The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1812-04-10

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[.dugusfa Herald.l
PROROGATION.
To The Honorable the 4ssc,nbly end Senate of The
=, 'Sfafe 9f.Nczsfsrk.
lGENTLEMEN, ~ 81
The constitution of this state has vested IN ~.
Governor thereof discretion to preroene the AS.
scmbiy and Senate, from lime to time provided
such proogations shall not exceed sixty DAYS in tho
space OF any one year. 1t was doubtless intended
by the wise and patriotic trainers Of that sacred IN
strument, that this power should be exercised On
| all occasions when in the opinion OF the executive
the public good would be promoted by it,
entertain perfect conviction tina, the exercise
OF the above mentioned prcrogatve at the present
tune, ls not only a sacred and indispensable duty
winch owe to the community, bat ,hat it win have
tendency to awaken enquiry, and TO produce de-
gree ct information which under existing ci,sum-
stances cannot fail to be useful and important in de-
edns, ultimately, upon some of the important niea-
sures now pending before the Legislature +
| ain not unmin',ful of the magnitude and rec.
possibility OF the duty discharged by this message
and therefore beg leave assign some of the nro
mlnent reasons which have impeed to its per-
Torrance.
| You are apprsed, gentemen that some years
since 1t was ascettainedbeyond any reasonable doubt
that corrupt Inducements were held to members
Vi tfe Legislature an order To obtain THEN votes in
FAVOR OF an incorporation OF banking i sttuton in
the city OF New York and the very strong and
general suspicion, that the emolumeuts rendered
l
wound upon the honor of the state and upon the pa
rIty and independence Of legislation.
AT Tie last session of the Legislature an act was
passcG incorporating the late Jersey Bank; & al
t"onsh there has been as yet Judicial investigation
as TO the alledged improper Iseans made use on r.
OBTAIN the act, there is very general public opnie
that understandable attempts were Iesorte,i TO on,
that occasion to influence, unduIy the then members.
of the legislature
With respect the bill for the interpretation Of a..
no'her bank IN the city of NewYork, by tue name
oi thc bank OF America, now before the Senate,
many, and forcibe objections exist against it and +
ehc':ssi the hope that the considerations which u
mad the honor TO suggest to the Legislature al the
commencement OF the presen, session, would hsv>
hFi iieir due influence. In confederation of these
considerations avail my self OF this cssion to re-.
marx, that the bill before the Senate establish.
es In the city OF NewYork, bank with capitsl of
SIX iniiloss OF dollars; that FIVE millions thereof nav
De subscribed by thu stockholders OF the late bank
Oh the United States, without any provision which
gives preference to the citizens of the u States
ana thus foreign stockholders may be admitted i'm
inc ossresioh OF the directors, to mononoize the
Stock, and consequent contoal of the intended ban
ana thereby acquire dangerous influence in the
moned operations and other important concerns of
the state. -. -
The banking capital in the city Of New York now
exceeds nine mn IONS OF dolara. This capital in the
mos. hculsihhg sfate OF our Commerce, has beeu
e -. aeeqnate to commercial purposes The o.
States, We have much reason to spprehend are or,
ue verge OF a war with q. Britain, in defence of
our rights, our national honour, and our intenen-
ue'ec ana commerce is consequently nearly snspen~
ut"-Can IT be wise, then, to increase on: bank
ms capital in unprecedented manner. al a time
"heh We have only very limited and restricted
commerce left (! Can it, be prudent or safe. nd
Ncn time' 20 employ British capital, AID suliectc
ourselves to ITS dectcrious influence in thwsrtipg
he OPERATIONS OF our own government in q lust s.
necessary war wita G. Britain IT appears to me
that 1t would be unwise & impoitic
When contemplate tie creation. Of 8 new bsnts
III tae city OF Ncw-lork with so enormous c.n;.
L" wien perceive the resuscitation within this
s,"te OF ha't the whole capital OF the late U. States
Bank and when view the mower ybicb ,b.t -
70 10 concentrate ~ the hands OF few indiyidu-
aus, cannot but feel the most lively apprehen
SONS ior the safety of all other banking institu
uons and oil our most nestimabIe political inslitu-
tiou5 =
isut these considerations became less importan.
whe" compared with others, 20 which it is my pain
iu duty her. to advert
1T appeays by the Journals Of the Assemble tho.
attempts havG been i,-de to corrupt, by bribes four
menDeS OF that body, for the passage oC the
Dill To incorporate The aforesaid bank an1.it also
appears, ny the Journals Of The Senate that an iu-
proper attempt Li.s seen made to inisuce one of.
inc senators 10 vote for the bill. Far be il from, me
10 insiGuate that improper considerations have in
uueeo any member Ct the Legislature TO vote for
the SAID bill yet, should its iial passage now taka
place, before the persons impicated in holding or
the before mentioned inducements shau have Been
JulicIensly rIed and without cousl ing tIe feelnos
ANU OPINION Oh the co'nmrIJ ~ large upon the subj
Jeet, public sentiment will tear however uniustlv
attribute nus passage, in some degree to the influences.
such inuc aineuts ~.
Under such persuasion, entertain the most fcar
in approximations, that die confidence OF the peor,I
tie purity and independence of lep satiop viii bs
iaa'iy ~, H'red our representative system which
las bee" eyised for by our sages and wises, IN.
rlsts as safeguard for security, our properf,
aud our liberty, ultimately destroyed aud this
great ana popuous stste lose her Just inportanee
aud hlinchce in the deStinics Of the g. g.
IL gives me sincere city. and pain to reflect
that many individual iuoon verences wi result rom
a, propagation of the Legislature at this time VET
these mconvenonccs DO not c0rp pare 9Th the nnb
nc considerations W ich induce this measure
a"cnnIy Impressed WITH the importance Of thu
preceding considerations, and feeling that the nor
ais, tic honour aud tlc digpv OF The state reouire
't----ipd in order that tine NAV be afforded
Tor reSection, and for the complete a. ertanment
"i pu'ic sentiment upon rnea etre Taught viii,
such important consequences, have deemed il pro-
per to pioro. nc, and do hereby prorogue the AS
scinby and Senate until the twenty-6rst dsv of
Ssy next, then tomeet in the Capitol in the CITY OF
Albsny. VIZ IVY -
Givcn under my hand and the priyv sen, oe
the state Of New YORK, at the city of All.
a." - ~ ~, hstwenty seventh dav of March
~ the year Of our Lord, one thousand
eight hundred and twelve.
DANIEL d. ToMKINS,