the violation of law. The subject I am aware, Is one of much delicacy, and will 4emand the exercise or a sound discretion; but I M?aot doubt that the united nisdom of the legislature will be able to derise a meavure so much needed to check a growing evil, to equalise the allotments of jus tice, and to relieve the executive of the State trom a re sponsibility whone burdens arc greatly disproportion* 1 to the benefits that oaa accrue to the commonwealth from ita exercise. ... . , , The House of Refuge in New Wk has been, during Uli past year, conducted wth Its uual efficiency aul auccoss 'Some two months s.goe the Institution was re ?loved to the new building recsntly erected on Randall's Island, which will give 'It more ample accommodations than it has hitherto enjoyed, ant thus enable It to ex ? tea d its operations and increase lb usefulness. The ma nagers design, as soon as they are able to do ro, to M??t an additional building for the female department. UatU this is done, the contemplated "jsteui of classifica tion and separation cannot be carried ou. It Is intended that the new building shall be of sufficient capacity to neccmmodate two hundred and fifty int*at -s. aud the Importance of lie early construction will tie evident, from the fact that this Is the only reform school lo the state for girls, receiving them from all the counties. It i ?oelve" boy? 'rom only half the SUte Tour hundred and thirteen children of both se\? . have been admitted during the year, three him Ire l and ei/rhtv three have been Indentured; there now remvln in the institution M hoys and. 76 girto?total 41* The whole number admitted ?fnce Ita estabUshinebt Is n,?H. The kindred iastltntlon st Rochester seems, also, in a nroeperous condition Its present number of lamate- Is Sm its sanitary state Is satisfactory th?we Is a gennal | -empliaac- with Its discipline on the part "of the boj" I and the moral result, justify the mod sanguine hope -ot Ac Uka<h. The I'fjwyrigtlon nsalf la?t /car fvt IU? ?" ectiun ot' an additional wing and foi the furnishing of the same, lias 0 sen about half exptuded. The uow *.u< has Ishii erected and eucloaed, mi l will he realy J > r oo M|MW by tlir tret >>f July. So:n? (WliMlllU may rt?|ulrtil from the State to furnish it. aud also for the ??rection of gas works, tor lighting the entire building. The report of tlje Managers, detailing wore fully tue condition of (be institution, will b.? laid before you at an xarly day. The State Lunatic Asylum, at Utica, i < nobly fulfilling the purpose of its establishment, und justifying the confideu :e of tbe public in it* official management. The whole number of patients treated dur.ug tho (jest year is 830; of these, 410 were in the institution at the begin ning of the year, aud 300 have been subsequently admit ted. The House, it is estimated, can accommodate 440 ; the average number resident duriug the year h VI been 444 ; while 108 applications for admisaion have been refused, for want of room, and 51 unfavorable cases removed to make room for more recent onea ; shov ing a total of 169 to wiiom the benefits of the in stitution could not be extended. Of these 836 cases treated during the year, 164 have been discharged as recovered, 42 aa improved, and 116 unimproved ? -total discharged, 386; reuiaiuing at the end of the year. 4>0. From the opening of the aaylurn In 1843 to tbe protect date, 4,313 putients have been admitted to its benefits; of whom 1,789 have been discharged aa recovered. While the benevolent dealgn ofthia institution ill con ceded by all, I deem it but simple justice to remark that its excellent management is evidenced by lta geueral result <, which must commend themselves to the Favora ble judgment of all. Since its establishment, each suc ceeding year has demonstrated its increasing usefulness, and given it a stronger hold upon the public regard. Through its instrumentality nearly two thousand of our fellow beings, deprived of tbe inestimable gift of reason, without which all blssainga lose their value, have been restored to soundness of mind, the do lights of social intercourse, aud to their several spheres of usefulness in society. In numerous other cases, where full restora tion was clearly beyond the province of human skill, the sufferings of the unfortunate patient have been greatly mitigated, and the anguish and anxiety of their friends materially reaeved. Thus, through Its whole existence has the institution been a dispenser of blessings great beyond the power of estimation; its results have not only justified the Christian philan thropy that suggested, and the beneficent provision whicu carried into practical operation so noble a charity, but have also conferred honor upon our commonwealth, far greater than could have been won through the exten sion of her commerce, the increase of her wealth, or tho reduction to her purposes of the material forces of nature. But, while any of our unfortunate Insane remain un provided for, it is obvious that the State has not per formed her whole duty towards her suffering children. If, during the past year, the asylum at Utica has been compelled, for want of room, to reject ono hundred and fifty-uine applicants for its benefits, we must expect, with and increase of our population, a corresponding in crease of cases for which no provision is made; and a wise forethought will suggest that prompt measures be taken to remedy so ferlous a deficiency in our means of accommodating all whose misfortunes give thera a claim upon our sympathy and help. I do therefore respectfully recommend that tho requisite steps be taken by the Legislature, for the early enlargement of the Asylum at Utica, or the establishment of a similar Institution in some other portion of the State. Both projects may be desirable; one or the other seems indispensible. I would commend to your attention the report of the Trustees of the Idiot Asylum, which, since the adjourn ment of the legislature, has been lflcated at Syracuse. The new building designed fur the accommodation of this important charity is already enclosed, and rapidly up proaching its complution ; but the appropriation of tho State. ($10,000) is expended, the pay of the contractors largely in arrears, and numer jus applications for tho ai mlssfcuof pupils pressing upon tho trustee*. Under these circumstances, it is important that the means for the completion of tho building, and for extending its benefits to all of that uufortuuate class who may apply for them, be furnished without any unnecessary delay. 1 therefore recommend such appropriation for these pur poses us may bo requisite to sccttre the earliest practi cal results contemplated by tho State in the establish ment of this institution. Application will bo made to tho legislature for further aid to tlie Institution for the Blind, which now feels tho pressure consequent upon the general paralysis of busi ness. Its manufacturing department is designed to fur nish employment, not only for tho pupils, but also for the adult blind unconnected with the institution; but, from the causc already alluded to, there Is little or no sale for its manufactures, aud great pecuniary embar rassment is this necessary result. The usefulness of tins dejiartmcntof tho institution would undoubtedly be ex tended by such judicious aid aa should place inbeyoni the fluctuations of business. The present number of pupils In the Institution is 141, 116 of whom are supported by tho State, a few by the Stite of New Jersey, and the remainder by friiyids an l ! relatives. In addition to those, sixty-n'nn graduates, or persons w ho li.ivo lost their sight in mature life, ate fur nished with work from tho manufactory, at prices n sgu lated witli a view to their support; making a total of 21.0 who receive education, or tne means of subsistence, IUIVUBU41 ?> pupils support ed by the State is limited by law to 129. This re itriotion should be removed, or many of the unfortunato class for whom the institution is provided, must be deprived of its benefits. From the Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf anu Dumb, the reports received are of a satisfactory character, both in reference to its facilities for attaining the purpose designed, and tho xeal and assiduity of the teachers in the discharge of their delicate and important dntiea. The number of pupils now under instruction is T90. Two-thirds of tbeae are benoticiarics of the State; the most of tho remainder are supported by their friends, the State of New Jersey and tlie corporation of Now York; a few from the income of a small fund derived from legacies and subscriptions, and set apart exclusive i ly for this purpose. } Various industrial ^occupations are 'provided for tho pupils, in the intervals of recreation and study, among which are cabinet making, shoe making, tailoring, book | binding, gardening, wood engraving, drawing, ic.? thus not only furnishing to thorn a subject of present Interest, but preparing them for future usefulness and the means of independent support. The experiment attempted, two j yeurs gmce, to introduae the higher branches of study into the Institution, has been attended with success, as ?will be evinccd by the documents'which, in due time, will be submitted to you. These will also embrace amount s I of receipts and expenditures, the sanitary condition of 1 the pupils, and other matter . pertaining to the condition I of tbe establishment. From a statement of the Commissioners of Emigration, it appears that the arrivals of ali'a emigrants incur ports, for the year ending Dec niber 27, 1851, us 313,747 ; for the year ending Dece.vbcr 27,(1853, 283, 3u.^? showing an excess for the year Just clts-d over the pre ceding, of 30, 41/i. The pre-ent number ot inmates In Ward? a Island Hospital, 1;423; in the Ke.u^ > Department, 1.852 ? total 3,2.).'). The aggregate receipts ror the year were $672,192 r?6 ; disbursements, $6j7,07i) 02 ? balance in bank, $0\llf> 04. Tie State Library has, during Ihe last yevr, received I numerous slid valuable donations from lore, fp govern ment? ami various institutions in Europe, 'through tho presentation of our la*s, tue legislative documents, arid the reports of our higher courts, it interchanges with | every Sta'eand Tenltory in the Union; while tho dona | tions of citizens Trom various portion* of our own conn | try, have been fiequent and liberal. Lust year, the I usual date of appropriations for tho purchase of book.^, j and for binding tlioso received, was changed from the first of January to the first of October, ttie comm. nee mcnt of our fiscal year. Xo provision was mad- for the Interim, and this has proied a source of difli-.ulfy in relation to existing contracts and purchases. I am ' assured that the supply of tliU deficiency (for nine months, according to the usual annual appropriation) wi'l be sufficient to meet every demand. I therefore re commend a grant for the ssine. j Among the subjects which will require your at tention there Is none of more importance than tlie j system of public education of the State. The niag 1 nltude of this interest has always been felt an I ap preciated by Ihe people, and the State has sImwii from the earliest period of it existence, an earaint desire to provide the means for the adequate iu ; struction of all tho children wlthiu its limits. For. i a long tune the system pursued was based on the as I snmption that education was mainly a matter of per sonal interest, aud that the duty of providing it devolved j exclusively upon parents; the instruction of the chil I dren of those whose poverty would not permit tliem to | incttr the expease of it themselves being made to depend npon public charity. The inefficiency of this policy, iti failure to accomplish the object aimed at, and especially Its direct tendency to create distlictions hostile to the spirit nnd character of our Institutions, led to its aban donment ; and a system based upon the principle that l the State is even more deeply nnd permanently inter ested In the education of its children than their |i*rjnts, and tliat the expense of providing It should be borne by the aggregate of the property witlun its limits, was adopted in Its -tead Under the existing law. therefore, the State assumes the charge of public education ? com mitting its direction to local officers an I paying the c >st of it out of its own treasury. The system is comf'ira tively new, and some practical defects are as yet ex hibited in its workings; but they are such as spring chiefly from the failure to give full and complete deve lopement to it . fundamental princ iples, and may easily b? remedied by judicious legislation. The system itself ia helitvtd to be thoroughly roulvJ in the ontideuce anl favor of the people. Tlie whole amount of money apportioned by tlie Sii perintendentof Public instruction is $1,006,000, of which $ MS i.OOO was rutsed b* a general tax. and $2f>fi.n(K> from the incoire of the Common School and Uait'd States lie polite Funds. Tlie whole amount expended for publia school- is $2.fi?6.S09 36. of which $1,929,884 49 was sp plied to the payment of teacher*, and $47,657 06 for tue Ihe district libraries. Tho whole number of distn t achools rsporteu for tl.e year is 11. "08; aud tho whole number of children In tVe State of tbfc age required to draw ptibllr money. 1,1M,7W, Th?re have been 877.201 i In altendanee npon tbe district schools; in acad'rolea 1 under the supervision of the Regents ol fUe Unlwrsitv, | 37. 406 34,279 in unmcorpated pr.vate schools, and ?4,f>'>S i in colored school*. The average numb r of months du ' ring wldcli the schools have been ke,?t lu the several dis tricts is right. The number of volumes in th-- district libraries is 1.571.270 Then- result- exhibit a /ratifying increase in the num ber alteivting the district schools over the previous year. But It will -fill be pern ttiat of the whole number of chil dren of suitable age !n the State there are 300, SOS, or nearly oue fourth of the whole number, who do not at tend tlie district schools anl 233.266, or aboot 20 per cent of the whole num'ier. who do not attend any school. In view of Ihe provision that has been made fur the express purpose of -ocurihg tbe education of all, this proportion is much too larfe; and Indicates acme defeet lu the system puraued ? ' eeau-e it does not com pletely attain the object at which it aim* Ti.at ft do i not, ma\ be paitly due to the mode of disti ib itiiy tl.e puMlc funds. By the existing Ian two thir ls or tlie public funds are distributed amopf the rarl us dl tr is of the Hate in proportion to rtie whole i.um'er of e'.,il dreu of a sj>ecl$ed age a'itliin their limits, whether the * attend Ihe schools or not. If the app-irliuuuieut of the public m' ney were made to dep nil upon the anm'> r tit lending school and upon the regularity of tbelratii u I ance, It would become the Intfiest of the cllUens ? u erally to promote the regular attendance of all the < hit dren witliln their limits An imrbdiucot of the U r ?*hi. h should give It this direction wonl 1. 1 beb'eve, tefj ' to ??uie uure fully, the desiu-j f.TiU. Ji> ?-* defective. also. in that it falls to carry out fully and completely the principle ou which it it based. Edu cation in ilie district schools is not yet entirely free. 11? the cost of the schools in any district exceeds the amount of mon*y received from the State, the deli clency in maite up by n rate bill, aascsaed upon those who lend tlielr children to school; und those who are unable to pay thia assessment. are relieved at the public ex pense, and than become the recipients of public charity. The worst element of tbe old system la thus preserved, aud the fundamental principle uf the new law fails of its application in its most essential point. Education is still regarded as a mutter of charity, and not of right; and >o long as thia continues to be the case, In any de gree or to aDy extent, it will detract from the full measure of usefulness which the system la designed to secure. This evil in the system can be remedied only by making the schools entirely free. The attention of the Legislature should also be dl i noted to measures for improving the character of the schools, for increasing tlieir efficiency, and for elevat'ng and extending the instruction which they impart. In a State whero every citiien should take an active interest in the administration of public affairs, und may he called upon to perform the highest duties of public life, U is important that popular education be carried to the highest point which the means of the State will allow. It lias been objected to the s j stem of free schools that people do not prize that which costs them nothing, and that relieving individuals from the expeuae of educating their children will diminish their interest in tho ? ubject and lead them to relax the vigilance which is essential to the highest excellence in the public schools. There is unboubtedly iobio force in the suggestion, though experience shows that it is much less than is sometimes supposed. But whether it be more or leas, it is entitled to consi deration, and provision should lie made for obviating the objection in any system of education which the State may adopt. An obvious mode of doing this is by mesns of an active and intelligent supervision, by which the schools shall be regularly visited and their discipline examined by competent officers selected for that purpose. Various attempts have been made to supply this, but none ot them have hitherto preved en tirely successful. The agency provided by the present law is that of town superintendents; but it is found more expensive, and less efficient than is desirable, and gives rise to locsl dissensions, injurious to the success ful working of the general system. Similar objections led to the abandonment of the system of county auper intendents, a few years since. Unless the principle of visitation can be moro effectually reconciled with pub lic sentiment, and mado more economical and effective than it has been hitherto, the end which it is designed to secure must be sought by other means. The connection of our common schools with the higher institutions of learning ? with acade Dies and col legef? making them all. in fact, parts of one great sys tem, ? could not fail to contribute essentially to their elevation, and bring the means of a thorough and com Slete education within the reach of all. In the city of ew York, where the free school system of the State has been, perhaps, moro completely developed than in any otbtr section, the benefits of substantially sucii a union are very conspicuous. A free academy has been added to the system, in which a large and competent corps of professors and tutors has been provided, apian of study extending over live years, and embracing all. the branches of study pursued iu the best colleges of the country has been adopted; scientific apparatus, libra ries, and all the aids requisite for study have been fur nished, and the general discipline and course of instruc tion have been made, in all respects of the highest aud most efficient character. Pupils who shall have attended any of the District schools for eighteen months? main tained throughout a good standing and character, aii l passed a satisfactory examination in certain specified studies, are admitted to the academy and entitle] to tho full enjoyment of its advantages, free of all expense. The academy has boen in operation only tlire* or four years, and the average number of its students is over four hundred. The attendance shows that its benefits are fully appreciated. But besides the thorough aud incgt useful instruction conferred upon so large a nuin ber of the children and youth of the community, its most marked advantages are seen in tne influence which it exerts upou the common schools ? stimulating their teachers, trustees, inspectors and pupils alike to a gene rous rivalry, Increasing their vigilauce and industry, and rendering them zealous and emulous in sending the best pupils to the academy, whose facilities for education are the prtM for which all may alike contend. While I am aware that largo cities afford facilities for such a systom, which cannot bo fully enjoyed in the rural <lisfri:ts, I think thatjsoiiif thing may bo done throughout the State in this direction. A voluntary beginning, indeed, has already been made in somo sections, by the establish ment of Union Schools; and their succcss shows that the system is not wholly impracticable. .1 think that the time lias come when higher purposes and broader v:cws nniy be entertained in regard to our system of Stato education; aud that iw?, 1 " ?y *? a moro *'? immediate connection with ths gene ral plan, and throw u more widely and more freely open to the advantages they are intended to confer. The character of their instruction should be elevated and its range extended; and they should be more completely furnished with apparatus and the means of imparting knowledge in those sciences which are of the most ser vice In practical lifo. By making free admission to the thorough and complete education they would then af ford the reward of excellence In our District Schools, a stimulus would be furnished which could not fail to bo felt beneficially u|k?u their discipline and character. It would be highly desirable to bring th? colleges of tho State into harmonious connection with such a plan, so that they might become more directly recognized as members of our general system of State education nudas essential to its completeness and perfection. Tho subject of the revision of our excise laws will de mand, and I doubt not will receive, your serious atten tion. To the practical o|i*ratioB of these law*, either through their inherent viciousness or in consequence of their lax administration, is attributed uo small propor tion (jf the drunkenness which atllicts our land. Some thing of this is undoubtedly attributable to the non-en forcement of our laws, such as they are; but I will not ! withhold my conviction that the laws themselves ate radically defective, and however faithfully adminis tered, must be held justly 'exponsible for the evtls which tliey foster, and in many instances create. If the consequences of intemperance were endued to 1 Its immediate victims ? though even then the State ; would have an interest a' stake? there might, perhaps, be less occasion lor legislative action. But such is not the fact. Every interest of society which it is the pro 1 vince of government to protect, is, Immediately or rc I niotely, involved In these consequences. Intemperance deprives the State of the productive | energy of thousands of her citizens, and so far dimm | ilhes its wealth, impedes its enterprise, and militates : against tho common good. It is a Iruitul source of the I pauperism which Imposes heavy burdens upon industry anil capital: and its intimate relation to crime, and con I sequently to the burdens which crime imposes upon us, , is too obvious to escaj ? your observation. If the purely 1 moral aspects which it presents shull be deemed as not entering within the scope of your duties, Its rotation to j taxation, anil its producing causes, is clearly ritlrin the ( province of legislation, and demands a degree of atten tion corresponding to the great issues which that rela , ti"n involves. The right to legislate in reference to the truffle in in toxicating liquors will not be denied. Our present excise system is the fruit of such legislation. It i has, In the process of time, undergone mmy modi ? lications, but its restrictive element, throughout all thei.o changes, has l>cen retained, in subservi ence to the original purpose of the system, vij: - the prohibition of the traffic so far as t!ie public Rood may demand and the constitutional limitation t of ? tbe law-making power will permit. All restrictive legis I laticn contains the perm of prohibition? Is, in '.'act, pro hibition part 'ally applied: so that what is te.oi 'pro 1 hlhitory legislation, in regard to the liquor tr Sc. it only llie extension of a principle endorsed as sound by sm reshire 1 egi?latures. and its impartial application to I nil. 1 he object proposed bv the founders of our State, . when they incorporated the license system int> iu legis 1 Intion, lia? not yet been attained: neither hn he con I s'itutional 1'owir of the legislature In reference to It, vi I. btea exhausted. With the utmost de<ii? to reach ? lit conclusions In relation to this matter, an I to ; (-card iirfainst thi assumption of powers not "inferred liy our fundamental law. I have found myself ,mbl" to come to any other re?ult than thia? that' the cgislativR | prohibition of the traffic in intoxicating drinks is not ! only demanded as a measure of protection to tli? health. tho property, and the lives of our fellow citizens, but I that it is nl?o distinctly Indicat'd by the nsture and : purpose of civil government, and clearly within the I limits of its constitutional powers. These opinions. | diffidently entejtnined at drst, have been wnuilit Into convictions hy a careful siudy ot the limiUtfoi* and duties of the law-making power, by jv.iclul decisions, nearly or remotely affecting Die principle involved which have Nen bad iu the several States tliut prohibit tho i traffic In question, and by the dicta of the Supreme i Court of the I nited State*, which cover t ie wholn gionnd in contiovcry, and leave little room tor either cavil or lioubt I His . the good ret ults hoped for from the legislation ! re. i tmueudid are le.'ltimnto to it, several of tbe New England S'ates especially Maine and Connecticut, fur n.?h the most gratifying evidence. The stemlv 'dlmi | notion of crime and pauperism in the States referred to, with a consequent and corresponding reduction of tax ation: and the new impulse given to almost all Indus tilnl pursuits b> the traosformatfon of those wtto wore once h bnrdea upon the State. Int> producers of wealth, o? mtltute an argument In favor of the policy adroeated, which, while It ceri'rs conviction to the statesman, will bf no I'M appreciated by the multitude," inikilled though they muy be in enaulstry, but aNo undeleted by appetite and unpe verted by Interest. If nn\ thing- Is to be learned fVem the example ot other States, or to lw de due* d fiom our own increased experience, It sVould be , made nvailnMe to our u?e. and our legislation >jpon all . subjects -hould keep pace with our advancing Intelli gence, klwiiy- express ing the h ghest truth we '.ave re ccived. aud retching forward m the greatest ;ood at ! tainable. I know cr no suhjf: that is likely to elicit your atten tion. that Invelves g-tt*er and more'momentou* interests, i Uian the one tliu- presented for your consi Icratlon That it is hedged alout by difficulties which demand the exercise of great prudence, nad that It may not always beeniy to reconcile. with conflicting interests with a nleo adjustment of the ?r.ales of Justice. I am aol di?|?>ied to ' deny. But, gnlded by the purpose for which -ovarii meet was ordained, and keepnf steadily In W?w tho I well-lrlng of society, which ale ay* rests < n s moral basis, these difficulties will disappear or be overcome, and >,?u will be able, I trn?t so to perfect the detail* or | ? bill ai, on the one hand to secure the snppro?>ion of I ? deux milling traffic *nd. "a the other ^ , ,,tr | personal rights and ?Ive no it?t cause of complaint to thoae whose inlsren* may be affected bv the prohi j biton legislation wlich th* lilgher interests of com I munitv demand. It Is already In lmated that the effort" heretofore made 1 to ?t?!l'? ??r ttsnt. laws will ??. renewed with the pre ; ?' ot 1,. . -utu-n. 1 1-.*.- Idea of free trade In monev per ' iio'e.- the r oiid * rclal community. Money, It Is urg?' l, I ioli< ved fr- ni the rt tralut* of uatiry law* would he ; cowe J leiitllut an ' Cheap. It 1* worthy of remark, how j ever, that the nrjnnent proceed* generally from the lender rather thiii the borrower of money. And does not tt.I? aifnno'it prorc eft be. too little nr too much' If ? nM ?? be mS' ? tre- -M ,'iere not t* equal freed" on tit ,rt * r w f v-hitng* their labor si-ltee pMdo t.of Ul-r for i . , . |- ?? .rbitrary * tire j.iio i.t la * t,> ?. n ? o , paper, ?h< not ? ? o < '? . ? i '< i > ir * i 'hstca^l , - v. ??; uj-u S.I e I'lallty If ^ iQTfli money by legislatirn with a power which, unrestricted, enables eapit.l to oppress labor, do you not while enfran chising capital, enclave labor? If, then, money in to be re lieved from legislative restraint, should it not also be di vetted of the power conferred by Inhalation? While oar law* stump extrinsic values upon coin, may not laws, with equal justice and propriety, declare what rate of interest may be deuoinrfed and received lor Its iim> And wlillo legislation pern.it* associations and individuals to circulate their paper promise* to pay, a.s mouey, in it not clearly a duty to limit the rate of usauce upon loan*' Be fore declaring gold and silver, and their paper representa tives, free, it would, in my judgment, be incumbent upon government to assimilate! meney to the products of I la bor, bv depriving golu, silver and bunk notes of their ar tificial value. Then, and then only, may money be safely left, like the products of labor, to be regulated by the laws of trad*. The experience of other countries and older nations, where capital is more abundant and seeks investment at moderate rates of usance, is referred to for evidence that free trade in money Is beneficial to the community. This argument may become applicable to our condi tion when capital beari the same relation to enterprise and indus try In this country that it does in Burope. But while the laboring and producing classes predominate so large ly, It becomes us, lnsteud of relaxing usury laws, to provide for their more rigid execution. " Indeed, the most valid objection to these laws is found in tlieir lax admin istration. While respected by law-abiding citizens, and by cautious and timid usurers, they are disregarded by those who either hope to evade them, or who rely upou the honor or necessity of borrowers. A law either mora or less stringent against nsury, if its enforcement could be ensured, would be productive of silutary effects. The argument relied upon by the advocates of repeal, Is, that it will make money cheaper. But wherever this experiment has been tried, in our country, the opposite effict has been produced. Even in our commercial me tropolis, where are found those who are most strenuous on this subject, that description of paper supposed to be exempted from the taint of usury, can be nogotiated only at rates of interest varying from" twelve to twenty-four per cent per annum. Borrowing at this onerous rate leads to almost certain ruin. It may be answered that only in times of pressure are the rates of interest so high. But what, if the power to regulate the whole question resides with capitalists, is to bring down the rates? What is to make money more plentiful and cheap, when those who possess it have the power to keep It scarce and dear? there is a given amount of capital among us, seeking Investment. If our laws rigidly prohibited the taking of more than the legal rate of interest, that capital would be available for all legitimate purposes. If loans are made reluctantly at legal rates, it is be cause usurious ones mar be obtained through the violation or evasion of the laws. The legislature of 1860, in accordance with a then prevalent sentiment, awakened by the avoidance of a large debt by an incorporated bank, under the plea of usury, passed a law restraining incorporations from pleading nsury. This, In my opinion, was a change in ?he wrong direction. Evils have resulted from that change which are now seriously embarrassing the whole business community. Stimulating at once enterprise and cupidity, that enactment has prompted improve ments far too formidable for our means. Impatient for railroads, |our citizens, mistaking confidence for capital, have Involved themselves and the country in a fearful aggregate of indebtedness. In their zoal to hasten the construction of railroads, time, circum stances, cost, and even jtheir value wbeu completed, have often been disregarded. The question, In too many instance-, seems to huvo been not whetherTthe roads wero needed,* or would pay when constructed, but whether bonds could be negotiated, at no matter what rate of dlrcount. This policy hat thrown" millions of depredated railroad securities upon the market, at home and abroad, and now the reaction leaves us with thou sands of miles of unfinished roads, and a stringent money pressure, operating injudiciously upon all the business interests of the State. The expediency, there fore, of repealing the law which restrains corporations from pleading usury, is respectfully suggested. Ihe bolicv of constructing railroads by mixing credit with capital, though to a degree useful and safe, has grown into an abuse. Mortgage bonds, whon protected by a solid stock basis, may be properly resorted to for the completion of legitimate enterprises. But when, as in too many instances, companies Issue bonds greatly exceeding the amount of capital paid in, the conse quences cannot fail to prove injurious. The legislature will, doubtless, impose such restrictions, in this ro ppect, as experience suggests and the general welfare demands. Connected with our railway system is another feature of great, but delicate, Interest, iu their laudable desire to avail themselvos of the advantages of such improve ments*, cities, villages and towns have loaned their cre dit to railroad companies. This is a power which should bo sparingly granted by the Legislature, and cautiously exercised by the people Though in some instances safe, vet, as a general rule, it is better to leave these projeiTts *r ?r?**"?rA"e and ""TonMbility of individuals. ' The of tlie State, in this respect, is not at all cal culated to commend the policy. Ihc Hoard of Brokers in the city of New York though self constituted, and practically a close corporation lias grown to be a power in the State, exerting a potent in flnence over all its monetary .atTalrs. an.l s.iriou.Iy af fecting the pecuniary Interests of tlio peoplo or our own and o! other Htaten. The Htun<lard of value for public securities, whethor national. State, municipal, or corpo rative, is fixed by that board. That there should be an ascertained, reliable market value for such securities, is readily admitted; and brokers, in this, as in other coun tries, are the recognized agents for their sale. But tlie bona fide transfer of stocks has ceased to be tl?? onljr, 01 erru iliw uioti cono-Urkl.U. it?m r?f the bu siness of brokers. Time sales of securities constitute !>v far the largest element In the daily operations of the Bf srd Many of the stocks and bonds quoted daily though intrinsically worthless, derive and maintain a factitious value, until, by the adroitness and collusion or the parties interested, the purposes of thoir creation are answered, and then, like their equally worthless pre decessors disappear, to give place to other schemes as dishonest in inception and as fraudulent In design. The services of brokers are frequently required, and from some of thoir number readily obtainod. to dem eclate/he vulue of undoubted securities, or to advanje the price of bubble * ha rex. These evils, however, would bo com para tivety limited itvextent, and less alariuiug in tendency, but tor that feature in tlie operations of the Hoard to which I have al luded. Its practice of tim* sak-s of securities? a prac tice which now prevails to an alarming extent ? fosters and stimulates a wide-spread spirit of g untiling. This spirit pervades all classes. It Is rife in our cities, and Is abroad throughout the country. As in the ease or lot teries. before their snppreision, the temptation which promises large and easy gains, not only excites the hopes of the sanguine, but too fluently overcomes the caution ot tlio prudent. Disastrous failures In le ultimate business are often traceable to wild and reck Uss time operations in stocks. And most of the frauds and defalcations which impair the credit, or monied in stitutions and destroy confidence In the integrity of in dividuals, owo their origin to the sani'i pornicious cause. r It is not alleged nor supposed that the Board of E.-o kers, as sucli, is composed of men of exceptionable char acter. On the contrary, it is the high personal respecta bility sod the influential position of the members of the Board, that has so long secured toleration and impunity for transactions so vicious in jirluc plo and so destruc tive In practice In view, therefore, of an abuse of such magnitude and of consequences so injurious, I deem it my duly to submit to the legislature tho propriety of passing a law so far reforming and retraining the trallic in publlo securities as to divest it of this pernicious feature. It is not sufficient that these transactions are, by our j-resent laws, illegal. The evil can only bo eradicated by providing adequate penalties An AiaociaHon whose financial influence is greater even than that of the government; that bas the power to an. | predate this, and to depress that class of secu : rities and to which so large a body of citizens par tribute, should be required so to conduct its op<ra I tons as neither to retard the general welfare nor relax the public morals. There is reason to apprehend, unless some further , ?n,l nor* efficient safeguards are thrown around the | elective I ranchWe, efpeciallv in our cities, that tlie bal lot boxes will ceam to reflect the popular will Each succeeding election discloses renewed cause of alarm in combination* to defraud the jieople, and too fre' qu? illy, as is feared, with the knowledge and co-opera tion of those whose official duty It it to preaervo the in . tegrity of the ballot box. Such apprehensions are fre quently expressed by those who insist that an Investi gation would furnish painful confirmation of the truth I of uU they fear. Heretofore the principal abuse of the ? elective f ranch ice grew out of illegal voting. Hut it is I alleged and believed that a greater abuse exists now. i i? u. " Z0. become so formidable, and is practised so ; boldly, that a result in mauy of the election districts of the city of New York is supjiosed to denenl lees upon the sentiments and intentions of the elertors than upon the corrupt action of their Inspectors. Fraud* of this nature strike at the foundation of our free Institution*. A representative government cannot endure, even If It were worth preserving, when the integrity of the ballot box mmm to be habitually violated. I cannot doubt therefore, that a subject of such vital Importance will be regarded as worthy of your eerlou* consideration. A controversy is pending In onr courta of law between this State and the State of Virginia, which, from the Importance of the principle* involved, and the extent to which its decision will affect the right of thia State to regulate It* own domestic affairs, requires your atten tion. The facts out of which it arose are these In the month of November, 1SS2, one Jonathan lemmon. a c"l*en of \ irginia, brought Into the city of New York eight persons, whom, by the laws of Virginia, he had held as slaves, and with whom, as he alleged, he was on hi* way to Texas. They were brought, on a writ of ha I h as corpus, before one of the Justice* of the Supreme Onuit, who decided, that by virtue of the law* of New York, they were entitled to their freedom. They were accordingly discharged, and immediately removed to Canada, thus placing themselves beyond the jurisdiction : of both our State and our federal laws. The sum of | was raised bv voluntary contribution among the I citizens of New York to indemn.ry Mr. Lemmon for his loss. So far as individual interests were involved al though an atifeal from the Judge s decisions had been taken on behalf of tho claimant, the case would hare 1-een terminated by these proceeding*. But the Cover, nor of \ irginia. in a special communication, dated De cember 17. 1SS2, called the attention of the legislature or that Stale to this decision, which he characterized a* ?'contrary to the spirit or all taw, as opposed to the **? tahlltlied principlei which regulate Intercourse with fit reign nations, and at war with the relation* which should subsist betsfen the sister State* of thi* I nlon, a* well as at war with the spirit If not the letter of the consti tution itself. ' Tlie Oorernor further recommended that provision should be made hv the State for the eflcient prosecution of the appeal which had been taken, and for "such other Judicial proceeding* a* might be found ne ccssary and proper for a satisfactory adjustment of tho Important one stlon Involved in this case." In accord ance with this recommendation, the legislature of Vir ginia subsequently directed tbc Attorney tteneralof that State to protccuto tho appeal, with such other couns. I as the Executive might think proper to associate with < him That apical has not yet Wn heard, but wlU pro ' bably I* argued at the next general term of our Su. preuie Court. Tie language of the law of thia State, which declare* thit "no per?>n held a* a slave shall be imported, (a. j tro lurid, or kt ought Into thi* State rn any pretence I WbaUvwr,' Utat "every such person ihaU fee free " u ?? rifiiut u w iji regard t* it* meaning. It? operation can b? rotated, therefor#, only upon the groune that it is contrary to the constitution of tlie l n.ua States, or to the law of international comity. The law of nation* will undoubtedly permit the citizen* or subjects of one country to pais through an other country with their property, hut only with pro perty recognized ai such by the name law. Slaves are property only by virtue of local law; where that cease* to nave jurisdiction, they cease to be property, and cannot be recognized or treated an such. If the deci sion of this question rested, therefore, upon the princi ples of International law ? which is the only rule of in ternational comity ? I see nothiug hostile to those principles in the law of this State which applies to this Hut the several Status of this Union do not hold to each other the relation of independent power*. The law which regulates their intercourse and controls their con duct towards each other, U the Federal Constitution. By the provisions of tbat instrument, every State is '.aft entirely free to make such laws In reference to its local institutions as it may see lit. To this there Is but one exception. It declares tbat "no person held to service or labor in one Stute, under the laws thereof, escaping into another, shall, in consequence of any law or regula tion therein, be discharged from suoh service or labor." Every State is thus prohibited from making any law or regulation by which fugitives from service, which U d <.e under the laws of the State from .which they may eseape, shall be discharged from that service. The Stute of New York has always respected tiiis prohibition, as well as the right ol Virginia and of every other State to legalize and regulate slavery within their own jurisdiction. But she claims equal sovereignty over her own domestic in stitutions, and the same right of declaring upon what conditions slavery may be allowed, or whether it shall be allowed at alii within her limits. If this right be denied her, she will be deprived of the most essential attribute of sovereignty ? that of deciding upon the civil oondi tion and securing the personal rights of those who may be brought under the protection of her laws. It seems to me highly important that a question which Involves, to so great an extent, the dignity and the rights of this State, should not be decided without a full and eareful examination. At present no provision exists for defending the law of this State against the State of Virginia, either in our own courts or in the federal courts to which the cas? will undoubtedly be carried if a decision against the law should not other wise be obtained. I recommend, therefore, the adop tion of a resolution directing the Attorney General, to gether with such counsel as may lie associated with him, to defend the rights and the interests of this State in the appeal that has been taken. Having thus briefly brought to your notice those do mestic interests which will demand your attention, it only remains for nus to speak of our relations to the federal Union, of which the State of New York, by its population and its wealth, constitutes an Important part. The powers aud duties of the general government arc defined and limited by the constitution, and relate to those objects only in which all the members of the con federacy have a common interest. But Its action not unfrequently affects our domestic prosperity as well as our political rights, and may, therefore, very properly be aade the su?ij?ct of your review. It is to be regretted that the executive veto should have been again interposed to prevent the necessary Improve ment of the great channels of internal commerce; for not only would their unimpeded navigation constitute a source of material wealth, but would also give strength and durability to the bonds of our national union. The States, by relinquishing the power of levying taxes upon commerce, have divested themselves of the ability to do this work, the duty of its performance, therefore, by the general government, seems obvious and imperative. Many branches of domestic industry are languishing for lack of that protection which proper tariff regula tions would afford: and which, had tlioy been seasona bly adopted, would have averted much of the distress consequent upon a paralysis of business, which now per vades the country. Congress, at its last session, passed an act establish ing governments for that portion of the territory ac quired from France in 180.'J, which remained unorgan ized; and in that act was embodied a repeal of the law generally known as the Missouri Compromise, by which slavery was prohibited from that territory forever. This prohibition grew out of the agitutiou in reference to the admission of Missouri as a slave State, and was sup posed to involve concesions from Jaoth parties to the controvcrsv. By the terms of the compact then entered Intu ? for such ' it was In fact, whatever it might have been in form ? Missouri came into the Union with her slavery, and all territory south of the parallel of 36 110 was left without any restriction as to the eliaracter of its institutions: while on the other hand it was so lemnly covenanted that all north of that jiarallel should be forever exempted from the curse of b1 ivery. The act of Congress embodying this compact, though doubtless subject to the control of the legislative power, carried with it, both in Its character and in the circumstances under which it was adopted, a solemn pledge of permanency. It was the result of a con flict between antagonistic interests and principles; and though, in my judgment, the North conceded far too much, I cannot doubt that both sections were influenced by n patriotic desire to preserve the integrity of the Union and the peuc? the country. The Com promise was, at the time, eminently satisfactory to the ttouUi ? as w< a It might be, lor tho benefits she was to derive from it were positive aed immediate, while those which were to result to the North were remote and con tingent. Still, because it averted seeming dangers, and involved a principle of conciliation that promised to ' strengthen the hands of the confederacy, it ?ai acqui esced in by the North ; aud for more than thirty yoars had commanded the respect and obedience of all sections and of all psr?l??. Its tvpeal, therefore, has been very enerally, and not unjustly, regarded us u violation of good faith on the part of the South, aud a proof that our generous confidence in its chivalrous honor lias been misplaced, The grosi injustice of the transaction is ag gravated by the fuct that the concession to freedom wa-" not withdrawn until the consideration for which it had been granted had been fully enjoyed. Besides Missouri. Arkansas had been organised out of the territory, anil admitted as a slave State into the Un on, and slavery had taken possession ol the whole ot the territory south of tho dividing parallel, before the compact wa.-; repudiated and the' law repealed. By this act all the territory of Ihe United States, with the exception of Oregou, is opened to the extension of slavery. Agiinst that extcnsicti the State of New York has always protested. In 1820 and in lK50j and when ever the subject has been prescDed for legislative action, she has asserted the right and the duty of that bod; , which is charged by the const itutiou with the responsi bility of making '-all needful rules aud regulations" for the territory ot the United States, to prohibtit tho ex tension of slavery atd the increase of its political power. The Missouri compromise, which allowed Its introduc tion into tho territory south of thirty-sic degre >s thirty minutes, was passed sgalnst her convictions of justice and sound policy: but she has ever remained faithful to Its provisions and hostile to its infringement or repeal. She had a right to expect from other States enual fideli ty to the compact wbich it involved; and she has a right, and it is her duty, t'i demand a reitoration of the Missouri line, as one boyound which slavery shall not be permitted to pas?; or rather, as rsquired both by the principle which called our nation Into being, and by the law upon which is conditioned Its highest developcment? the totat exclusion of that ano malous Institution from all territory under the jurisdic tion of the general government. We have no wish, nor do we claim the right, to interfere with slavery in the State* ; but in no wise do we transcend our prerogative a* a member of the confederacy, when we iusist that the fe.'eral government snail divest itself of all connection with, and all responsibility for, an institution so repug nant to the general sense of justice, and *0 hostile to the harmony and ultimate prcsperity of tho country. It cannot have escaped the notice of the attentive observer of our governmental policy, that it lias, for many years, departed widely from that indicated by the founders of the republic ? vii: the recognition of slavery as an anomalou* institution, repugnant to all their cherished ideas of the rights of men. and consequently to be local ized restricted to the narrowest possible limits, and gradually extirpated by the growth of those principles which lorm the basis of our political edifice, It was an evil day for both North and South when this policy was departed from, and the powers of the general govern ment were perverted to the extending and nation* slising of slavery; to the upbuilding of an institution purely local in Its character, at the expense of the Interests of freedom, which should be regarded as dominant and universal. It Is a just cause of com plaint on the part of New York, that discrimination* should be made in our national legialation wbich tend to embarrass ont industrial enterprises and to deprive 11* of that relative political influence that of right belongs to u*, by concessions to the slave States which neither comity nor round statesmanship, nor a true regard for the interests of our country as a whole, e*n for a mo ment sanction. Thus have h?en engendered sectional divisions, and sectional Interests have been stimulated into antagonism, and ill-feeling, unworthy of our fra ternal character engendered : all of which might have been avoided had the federal government adhered to it* originil policy, as good faith and justice to all demanded. However deeply the patriot may deplore the agitation* growing out of the slavery question, and the alienation of feeling consequent thereupon, It I* in vain to expect that they can be allayed by any legislation that Ignore* the moral sentiment of our people, and mptnres long existing compacts, or by anything that fall* *hort of restoring our government to its original policy upon that question. I have no heiltatlon. therefore, in expressing the be lief that the peace and permunent welfare of the whole community, a* well as the political right* of thl* State, demand the restoration of that prohibition of slavery in territorle* which was embodied in the Missouri compro mise, and repealed by Congress at the last session ; and 1 recommend to the I legislature the adoption of such mea sure* as may tend most effectually to the promotion of that result; to the protection of the political rights of thl* State against the further increase of slave repre sentation in either branch of Congress, snd to the res toratlon of that generous confidence and mutual regard which are essentia) to the stability of that Union upon which our respectability abroad and our domestic wel fare must alway* largely depend. There 1* much in a review of the Intereit* ef our State to call forth thankfulnes* for It* present, and In spire lam hopes for the future. Its destinies are to HmeMent committed to our hands. While endeavor, lug to discharge our respective duties with constant re ference to the protuerity of the commonwealth, let us rely for aid upon Him who holds in His hands the fles times of nations and individuals, aud, seesing His favor and guldanee. secure the benediction pronounced upon that people whose God is the Lord. Alba.iv, January 3, ISM. MYRON H. CLARK The message was referred to the Committee of the Whole, except that part relating to the excise laws, which was sent to a select committee on motion of Mr. Stebbins, of Monroe. Mr. PrrTvuu.vT offered a resolution for a select com mittee to visit New York and other cities to exsmine the proctedings of the criminal courts, and report what legislation was necessary to suppress and puniah crime, laid over, Mr. PrtTVBujrr also gave notice of hills to amend the charter of New York, and relative to the New York police law. The Hou'e then adjourned until half past three, when tkt ??? frees wiu ?nt >e van iw state The Pate of the ?loop-of-War Albany. OCR W AiHINOTON CORRK8PONOKNCR. Wabhisgton. Jan. 1, 1855. Tke Milting Sloop -of- War Albany ? A'iimm ?/ her (fy cert and Crew. The Navy Department has given up all hopes for the safety of the Albany. For over two months no tiding* has been received of ber, and unwillingly the conviction ii forced upon the mind that ih? has gone to the bottom, with not a solitary person left to tell the tale ? om of those silent, unwitnessed and fearful drama* which time alone reveal* and imagination shrinks from dwell* ing upon. k We have procured from the muster rolls in the depart ment, the following liat of the names of the o Altera and men on board the ill-fated (hip. The liat of men la fans the laat return to the Department, received 30th June? 1864. It ia not probable many alterations or changed were made previous to her last cruise:? OFFICERS. James T. Gerry Commander. William W. Bleecker Lieutenant. Montgomery Hunt do. John (Julncy Adams do. Henry Rodgers do. Robert Marr Acting Matter. Stephen MeCreery Surgeon. Richard D. Cowman Asst. Surgeon. Nixon White Purser. Bennett J. Riley Midshipman. William Jones Boatswain. William Craig Gunner. Jainea Fraaer Sailmaker. Rowland Leach Carpenter. Helliger Scott Master's Mate. . William J. Bond i... do. Dexter Brigham do. Nicholas F. Morris Captain's Clerk. William Curtis, John Smith, 1st, Heary Barret, John Short, ? Joseph Wood, David Edwards, Fredrick H. Decker, Jamea McAlinder, Augustus Hale. George Brown, 1st, Caleb 8. Yaugh, John V. Pierce, Francis McMullen, William Hnrlin, > William Robinaon, William Chadburo, Aaron Smith, Henry Vernon, John Parker, Timothy Greenleaf, Jamea Kelly, John McDonald, Henry Thompson, Samuel Adams, William B. Farqnar, Michael Kearney, Jeremiah Lynch, Jamea Brown, David Brown, Richard Bonaal, Moses H Drew, <Jeorge Hart, Hans Thompson, James Halcomb, John Nicholson, Thomas Bunton, Benjamin Summerton, William Wood, Jacob H. Fisk, Michael White, William Kemp, Charles Stevens, ? Ephraim Litchfield, Jamea Chuliman, George Griffiths. Madison M. Baker, George Brown, 2d, Richard Murphy, Samuel Ramsdell, George (Irecnleas, William Ilrlen, Marion B. Stout, Christian Bolt, John L. Thompson,. George Ward, Thomaa Gerard, Alexander Duncan, John Hunt, Daniel C. Weerten, John Williams, 3d, Henry Robertson, James Roper, Henry Spencer, Frederic Peterson, Franklin Knight, John Holt, Henry H. Reynolds, George Currier, Edward Donohue, Daniel Walker, ^ John Dolphin, Andrew J. Rundlett, William Quinn, Samuel Wilson, Willam Clark, 1st, John Owens, Charles Phillips, John ?. Little, Gregory C. White, Martin Hlsler, Edward F. Tibbitts, Joseph Hamburt, David Davis, Peter Goorge, John Stanford, John E. CrutchGeld, Frederick Risk, Thomas Donohue, James H. Foy, William I. Kgan, Henry Scotsou, James Lowd, Henry M. Caliill, William Darrel). > William Franklin, John Frcderlokson, Jacinto Patson, Edward Boss, William Martin IJouel Watson, Town-end Minterble, ' John Farrell, Tlmot^ Nolan, Peter McCabe, Francis Hodgers, Henry Hupp, James Wallace, Peter Livick, William Creighton, Nathaniel Davis, John (ion, Stephen Morgan, John Taylor, Mathias Forderman, Thomas Reeve*, Fred. R. Schonefeld, Dennla McCree, Daniel Bellue, John Campion, James l.ouergan, illlam Carter, Harry Cork, Michael Enler, Robert Williams, Tliomaa Moas, Mathew Smiley, tram-Is Johns' n, Ceorgo Roberts, lewis Spencer, Charles Bird, Stephen Morgan, Charles Smith, ?Jillen O' Brian. Thomaa Benoagan, Patrick Keougn, Joseph Kell, William 11 Dickson, Henry Pearsall, Edward Johnson, Peter Ward, William H. Beilahaw, John Searlea, Hugh Crall, Frank lioruan, Joseph Clarke. John Morris, Jauiea Anderson. Joseph Stowell, Cliarles Wilson, Lucien M Rawaon, James Wilson, George Snooks. MARINES. Frederick Jahn, John Leary, Robsrt J Brown, John Moody, Michael Coyne, ? Isaa.: <)?l>orn, Jamea CoUan, Jamea Wilson, Mlcl a?l Casey, Denis Welsber, Maurice Dunn, Patrick Gilmore, John Dunlin, George sheets, Edgar 8. Finley, Robert Allen, John ftargan, WUIlam t'rossan, Eoward i.ailagher, Mieliael Rodgera, (ieorge .lohnaton, Francis Ferguson. Philip Kayler, The Albany waa a sloopof-war of the flrat class, built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Her building was com. nienced in 1843, and she waa launchod in 1844. Sho rated as a 20 gun vessel, but like all the ships of her class, carried 22 guns ? six 8-inch shell guns and six* tien 32-pounders. Her total coat and repairs up to I860 amounted to $177,547. Complement of officers and men, 210; tonnage, 1,0(14; length, 148. "feet; beam, 34.-I feet; bold, 17.4 feet. The following extracts from the official '-eporta of her cruises show her general qualities Maximum draft 17*> feet; best sailing trim varying from 1% to 20 inches by the stern, on her tirst and se cond cruise. "Steers and works readily, rolls easy and pitches heavily, ami is very easy on her cables ? 1847." "Steers well, hilt sails and works badly, and makes a freat deal of Ice way: on a wind, under the most favora le circumstances, never makes more than eight knot* per hour; roll" ami squats dreadfully, and requires Ion sail. Her best trim for sailing is probably by the head. ? 1840'' Previous to this cruise her lower masts hail been short?ned several feet. Carried the same sail on the fore that she did on the mainmast previous to thi ? cruise. Has since undergone some alterations; and by laat reports performs "equally well, with a difference ot froip 20 inches to 3 feet by the stern, and without any balHat on board. Steers and lies to well, and works an well a* the average of ships; stands up well under her sails; lolls dicp without straining her hull or rigging. She has logged ten knots per hour on a wind, andthlr teen free. Beat the Decatur, in a trial, on the wind. 1 do not r eg i rd the Albany aa very weatnerly, but, under all circumstances under which 1 have seen her, as supe rior to most ships ? 1862." The "squatting" spoken of in the above report, show* that in a gale of ? Ind there would be great danger of her being taktn aback, and thus running down stem foremost. This. it is believed, was the manner in which she was lost . There Is a report that the ' - dry rot" had seriously affected her, and thus weakened her timbers; but there is no evidence to show that such was really the case. The probnblo Tate of the Albany ia dreadful to con template ? the engulfment of every soul on board? ?nd swells' the sepulchral list of the rear just passed, already overburdened with Its frightful sorrows. Taking Into consideration the nomber of vessels in the navy, the Hit of those which have been lost at sea is not considerable. From the commencement, in 177ft. to the present time, the following are recorded as "lost,"?. 1778? Brig Reprisal, (purchased), 1780? Ship Saratoga, while ia command of Captain J. Young, and has never since been heard of. 1800? Ship insurgent, (a captured vessel,) while la command of Cant. P. Fletcher, foundered with all on board. 1829? Brig Hornet, while in command of Master Com mandant Otho Norris, with all on boerd; supposed ta have foundered in a heavy sea. 1812? Bomb brig Etna. 1811? Schooner Revenge, (purchased.) 181 A ? Schooner Helen, (purchased). 1814? Ship Waap, while in command of Master Com mandant Johnston Blakely. with all on board. 1816? Ship Epervler. (a captured veesel, > while in com mand of Lt. J. T. Sliubrick. with all on board, including Master Commandant Wm. I-ewls, bearer of despatch*!* from Commodore Decatur, and Uetits. .Veal, Gornall and Drury . She passed out of the Straits of GU>raJt*r July 14, and was never afterwards beard from. 1820? Schooner l.ynx, while In command of Lieut. J, R. Madison, with all on beard. 1816? Brig Chippewa, crew saved. 1833? Schooner I'orpoise, crew saved. 1840? Schooner Shark, crew saved 1843 ? Schooner Grampns, while in command of Lieut. A. F Dnwnea, with all on board. ? 1824 ? Schooner Wildcat (purchased), with all 00 board. 182.V- Schooner Ferret (purchased), with nine of hec crew. 1840? Ship Boston, during a squall in the night, all hands saved. 1843? Ship Cencord, with her commander, W. Bo* rum, and one of nei crew. 1K41 ? Ship I'facoek. 1831 ? Schooner fylph (purchased). 1R3B ? Schooner Sea Gnll (purchased). 1840? Brig Truxton, three midshipmen and thirty seven of the crew lost. 1848? Schooner <>n-ka hv-e (purchased). 1840? Steamer Edith (purchased). And on lAkt Ontario during a squall, in 1818. two schooners, the Hamilton and Scourge, with all hands, except sixteen of the crew of the latter. Wh?rever the word "purchased" does not occur the vessels were built by the government of the United States. Where net stated otherwise, no Uvea were teat. It will be seen by the Hat that the Albany, If she ha* foundered with all on board. Is not the first teasel of our navy which has shared a similar fate. It'ia supposed that C<?greas, following a precedent al realy ?et in a similar ease, will grant tnr-e months pay to the families of those lost in the Albany, ;ogeU?er witU **?1 t9 Mat U'S'VI,