Columbus Democrat. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-18??, 1837-01-21

security: and for the payment and redemption of
the interest and kan, nothing perhaps can be 50
| safely rehed upon as a well regulated sinking iund
| would therefore recommend that the bonds OF the
Stle tn be sold, should bear an interest Of at least
six per cent; and that the premium arising from the
sales should he applied exclusively To that purpo Y,
with such addition as NAV deemed necessary. II
is believed that bank stock viii bear tax well, If
not better than most other property upon which II Is
levied; aud am at a loss To conceive ol any good
| reason why il should be exempt as contemplated
by the proposed charter. Grants OF exclusive pr-
vileges To individuals or cooperate companies, sepa-
rate from the great community, infringe upon equal
| rights. The principle is ioregn, and was one a
mong the strong objections urged against the oca-
ton of a Branch of the United States Bank within
our limits: and it would be strangely inconsistent
now To incorporate into our State institutions thus
| offensive provision The State being bound for the
| whole amount may well, think, become stock
holder for third, or least fourth of the capital,
with full share if not the prepondcrance IN the
| Directory. The prospect Of etirchng sale OF the
bonds to advantage in the Northern market is
| rather diScouragng, and II may he well that an
agent be appointed by your body, to negotiate
sale in Europe. The pruhbtory clause in the con-
stitutlon, will necessarily suspend your action for
| the approval of the Legislature in January next;
| but your agent in the mean time may open cor
| reSpondence and arrange the prelmInareS, so that
a sale NAV be effected and the capital procured with
but little delay, after the charter shall have been
confirmed.
| MILITIA.
Late events have placed the necessity of
we'll organized and effective Militia, IN clear and
strong point of view.
For the security it affords to the government in
all emergencies that may arise, no substitute has
been discovered that can safely be adopted; and
feel assured, that need not insist upon the neces-
sity of an efficient reform in the existing SYSTEM
a reform that trust will restore ii to It's wonted
energies-to that favor respect, and spirit OF em-
| ulous Chivalry which it seems to have lost IN the
public estimation.
The threatening aspect of affairs, since your adj
jOurnment, on our borders fronting the Mexican
dominions, induced Majo General Games to
make two several calls upon this State for voun-
teers. On the receipt of the first. orders were
Immediately issued to the commandments of divis
ions, requiring them to their best exertions to
effect speedy, and AS far as II could be done, a
complete organization of the militia within their
respective commands. This order was given
with Interior views, resting upon and preparatory
to possible, if not probable state OF things to
sue in the event Of protracted border warfare,
that might subject the State to further and addI-
tional demand for troops.
The undertaking was attended with great diff
Guilty, and much is due to the spirited cxertions of
the few officers then in command.
In addition to this general order, | addressed
and forwarded letter by special messenger.
(whose services procured for that purpose,) to
the president ofthe board Of police Of their respec-
tive counties, in which elections had no. been
held under the present constitution; requesting
them to oder elections for coonels: lieutenant
colonies and majors: and the returns from those
counties, with single exception, have been re-
ceived and commissions issued some time since.
The work is now in progress aud may be compile
ted with but little further trouble or delay.
l deem 1t essential TO Il proper organization
and discipline eff the militia, that the undivided at
tention OF the Adjutant Genela should be given
to the service: and that a salary should be attach
I'd to the office sufficient to insure the able aud
faithful discharge of the necessary duties
This Office as well as the Quarter Master Gen
eral, should reside at the seat ct Government and
take the rank of Bngadier General,
To remedy the great delay and inconvenience
experienced. to the detrimen ofthe public service,
the sherffs should be made returning officers for
|
as the civil Department. and that it be made their
duty TO lodge in the office of the Secretary of State
returns of all elections ordered for :dstrct and
State officers, and for members of Congress; to-
gether with all regmentaI, brigade, and division
officers in the militia, within reasonable and lin
tied time under penalty to be prescribed, suff-
GENTLY large to ensure its performance: and that
they be aIloweda suitable compensation for the
services thus required. The returns for officers
elected in the militia made TO the Office of Sec
rotary of State, as required by the Constitution,
shond be open TO the inspection of the Adjutant
General; that he may be enabled to fill commits
and to keep perfect register of their dates,
and all designations: or the sherlffs may be re.
CURED to make their returns of elections for the
officers in the militia, to the ABUNDANT General,
to be logged by him in the Office fthe Secretary
Of State:
Circumstances connected with the late call for
mounted gun-men, induce me to present the sub
ect for your consideration; and such legislative
nerpOsltiOn as you may deem proper
The requlsitiOn was received at an unlayorable
moment The difficulties to be encountered from
the limited and very partial organization of the mi
tia, in addition to the inconvenience and sacrlf-
ecs incident to the season, presented serious OBJ
stacles. But the standing and credit of the State,
as conceived, demanded at least an effort. An
appeal was accordingly made to the pride and
chivalry Of Mississippans, and it affords me
much qualification to add, that it was responded
to in manner that fully sustains the high estlm-
ate placed upon their determined spirit and Patri-
otism, in defence Of their country, when called
I upon, under any and all circumstances.
Lieutenant Cross, under instructions from the
Secretary Of War, called upon me with view Of
arranging the accounts for expenses incurred, il
compliance with the requistion. At that time the
accounts of expenditures for the companies o.
captains Grant and Gholson. and the vouchers sus