St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1878-10-11
VOLUME 42---NUMBER 2l5O.

These states have responded most
generously; the former by appropriate
ing $4,000 and the latter by appropriat-
ing 81, 500 for the erection of such a
monument.
These sums, together with the sum
appropriated by this state, amount to
s27, 500.
The last named sum has been in
creased by individual donations, so that
the sum now available to the erection
of such a monument is $50, 500.
The directors of the Monument Asso-
citation have determined to increase this
sum to a much larger amount through
private generosity.
UNITED STATES COAST SURVEY.
Information having come to me that
the appropriation by Congress for car
rying on the Geodetic triangulatiOn of
the United States Coast Survey would
allow of it's extension to this state, i'm
mediately communicated with the Su-
perintendent of the United States Coast
Survey at Washington, under whose di-
rection this work is being done. | was
informed that on furnishing satisfactory
evidence that the state had been sur
veyed geolOgically, the department
would undertake to work in this state.
The required evidence was furnished,
and on my recommendation, Prof. Vol
ney G. Barbour of the Vermont Univer-
sity and State Agricultural College was
appointed to perform the work. By this
survey, the location of a great number
of points in the state, and Lake Cham
plain will be fixed and Determined
relatively, not only to each other, but
to many other points in other states,
and along the coast of the United
States.
| LIGHT HOUSES.
l herewith transmit communication
from Col. Woodruff, engineer of the
third Light House District, relating to
some legislation necessary to render eff
fective an act passed at the last session
of Congress, authorizing the location
and construction of light houses at GER
tain points on Lake Memphremagog.
You will no doubt give the matter fa-
vorable consideration.
THE ANTIETAM NATIONAL CEMETERY.
The title to this property is vested
in the state of Maryland as trustee for
the several states which contributed
towards its establishment and mainte-
nance. The state of Vermont made
| such contribution. The Board of Trus-
tees of the cemetery have become i'll
vOlved in debt. Congress, by act of
March 2, 1877, authorized the Secretary
of War to pay this Indebtedness on the
title to the property being vested in
the United States, and made an appro-
priation for that purpose.
The War Department of the United
States requests the extinguishment of
the right of this state in the property,
by the passage of the act herewith
transmitted, that the appropriation may
be made effectual to the payment of
such Indebtedness.
PARIS EXPOSITION.
/ received from the state department
of the United Safes government an Off
cial communication requesting me to
nominate to the President of the United
States, two persons suitable for appoint
ment as honorary commissioners to
represent this state at the Paris Expo
sitiOn.
complied with this request by uomi-
mating Ex-Gov. John Gregory Smith of
| Ct. AlbduS, anu l1OH. L olttuu vi
st. Johnsbury, who were duly appoint
ed as such. The former attended the
Exposition, and with his accustomed
energy and ability addressed himself to
the promotion of the interests of the
state and it's citizens there represented.
1 regret to say the latter, by unexpect-
ed business engagements, found himself
unable to attend.
THE HUNTINGTON BEQUEST.
Arunah Huntington, a native of Yer
mont, but more recently of Brantford,
Province of Ontario, Dominion of Cana
da, died January 10, 1877, leaving an
estate inventoried in the will, at two
hundred and two thousand dollars, to
the state of Vermont as a common
school fund. OF this estate, S3,450 was
in real estate and real estate securities
situated in the Province of Ontario. The
balance of the devise is of personal
nature, and consists of bank and insur-
ance stock, railroad securities and per-
sonal loans. Mr.. Huntington left nc
children. He left a second wife, who is
not an heir because of an ante-nuptial
contract. The heirs of Mr.. Huntington
have commenced legal proceedings in
the Court of Chancery, praying said
court to declare void the devise and be
quest so far as it relates to real estate
under the old English statute of Mort
main. This statute declares void all
conveyance and divices of land, or any
interest therein, where the gift is fOl
charitable uses, unless such gift or con-
veyance be made by deed, twelve cal
endar months before the death of sucl
donor or grantOr, and be duly recorded
six calendar months before the death o.
such donor or grantoI. And also pray.
ing said court that the whole devise bt
declared void, because trusts and con
ditions upon which said devise and be-
quests are made by the said testato
cannot be carried on by the state o
Vermont, and cannot be enforced 10y
the courts of Canada, and because tn,
aforesaid conditions, if carried out
would result in creating perpetuity
and asking that the heirs at law be de
clared entitled to the same, according
to their respective interests.
Before the cause was reached for tri
al, negotiations had begun with refer
ence to a settlement and adjustment O
SO much of the claim as would com,
within the provisions of the statue o
Mortmain, conditioned upon the with
drawal of the suit. These negotiation,
have as yet resulted in no adjustment
and l am unable to state whether it il
probable that such adjustment can b,
had upon any terms that the state cOult
consent to. l have exercised all posi-
BILE diligence to secure such disposition
of this matter as would carry out tn,
wishes of the generous donor. Imme
diately upon the commencement of le
gal proceedings by the heirs, intrust
ed the matter TO JudDe Poland yb,