ecutive of this State to the subject o the surplus revenue, is herewith communicated. "The time and manner of acting in the matter," belong exclusively to the Legislature, as the Executive of of himself can do nothing in receiving or rejecting the money thus allotted to the state. According to the provisions of the act of Congress the alternative is left with the state either to accept or reject the proposition. If we reject that portion of money set apart for us, it will then be deposited with such of the other states as may agree to receive it on the terms proposed. Believing that Congress at their approaching session will take the necessary steps to reduce the revenue to the actual wants of the government, to prevent, if possible in future the accumulation of so great a surplus in the treasury: thereby doing away any occasion hereafter of resorting to such a species of legislation having so banefull an influence on the relations which ought to exist between the states and the federal government. I do not hesitate, under all the circumstances to recommend to the Legislature to make the necessary provisions by law, authorizing the treasurer of the state to receive on deposite from the authorities of the general government, that portion of the federal revenue which may be allotted to this state; and to empower him to receipt for the same; and to enter into such obligations on the part of the state as the act of Congress in relation to the subject prescribes. Public documents on various subjects from several of our sister states are herewith transmitted. They will of course receive from you that attention, which is due to the importance of the several subjects and to the high sources from which they have emanated. The reports of five several boards of road commissioners, are also transmitted. At the last session of Congress there was an additional regiment of dragoons authorised to be raised for the protection of the frontier; which, together with an appropriation of $14,000 for the establishment of an arsenal on the Missouri river, near our boundary line, will tend much to tranquilize the fears of our border citizens; and, I may add, that from the disposition evinced on the part of the Federal Government, ample provision will be made from time to time, to secure those citizens in the enjoyment of their lives and property. It was anticipated that, as the various tribes of Indians removed, were to be located adjacent to our frontier, a force and protection would be afforded sufficient to repel and allay any hostilities that might arise; and in this, our utmost expectations and wishes have been, and will no doubt, be fully realized. A provision has also been made by Congress for constructing a military road from the right bank of the Mississippi river, at some point between the mouth of the St. Peters and the mouth of the Des Moines, to Red river; it is provided that the road shall pass west of the States of Missouri and Arkansas, if the assent of the Indian tribes, which had not theretofore been given, and through whose territory the road might pass, should be first obtained; and in the event of not obtaining such assent, then the road to be run east of the western boundaries of the States named. The advantages to be derived from the surveying and opening such road, will be very great, particularly as affording a facility in the transportation of troops used in the protection of the frontier; and as it is contemplated and provided by the act of Congress, that military posts, at the discretion of the President of the United States, shall be constructed, all communication necessary to be kept up along the said road, may be safely calculated on. It is proper for me here to state, that by an act of Congress, the President of the United States was authorized to have ten thousand volunteers raised for the purpose of aiding, in the event of its becoming necessary, the protection of the frontiers of the United States. A request was made to the Governor of this State to have one thousand volunteers (privates) raised, and to be officered according to the acts of Congress governing such cases. The number required have been partly raised,,and the returns of the remainder are daily expected. From the chivalric spirit of our citizens, no doubt is entertained that a larger number, if necessary, can be at any time had, to aid in the discharge of so important an object as the protection of our frontier inhabitants. To show further that the arm of the Federal Government, so far as it can be constitntionally done, is designed to be extended to western interests, I will state, that an appropriation has been recently made for the improvement of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers, above the mouth of the Ohio. Such indications of extending to Missouri what her interests so much require, must meet the cordial acquiesence of, and afford much satisfaction to her citizens. There are, however, two subjects in relation to our federal intercommunication and protection, that I think require your especial attention. One is the extension of the Cumberland Road to our seat of Government, and thence to our western boundary. When it is considered that immense sums of money flow into the federal treasury from the sales of the public lands within our State, it seems peculiarly proper that we should ask of Congress an application of at least a portion of those funds, in aid of this road within our own borders. The other subject, to which I call your attention, is our Santa Fe trade. By acts of Congress in relation to reshipping goods from the United States, upon which a tariff has been paid, a debenture is allowed at all sea-port towns; but in relation to our traders by land to Santa Fe, no such drawback is allowed. I believe no distinction should exist, whether such goods are exported by land or by water. I therefore submit for your consideration, the propriety of again memorializing Congress upon the subject, and asking for the establishment of a port of entry and a custom house, at some point near our western boundary line, and for the allowance of the debenture on all foreign goods exported from the United States by land to any of the Mexican States or provinces. This would be placing all of our citizens upon an equal footing, which should be done by the government whenever it is practicable to do so. The public lands of the general government within our State, which remain undisposed of, form a subject to which it may not be improper to invite the attention of the Legislature, inasmuch as some of the most substantial reasons why the price of those lands has not been reduced now no longer exist. The fact that the national debt (to the payment of which the public lands were pledged) is now discharged, and the present fiscal resources of the national treasury are much more than equal to the necessities of the government, and that they produce a surplus fund, which it is extremely difficult for Congress to dispose of on terms which are satisfactory, authorize the expression of the wish of the people, through their Representatives, in the form of a memorial to Congress on the subject, in behalf of the actual settlers of the country. The true wealth and strength of a country consists in the number of the industrious cultivators of its soil; they are the main support of the Government in time of peace, and its defenders in war, on whom alone we can with safety depend for the preservation of those inestimable rights and privileges which we now enjoy, and which were purchased at the expense of the best blood of the Revolution. It is to this class of our citizens, the actual settlers, the hardy yeomanary of the land, that the fostering hand of Government should be extended; the public lands should be disposed of to them on the easiest terms; permanent pre-emption rights should be granted, and every facility afforded of procuring homes for themselves and families. I therefore recommend that the Legislature memorialize Congress on the subject, and request from the General Government such a course in the premises as her financial relations pear to authorize, and the interest of the people of this State imperiously require. ap Having now placed before you, in conformity with my duty, the several subjects which I have considered necessary and proper towards advancing the general good, permit me, in conclusion, to indulge the hope, that the errors, if any I may have committed in the discharge of this important trust, will not be attributed to a want of zeal, on my part, for the promotion of the public interest. I sincerely trust that you may eminently succeed in all your endeavors to advance the moral, intellectual, and physical condition of the people, aud that your labors may redound to their permanent benefit. That such may be the result, let us supplicate the aid of that Being, whose Almighty power controls and governs the Universe. November 22, 1836. Mr. Campbell offered the following: LILBURN W. BOGGS. Resolved, That the message of the Governor, just received, be referred to a committee of the whole on the state of the republic, and that three thousand copies be ordered to be printed for the use of the Senate. Which was adopted. Mr. President laid before the Senate a communication from the Secretary of State, containing a list of the members of the Senate, elected to the ninth General Assembly. Also, Proposals from Calvin Gunn, on the subject of printing. On motion of Mr. Vanarsdall, The Senate adjourned. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 1836. THE Senate met pursuant to adjournment. Mr. Goforth presented a petition of Andrew Jamison and James H. Ralph, Which was read, and On motion of Mr. Goforth, Referred to a select committee, consisting of Messrs. Goforth, Byrd and Gorham. On motion of Mr. Smith, The resolution in relation to standing committees, was taken up. Mr. Vanarsdall moved To amend the resolution, by adding "A committee on printing." Which was agreed to, and the resolution adopted. The President, in conformity with a resolution of the Senate, announced the following appointments of standing committees: On Civil Judicature-Messrs. Campbell, Jones of Cooper, and Sterigere. On Criminal Judicature-Messrs. Lucas, Vanarsdall, Smith, Lee, and Jones of Pike. On Education-Messrs. Robison, Rawlins and Goforth. On Ways and Means-Messrs. Smith, Ashby, Walsh, Byrd and Weaver. On Claims--Messrs. Goforth, Byrd and Gorham. On Internal Improvements.-Messrs. Vanarsdall, Ashby, Smith, Byrd, and Lee. On Elections.-Messrs. Walsh, Valle, and Rawlins. On Militia.-Messrs. Thompson, Weaver, and McDaniel. On Engrossed Bills.-Messrs. Jones of Cooper, Robison, and Campbell. On Enrolled Bills.-Messrs. Vanarsdall, Montgomery, and Deguire. On the seat of Government.-Messrs. Lee, Gorham, Williams, Montgomery, and Valle. On Agriculture.-Messrs. Jones of Pike, McClelland, McDaniel, Thompson, and Walsh. On the Penitentiary.—Messrs. Rawlins, Williams, Campbell, Thompson, and Dawson. On Unfinished Business.—Messrs. Weaver, McDaniel, and Montgomery. Message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Ralls. MR. PRESIDENT:-The House have unanimously elected Austin A. King Speaker pro tempore, during the present session, and he has been qualified. Message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Ralls. MR. PRESIDENT:-The committee on enrolled bills, on the part of the House, is composed of Messrs. Fort, Thornton, Fulkerson, Clark, Young, and Price. Mr. Vanarsdall, from the joint committee on enrolled bills, made the following report: The committee have examined, and find truly enrolled, a bill entitled "An act to regulate the Governor's salary." Mr. Vanarsdall, from the joint committee on enrolled bills, presented the following: The committee have presented to the Governor, for his signature, "An act to regulate the Governor's salary." On motion of Mr. Vanarsdall, Resolved, That the committee of the whole be discharged from the further consideration of the Governor's message. Which was agreed to. Mr. Vanarsdall moved the following: Resolved, That the various subjects recommended in the Governor's message be referred to the appropriate standing committees, and that the President of the Senate make the distribution. Which was agreed to. Message from the House of Representatives, by Mr. Ralls. MR. PRESIDENT:-The House is now ready to meet the Senate, to count the votes for Governor and Lieutenant Governor, and the left of the representative hall is set apart for the accommodation of the Senate. The Senate repaired to the representative hall, and the President pro tempore of the Senate took the chair. On motion of Mr. King, The President of the Senate, pro tempore, and the Speaker of the E |