The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1849-10-12

speak Tor This, as wei! rs every other
substantial project Of improvement
that may be presented, your liberal
and enlightened regard. In this con,
nection, the further improvement of
our rivers. ought no, to be overlooked
Many lasting advantages can be at.
tanned by the expenditure of small
sums, in the removal OF specified OBJ.
structions, that now interfere material.
ly with the nav gation Of many of our
streams. The details Of these, their
locality and estimated cost, are best
known to yourselves.
But while am the earnest advo-
cate Of everything that tends to devel-
ope the resources of the State-to
quicken and advance her growth, in
agriculture and the mechanic arts, in
commerce and manufactures i am
not "a friend to rash and improvidcnt
expenditures. The faith of the State
ought not to be impaired, or endanger.
ed for any improvements however
desirable. And it is gratifying to our
pride OF character as a people, that
hitherto all our public engagements
have been promptly and faithfully
met The credit OF the State has hith
erto escaped any reflection, either at
home or abroad, ana this may assure
the world thatrepudiation will never
find lodgment within our limits, as
trust it may never find an advocate.
! beg leave to call your attention to
that portion Of the revenue law, passed
at the last session, which relates to
the tax on merchants. 1t is, in my
judgment, unequal and oppressive, aud
! respectfully recommend its modIi>
cation. 1t was no doubt the result OF
oversight in its trainers. AS the law
now stands it is great hardship on
that class of men.
Some amendment might he made TO
advantage, in our penal code, so far
as relates to the punishment Of slaves
The present law, comforting power on
the executive, to commute the punish.
ment OF death to Imprisonment for life
in the Penitcntiary does not. in my
Judgment. extend to slaves. And cases
will often occur, where the pardoning
power ought to he exercised, but
where some punishment short Of death.
would be gladly inflicted if authority
existed for it. Now it is death or no
punishment al ali, in all capital con-
victions of slaves. What additional
modc of punishment should be adop-
ted in such cases. is difficult to deter
mine. The choice, perhaps, is limited
between confinement in the common
Jail and in the Pcntcntary. The
punishment now inflicted on slave
for larceny, is mere farce, and has
no sort of terror connected with it.
since he receives the same at the
hands of his master for every day
delinquencjes submit to you, wheth-
err there is any remedy for these de-
fects in the law, consistent with sound
policy.
A vacancy has occurred in the
Third SolicitoriaI District, by the res.
ignaion of Samuel A. Smith, Esq,
which was temporarily filled by the
appointment Of james B. Cooke, Esq.
of Athens. A vacancy occurred in
the office Of Register Of the Ococc
District. by the resignation Of J. {.
Upton, and was supplied by the APP
poinlmcnt of +. w. Lea of CIeavc-
land. A vacancy also occurred in the
office of Register Of the Mountain
District, by the death of Jacob A.
Lane. and was supplied by the ap-
poinlment of John +. Voss Of Sparta.
The office of Comptroller of the State
became vacant by the resignation of
+. *. .ZoIicoiler and was filled by
the appointment Of Benjamin II. Shcp.
herd. The office of Physician and
Superintendent of the Lunatic Asy-
ium, became vacant by the death OF
DIR. John S. McNairy, and was filed
By the appointment of DR.. BOYD Nc
Marry. Hon. James Scott, Judge OF
the l4lh Judicial Circuit, recently
resigned his office, to take effect on
the Goth ut. This vacancy has not
been filled by me, but is reserved for
your election. These embrace all the
vacancies that have occurred since
your last adjournment, the appoint
ment of which is vested in your Hon
orabIe body.
Here might close this communi-
cation, as all the principal subjects OF
State interest proper to be presented,
are embraced. But the question of
slavery, or rather the questions con-
nected with it, have OF late assumed
such importance. as to demand my
notice and some consideration at your
hands. This institution, in my opin>
ion, belongs exclusively to the States,
where it exists, and neither the Gen.
eral Government, nor the other States
of the Union, have any right to inter
fere with it, directly or Indirectly
And if such right did exist, the subject
is of too delicate and agitating a char
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