Delaware journal. [volume] (Wilmington [Del.]) 1827-1832, 1829-01-13

have been encountered and overcome In the prose-
cutl0n of this work. No doubt can now remain o'
its completion at early day. These are proper SUB
ects Of congra uaton with our fellowcitzens and'
connected with the fact that the last year has been
unusually productive of the fruits Of the earth, the
value of which is likely to be enhanced by an IN
creased demand abroad they afford abundant reason
for thankfulness and rejoicing.
The revision of statute book will, presume,
chiefly occupy your attention; and as that important
task will probably be completed during the present
session, the publication of the proposed digest may
form a subject of your deliberaton. This Tor nb-
vous reasons should be effected soon as possible
The ability with which this work has been thus lar
progressed in, may be considered as guarantee OF
its successful execution. There are but few sub
ects connected with it, to which it be necessary
for me to request your consideration. Whle en-
gagged in the business of examining and consolldat-
ing our laws relating TO the limitation OF actions the
expectancy of extending their provisions to the DILL
clal bonds given to corporations and OF enolnlng
more frequent renewals of these securities upon
such as are vested with banking powers, and upon
all in which any considerable portion of society
may be Interested, should not be overlooked.-Ih The
various acts for the relief of the poor and the laws
touching the collection of public fines and foreltures
require careful revisal.-While considering the sub
iect of incorporating with our own, portions OF the
tending to this State, much Of it as refuses costs
TO plaintiffs in certain vexatious law suits. When
party receivers nominal damages under such cir
cumstances as eyince that the object OF the SUIT mas
been merely to harrass his opponent, costs should
not be allowed him. The spirit of litigation IN all
cases, where rights of some Importance are not IN
VOWED, may be thus repressed and the state OF So
clety ameliorated, by ds,ountenanclng course OF
conduct, which not untrequently embltters the fee
4 Al AKIN nj
life. Whether the miseries inflicted by nprson-
men on the poor but honest debtor can be aeyiated
by the Legislature consistently with the rights Of
creditors may be also worthy of your attention.
make no illusions to those insovents who may Tor
felt their title to sympathy by their fraudulent
conduct. But the honest debtor may be sometimes
co fined in close custody for several months before
the session If Court which can grant him relief.
Such man should not be punished Tor his m,sor-
unes and he1ap- concurrence Ia the principlr
adopted in other States. by which the confines OF bis
prison may be extended to the limits OF IA county
town, could be resorted to without lmpalrng the
right Of any other person. THE revised :. act con-
corning apprentices and servants" IS thought by
many, whose experience in this particular entities
their opinions to respect, to require SUCH supulaons
upon the part of the MASTER as IN too many cases 10
defeat the general intent of that law. | have been
informed that few masters possessing the requisite
responsibility to ensure compliance with the terms
of the Inlenture, have been willing to engage IN IT.
The clause in that act which for these reasons IS
thought to be exceptonabe, originated from motives
of benevoIence which cannot fail TO command our
esteem but if it be true that it has thwarted the
principal object of the act, and may deprive the
HELPLESS of home we must 90 back TO our old ptac-
tce in regard to the education OF apprentices or ind
some other remedy for the existing dlihcuity
The Governor Of Maine has requested me to sub
nit 10 your consideration report with reso,ut on OF
the legislature of that State. declaring that u 1t
shall be the determination of the Government OF the
United States to appropriate part ITS revenue to
the purpose of internal improvement IN the con-
struction of roads and canals in mproyeng the IA
vieaton of rivers. and in promoting education. 1t is
the spininn Of that Legislature. that the funds de-
signed for these objects ought to be distributed
among the several States, in proportion to their po-
pulatiun'' This report and resolution herewith
lay before you. together with communication from
| the Governor of Connecticut, covering resolution
of the Legislature of that State declaring IT lnex
pedient at this time. to express any opinion on the
subject matter of the restitution from the State o.
Maine, in relation to the funds which may be appro
priated for objects of internal Improvement.
The general promotion of education, as an object
to which part Of the national revenue may De ap
proprated, appears to have gained more aaVoca'es
than any other enumerated III teee 'eeoa'o'a' any
there may be reason to hope that the resources o.
the nation will be rendered auxiliary to those OF the
States, for the attainment of this purpose. hume
rous manifestations of public opinion in relation to
this subject have been already developed. re
solution Of the Legislature of Maryland, relative to
appropriations of the pubic lands, several years ago
attracted general attention, and was in many in
stances approved by concurring resolutions of the
LEGISLATIVE bodies of other States. to whom it had
been submitted That resolution declares that each
of the United States has an equal right TO Partcl-
nate in the benefit of the public lands, the common
nronertv of the Union and that the States in whose
favour Congress has not made appropriations OF land
for the purposes of education, are Untitled to such
apnropriatons as will correspond in just proportion
with those heretofore made in favor of the other
lStatrs.-Rut however sound may be the PRINCIPLES