Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1824-11-23


sideration, especially when they reflect
that this fund may be created and sup1
ported from the sources above named,
without increasing the demands upon the
pockets of our citizens: they will also
reflect that the amount which would thus
be withheld from circulation, until 1t
would be sufficiently large to be used
for some beneficial purpose, would have
the effect of diminishing the quantity OF
state paper, and Of course, of increasing
the value of that which remained in cir
cuation; consequently, while the fund
would be aSnmulating by the additions
which from time to time might be made
to it, its intrinsic value would also be
greatly increased by the appreciation OF
the currency.
Agreeably to the provisions Of the
Act relating to the navigation oil the RI
yer Wabash" a correspondence has ia
ken place between the Executive OF In
diana and Illinois, and Commissioners
have bean appointed Oh the part OF the
two states TO examine the distractions,
and make the requisite surveys and es:i-
mates. This correspondence, together
with the report Of the Commissioners,
with letters of explanation from the Hi
nois Commissioner, are herewith trans
mitted to the General Assembly. From
these documents it appears that the OBJ
structions in the river may be removed
without difficulty. Being convinced
that the improvement is practicable, and
within the ability of the two states, am
particularly solicitous that the Legisla
lure of Illinois should make every eff
fort to cooperate with Indiana in work
of such incalculable importance to the
prosperity of both states.
In consequence ofthe memorial which
was addressed by tbs las, Legislature to
the President ofthe Uni,ed States, he au-
therized me to select thirty-sIx sections
of land which had been granted by Con-
gress to this state for the use of a Semla
nary Of Learning. Being DESTROYS of
making the most of this important
fund, and being sensible that the
responsibility of making the selec-
items was considerably increased by
the number OF persons who had settled
upon the public lands, | deputed John
Messenger, Curtiss Brakeman, and K. K.
MI.aughlin, TO examine the country,
which had not yet been brought into
market, and to report TO me such tracts
as they thought ought TO be selected tor
the seminary. In consequence OF the
excessive rains which rendered the
streams impossible, The individuals de-
puted were prevented from making so
extensive an examination as was desira-
Bile aud much valuable land, bordering
on the Illinois river, not being then sur
veyed, determined to select and report
TO the Land Office only such tracts as
has been selected in the district of coun-
try about to be offered for sale. 1t VI as
ny intention this autumn to have con-
peled the examination of the country,
and the selection Of the Seminary Land
but The ind,sposition of one OF the indi-
duafs intended to employ, and my own
illness, prevented any thing from being
done. This, hnwever, is the less 10 be
regretted, as delay in completing the Sc
lections will be attended with the good
consequence Of giving us further and
better information. Twenty sections Of
land have been selected, lis. OF which
accompanies this for the inform alton of
the General Assembly.
The ameant of the contingent fund,
then in the Treasury, not being such as
to Justify my drawing or it, the indivi-
duals employed to select the Seminary
Lands were informed that they would
have TO rely for remuneration on the JUS
tice and lioerality Of the Legislature.
+ | have authorized person in Sanga-
mo, and another in Morgan, as agents of
the State, to supcrintend the Seminary
Lands, and prevent depreda,ions. 1t
will be necessary that legal provision be
made Tor this purpose; and also for rent
ing out the lands, and thus putting them
in situation TO yield a revenue as soon
as possible towards the beneflcent pur-
pose tor which they were granted. Diff
culties sometimes arise in the protec-
ton Of lands, from the defect in the law
in relation 10 trespass, 10 which | would
invite your attention. If the trespasser
should not possess more property than
the law esemp,s from execution, he
pays nothing, goes unpublished, and can
continue to lrespass with impunity.
In the year 1922, the Treasurer re-
ceived the sum oil E5955 80 from the
Treasury of the United States; il being
portion Of the three per cent. fund, de-
rived from the sale of lands. and apnro-