The New York Herald Newspaper, January 3, 1855, Page 2

ve 1,237,866 20. TI gas In accordayce with the require samt of $1,944,601 72 has 5 apectied in that the expenses of =, 1,750,799 O1. Seats of te constitution the n set apart for the various purp bow F ineluding $200,000 tow: the State government, There is a deticiency, therefore, Yn the revenues of the canals of $194,062 TI. This re- mult is due to a variety of causes, some of which, it may yeasonably be hoped, will not again occur, while others may be remedied by judicious legislation. The commaer- ‘embarrassments of the country, a severe and un- Saual drought followed by short crops, navigation often 4 by want of water and dificult from the incom. pleteness of tts channels, aad the active rivalry of coin- peting modes of transportation, have combined to di- Eimish the business and the revenues of these great Btate works, while a large increase in the expenditures for repairs, partl; without doubt, to inconsiderate and mischievous leg’ tion and other causes, have in- Greased the expenses far beyond a propepimit. It is Deped that these causes of embarrassmen to ‘and of loss canals may be removed, but without a mac! ihe Crease in the revenues than can reasonably be expected, there will not only be no surplus to be appro- ated to the work of enlargement, but the usual con Biivution to the general fund must'be withheld. Thero is no good reason te apprehend any inability to make ail the payments to the sinking funds required by the eonstiution, so that the credit of the State will not be io the least degree impaired. ‘The loan of $2,200,000 made for the purposes of the enlargement, realized a premium of $342,052 77. The to- 4a) amount of contracts entered into for work on the ea- largement of the several canals, is $4,538,741 84, at prices averaging over 21 per cent less than the esti- mates of the engineers. The reportof the Auditor of ‘be Canal Department contains much information and many suggestions on the general subject, well worthy of your attention. From the records of the Banking Department it ap- pears that {teen banking associations have been orga- nized, and eight individual bankers have deposited se- eurities and received circulating notes, during the last veal year. The total amount of circulating notes is- banking associations and individual bankers, ‘and outstanding onthe 30th of September, 1854, was 924,661,572, for the redemptian of which there was hdld m trust by the Superintendent securities amounting to 325,002,160, of which $6,718,248 11 wav in bonds and mortgages. The whole number of banks, banking asso- eiations and individual bankers in the State was 334; the amount of circulation ws* $49, 902,535 and the whole amount of banking capical was $83,773,288, being ‘an increase of 7,081,213 over the previous year. Not- ‘withstanding the extraordinary financial embarrass- ments of the year, (he banks of the State, with but few exceptions, have promptly met their liabilities to the bill elders and the public. The cases in which failures have eceurred afford reaped evidence ot the comparative ia- recurity of allowing bonds and mortgages to be received at their par value, as a basis for banking. Daring the — ear there has been an increase in this class of securi- ‘of $940,670 72, much of which has replaced State stocks that have been withdrawn. Inasmuch as the new jasues of State stock authorized by the recent amend- ment of the constitution} will furnish all the securities yequired for legitimate and healthy banking purposes, the attention of the Legislature may very properly be directed to the propriety of modifying the existing law 4m this respect. Abuses that have occurred in the ap: yropriation 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 fect security of that very large class of our people ae whoes benefit banks for savings are established by uw. The details of the condition of the banking inter- ‘ests of the State will of course be set forth in the report ‘ef the Superintendent of the Banking Department. The increasing importance of our penal institutions not only entitles them to your continued watchful super- vision, but demands a closer-scrutiny of the system pon which they are conducted. with a view to such amendments as may be necessary to obviate its existing evils, and secure, through it, the highest good attaina- Ble. Such a classification of offences aud of criminals as should prevent the association of the young, unschovled in crime and suffering, perhaps, for their first deviation from the path of veotitude, with hardened offenders who glory 4m their’ guilt, would conduce much to the refor- ~mation of the former, or at least prevent our prisons . Mabilities of Srom being what they now too often are—achools of de- pravity. Under the existing organization of our prisons this much needed discrimination cannot be exercised, and thus the reformatory influence which, under a bet ter system, they might exert, is lost to the community; and they are made, in some sort, the instruments for perpetuating the vices which they are designed to re- strain. How far, if at all, this evil can be obviated by farther legislation, is worthy of your inquiry, and will receive, J doubt ‘not, that measure of consideration which its importance demands, The financial condition of our prisons will be presented to you by the Comptroller and the Inspectors of State is THY frequent applications made to the Legis ture for appropriation, 9 discharge the pecuniary ese institutions led to the adoption of “a resolution on the part of the Senate, last year, calling upon the several Inspectors to report the whole in. @ebtedness of the prisons of the State. This was done, and it was found that their aggregate liabilities amount- ed, at the lowest catimate, to $214,715 38. When it is’ remembered that but a few yours since the pri- mone were a source of revenue to the State, thi ‘vast*indebtedness compels the conviction that those 4 with their management were incompetent the performance of their duties, or utterly un- worthy the trust which had been confided to them. ‘The enormous discrepancy begween the Reports of tho Inspectors and the annual ehibits of the respective ts, attracted the attention of the Legislature, which, ‘at its last session, passed a bill directing the Comptroller to appoint three Commissioners who should be charged ‘with the 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 ear®y pe- riod of the session. The evidence which they can pre- sent will enable you to judge what evils have existed, and what further measures, if any, ure neolod to pro- vent their recurrence, Under the law as amended by | the last Legislature, minutely detined, and greater restrictions and safeguards thrown around them. These, under tue administration of proper officers, may be sufficient to guard against the repetition of gross abuses. Should additional legislati de needed, however, any law that promises to seeu more accuracy in the transaction of the business, and | demands more rigid accountability from the officers of our penal institutions will meet with my cordial ap- roval. 7 ‘The Auburn prison, under the operation of thi amended law, has been enabled to more than meet ita expenses during the past six months; and the ace of the agent exhibit a large balance to his credi Dooks of the Comptroller, notwithstanding the low rate at which contracts have been let, and the pressure to . Which all industrial enterprises have been subjected, There is great wrong involved in the operation of our existing law for the deterition of witnesses, Under its Provisions, the person wlo has been so unfortunate as wi ens the perpetration of a murder, and who is un- | able to give bonds to testify to the facts in the case, is t to the same confinement, the came diet, ani the fame associatio wiasion of the crime, eannot demand ro gross an invasion of individ @inued unt Accs little credit pon our progr “ Law is the perfection of human reason.” eient to secure its removal, b; vidual with the interests of the public. My immediate predecessor, in his last annrti surplus revenue was thus | the duties of agents were more | , a8 he who is charged with the com- Surely the onda of ‘public justice ual right. That a usage so unjust should have obtainéd, and con- now, a fon! blot upon our er minal code, re- sive civilization, and furnishes but indifferent demonstration of the maxim:— | L trust that to direct your attention to this injustice will be sufli- such modifications in the Jaw referred to as will reconcile the rights of the indi- Message, recommended that a portion of the earnings of prison +r, eeetion of an additivnal wing and for the furaishing of | the same, bas be bout half expended. The new wing has been erected aul eaclosed, and will be ready for oc- cupancy by the first of July, 'Some additignal aid may be required (rom the State to furnish it, and also for the erection of gas works, for lighting the entire building. The report of the Managers, detailing more fully tue condition of the institution, will be laid before you at an early day. The State Lunatic Asylum, at Utica, is nobly fulfilling the purpose of its establishment, and justifying the confidence of the public in its official management. whole number of patients treated during the part year is 836; of these, 446 were in the institution at the begin- ning of the year, and 390 have been subsequently admit ted. The House, it is estimated, can accommodate 440 ; the average number resident’ during the year bis been 444; while 108 applications for admission have been refused, for want of room, and 51 unfavorable cases removed to make room for more recent ones; show- ing a total of 169 to whom the benefits of the in- stitution could not be extended. Of these 836 cases treated during the year, 164 have been discharged as Fecovered, 42s improved, and 116 unimproved—total , 386; remaining at the end of the year, +0. From the ‘opening of the asylum in 1843 to the present date, 4, tients have been admitted to its benefits; 3 p of whom 1,789 have been discharged as recovered. While the benevolent desi of this institution is con- ceded by all, I deem it but simple justice to remark that its excellent management is evidenced by its general results, which must commend themselves to the favora- ble judgment of all. Since its establishment, each suc- ling year has demonstrated its increasing usefulness, and given it a stronger hold upon the public regard. Through its ieciremener ty nearly two thousand o! fellow beings, deprived of the inestimable gift of reason, without which all blessings lose their value, have been restored to sounduess of mind, the delights of social intercourse, and to their eral spheres of usefulness in society. in numerous other cases, where full restora- tiom was clearly beyond the province of human skill, the sufferings of the unfortunate patient have been greatl, mitigated, and the anguish and anxiety of their friends mat ly relieved. Thus, through its whole existence has the institution been a dispenser of blessings great beyond the power of estimation; its results e not only justified the Christian philan- thropy that 5 sted, and the beneficent provision which carried into practical operation so noble a ‘ity, Dut have alan ooufeceed hoaoa upon, cusoommaonweallls, far greater than could have been won through the exten- sion of her commerce, the increase of her wealth, or the reduction to her purposes of the material forces of nature. : But, while any of our unfortunate insane remain un- vided for, it is obvious that the State has not per- formed her whole duty towards her suffering children. If, during the past year, the asylam at Utica has been compelled, for want of room, to reject one hundred and fifty-nine 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 serious a deficiency in our means of accotomodating all whose misfortunes give them a claim upon our sympathy and help. I do therefore respectfully recommend that the 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. J would commend to your attention the report of the Trustees of the Idiot Asylum, which, since the adjourn- ment of the Legislature, has been l6cated at Syracuse. The new building designed for the accommodation of this important charity is already enclosed, and rapidly ap- proaching its completion; but the appropriation of the tate, ($10,000) is expended, the pay of the contractors largely in arrears, and numerous applications for the ai- miss®n of pupils pressing upon the trusteer. Under these circumstances, it is important that the means for the completion of the building, and for extending its benefits to all of that unfortunate class who may apply for them, be furnished without any unnecessary delay. I therefore recommend such appropriation for these pur- poses as may be requisite to sccure the earliest practi- cal results contemplated by the State in the establish- ment of this institution. Application will be made to the Legislature for further aid to the Institution for the Blind, which now feels the pressure consequent upon the general paralysis of busi« ness. Its manufacturing department is designed to fur- nish employment, not only for the pupils, but also for the adult blind unconnected with the institution; but, from the cause already alluded to, there is little or no sale for its manufactures, and great pecuniary embar- Fassment is the necomary; result, ‘The usefulness of thus | department of the institution would undoubtedly be ex- tended by such judicious aid as should place in beyon1 the fluctuations of business. ‘The present number of pupils in the institution is 141, 116 of whom are supported by the State, afew by the State of New Jersey, and the rewainder by friends and relatives. In addition to these, sixty-n'né graduates, or persons who have lost their sight in mature life, are fur- nished with work from the manufactory, at prices regu- Inted with a view to their support; making a total of 210 e | who receive education, or the means of subsistence, Vit uple Ges Lnnithaton? shew aaaeven vf PUPS Support re Fi ed by the State is limited by law to 128. This restriction should be removed, or many of the unfortunate class for whom the inslitution is provided, must be deprived of its benefits. From the Institution for the Instruction of the Deaf and Dumb, the reports received are of a satisfactory character, both in reference to its facilitie: the purpose designed, and the zeal and teachers in the discharge of their delicate and important duties. The number of pupils now under instruction is 30. Two-thirds of these are beneficiaries of the State; the most of the remainder are supportea by their friends, the State of New Jersey and the corporation of New York: afew fram the income of « small fund derived from legacies and subscriptions, and sét apart exclusive 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, &.—thus not only furnishing to them a subject of present interest, but preparing them for future usefulness and the mean3 of independent support. The experiment attempted, two | years since, to introduce the higher branches of study | into the Institution, has been attended with success, as | will be evinced by the documents'which, in due time, will | | be submitted to you. These will also embrace accounts ofreceipts and expenditures, the sanitary condition of the pupils, and other matters pertaining to the condition of the establishment. From a statement of the Commissioners of Emigration, it appears that the arrivals of alien emigrants in our , for the year ending December 5 '47; for the year ending Dece: showing an excess for the year just closed over the pre- of 30,415, The prosent’ number of inmates 5 Island Hospital, 1 n 4° Departme The aggregate pts for the jGisbursements, $607,073 62—balauce in bank, $65,115 D4, The State Library has, during the last year, resetved numerous and valuable donations from foreign govert ments and various institutjons in Europe. ‘Trough the resentation of our laws, the legislative documents, anil he reports of our higher courts, it imterchangus with every State and Territory in the Union; while the doax- tions of citizens from various pottions of our own coun- try, have been frequent and liberal. Last year, the | usual date of appropriations for the purchase of books, and for binding those received, was changed from the first of January to the first of October, the cominonee- ment of our fiseal year. No provision was made for the interim, and this has proved a source of difficulty in relation to existing contracts and parcha assured that the supply of this deficiency (for nine months, according to the usual annual appropriation) | will be sufficient to. meet every demand. I therefore re during the period of their incarceration, be reserved for | commend a grant for the same, ‘their own use, in the following terms:—‘‘1 suggest the | propriety of allowing to convicts, as a reward for indus- Among the subjects which will require your at | tention there is none of more importance than the ry and foot conduct, some portion of their earnings, | system of puble education of the State. The ma: for the benefit of thomselves or their families, This | nitude of this interest has always been felt and a would be calculated to animate them with hope— | preciated by the people, and the State has shown to create habits of foresight and prudence, | from the earliest period of its existence, au ear and, by enabling them to assist their families, | desire to provide the means for the adequate in- ‘would ‘cultivate the better instincts of their na- | struction of all the children within its limits, For. ture. It would also give them, at the expiration of their terms of imprisonment, some means of support ‘until they could overcome the dificuities of obtaining employment. ‘and want consaquent upon the bie against them. Humanity and policy alike every encouragement should be afforded to t tunste persons to retrieve their past errors. commendation by me as both politic ani right, ‘and therefore worthy of your consideration. ‘The onerous, and still increasing, burden thrown upon | ‘the executive by the numerous petitions for pardon | ht before _ demands the adoption of some mea gure by the Legirla In numerous instances, discharged con- | are led to the commission of crime by the poverty hich exist jure that shall diminish the number | a long time the system pursued was based on the as | sumption that education was mainly a matter of per. | sonal interest, and that the duty of providing it devolved exclusively upon parents; the “insiraction of the ebil dren of those whose poverty would not’ permit them to incur the expemse of it themselves being made to depend upon public charity, The inefficiency of this policy failure to accomplish the object aimed at, and especially its direct tendency to create distinctions hostile to the spirit and character of our inetitutions, led to its aban- donment; and a system based upon the principle that the State’ is even more deeply and permanently inter ested in the education of its children than their parents, and that the expense of providing it should be borne by the aggregate of the property within its limits, was @f there applications, which, during the past year, | adopted in its stead. Under the existing law, therefore, ‘mounted to no less than 1,200 cases, many of which re. | the State assumes the charge of public education—com. quired laborious and protracted investigation, The evil | mitting ite direction to local officers and paying the cost might, perhaps, be remedied in part by giving greater | of it out of its own treasury. The system is compara iseretionary po wer to judges, in tho grilaation of pe: | fively new, and some practical Gelects are Sayer, ex- malties ling to the different degrees of turpitude | hibited in fits workings; but they are such as spriag ‘that mark the crimo; so that they will not be compelled | chiefly from the failure to give full and complete deve- to sentence the offender five or ten years, because the Jaw arbitrarily fixes both the minimum and the maxi- mum of the term, when one, two, or three, would be med to the offence, and equally beneficial, more proportio Buch a modification of the statute, rendering it more ac- eordant with equity, would also tend to the prever tion increasing the chances of ite adequate pun- of crime, oy ishment; for all experience has demonstrated that it is | the certainty of the penalty, rather than its amount, that eters men from the violation of law. ‘The subject, I am aware, is one of much delicacy, and exercise of a sound discretion; but I eannot doubt that the united wisdom of the Legislature lopemient to its fandamental principles, and may easily be remedied by judicious legislation. The syster itself is believed to be thoroughly rooted in the confidence and favor of the people. The whole amount of money apportioned by the Su perintendent of Public instruction 000, of which $500,000 was raised by a general tax, and $255,000 frou the incowe of the Common School and posite Funds, The whole amount expended for public schools is $2, 666,609 86, of which $1,020,484 49 was ap plied to the payment of teachers, and the district libraries, schools reported for the year is 11,708; and tho whole ‘will be able to devise & moasuro so much needed to | number of children in the State of thé age required to See 5 growing ove to equalize the allotments of jus- | draw public money, 1,186,7 There have been 877,201 tice, and to relieve the executive of the State from a re- | in attenianee upon the district schools; in academies whose burdens are greatly dixproportioned | under the supervision of the Regents of the Universi to the benefits that can accrue to the commonwealth | 57,40€; 34,279 in unincorpated private schools, and 4,558 from its exercise. | in colored schools, The average number of months du. "The House of Refuge in New York has been, during | ring whict the schools have been kept fu the several dis- ‘the past year, conducted with its usual efficiency an: i. Some two months nce the institution was re to the new building recently erected on Randall's which will give 'it more ample accommoda' has hitherto enjoyed, amt thus enable it to operations and increase itt usefulness. The ma- they are able to do so, to building for the female department. is done, the contemplated system of classifica separation cannot be carried ont, It is intended i qT i HH [re ite two hundred and fifty inmates; and’ the of ite early construction wil be evident, the fact that this is the only reform school in the for receiving them from all the counties. It only half the State, Four hundred and thirteen children of both sexes have deen ing the year; three hundred and rhty-thrée have been indentured: there now rem and.75 girlsa—total 4is. ince ite establishment is 6, t Rochester seems, also, 1s present number of inmate satisfactory ; there is a general discipline on the part "of the boys, and Ita justify the most sanguine hopes fie friends, The »ppropriation made last yoar for (he i new building shall be of suffident capacity to | | tricts iseight. The number of voluines in the district | libraries is 1,671,270. There resuits exhibit « zratifying increase in the num- ber attencing the digtrict schouls over the previous year. But it will still be eeen that of the whole number of dren of suitable age in the State there are 909,508, or nearly one-fourth of the whole number, who do not at. tend the district schools, and 253,25: r about 20 per cont of the whole number, who do not attend any school. In view of the provision that hae been made for the express purpose of socurihg the educa: this proportion is much too large; and fndieates som | defect iu the system pursued—ecause it does not com- pletely attain the object at which it aims. That it do-s not, may be partly due to the mode of distributiag the public funds, By the existing law, two-thirds of e public funds are distributed among the various diste of the State m proportion to the whole number of © dren of a specified age within their init attend the schools or not. public money were made to dep: | atiending school and upon the regularity of | ance, it would become the intevest of the rally to promote the regular attendance o dren within their limits. An ameudmoat hich should give it this direc would, T to ecoure, more fully, the desirey gerwlt, If the apportiouin upon the number heir atte NEW YORK HERALD, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 3, defective, also, in that it fails to carry out fully and completely the principle on which it {4 based. Bdu- cation in the district schools is not yet entirely free If the cost of the schools in any district exceeds tl amount of money received from the State, the de! ciency is made up by a rate: bill, assessed upon those who send their children to school; and those who are unable to pay this assessment are relieved at the public ex- ee and thus become the recipients of public charity. ‘be worst element of the old system is thus served, and the fundamental principle of the new law fails of its je yn in its most essential point. Education is sf soqunied asa matter of chaste sa notof right; and so long as this continues to be case, in any de- gree or to apy extent, it will detract from the full measure of usefulness which the system is designed to secure. This evil in the system can be remedied only by making the schools entirely free, ‘The attention of the islature should also be di- rected to measures for improving the characte: the schools, for increasing their effi and for elevating and extending the instruction which they impart. In a State where every citizen ahould take an active interest in the administration of public affairs, and may be called upon to perform the highest duties of public life, it is important that popular education be carried to the pighaet point which the means of the State will allow. 1t has been objected to the system of free schools that people do not prize that which costs them nothing, and that relieving individuals from the expense of educating their children will diminish their interest in the subject and lead them to relax the vigilance which is essential to the highest excellence in the public schools. There is unboubtedly some force in the anatoatice, though experience - shows that it is much less than is sometimes supposed. But whether it be more or less, it is entitled to consi- deration, and provision should’ be made for obviati the objection in any system of education whi State may adopt. An obvious mode of doing this is by means of an active and ee supervision, by which the schools shall be larly visited and their discipline examined by competent officers selected for that pnrpose. Various attempts have been made to supply this, but none of them have hitherio preved en- i successful. The agency provided by the present law isthat of town superintendents; but it is found more expensive, and less efficient than is desirable, and ‘ives rise to local dissensions, injurious to the success- ‘ul sg ace Coan general system, Similar objections led to the abandonment of the bay of county auper- intendents, a few years since. Unless the principle of visitation can be more effectually reconciled with pub- lic sentiment, and made 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 inetitutions of learning—with acade nies and col- leger—making them all. in fact, of one great sys- tem,—could not fail to contribute essentially to their elevation, and bring the means of a thorough and com- pate education within the reach of all. In the city of jew York, where the free school system of the State has been, perhaps, more completely devel than in any other section, the benefits of substantially suci 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, a plan of study extending over five your, ‘and embracing allthe branches of study pursued in 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 and most efficientcharacter. Pupils who shall have attended be of the District schools for eighteen months—main- tained throughout a good standing and character, and passed a satisfactory examination in certain specified studies, are admitted to the academy and entitled to the full enjoyment of its advantages, free of all expense. The academy has been in operation only three or four years, and the average number of its atudents is over four hundred. The attendance shows that its benefits are fully appreciated. But besides the thorough and most useful instruction conferred upon so large a num ber of the children and youth of the community, its most marked advantages are seen in the influence which it exerts upon the common schools—stim ing their teachers, trustees, inspectors and pupils alike to a gene- rous rivalry, increasing their vigilance and industry, and renderi them zealous and emulous in sending the Dest pupils to the academy, whose facilitios for education are the prize for which all may alike contend. While lam aware that large cities afford facilities for such a system, which cannot be fully enjoyed in the rural distrists, [ think that§something may be done throughout the State in this direction, A voluntary beginning, indeed, has already been made in some sections, by the establish- ment of Union Schools; and their success shows that the system is not wholly impracticable. «1 think that the time has come when higher purposes and broader views may be entertained in regard our system of Stato ; eee eo cong be errpuninke education; apaitPihtmedinte connection with the gene: fai plan, and thrown 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 sciegces which are of the most ser- vice in practical life. 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 be felt beneficially upon their discipline and character. It would be highly desirable to bring the colleges of the State into harmonious connection with such a plan, 60 that they might become more directly recognized as members of our general system of State education nudas essential to its completeness and perfection. ‘The subject of the revision of our excise laws will de- mand, and I doubt not will receive, your serious atien- tion. ’'To the practical operation of these laws, either through their inherent viciousness or in consequence of their lax administration, is attributed no small propor- tion of the drunkenness which afflicts 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 are | radically defective, and however faithfully adminis- | tered, must be held justly responsible for the evils which | they foster, and in many instances create. If the consequences of intemperance were confined to its immediate victims—thou; even then the State would have an interest at stake—there might, perhaps, be less occasion for legislative action. But such is not | the fact. Every interest of society which it is the pro- vince of goverment to protect, is, immediately or re- motely, involved in these consequences. Intemperance deprives the State of the productive energy of thousands of her citizens, and so far dimin- ishes its wealth, impedes its enterprise, and militates against the common good. It is a fruitul source of the pauperism which imposes heavy burdens upon industry and capital; and its intimate relation to crime, and con- sequently to the burdens which crime imposes upon us, is too obvious to exeay + your observation. If the purely moral aspects which it presents shall be deemed as not entering within the scope of your duties, its relation to taxation, and its producing causes, is clearly within the province of legislation, and demands a degree of atten- tion corresponding to the great issues which that rela- tion involves. ‘The right to legislate in reference to the traffic in in- toxicating liquors will not be denied, Our present excise system is the fruit of such logislation, It has, in the process of time, undergone many modi- fications, but its restrictive element, throughout all these changes, has been retained, in subservi- enc® to the original purpose of the’ system, viz:— the probibition of the traffic so far as the public good way demand and the constitutional limitations of Tan) 657 06 for tlio | The whole namber of district | the law-making power will permit. All restrictive legis- lation container the germ of prohibition—is, in fact, pro- hibition partially applied: so that what is tem | pro | hibitory fegisiation, in regard to the liquor tr. dc, is only the extension of principle endorsed as sound by | successive Legislatures, and its impartial application to | all, ‘Lhe object proposed by the founders of our State, | when they incorporated the license system into its legis: lation, has not yet been attained: neither has the con- | Ftitutional ve powde of the Legislature fn reference to it, heen exbausted. With the utmost desire to reach ht conclusions in relation to this matter, and to | guard against the assumption of powers not conferred hy our fundamental law, [have found myself \.anble to come to any other result than this—that the legislative tion of the trafic in intoxicating drinks is mot only demanded as a measure of protection to the health, the property, and the lives of our fellow citivens, but that it is also distinctly indicated by the mture and purpose of civil government, and clearly within the limits of its constitutional powers, These opinions, ently entegtained at first, have been wrought into conyietions by scareful study of the limitet act duties of the ay-making power, by jacicial decisions, nearly or remotely affecting the principle involved. which have been bad in the several States that prohibit the | traitie in question, and by the dicta of the Supreme | Court of the United States, which cover the whole ground in controvery, and leave little room for either cavil or doubt T hia! the good results hoped for from the legislation recommended sre legitimate to it, several of the New Foglond States, especially Maine and Connecticut, fur- | nish the most gratifying evidence. The steaiy dimi- | nution of crime and pauperism in the States referred to, with» consequent and corresponding reduction of tax: ation; and the new impulse’ given to almost all indus- tris! pursuits by the transformation of those who ware once « borden tipon the State, ints producers of wealth, constitute an argaruent in favor of the policy adroeated, which, while it exrries conviction to the statesman, will be no less approciated by the multitude, * unskilled thongh they muy be in casuistry, but also undebased by appetive and wnpesverted by interest. If anything is to 4 from the example of other States, om our Own increased experience, it should be Je to our use; and our legislation uponall should keep pace with our advancing intelli- xpressing the highest truth we Lave re c rward (0 the greatest good at- tainable, Tknow of po that is likely to elicit your atten- tion, that involves graver and more momentoris interests, P {han the one shu presented for your soasiteration, at it is hedged about by difficulties which demand the exercise of grent prudence, and that it may not always be ensy to reconcile, witt conflicting interests with w i adjustment of the scales of justice, Tam not disposed to | deny. But, guided by the purpose for which govern. ment was ordained, ‘and keeping steadily in view the well-being of which always rests on a moral | basis, these diMenliies will disappear oF be overcome; and you will be able, T trast, so to perfect the cetaila of fa bill a+, on the one hand, to secure the eupprossion of & demoralizing tratic, and, on the other, to protect personal rights and give no just cause of complaint to thowe whose interests may be affected by the prohi- vitory legislation which the IMgher interests of comy munity demand jot the efforts heretofore made rill be renewed with the pre- of free trade in money per munity. Money, itis arged, restraints of ‘usury laws would be- leheap, It is worthy of remark, how. j ent proceeds generally from the lender rathe or of money. Ant does not this a: fm 0 little orton mtteh ? ney here not be equal freeden ow th hange thelr Inbor, 4 tive ov Than arbiteary lee hee Law to oon per, why not f che meri Hany Sane upou nu eqnality If yoy iavest money by legislatien with a power which, unrostricted, enables capital to oppress labor, do you not while enfran- chising capital, enslave labor? If, thea, money is to be re- lieved from legislative restraint, should it not also be di- vested of the power conferred by legislation? While our laws stamp extrinsic values upon coin, may not laws, with equal justice and propriety, declate, wiiat rate of demanded and received for its use? And while legislation permits associations and individuals to circulate their paper promises to pay, as money, isit not clearly a duty to limit the rate of usance upon loans? Re fore wary cages cit Enna paper A atvane = tives, free, it would,in my jus eum | upon goverment to amlcilate, money to! the products of ta: bor, b; depriving gol, silver and bank notes of their ar- tineial alue. en, and then only, may money be rately lett, lke the products of labor, to be regulated by we of trade. ‘The experience of other countries and older nations, where capital is more abundant and seeks investment at moderate rates of usanee, is referred to for evidéace that free trade in money is beneficial to the community. This argument may become applicable to our condi tion when capital bears the same relation to enterprise and indus- try in this country that it does in Europe. But while the laboring and. ipencncing classes predominate so large- ly, it becomes us, instead of relaxing usury laws, to provide for their more Ay i execution. Indeed, the most ‘valid objection to these laws is found in their lax admin- istration. While poepaaten by law-abiding citizens, and by cautious and timid usurers, they are ded by those who either hope to evade them, or who rely upon the honor or necessity of borrowers. A law either mora or less stringent against usury, if its enforcement could be ensured, would uctive of sal tary 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 effect 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 ion of interest varying from twelve to twenty-four rcent per annum. Borrowing at this onerous rate leads almost certain ruin. It may be answered that only in times of. | prema are the rates of interest #0 5 But what, if the power to regulate the whole questiou resides with capltalists, is to fing down the rates? ‘What is to make money more p! ‘ul and cheap, when those who possess it have the power to neae it scarce and dear? There is a given amount of capi! wing us, seeking investment. If our laws rigidly prohibit the taking of more than the legal rate of interest, that capital would be available for all legitimate 808. If loans are made reluctantly at legal rates, it in be- cause usurious ones may be obtained through the violation or evasion of the laws. The islature of 1850, in accordance with a then ager sentiment, awakened by the avoidance of a usu debt by an incorporated bank, under plea of , passed @ OS boo incorporatior eS A jing usury. my opinion, was a change in The witag divection.’ vile 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, four citizens, mistaking confidence for capital, have involved themselves and the country ina fearful aggregate of indebtedness. In their zeal to hasten the construction of railroads, time, circum stances, cost, and even jtheir value when completed, have often been disregarded. The question, in too man; instances, seems to have been not whetherfthe roads were needed,“or would pay when constructed, bat whether bonds could be negotiated, at no.matter’ what rate of di:count. This policy has thrown millions of depreciated railroad securities upon the market, athome 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 expediencv,. there- fore, of repealing the law which restrains corporations from pleading usury, is respectfully suggested. ‘the volicy of constructing railroads by mixing credit with capital, though-to.a degree usefal and safe, has rown into an abuse. Mortgage bonds, when protected yy 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 re- epect, as experience suggests and the general welfare demands. - Connected with our er system is another feature of great, but delicate, interest. Ju their laudable desire to avail themselves of the acvanceres of such improve- mentss, cities, villages and towns have loaned their cre- dit to railroad companies. This is a power which should be sparingly granted by the Legislature, and cautiously exercised by the people. Though in some instances safe, Uitests A general rule, it is better to leave these projects 0 Vie emtorprige and responsibility of individuals. The experience of the State, in this respect, is not at all cal- culated to commend the policy. The Board of Brokers if the city of New York, though self constituted, and practically @ close corporation, has own to be a power in the State, exerting a potent in- inence over all its ‘monetary ,affairs, and seriously af- fecting the pecuniary interests of the people of our own and of other States, The standard of value for public securities, whether 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 the bona fide transfer of stocks has ceased to be the only, or even the mont Aderable, item of the bu- siness of brokers. Time of securities constitute by far the largest clement in the daily operations of the Board. Many of the stocks and bonds quoted daily, though intrinsically worthless, derive and maintain a factitious value, until, by the ‘adroitness and collusion of the parties interested, the purposes of their 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 their number readily obtained, to devreciatethe value of undoubted securities, or to advanse the price of bubble shares. ‘These evils, however, would be comparativety limited inextent, and less alarming in tendency, but for that feature in the operations of the Board to which I haveal- luded. Its practice of time salys of securities—a prac- tice which now prevails to an alarming extent—fosters and stimulates a wide-spread spirit of gambling. This spirit pervades all classes. It is rife in our cities, and is abroad throughout the country. Asin the case of lot- teries, before their suppression, the temptation which promises large and easy gains, not only excites the hopes of the sanguine, but too frejuently overcomes the caution of the prudent. Disastrous failures in le- Ce business are often traceable to wild and reck- ess time operations in stocks, And most of the frauds and defaleations which impair the credit of monied in- stitutions and destroy confidence in the integrity of in- dividuals, owe their origin to the same pernicious cause, It ik not alleged nor supposed that the Board of Pro- kerr, as such, is composed of men of exceptionable char- acter. On the contrary, it is the high personal respecta- bility and the influential position of the members of the Board, that has so Tong secured toleration and impunity for transactions so vicious in prine’ple and so destruc. tive in practice In view, therefore, of an abuse of such magnitude, and of consequences so injurious, I deem it my duty to submit to the Legislature the propriety of passing a law so far reforming and restraining the traffic in public securities as to divest it of this pernicious ure. It is not sufficient that these transactions by our The evil can only be eradicated adequate penalties. An Association whose financial influence is greater even than that of the government; that has the power to ap. preciate this, and to depress that class of secu- rities, and to which so large a body of citizens pay tribule, should be required so to conduct its opera- tions as neither to retard the geveral welfare nor relax the public morals. There is reason to apprehend, unless some further and more efticient safeguards aré thrown around the elective franchise, especially in our cities, that the bal- lot boxes will ceave to reflect the popular will. Each succeeding election discloses renewed cause of alarm, in combinations to defraud the people, and too fre- quently, as is feared, with the know! ‘and co-opera- tion of those whose oficial duty it is to preserve 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 of all they {& Heretofore the principal abuse of the elective franchise grew out of illegal voting. But it is alleged and believed that a greater abuse exists now. That abuse bas become so formidable, and is practised so re that a result in many of the election districts of the city of New York is supposed to ni less upon the sentiments and intentions of the electors than upon the corrupt action of their inspectors, Frauds of this nature strike at the foundation of our free institutions. A representative government cannot endure, even if it were worth preserving, when the integrity of the ballot box com@ to be tually violated. I cannot doubt, therefore, that a subject of such vital importance will be regarded as worthy of your serious consideration. A controversy is pending in our courts of law between this State and the State of ME bead which, from the importance of the principles involved, and the extent to whieh its decision will affect the right of this State to regulate its own domestic affairs, requires your atten- tion, The facts out of which it arose are these :—In the month of November, toed one Jonathan Lemmon, a citizen of brought into the city of New York ht persons, whom, by the laws of Virginia, he had | held as slaves, and with whom, as he alleged, he was on his way to Texas. They were brought, on habeas corpus, before one of the Justices of t a Court, who decided, that by virtue of the lawa of New York, they were entitled to their ‘They were accord! discharged, and immediately removed to Canada, thus placing themselves beyond the jurisdiction of both our State and our ws. sum of $6,000 waa raised by voluntary contribution among the | citizens of New York to indemnify Mr. Lemmon for his loss. 80 far as individval interests were invotved, al- though an appeal from the Judge’s decisions had been taken on bebalf of the claimant, the case would have been terminated by these proceedings. But the Gover- nor of Virginia, in @ special communication, dated De- cember 17, 185%, called the attention of the Legislature of that State to this decision, which he characterized as “contrary to the spirit of aw, a8 opposed en- tablished principle: which regulate intercourse with fo- n nations, and at war with therelations which should subsist between the sister States of this Union, as well a8 at war with the spirit if not the letter of the consti- tution itself.”’ The Governor further recommended that provision should be made the State for the rosecution of the CC which had been tak ‘eneh other jadicial proceedings as ht be found ne- cessary and a for a eating justment of the important question involved in this case.”’ In accord- ance with this recommendation, the Legislatare of Vir- ginia subsequently directed the Attorney General of that State to prosecute the appeal, with such other counsel ficient ad for as the Executive might think ER to associate with | him. ‘That appeal bas not yet heard, but will pro- | bably be argued at the next general term of our Su- preme Court. | The language of the law of this State, which declares that ‘no person held as a slave shall be imported, in- troduced, or brought into this State = ) whatever,” eat ** wach person aay pretenc be free”? fe Me rune is 0 caplet as to obriale 18 55. meaning. Its operation can be resi therefore, only to ry to the ‘law of international comity. The law of nations will undoubtedly permit the bi go the grounc that it is contrary o the United States, or citizens or subjects of one country to through an- other country with their property, but only wi perty recognized as such by the same law. Slaves are roperty only by virtue of law; where that ceases 10 Rave ju fiction, they cease to be prope-ty, and cannot be recognized or treated as such. If the deci- sion of this question rested, Sperefore, upon the princi- ples be international pp is onk ree _ tea ternational comity—I see nothing 38 principles in the law of this State which applies to thls case. But the several States of this Union do not hold to each other the relation of independent powers. The law which regulates their intercourse and controls their con- duct towards each. other, is the Federal Constitution. By the provisions of that instrument, every State is ‘eft entirely free to make such laws in reference to its local institutions as it may see fit, To this there is but one It declares that ‘‘no on held to service ibited from making law or tion by which tives from service, W! is dee under the laws of the State from which ao eseape, shall be di from that service. The State of New York has always respected this prohibition, as well as the right of Virginia and of awd other State to legalize and regulate slavery within thefr own jurisdiction, Bat she claims equal sovereignty over her own domestic in- stitutions, and the same right of upon what conditions slay may be allowed, or whether it shall be allowed at alli within her limits. If this right be denied her, she will be deprived of the most essential attribute of sovereignty—that of deciding w the civil condi- tion and secu the personal hts of those who may be brough' highly im; prt it that question It seems to me portant which bed to #o great an extent, the dignity and the rights of this State, should not be decided without a full and 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 case will undoubtedly be carried if a decision against the law should not ir wise be obtained. I recommend, therefore, the adop- tion of a resolution directing the Attorney General, to- ether with such counsel as may be assoelated with him, i defend the rights and the interests of this State in al that bas been taken. ” Hay thus briefly ae to your notice those do- wmestic interests which will demand your attention, it only remains for me to speak of our relations to the federal Union, of which the State of New York, by its | mae ann pci Rpg oom 7 important part. ere luties of the ral governwent are defined nnd limited by the conshinitions and relate to those objects only in which allthe members of the con- federac; fe @ common interest. But its action not pee ntly affects our domestic prosperity as well as our political rights, and may, therefore, very properly be made the subject of your review. the ap) It isto be ri Sa that the executive veto should have been again interposed to prevent the necessary improve- ment of the t 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 m1 Maas wales, he 8, by relinquishing the power of Jevyi es upon commerce, have divested themselves 6f 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, tari! regula. tions would afford; and which, had they been seasona- bly adopted, would have ayerted 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 tor that portion of the territory ac- quired from France in 1803, which remained unorgan- ized; and in that act was embodied a repeal uf the law. generally known as the Missouri Compromise, by which slavery was prohibited from that territory forever. This prohibition grew out of the agitation in reference to the admission of Missouri as a slave State, and was sup- posed to involve concesions from poth ‘parties to the controversy. 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 30 was left without any restriction as to the eharacter of its institutions: while on the other hand it was s0- lemnly covenanted that all north of that parallel should be forever exempted from the curse of slivery. 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 {n the circumstances under which it was adopted, a solemn ledge of permanency. It was the result of a con- ict 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 a patriotic desire to preserve the integrity of the Union and th oof the country. The Com- rommise was, at the eine, eminently satisfactory to the Eotimecas well it might be, for the 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 bands of the confederacy, it was acqui- esced in by the North ; and for more thirty years had commanded the re«pect and obedience of all sections and of all parties. Its peels therefore, haa been very enerally, and not unjustly, regarded as « violation of good faith on the part of the South, and a proof that our generous confidence in its chivalrous honor has been misplaced, The gross injustice of the transaction is ag- gravated by the fact that the concession to freedom was not witharawn until tue consideration for which it had been granted had been fully enjoyed. Besides Missoun, Arkansas had been organized out of the territory, and admitted as a slave State into the Un on, and slavery had taken possession of the whole ot the territory south of the dividing parallel before the compact was repudiated and the'law repeal By this act ail the territory of the United States, with the exception of Oregon, is opened to the extension of slavery. Against that extension the State of New York has always protested. In 1820 and in 1850jand when- ever the subject has been presened for legislative action, she has asserted the right and the duty of that bod;, which is charged by the constitution with the responsi: bility of making ‘‘all needful rules and regulations” for the territory of the United States, to prohibtit the ex- tension of slavery and the increase of its political power. The Missouri corapromise, which allowed its introdae- tion into the territory south of thirty-six degrees thirty minutes, was passed against her convictions of jastice and sound policy; but she has ever remained faithful to its provisions and hostile to its infringement or repeal. She had aright to oxpect from other States equal fide! ty to the compact which it involved; and sho has right, and it is her duty, to demand a restoration of the Missouri line, as one beyound which slavery shall not be permitted to pass; or rather, as rsquired both by the principle which called our nation into being, and by the law upon which is conditioned its highest developement—the total exclusion of that ano- malous institution from all territory under the jurisdte- tion of the general government. We have no wish, nor do we claim the right, to interfere with slavery in the States; but in no wise do we transcend our prerogative a6 a member of the confederacy, when we insist that the feceral government suall divest itself of all connection with, and all responsibility for, an institution so repug- nant to the general sense of justice, and so hostile to the harmony and ultimate présperity of the country. It cannot have escaped the notice of the attentive observer of our governmental policy, thst it has, for many years, departed widely from that indicated by ‘the founders o: the republic—viz: the recognition of slavery as an anomalous 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 priaciples which form the basis of our political edifice. It was an evil day for both North and South when this policy was departed from, and the oe: of the general govera- ment were perverted the extending and nation® aliaing of slavery; to the upbuilding of an institution purely local in its character, at expense Of the interests of freedom, which should be regarded as dominant and universal. It isa just cause of com- plaint on the partof New York, that discriminations should be made in our national legislation which tend to embarrass our industrial enterprises and to deprive us of that relative political influence that of right belongs to us, by concessions to the slave States which neither comity nor sound statesmanship, nor a true regard for the interests of our country as a whole, can for a mo- ment sanction. This have been engendered sectional divisions, and sectional interests have been stimulated into antagonism, and ill-feeling, unworthy of our f1 ternal character engendered; all of which might have been avoided had eral government adhered to its faith and justice to all demanded, triot may deplore the ho ane growing slavery question, and the alienation of feeling consequent thereupon, it isin vain to expect that they can be allayed by any legislation that ignores the moral sentiment of our peopl ), and raptures lon: or by anything that falls short of existing compacts, restoring our government to its original policy upon that question. Ihave no hesitation, therefore, in expressi the be. Nef that the peace and permanent welfare of whole community, as well as litical demand tue restoration of that ce ition of slavery in territories which was embodied in the Missourt compro- mise, and by Congress at the last session; and 1 La a ae right such mea- sures a8 may tend Fone horney AY oN eget of tection of the political rights of farther increase of slave repre- sentation in either branch of Congress, and to the res. toration of that confidence and mutual regard which are essential to the stability of that Union upon which our respectability abroad and our domestic wel- fare must al large! . in a review of the interests ef our State to call it, and in- spire. hopes for the future. Its ies are to some cominiited to our hands, While endeavor. ing to discharge ve duties with constant re- ference to the prosperity of the commonwealth, let us rely for aid upoo Him who holds ia His hanils the Gos. tinles of nations and individuals, and, seeing His favor and guidance, secure the benediction pronounced upon that people ‘whose God is the Lord. AwBaxy, January 2, 1865, 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. Srvyvesant offered a resolution for a select com- mittee to visit New York and other cities to examine the proceedings of the criminal courts, and report what legislation was necessary to suppress and punish crime. Laid over, Mr. StcyvExant also gave notice of bills to amend the charter of New York, and relative to the New York police law. The House then adjourned until half past three, wheo ‘the members wi) owes io Grow lor senate vi of this State, our : VOL. XX. OUR WASHINGTON CR. Wasutncron, Jan. 1, 1855. The Missing Sloop-of-War Albany—Namee of her Qffe cers and Crew. X The Navy Department bas ‘given up all hopes for the safety of the Albany. For over two months no tidings has been received of her, and unwillingly the conviction is forced upon the mind that she has gone to the bottom, with nota solitary person left to tell the tale—one of thore silent, unwitnessed and fearful dramas which time alone reveals and imagination shrinks from dwelle ing upon, ‘We have procured from the muster rolls in the depart- ment, the following list of the names of the officers and ‘men on board the ill-fated ship. The list of men is from the last return to the Department, received 30th Junes 1854. It is not probable many alterations or changes were madé previous to her last cruise:— > OFFICERS. -Commander. Lieutenant. do. + do . do, Acting Master. ‘ n. James T. Gerry . William W. Montgomery Hunt John Quincy Adams Asst. Surgeon, »Purser. ++» Midshipman, Boatswain, ++ Guaner. Sailmaker. Carpenter. -Master’s Mate. . do, 5 do. Captain’s Clerk, William Curtis, John Smith, Ist, Henry Barret, John Short, pan ‘Wood, David Edwards, H. Decker, James Augustus Hale. Brown, lst, b 8, Vaugh, John V. Pierce, ‘8 McMullen, Willis Barhn, Sa eer Buia Ceeeenee Aaron ‘ernon, John Parker, Tnoliy Greenleaf, James Kelly, John McDonald, Henry Thompson, Samael Adams, William B. Farquar, Michael Kearney, Jeremiah Lyne! James Brown, David Brown, Richard Bonsal, Moses H. Drew, George Hart, Hans Thompson, James Haleomb, John Nicholson, ‘Thomas Bunton, Benjamin Summerton, William Wood, Jacob H. Fisk, Michael White, William Kemp, Charles Stevens, + Ephraim Litchfield, James Chullman, George Griffiths. © Madison M. Baker, George Brown, 24, Richard Murphy, Samuel Ramadell, George Greenleas, William Brien, Marion B. Stout, Christian Bolt, John L. Thompson, George Ward, Thomas Gerard, Alexander Dunean, John Hunt, Daniel C. Weeden, John Williams, 3a, Henry Robertson, James pa 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 E. Little, Gregory C. White, Martin Hisler, Edward F. Tibbitts, Joseph Hamburt, David Davis, Peter George, John Stanford, John E. Crutchfield, Frederick Risk, Thomas ue, James H. Foy, William I. Egan, Henry Scotson, James Lowd, Henry M. Cahill, William Darrell, William Franklin, John Frederickson, Jacinto P: Edward Ross, Willis Lionel Watson, Town: Minterble, John Farrell, Timo Nolan, Peter McCabe, Francis Rodgers, Henry Hap) James Wallace, Poter Livick, William Creighton, Nathaniel Davie, John Goss, Stephen M : John Taylor, Mathias Fo: 0, Thomas Reeves, Fred. R. Sehonefeld, Dennis McCree, Daniel Bellue, John Campion, James Lonergan, William Carter, Harry Cork, Michael Eoler, Robert Williams, Thomas Moss, Mathew Smiley, Francis Jobusen, George Roberts, Lewis Spencer, Charles Bird, Salen Morgen, Charles Smith, Gillen O’ Brian, Thomas Benoagan, Patrick Keough, Joseph Kell, William H. Dickson, Henry Pearsall, Fdward Johnson, Peter Ward, William H. Beilshaw, John Searles, Hugh Crail, Frank Gorman, Joseph Clarke, Jobn Morris, James Anderson, Joseph Stowell, Charles Wilson, Lucien M. Rawson, James Wilson, George Suooks. Frederick Jahn, John Leary, Robert J. Brown, John Moody, Michael Coyne, Isaac Osborn, James Colgan, James Wilson, Mick al Casey, Denis Welsher, Maurice Dunn, Patrick Gilmore, John Donlin, George Sheets, Eagar 8. Finley, Robert John Gargan, William Crossan, Roward Gallagher, Michael Rodgers, jeorge Johnston, Francia Ferguson. Philip Kayler, The Albany was a sloop-of-war of the first class, built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard. Her building was com- menced in 1843, and she was launched in 1846, She rated asa 20 gun yessel, but like all the ships of her class, carried 22 guns—six 8-inch shell guns and six teen 82-pounders, Her total cost and repairs up to 1850 amounted to $177,547. Complement of officers and men, 210; tonnage, 1,064; length, 148.7 feet; beam, 34.4 feet; hold, 17.4 feet. ‘The following extracts from the official reports of het cruises show her general qualities :— Maximum draft 17}¢ feet; best saili from 1% to 20 inche: er first an cond cruise. “Steers ily, rolls easy and pitches heavily, and is very easy on her eables—1847,”? trim varying Gis etrennistasens never makes more than eight knots per hour; rolls and squats dreadfully, and requires low sail. Her best trim for sailing is probably by the head, —1849" Previous to this eruise her lower masts had been shortened several feet. Carried the same sail om the fore that she did on the mainmast previous to this cruise. Has since undergone some alterations; and by last be sind performs “equally well, with a difference of from 20 inches to 3 feet by the stern, and without any ballast on board, Steers and lies to well, and works a# well as the average of ships; stands up well under her sails; rolls deep without straining her hull or . She has logged ten knots per hour on a wind, an - teen free, at the Decatur, in a trial, on the wind. I do not regrrd the Albany as very weatherly, but, under all circumstances under which I have seon her, as supe rior to most ships—1852."” The ‘squatting’ spoken of in the above report, shows that in a gale of wind there would be it danger of her being taen yoy and thus PD oy then stern foremost. This, it is |, was the manoer in whiclz she was lost. There is & report that the ‘dry rot”? had seriously affected her, ai us weakened. her timbers; be there is no evidence to show that such was really @ case. The vee fate of the Albany is dreadful to con- template—the engulfment of every soul on swells’ the se] ral list of the year just passed, alread, overb) th ite frighttel sorrows into consideration the number of vessels in the navy, list of those which have been Jost at sea is not ‘ble. From the commenéement, in 1775, to the t time, the following are recorded as “lost:)’=— T7i0—Buis Belacnen! Chilo tn soneaasnd of Captate’ J vss rin surgent, (a captured veel) hile ta inst a wi rd Some Capt. P. Histeher » foundered with all on 1830—Brig Hornet, while in command of Master Com- mandant Otho Norris, with allon board; supposed ta have foundered in a heavy sea, ib bi ) urchased. (pure! '11—Schooner 1815—Schooner gure . command of Master Com- ith all on boa: ( 2 captured vessel, ) while in com- ith all op board, including Master Commandant Wm. Lewis, bearer of J ad and Drury. She July 14, and never afterwards heard fro Heo Schooner » While in command ‘of Lieut, Js A. FE. Downes, with all on . 1824—Schooner Wildest (purchased), with all on board. 1825—Schooner Ferret (purchased), with nine of het 118i fhip Rorton, during o squall in the night, all hands say 1 Concord, with her commander, W. Boerum, and one of hei crew. i 5 1831—Schooner Fylph shaved). 1830—8chooner Baga (purchased). 1846—Brig Truxton, three midshipmen and thirty- seven of the crew lost, 1848—Schooner On-ka-hy-¢ (purchased). ‘And on Lake Ontario during « squall, in 1818, two schooners, the Hamilton and age all bands, except sixteen of the crew of the latter. Wherever the word ‘purchased’? does not occur the vessels were built by the government of the United States. Where not stated otherwise, no lives were lost. Tt will be ween by the list that the Albany, if she hae foundered with all on board, is not the first vessel of our navy which has shared a similar fate, a precedent al- Its supposed that Congress, following ready ret imilar case, will grant three months pay to the families of those lost in the Albany, together with $6 pues pchslen to tas widows, . 6 TT