Sunbury American and Shamokin journal. [volume] (Sunbury, Northumberland Co., Pa.) 1840-1848, 1843-01-07
md shaken to a degree infinitely beyond wha,


violent party, under she plausible name of the
"PeGce Party" which threw in the way ofthe
administration every possible obstacle, in the
triumphant prosecution of that war, or the cor
rection of the evils which it inevitably cntai-
led upon the country. But, notwithstanding III
these formidable discouragements, the good
sense, the enterprise and the patriotism of the
people, seconded thuse then entrusted with the
administration OF the government, who perfnr-
med their duty with Roman frinness and lnteg-
rity. Taxes were recommended, levied, and
paid. 10 sustain tho credit and honor of the 60
vernment,--coufdence was restored, business
resumed its accustomed channels, and one Of
the most 1ourshing seasons in the history Of
our country succeeded. The enormous debt
was, in the process oftmc, entirely extinguish.
ed. Those who recommended the necessary
measures tn the attainment of this great end
have been rewarded with respect and gratitude.
The same honest and fearless discharge Of Gu
", will be attended with the entne results now.
Our history has never yet recorded a single in
stance, in which public man, who stood by the
honor Of his country in critical emergencies,
was not fully sustained in his efforts by his fell
low citizens. lie may he trnduccd and Wilt
fed, but manly and faithful discharge of duty
outlives the efforts of his traduccrs. The prou-
dest monument that public man can desire to
leave his children, is one inscribed-hc knew
his duty-he dared perform it--hc never fin
chcd from his post.
The whole amount Of the present funded
debt Of the state. exclusive of the dcposiie of
the surplus revenue, is fs37,937,7eS 2i. This
debt is reimbursable as follows:
Here follows a s,a,em' mt of the different Jeri d.,
when the debt becomes due, and the amount, and
lo, ,ho 4
the principal item of which is $40 .533 629 Is for
conals and rai roads, ahd Si,4l0l 1875 Us for inte.
rest
The foregoing does not include the amount due
20 Domestic Creditors, entered on the bCoks
Of the Auditor General, per resolution Of the
7th April, 1912.
These internal improvements, for the con-
struction OF which The principal amount of the
State debt has been incurred, consist of 1884
miles of canals and railways completed, and
l40s miles of canals IN progress OF construction
and nearly completed.
The finished works are the following: miles
The Delaware canal, from Easton to tide
at Bristol, 59l
The main line Of canal and railway from
Philadelphia to Pittsburg, 305.
Canal from Beaver, on the Ohio river, 10
tie mouth of the French creek feeder,
in the direction of Erie, 91s
Canal from Franklin on the Allegheny RI
yer 10 Conneaut lake, i93
Canal, Susquehanna and North Branch
from Duncan's Island to lackawanna, ILL.,
Camel West Branch from Northumber-
land TO Farrandsvlle, 13
Several side cuts and navigable feeders, 7
Total Canals and railways completed, 1884
Canals in progress and nearly completed: mile:
North Branch extension, from Lackawan.
ma to New York line, 90
Erie extension from the mouth OF the
French Creek Feeder to Erie harbor, 3Sl
" Wiconisco canal from DuncaHs Island
70 Wlconisco creek, y!
Total canals 10 progress, ll0l
The state has always met the payment of the
interests upon the public debt with puuctuality
until the semi-aunual payment due on the Is
of August last when, Tor want of adequate
provision for that purpose, certificates OF the a
mount due 10 each holder of the stock were is
sued, bearing an interest Of six per cent, paya
bic in one year, agreeably to the Act passed
the 9th day of July last. Ii now becomes the
imperative duty o: the Legislature TO make pro
NlSIOI, US "tli iOI 9ts pdNllIfIIl, AZ ibi
ment ofthe interest falling due on the first o
February and August next.
Until some mode cf raising the amount ne
cessary for the payment of this interest, les
burthensome to the people, is devised, the tax
es imposed by existing laws seem TO be indis
pensablc. 1t may be worthy the consideration
of the Legislature, however, whether the pre-
sent defective system Of making assessments
and reaching the objects of taxation, does no
require revision. 1t is believed, if such re
vision be judlcously made, that no increase q
the taxes ROW authorized would be necessary
to produce an adequate amount from that source
To cover the pressing demands made upon th'
Treasury.
You will observe by report aceompanyin,
this message, that in pursuance oi the Act @
Assembly, passed for ,hat purpose on the 2Tl
day of July last proposals were invited for tn
sale OF the public improvements of the Com
monWeaIth. No bid for the same, that cal
possibly be accepted, was received. Thi
measure was suggested in my last annual mes
| sage. believing that, in our present emberrasse
condition, il was an experiment, which nigh
! be productive of relief worth trying. IL ha
! been tried, and has utterly failed. The trut
1 l., the amoHnt of money necessary for the pur
chase ofanv considerable portion OF our improve
( menus ls '1' EIea'ei '"uh MY S''~N"S vi ""
country are able TO raise for that purpose
/ Where they 10 be sold a, all, they would n,
cresarily. either directly or indirectly, fall il
20 the bands OF FOREIGN capitalists. The pee
Pile mus, in great measure, lose the contr'
over their management, and they would M
ccssarly become private mo'mpolles. Th
would seem 10 be measure, as dangerous
the put lie interest as II would be humI!IatIn
10 thv public pride.
The revenues npon our public works ha,
not diminished in any Dropnr,ion to the extel
oC tie ,Uhsrrassmenis v hivh have been throw