The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1862-01-16

communication from General lotion,
chief of the Military Engineer Depart
ment at Washington. l have also repre-
seuted to the Secretary Of the Navy the
necessity for floating defences on the Del
aware, and have bis assurance that they
shall be prepared at the earlieet moment.
| have had a correspondence with the
authorities and some OF the citizens oil
Eris on the subject of the defenseless
condition of that city, and the part of the
State bordering on the lake. On exam
iuation Il is found that there arc no de-
fences on the lake, and that tho ordnance
at the city OF Erie was Withdrawn by the
National Government in the summer OF
1861. The Secretary of the Navy, on q
request % adc, directed that the crew OF
the Uuited States steamer Michigan
should not tc di.baDded. az has been usu.
sI, ADD that vessel will rem ain in the har-
Dor of Erie during the winter Should the
National Government Unexpectedly fail In
its duty Of providing adequate defenses
at our assailable points. east aud west, l
earnestly recommend that the Lesisla-
ture take prompt means for that purpose
We should be al dmonished BY recent in
dications from abroad, to be prepared far
our own defence, as well as for the sup
preston of domestic insurrection.
In selecting site for national arno
ry, if the public good be alone consider
ed, Pennsylvania Hill be preferred. as
she affords the con bined advantages of 8
central position. abundance Of N Material
and skilled mech hanics, and people OF
uDdoubted loyalty.
| commend to the attention OF the Leg
islsture the report of the Superintendent
of the Putlic Schools, the HourisbiDg
state of which, aud the rapid progress OF
education, are subjects of just congratu
lstion.
The reports Of the Lunatic Hospital, at
IIarrist u=g. and of Westean PeDnsylva-
pia, of the houses of refuge, at Pbiladel-
phia and Pittshurg, OF the Institutions for
the deaf and dumb. and for the blind
and the Northern Home for Friendless
Children, at Philsdelpbia, and Of the
Peunsylvauia Training School for Idiotio
aud Fcetle Minded Children, at Media,
sbow that these metitoriozs charities are
we'll ad niuistcred, aud recommend that
the coauteuance and aid of the Common
wealth be continued to them.
Under the joint resolution of 10th May
last. commissioners have been appointed
to revise the revenue laws, whose names
will be forthwith submitted for the advice
and consent of the Senate. 1t is hoped
that the commissioners will be able to re-
port during the present session of the
Legislature Considering the great la
Dor imposed on them, aud the vast im
rortance, at the present time. of an able
and efficient performance of the duties of
the CON nis>iouers, | suggest that the
compensation provided for by the joint
resolution should be increased to an ade-
quate amount.
1t vas evident. long since, that it would
be impossible for the banks to continue
to redeem their obligations in coin, in the
face of the large Issues of paper, the ns-
cessity for which VS. imposed on them
and the Government by the exigeucies Of
the ti&es. No surprise. therefore. was
felt at the suspension of specie payment
oy the banks, which took place on Mon
day, the 30th OF December last Under
the Circumstances, | recommend that they
be relieved from all penalties for this
breach of the law.
PenDsylsania has made great efforts to
support the Government. She has given
more and better clothed, and better e.
quipped men than any other State, and
has far exceeded her quota of the militia.
~ levies. The scDs Of our best citizens
young men of education and means, fiji
the ranks Of ber volunteer rcgia ents.-I
Their gallant conduct. whenever an op-
portuDity has been afforded them. bas
done honor to tho Commonwealth The
universal movement among our people
signifies that they are loyal to the Gov
eruneut established by their fathers, and
are determined to quell the present in
and preserve the Union, and
that they will not tolerate any plan for
either the dissolution or reconstruction OF
it. A. G. CURTIN.
Executive Chamber,