The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1852-01-14

the General Government, and have one-third
of all he should obtain for the State Of Ohio,
in addition to those before received, as a
consideration for his expenses and services.
If nothing was obtained for the State, no.
thing was TO be paid. This contract was
signed by Mr.. Allen, Governor Ford, official
ly, and is under the Great Seal OF the State.
Ny first intimation that such a contract ex-
listed, was on finding it with the files soon
after l came into office. Mr.. Allen employ
ed assistance, and, during the past season,
succeed in obtaining a complete title to be-
tween sixty and seventy thousand acres of
land. Application was then made for a con-
veyance of one-third Of these lands, to be
held by Mr.. Allen in common with the State.
This was refused, doubling whether the res
olution conferred sufficient authority, and
whether lands obtained under these grants,
and the nyails Of them, were not upon such
conditions, and so pledgedto the payment of
the Canal debt, that could be directed
in no other way.
1t was agreed, however, that an equitable
division, without prejudice to any right of
the State, should be made by an agent mu-
tually selected, and thus remains for the ac-
ton of the General Assembly, or judicial
decision, This was to be done at the ex-
pense of Allen, and to facilitate his title,
Should the General Assembly so direct, or
the Court so decree. Whether such decis-
ion was, or was not made, | am uniformed.
These lands were afterwards advertised
and sold, in part, at the Land Office in De-
fance. Mr.. Allen, before the sale, applied
to the Auditor of State for instructions to re-
ceive the bids of Mr.. Allen, at the sale, to
the amount of twenty thousand dollars, by
the Receiver, without the payment of the
money, and the matter to remain until the
question OF title should be determined. The
Auditor gave the instructions with my ad-
vice butthe bids of Mr.. Allen, though made,
for some reason, were not received, and part
or the whole of said lands sold to others.
IShall refuse to execute a conveyance to
Mr.. Allen, without the direction of the GEN
eral Assembly, or his right to it, until the
resolution shall be judicially determined.
ALI that has been done has been with the
view to place the business in a position to be
closed at the earliest practicable period.
1t is not my wish to throw any obstacles
in the way of Mr.. Aliens claim He has
performed important services, had it not
been for which, the State would have been
without all she has gained by them, perhaps
forever. These lands are, in fact, an unex-
pected acquisition to the State, and if the
contract cannot be executed, Mr.. Allen is
justly entitled to the benefit of it in some
other mode of compensation. There are still
other lands, many thousand acres, it is sup
posed, to which the State is justly entitled,
under the above grants, but which cannot be
obtained, as it has been determined at Wash
singLon, without further legislation by Con
$gress. To these claims Mr.. Allen was, du-
ring the last, and is, in the present session,
attending with a commendable industry and
perseverance, and it is belived the bill will
be perfected in the State, in the course of a
flew months.
i have, at the present time, no legislation
t~tosecommend., In my opinion the action of
tahe General Assembly may properly be de-
ferred until the business is finally closed.
Indeed, it would not have been brought to
your notice in this communication, but for
the purpose of disabusing the public mind,
"as'nany reports have been circulated, pre-
Judicial to the action of some of the officers
'of State, the past summer, in relation to these
lands.
The State Capitol, of which bare mention
has been made, has been carried up with
}Verycrreditable exertions, the past season.
When the inconvenience of the present halls
of Legislation and the insecurity of the Safe
offices are considered, economy alone would
seem to demand that the new State House
should be finished in the shortest practicable
period, consistent with its durability and
plan. The appropriation of the last session
has been til believed, judicious!y expended,
but was found INSULT ,ient to place the build
in safety for the winter, and other sums have
been advanced by the Auditor for that pur-
pose, with my concurrence, and which should
be provided for in such appropriation as shall
be deemA expedient by the General Assem-
bly, for thetcurrent year.
A second Annual State Fair of Ohio was
held in Columbus in September last. There
was exhibited a great variety of inventions,
lin labor-saving machinery, and farming i'm
plements, many of them highly important
and useful TO the agricultural portion of our
people Also in the several branches of
manufactures and mechanical ingenuity,
there was no less display of utility and skill.
There were even specimens of s~tatuary of
the finest marble, from the q~uarries of Yer
mont, which would have done no discredity
ITO the chisel and genius of the great sculptor
sof the age.
The improved breeds of horses, cattel,
swine and poultry, could hardly be excelled
in any other part of the Union. The Pomo-
logical and Horticultural exhibitions, for an
adverse season, were highly respectable.
The ladies presented for inspection, of their
own handi-work, elegant specimens of en-
broidery and other works Of art, showing a
refinement in taste, and a commendable in
dustry worthy of praise and imitation.
The grounds were fitted up with much
judgment and convenience by the Agricultu-
raj Board, and no pains or expense appeared
to have been spared to render the exhibition
interesting and useful to the immense multi
tnde assembled.
1t seems to be conceded, that exhibitions
OF this character excite to industry and emu
lation. They bring together Intermediates
OF our people, create interchanges of senti-
ment, and are productive of general benefits
to The community. Amy further aid neces-
sary to sustain the efforts of this Board should
not be Withheld, and it is believed that COM
mon justice requires, that all their regular
sessions on business so important to our
whole population, should be at the expense
of the State.