Western union. (City of Hannibal, Mo.) 1850-1851, 1851-01-16
NUMBER 90.

} thsy Is. Ihe swamp lanjs IN Missouri, the
most of which lie in the southeast portion Of the
state, are included in the grant.
1t now rsmains for the Legislature to deter.
mine whst system shall be adopted by which
these lsnds ere 10 bs reclaimed, and tho sources
Of disease removed.
II it be determined, B, the Legislature. the,
The State shsll enter upon the work Of hayine
these swamps drained, Il should Be with view,
ultimately, that the costs Of rsclsmstion should
be paid out Of the lands reclaimed.
Ths repeated memorials, forwarded 10 Con.
gre's by the legislature, declare these lands %
wholly worthless in their present condition: and
| suppose none will doub, the truth Of these dso.
laratlons. From the bsst information I have
been uble to get, am satisfied that there 10 Q
very oon' 'derable quantity Of this swamp land,
that neither skill science, nor capital. will 10
able to drain. But from the report Of commis.
sionsr' heretofore appointed by the legislature
TO examine the country. am induoed to be-
l'evs that . large quantity Of the lands, in the
south east portion Of the state, may, BY prop
sr systsn Of drainage, bs reclaimed.
II the work 10 TO DO carried on by the State,
Il Will require appropriations from time " time.
of very large amounts, in order to facilitate the
business. and the utmost care and economy
must be observed, or the state may not find .
remuneration, 10 the value of the lands rsclsim.
ed aud sold.
Before commencing operations. profossiorsl
skill and science Of tho highest order thai, can
bs obtained. should be employed, and il neces.
'sry, . premium offered for tho most approved
and practical plan Of accomplishing the desired
object. II appropriations bs made, and tho
work co.nmencsd, without = thorough knowi.
edge of the principles which are TO conduc, il
10 successful termination, large sums may not
ha III 10, h.k
prohtless expenditures, bu, in many places, for
the want Of not having thoroughly matured tho
plan, and having applied to it :hs highest pro.
:sssiohal science, ob'tructions may 10 created,
which vii! require su additional amount Of Il.
b,r and money to remove.
| do not propose ~ do more than 10 bring the
matter to the consderstion OF the egislature:
and ~ the cession Of these lands 10 the s,ate,
was asked with q visw to their reclamation, and
mol in contemplation Of making them source Of
profit, have only 10 recommend that such plan
bs adopted, a. in the opinion Of the legislature,
may best accomplish this object. It may turn
out, upon On investigation, that the best plan Of
accomplishing the object, will b. to turn over
these lands io the oountiss in which they Ls,
and that plsn for their reclamation 10 devised,
and conducted under q board uf internal i'm
P-"""'"-",-. :" h- "rr"r'.a ~ -arh rau,t,-,vz;--
under such conditions, limitations and restric-
tions, ~ will Vt no time render it necessary TO
make appropriations from the State treasury.
The Universily 10 IN more prosperou con-
diIlon than at any previous period since iis Or.
gsnizstion. II its endowment Of one hundred
thousand dollars-nJw permanently fixed upon
it-bs 50 managed for tue future, o. 10 yield u
certain aud proper dividend for its support,
there is just reason 10 believe that it will fulal
the most ssDguine wishes Of the friends Of lite.
rature, aud that il may become the resort Of the
sons Of Missouri, who desire preparing them.
selves ior the various high callnss in future
lie, aud for which nothing eau 90 well lit and
quality them ~ . high moral culture aud thor
ough education.
The high character, moral worth aud
literary atl.lnments Of the President, elected 70
preside over the University, and the learning
ana ability Of the Professors who preside over
me various departments Of science, constitute q
Faculty ~hich gives Insurance that the Nilsson.
"a University will become the alma mater OF the
sous vi Missouri. and that parents need no long.
er sena then abroad TO be educated. | refer
YOU 20 the report Of the curator., for u detailed
.oounnt Of the present condition aud Prospects
Of the University.
There 10 now in the treasury 1920 a. 100
dolls, P,oossds OF the sale Of seminary lands,
which belong to the Univsrsi,y. The cura.ors
huve been making necessary improvements Il.
bcu. the buildings, un,ici ipaIinS this sum o. Q
portion Of the msans to defray expenses. I 70.
commend that q law bs passed SLOWING the
monsy to be drawn for this purpose.
The present organic alton Of the Board Of cu.
rators has proved incon. euient in prsolice.--
From the remote location of the curstors, Zone
10 each judicial cirouit) il 10 often difficult 10
yet together . quorum to do business. A rem.
edy for this ought to bs provided. which l bs.
isve can best b. done by making provision for
an additional number ofcurators, 10 reside Ia the
county Of Boone, or in counties adjacent there.
TO, 20 that when . meeting Of ths board may BE-
neossssry, Que can 10 had without trouble or
delay.
In addition to the hattering prospects Of the
University, Of which oil should bs proud, there
are, 10 various psrts Of the State, colleges and
academies, both ef the male and female depart.
ments, succeeding fully up 10 the wishes Of
their patrons snd frisnds, and v hioh reflect great
credit upon the State.
But as the nursery ofthsss. a. we'll - of the
University, ] most earnestly invite your alien.
ton to the subject Of common schools. The pso.
pls have nevss failed TO respond fsvorsbly to sp.
psals made to them 10 the cause Of educstion.-
And with confidence which gives additional
strength 10 their wishes, they have eonAdsd the
functions Of legislation to those who have bssn
the advocates Of common schools, - means Of
u developing the moral, physical and intellectual
! condition Of the rising generation.
= II those OF US, TO whom this important
. trust has been con6dcd, fail TO fulfil the
!. wishes ofa generous constituency, and con.
u tent ourselves with fine wrought er)ooi..