The Nevada Democrat., 1857-01-14
mn, covernor,s nressage.


able length, but the great number Of subjects
treated Of, could scarcely have been condensed
in less space. Many of the recommendations
contained in the message will meet with the
hearty approval of the people, and we doubt
not of the Legislature.
AS might have been expected the Governor
gives concise history of the Vigilance move
ment in San Francisco and of his own efforts to
sustain the laws The acts Of that body have
become history, and it is useless to recount
them. There is one fact mentioned in connec
ton with this affair which may not be generally
known. 1t appears that when Gov. johnson
first went to San Francisco in compliance with
the request of the Mayor, that he proceeded in
company with several citizens, to the place
where the Committee had assembled, and an
nounced it as his purpose to communicate with
them, or any person authorized to represent
them. One of the Committee, who was after
wards President of that body presented himself,
and during the interview distinctly stated that
the object of the Committee was not to violate
the law, or resist its legalized authorities but
rather to aid the officers in preventing the es-
cape or rescue of the prisoner; and that they
did not contemplate taking the law into their
own hands. On the faith of these assurances,
the Governor was thrown off his guard, and the
committee allowed to get possession of the
prisoner, whom they afterwards executed
Thus, to the other crimes which the leaders of
that Committee have been guilty, must be ad-
ded that of treachery.
The Indian difficulties are treated of at some
length, and concise account Of the disturban-
ces in Klamath, Siskiyou, and Tulare counties
given. At the present time a state of peace
and quietude exists with the various Indian
tribes, but apprehensons are still entertained of
renewal of hostlities. The Governor says
that the present policy of colonizing the Indi-
ans within the limits of the State, is a bad one
and suggests that the voice Of the Legislature
be addressed to the Federal authorities in deter
mined remonstrance against this system.
In regard to the financial affairs of our State,
the Governor says that at no former period of
our history has the time existed when the sub
ject of State Indebtedness attracted such univer-
sal attention as at the present moment, and a
great degree of solicitude has been manifested
in the public mind regarding the policy which
the present Legislature will pursue in relation
to this important matter. 1t is estimated that
the total indebtedness of the State on the first
of July next, including the bonds issued in 1851,
1858, 1855, and 1856, will be 3,564,64 81,
which will have to be provided for.
"With these facts before us, and the known
necessity Of indicating the course to be pursued
in relation to our Indebtedness, the question
now arises, What shall be adopted with refer
ence to IL? Answering as your Executive, and
echoing the sentiments which l believe are en-
tertained by those whom we alike represent
(the people of the Statc,) would say, Pay The
Debt, by those means the Constitution of the
State prescrbes. Pass an Act, at the present
session Of the Legislature, legalizing the out
standing bonded Indebtedness, permitting Comp
troller's warrants issued after the lst day of
January which may not be redeemed prior to
LIST Of July next, to be funded under the Act of
1856, alike with the warrants issued prior to
January 1857 and law embodying those fea-
lures presented to the people for their ratifica-
ton or rejection at the next General Election"
In order to increase the revenue of the State,
the Governor recommends that Congress be pc
titioned for the power to tax land claims, and
all improved public lands. He also recon-
mends the lcvying of an income tax, and also
stamp tax.
Between the time of the treaty of peace be-
tween the United States and Mexico and our
admission into the Union as one of the States.
there was collected at the ports Of California.
the sum of S2,968,74S 40, to which the State is
Justly entitled. The Governor suggests that
whatever can be obtained of this money, be
pledged to the payment of the State debt, and
that the Secretary of the Treasury be author
lied to dsburse II to the bond holders The
adoption of such measure will do much to cle-
vate our credit, and impress the world with the
belief that we intend to pay our debts, and by
thus making every bond holder personally in
terested in the success of the application to Con-
gress, we should combine and strengthen innu-
ences which could scarcely fail to prove sue
cessful.
at is q matter Of extreme regret" says the
Governor, "that we should again have afforded
an instance wherein the credit and honor of the
State has suffered by the non-payment of inter-
est AS will be shown by the letter of the State
Treasurer, accompanying this, he made provis-
ion for the payment of the July interest by en-
trusting Messrs. Palmer, Cook & Co., with the
necessary finds long before the interest ma
tured, but from some unexplained cause the
payment was not met, and the credit of the
State dishonored. Bonds were taken by the
Treasurer as security for the payment of this
interest which are believed to be sufficient to
secure 1t, and have caused suit to be instituted
on them for the recovery of the amount due the
State-about $4,000, 1t is hoped that like
calamity will not again occur"
The Commissioners appointed to settle the
War Debt, have discharged their duties faith
fully. There remains of this debt $2ls,O2O 81.
Of which but $4,000 bears interest. Great
confidence is entertained, that Conoress will at