The Arkansas banner., 1846-11-04
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
arxrIrnrN or rnE SENATE

the representatives ol uae peopS
 The privilege of thus assembling, peace sdly 10 deliberate upon the bestmessnres for ,bs welfare of our constituents. IS a blessing enioyed only by free people, and furnishes another evidence of he salptary operations of our republican institutions.
 Gaming directly from the midst oi the c.onie. i, whose service you are now about engage. you are, no doubt, familiar w'th ,her wants and wishes n all matters, both lncaI and general. It will be my purpose to ;o,p you in the eonsummatIon oi every mea- sure calculated to ensure their happiness and prosperity.
 -eompliance with provision oi onr Constitution. il becomes my duly 10 present ,o you and to tue country my views n reia- ,ioa 10 tue affairs of the State, and to rccom- mend to your consideration such measures as interest, policy, or necessity may require
 For season of unexampled health and prodnciveness, we have every reason 10 be sratelsI to that Providence 10 whose beneii- cence we are indebted for every blessing
 The peace of our western frontier has been interrupted by unsettled differences in
 
 considerable excitement and alarm among the citizens of our State living near to the Indian line. During the last wlnter and spring these difficulties prevailed to their greatest extent That Nelion having been divided into fac- tons for many years, aboD, thai time, some of the worst men of each oi these parties, committed repeated murders, throwing the ff.fa takt lace fusion. The weaker faction, being over powered. sought protection under the sym psthics of the citizens oi this State, and were permitted to move across the line. Among the refugees came those who returned secret ly into the Nation, with the hope of taking vengeance with impanty. which led to ln- cursions upon our border by the opposite party for purposes of retaliation. In this way murder was perpetFated on our soil, and our citizens. 10 some extent. became embrol- ed in the strifs. Thus calling for the inter- position of the authorities of the State
 Many communications having been receiv- cd from citizens, and committees appointed by public meetings, calling the attention of the Executive to this subject, was induced 10 open oorrespondence~ with the United States officer. then in command of that mlIi- tary department, and charged with the peace of the frontier IL is believed lhat he used due diligence Tn suppFessIBg the dlslurban- ces and guarding against its recurrence. The information derived from that officer led 10 the belief that there was less cause for alarm than was al first appn,hended. took occa- sion, however, 10 inform Gen. Ar5uckle, that If ] received evidence of further cause of complaint from inhabitants near lhe line, l should feel myself bound, in the course oi duty. 10 order the removal of every Indian beyond he limits of the State; thereby placing them under his immediate direction The Secretary of War was also apprised Of the course intended 10 putsne. thought II due to the General Government, previous to such move on my part, to notify all parties oi my determination, us negotiations were then pending at Washington, between commissioners appointed by he President and the several parties, 10 the Cherokee diff ficulties.
 In the meantime gave instructions to mi- hlla officers on the line, to hold their com mands in readiness 10 execute the proposed order; and, upon certain emergencies to act upon their own responsibility. Although the contingency above alluded to, never oc- cured, yet, m one instance, the officer taking the sword of caution for that of command.' 7 made requsi.on upon the militia, and call ed into the actual service of the State com Fany oi men from Benton county Upon receiving report of the facts. ordered them to be dlsbanded The returns made to me by thai officer. with the correspondence re ierred 10, furnish all the information upon the subject in my possession.
 As required by the Constitution, the pro- per officers have proceeded To take the cen sus ot the State for the present year, p+epara- tory to The performance of duty on yonr part, m proPorionIng she representation for the aexi four years la both branches of the General Assembly.
 II Will be seen lha, the population, amoun- uhg to about l4J,000 souls, presents an in- crease In the lasI SIX years, of a; least 50 per cent. At the formation of the ConsGitu- non' each county being represented in the convenient. claimed a representation there ' after in the Legislature. And as tAs con- cession was thea justly made to the small couhiies' the ratio oi representation, fixed upon the basis of lhe free white male popu- ia''oh oi each county was al that tune ne. cessarIly small. The presen, number Of senators and Representatives IS al the highest po'ht a'iaInable under the Constitution. unul he population shall hare increased lo an amount, we have Hr reason lo anticipate for many years Io come. The General Assem- oly, unrestricted hy inc Constitution. acting "ilh the view to thorough retreuchment, may reduce the numeyical strength of each mouse, and l respectfully recommend such leauc''on 'i' In their judgment, lhe policy be "iSe' and public economy may demand the change,
 Dy referring 10 the report of the lnspec- 'o'S ed The PeniIsntiary, ii will be sees. thai me building was consumed by fire ont lie 9th uay oi August last. Mos, ol the public pro- per'y' consisting of unfinished work. mate t'"is' q. and provisions, was also desifoyed.- should the Legislature deem it expedieut to