The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1845-10-21

winch l will transmit for the consideration
OF the General Assembly.
The law authorizing the survey, makes
noprovision for preserving suits Of speci-
mems for any purpose. The preservation
of suit to form a State cabinet BEING
however, obviously indispensable, l have
given orders to the Geologist to that effect.
| have received formal applications for
suits of specimens, from Middlebury Col
lege, from the Medical Colleges at Wood
stock and Castleton, and from the Troy
Conference Academy at Poultney. The
obvious Importance of having collections
OF specimens illustrating the geology and
mineralogy ofthe State, to form cabinets
IN these institutions, as well as in Vermont
and Norwich Universities, has induced
me, though without authority of law, TO
direct the Geologist TO make his collection
sufficiently large, to enable him to furnish
complete sets to all these institutions
IN regard to which | confidently anticipate
the sanction of the General Assembly, in
the small additional appropriation which
may be necessary to meet the additional
expense.
l am happy to say that deep and gen.
eral interest has been manifested by the
people, in the survey as it has progressed :;
which, it is hoped, may be regarded as an
earnest of what is to be expected through
its entire course. The science of Geolo-
gy, though possessing high practical inter
est, is but little understood by the mass of
the people. regard it, therefore, as not
among the least important benefits Of
the survey, which the lberality of the
General Assembly has authorized, that it
will awaken among all classes Il more gen.
eral interest in the science. and have the
effect of directing the active minds of our
people-especialiy the young Of both SEX
es-to Its study study so well adapted
to discipline, expand and elevate the mind,
while IT goes forth to Investigate and al
mIre the useful and mysterious, the beauti-
lul and sublime OF the Creators works.
BY resolution OF the General Assembly.
passed at the last session, it was made the
duty ofthe Governor to request the deliv-
cry by the General Government, Of ''the
four brass cannon, taken by the Green
Mountain Boys from the British at Ben
nington, on the 10th of august III" and
to cause the same when received, TO be
deposited I'D the State House. In obedi-
ence to the requirement of this resolution.
| addressed the Secretary of War on the
2lst Of January last, requesting the deliv-
cry of the cannon. To this | received a
reply, dated the Goth of February, saying
that, "should the guns referred to, be
found in the possession Of the ordnance
corps, they are among the other trophies
of the war of the revolution, and are held
as public property of the United States >
and suggesting an application to Congress
for an order for their delivery.
In reply TO subsequent communication
from me, asking that an enquiry might be
made, for the purpose Of ascertaining the
number of the cannon taken at Benning-
ton, then in the possession OF the United
States, and their location, received let
ter from the Secretary of War, covering
report from the Ordnance department,
by which IT appeared that there were, at
the United States arsenal at Washington
two brass guns, reported as three pound
ers, and marked taken from the Germans
at Bennington, August IS, IN - and
that mo other trophies captured on that
occasion, are known to be in the possess
sion of the government Copies of this
numbered from | to )
inclusive, are herewith communicated to
each branch Of the General Assembly.
An application to Congress being thus
rendered necessary, | recommend such
further action as shall lie deemed appro-
7riate to effect the application and render
It available.
The necessity Of more eiIectual provis-
ION for preventing the evils resulting from
the practice Of taking unlawful interest, in
iuces me again to invite to it Tie attention /
If the General Assembly.
Our laws have long prohibited the TAX
ng Of interest above the rate of six per
;entum per annum. All the reasons
which have induced the enactment and
continuance Of the prohibition, obviously
Irge IFS enforcement. Indeed it is urged
~ the additional consideration that habit
lal impunity to the violation of any law,
ends to weaken the force ofall law.
If the law is to remain on the statute
,ook, it should not be left without ade-
Iuate provision for its enforcement. No
uch provision now exists. The only REM
.dy is for an action of money had and re-
eiyed 70 goods sold and delivered, for the
ecoyery ofthe interest received unlawful
y, to be sustained by common law evil
ence offs paynent-a process which expe-
fence has aoundantly shown, can very rare
Y be made available. To leave the enforce
nent of so important RICH; to the chance
discovery of testimony TO a transaction,
Fhlcb from its very nature, is guarded with ,
he profoundest secrecy, is but mockery
{ justice.
submit whether some provision should !
OF be made, which shall give a remedy, {
etter suited to the nature OF the Casa
emedy which shall find its means Of en-
,rcement in an appeal, in some form to
ne conscience Of the receiver of unlawful
interest.
Our connection with the Federal Union, 5
hose power reaches, and deeDly affects. ,