The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-02-01

for repairing the breach on the Jnhiata dis
vision Of the canal was TO remain in the
bank until drawn for, after the vouchers Of
Ihe disbursng officers should have been ex.
anined and approved by joint committee
of three members from each branch Of the
Legislature, agteeebly 10 the provisions Of
the Scs authorizing the loam The joint
committee having been appointed at the
time, there wac every reason 10 believe the
accounts would soon be adjusted, and tbs
money applied. ! therefore did no. hcsi.
tate to embrace the offer TO take the loan
with that conditicn annexed, in as much as
the commonwealth was then much straiten.
ed in her fiscal affairs for want of the resi-
due of the money, and no other offer being
made. But by the subsequent action of
the legislature, in Joint resolution passed
a! The close Of She adjourned session, and
approved on the I'd Of July, last, SO much
Of the act Of the Q.h January authorizing
this loan, as requires those accounts to be
settled by the joint committee, was repeal
ed and authority was giveen 10 the auditor
general to settle and adjust the same, and
requiring him 10 draw his warrant in favor
of the Bank of the United States, and the
Harrisburg Bank ''ior such amounts as he
shall find to have been fairly expended in
repairing said breach" Such have been
the difficulties, however, encountered by
that officer in attempting the settlement OF
those accounts that he does not feel himself
warranted, by the terms Of said resolution,
in drawing in favor Of those banks, for any
part Of the money the facts and circun.
stances in relation 10 which, will, be laid
fully before you by that officer. / respect
fully ask the early attention Of the legisla-
ture TO this subject, that the necessary pro-
vision be made by law 10 arrest the further
accumulation Of interest on the money,
that may eventually be found payable. to
said banks.
IN pursuance of the provisions oftha tct
of July I'd, 1889, relating to ths claims Of
the commonwealth against the estate Of fohn
Nicholson and Peter Baynton, colnmis-
sioner was appointed to perform the duties
| therein required. From the nature aud ex-
tent Of the ivestigation, and the Limited time
allowed TO make report, it was impossible
for the commissioner 10 examine into and
ascertain the various complicated and i'm
portant matters enioined on him, within the
period allotted. By reference to his report
which will be laid before you, it will be
seen tha, the outstanding claims of creditors
(other than the s!ate) against the estate OF
John Nicholson, amount 10 upwards Of thir-
teen millions Of dollars, including interest
til the lst Of April, 1899; iha. the balance
due the commonwealth on the same day
was @279,l70 81, and that the estate Of
Peter Baynton on that day owed the ccm-
monwealth s5S,3l3 OJ.
~ The 9Th section OF The act aboto men,
toned, all former laws in relation 10 the
sale OF the lands Of Nicholson and Baynton
are suspended; hence i! may be worthy Of
consideration whether some additional iegi:-
lation should not be had, 10 relieve al par
ties concerned from their present embarass-
ment. The grea: length Of time which has
elapsed since those debts were contracted:
the fact that many OF the lands have been
held Cor number Of years by actual set
tiers, and a large portion of the residue sold
for taxes; the immense sum OF outstanding
debts against John Nicholson, as well as
the claims Of his heirs, ali urge the nocessi-
ty Of speedy settlement, as the titles to
immense bodies Of land, in various parts of
de state, depend upon ihe adjustment of
the conflicting claims of creditors, heirs and
lsudhoders.
would therefore, respectfully, recon-
mend the passage Of law authorizing the
commissioner, under such restrictions as
may be deemed advisable, 10 compromise,
adjust, and settle the claim of the common
wealth with actual settlers aud others claim