.2.-.._.
L3. .1‘.- A
GOVERNOR CLINTON’S SPEECH.
Gentlemen of the‘ Senate, ‘
and of the ./Isscmbly, A
Since the last session of the Legislature, the
distresses of_~,thecommunity have continued to in-
crease ; and in consequence of the general unea-
siness excited by this unpropitious state of things,
meetings have been held in various places to so-
licit your interposition. Immediately on the ter-
mination of the late war, a fatal blow was given
to the manufacturing interest by the importation
of vast quantities of foreign fabrics, neither re-
quired by our wants nor our comforts. In all
sections of the country, and in all descriptions of
society, the progress of extravagance and luxury
has been alarming. In individuals, expenditure
has exceeded income ; and in our collective ca-
pacity, as a nation, the aggregate value of our ex-
ported productions has been greatly inferior to
the cost of foreign commodities. The demands
of foreign markets for the products of agriculture
have been diminished by a state of general peace ;
and the pernicious multiplication of banking in-
stitutions, and the inordinate diffusion ofa paper
currency, have produced the most serious calam-
ities. In cases of this description, government
may alleviate, but can never remove the evils.——
The conservative power overthe gener-.:l good is
at all times, vested in the great body of the peo-
ple: and in the present crisis, it consists most
emphatically inthe retrenchment of our expen-
ces and in the augmentation of our industry.-—
The sources of the prosperity of nations, as well
as of the happiness of individuals, must be form-
ed and cherished at home. The season of suf-
fering cannot, however,-be of long duration. A
vast capital, now unproductive‘ and unemployed,
will soon be applied to animate the efforts of use-
ful industry : and the renovating power, and en-
terprising spirit of our country, must predomin-
ate over the obstacles which have conspired to
check its prosperity. VVhatever measures you
may adopt, will, 1 am confident, be marked by a
sacred regard for private right and public utility.
And I would suggest to you whethera portion of
our funds might not be usefully employedin loans
for the purpose of alleviating the pressure on the
community.
The favorable condition of the treasury and the
high credit of the state are equally a subject of
congratulation. X-Vith the continuance of our
present system of finance, we will I am pt':i'f~" 2'.-
ded, be enabled to defray the expense of g\‘,‘\'('l ‘sl-
ment, to evince the usual munificence ofthe state,
and to prosecute our internal improvements with
out any resort to new burtbens, and with a r::~.'lu--
ced rate of interest.
The law which passed at the last session for the
encouragement ofagriculture, has fully realized
the patriotic views of the legislature. The insti-
tution ofa board to super-intend that important
pursuit, with authority to receive and communi-
cate useful information, and to dispense the means
of valuable improvement will always be consitlct‘-
ed an important era in our history : and the on-
couragement of local institutions, by the appl'0~
priation ofa premium-fund for the l)__est and most
abundant products, has already excited an unri-
valled spirit of emulation and exertion. Twenty
seven counties have drawn from the treasury the
monies allotted for that purpose, and forty-one
have established agricultural associations. The
universal interest which this subject lms created
and the extraordinary benefits which it has dis-
pensed, may be seen in the exhibitions and com-
petitions for premiums; in the combinations of
practical and scientific men ; in the luminous dis-
courses of the presiding officers 5 in the vast col-
lection of citizens at the places assigned for meet-
ing ; in the improverl quality and l.ltCl‘L'ilSF_'(l quan-
tity of our commodities; and particularly in sllcll
unprecedented and abundant products, as to in-
duce a belief that, in some instances, agriculture
has nearly attained its utmost pet-fectiun, by rai:,-
ing the greatest possible quantity of produce at
the least comparative expense. The excellencs.
ofthis system may, however. he gm-tltly improved
by extending the duration, augmenting the fund,
and enlarging the power of the super-intending
board. A statistical survey, describing the actu-
al condition, and developing the possible improve-
ment of the state, may be easily effected througll
this institution ; and ‘I know of no measure bet-
ter calculated to promote our cardinal interests ;
to encourage our agriculture, manufactures, and
trade ; to illustrate our resources ; to advance
natural +.-lience and polizical philosophy; and to
elevate the character of our country.
Experience has evinced the precarious and
fluctuating nature of foreign markets for the dis-
posal of our products. Even in the most pros-
perous times of our commerce, and in seasons of
the greatest foreign demand, there was at least
twice as much grain consumed in this state alone
as was exported from all the United States. The
principal surplus of agricultural productions, not
required for the use of the agricultural interest,
must be either consumed at home, or lost to the
cultivator. Foreign commerce may do operate
in creating flourishing Atlantic cities; but inter-
ternal trade must erect our towns on the lakes
and rivers, and our inland villages ; and intc:I'nal
trade must derive its principal aliament from the
products of our agriculture and manufactures.-—
As the protection of the foreign and of the carry-
ing trade, two of the great branches of commerce,
is exclusively entrusted to the national govern-
ment, the state authorities cannot extend their
power beyond the encouragement ofthe home
trade, by cherishing the agricultural and manu-
facturing interests, and promoting the channels of
communication ; and the co-operation of the"gen-
eral administration for the attainment of these
invaluable ends, is to a certain extent,.all-impor-
taut. '
The reciprocal dependence of the great depart-
ments of productive industry, is a wise dispensa-
tion of Providence to extend the sphere of human
usefulness, to animate and multiply the motives
for activity, and to cement the fabric of human so-
ciety. The successful progress of the important
channels of communication now opening in the
state, will have a benign influence, not only in pro-*
ducing facility and cheapness oftransportation for
the proceeds of labor, but also in creating, mar-
kcts for their consumption. Already do we pet'-
ceive the establishment of villages on the borders
of the great Canal: and the raw m'a_terials of the
husbandman, obtained with comparative ease and
cheapness by the manufacturer, will be convert-
-: ‘{ 3'»!-.'Ju,. .
ed into articles of accommodation and comfort.-
This, in time, will establish on a solid foundation
an important interest, which will use the fruits of
agriculture, as well in the fabrication of commod-
ities, as in the sustenance of human life. And
thus, by the reciprocal action of benign influ-
ences, the great departments ofproductive labor.
will harmoniously c’o-operate in creating individ-
ual and national opulence. The carriers, buyers,
and vendors, of our commodities will constitute
an important class in the interior ; and the great
accession to the otlret‘_'.pt‘ofcssiolls and pursuits,
and the general augmentation of our population
in consequence of our growing prosperity, will
enable us to carry on a vast system of internal
trade, which will in a great measure supersede
the necessity of foreign markets.
The middle section of the VVL-stern Canal, in-
eluding a lateral canal to Salina, and comprising
a distance of 96 miles, has been completed. On
the 23d day of October last, the commissioners
naxigated it from Utioa to Rome, and found their
most sanguine expectations realized in the celeri-
ty, economy. and excellence of the execution;
and on the 24th November the Champlain Canal
was also in ya navigable state. In less than two
years and five months 120 miles of artificial navi-
gation have been finished ; and thus the physical
as well as financial practicability ofuniting the wa-
ters of the western and northern lakes with the
Atlantic ocean, has been established beyond the
reach of doubt or cavil. The efforts of direct
hostility to the system ofinternal improvement
will in future be feeble. Honest and well dispo-
sed men, who have hitherto entertained doubts.
have yielded them to the unparalleled success of
this measure. But as there is great reason to ap-
prehend the exertions of insidious enmity, Icon-
sider it my solemn duty to warn you against
them. As the Canal proceeds to the west, the
country cast will of course be accommorlated, and
in proportion to its progress to completion, in that
ratio will it be considered more tasy to c-nnlzinl.
a greater mass of population against its furthe.
extension. Attempts have already been 'lll.’l(lr to
arrest its progress west of Seneca river. and it is
lti;.;-‘tly probable that they will be renewed wla-so
the work is finislietl to the Gcnncssee. As the
l)t.l‘lt‘fllS of artificial or imprott~r.l n.n-igitioh T-.ll'C
renderecl more obvious b_'- expel-ience, .'.“.‘:-rts will
be made to obtain appl‘opriutio.'ls for .1 local
ac.con;modat1ons, and while good men will en-
deavor to acquire them with honest tiews and for
patriotic purposes, they will ;..c.ei-"c the counten-
ance of persons of a rlifferert description, who, in
furtherance of selfish dt-signs, will strive to des-
troy the great fabric ofintelnal improvexuen'ts
withdrawing or dispersing the fund appropriated.
for its support. "
Under a full persuasion that the honorand pros-'
perity of the state impetiously demand the c't-..:-
pletion of the whole of this great work, "and t1;;..~t j
if we are just to ourselves and to poslet;ity,,it whi-
be effected in five years, 1 am happy tojassurej y‘o_u_
that the decided and prudent measures of tlieecgt-_.‘
nal commissioners in October last, are in‘7ftil:l“ié.i,:-"
cordunce with these impressions. At that nice}-f
lug they directed that portion of the western sect:
ion,which extends from the Seneca river to Rocha.
ester on the Geunessee river, and that portion of
the eastern scrzion which commences at the east-
ern termination of the middle section, and reaches
to the east side of the Little Falls, to be marked
out as a part of the Great W'estern Canal, and to
be contracted for as such ; and considerable pro"-
gress has been already made in these importan’
operation-. «
The whole length of the western section is a- .
bout I63 miles, and of the eastern about 97 ; and
notwitl.st..utdiog the disparity of distance, it is es-
timated that the expense of each will be about the
stone, yuaking, in the aggregate, four millions of
<loll.u'.~:-.- The object and tendency of that meas-
lll t.. of the canal com rnissioners must. be obvious;
and policy as well as justice, conctlI't‘cd in recom-
mending its adoption. By operating in both di-
re<:.tions, a solemn pledge is given of our deter?
mination to finish the whole canal ; SCCllullaljCal-
ousies are allayed; the adv-anzages ari.-;ing from
pecuzliary expenditures are impartially dispt:n-
sed; and every advantage of the work. in either
way, will facilitate communication. The com-
pletion of the middle section has already opened
markets for a feriile and extensive region The
expense of conveying at barrel of flour by land to
Albany from the country about the Cayuga lake,
was more than twice as much as the exportation
of one from New-York to Liverpool ; and the dif-
ference between the former and the present cost
of convryzutcc, will not only remuneratc the man-
ufacturer, but afford an increased compensation to
the agriculturist, independently of the rise of the
commodity in value, from its being furnished with
a good market. It is believed that our Atlantic
country will soon be supplied with salt from the
west, cheaper than from abroad, and the revenue
from the salt works, appropriated to the construct-
ion of the canal, already exceeds the most favora-
ble estimates, and shows conclusively theiniport‘-
ance of this communication to the acctinrmoda}
tion of a vast country. In the progress of the ca-
nal, gypsum of the best quality has been discover-.
ed, and it is ascertained that this region contains
a sufficient quantity of this invaluable mineral, for
thc supply ofthe whole United States. Hereto-
lore, the principal ingredients of hydraulic mortar
were procured at a great expense from abroad for
the construction of locks ; but a species of lime-
stone has been found, dispersed over the whole
C0UI1U‘Ya at-lmirably adapted for water cement, and
entirely superseding the necessity of a foreign
supply. Stone for the construction of locks, cul-
verts, bridges and aqueducts, is also found in a-
bundance; and it is confidently believed, as well
from the geological character of this region. as
from various other indications, that coal will be
discovered amply sufl'}c.icnt for domestic uses and
manufacturing CSl'tll)li'.~.ll]’n€nl.S. The animation
which this work, in its present unfinished state,
has given to our internal trade, cannot be duly ap-I.
preciated without the advantages of personal ob-
servation, nor can all its blessings be realizetl or
displayed. until years of experience have passed
away.
It is a subject of high felicilatioti to observe the
energies of our sister states directed in a similar
way to the promotion of the general prosperity.
The Carolinasand Virginia have adopted wise
and vigorous measures for the advancement of
inland communication ;.and some of the we_stern_
states have been equally decided and public spit‘-
of society.
’n‘2ltttre, increases the value of land, and enhances
‘the price of commodities, and augments the
"public Wr-.'*3'th.
/
ited. An union of the waters of the Illinois river
and lake Michigan, and a connexion between lake
Erie and the Ohio in the direction of Sandusky
and Scloto rivers, are seriously cont:-mplatcd,_
VVhile measures so honorable to our sister states
must always command our best wishes, and se-
cure our highest approbation, let us be deeply
impressed with the importance of attending toim-
provements of a similar character. Communi-
cations between the waters oflake Ontario and
the western Canal ; between the river St. Law-
rence and lake Champlain ; and between the Sus-
quehannah river and the Seneca lake, will accom-
modate important and respectable portions of our
population, deserving, as well from their enter-
prizing industry, as public spirited character, ev-
ery attention fromthe government. 'l'heimprove-
‘ments of the Oswego river; the establishment
of a harbor at Buffalo ; and the draining of the
Cayuga marshes, have received that considera-
tion which was due to subjects so worthy of the
favorable attention of the canal commissioners ;
and the results of their measures will be commu-
nicated to you as soon as possible.
The board of commissioners constituted by an
act oflast aession to report a plan for improving
the navigation of the Hudson river, have attend-
ed to the irtlpoitant business assigned to them.
The low state ofthe waters was favorable to their
operations, and cyinces, beyond a doubt, the ne-
cessity of your benign interposition, (which in-
deed cannot be too earnestly inculcated) as you}
will perceive from the proceedings of this boarfd,
which willbe presented to you.
By the act respecting navigable communica-
tions between the great western and northern
lakes and the Atlantic ocean, passed the 15th of
April, l8 l7, a tax of $250,000 is directed to be
imposed upon the lands lying within twenty five
miles on each side of the canals, from the Mo-
hawk to the Seneca river, and from lake Cham-
plain to the Hudson. And by the act concerning
lllt: great western and northern canals, passed on
the 7th of April last, this assessment is suspend-
ed until the further order ofthe legislature. In
operations of this nature, must necessarily fol-
low that particular portions of territory will re-
ccive «.:xtr-aordinary benefits. But with the aug-
ments"-.1nn of their wealth, their ability-to contri-
bute to the public bu rthens will be proportionably
enhanced,and consequently the taxes in other pla-
ces will be correspontlently diminished. And it
is submitted to you whether it comports with the
magnanimity of government to resort to partial
‘Ol local impositious, in order to defray the expen-
_ses_of a m..gntficcnt work, identified with the gen-
__eral prosperity. .
The improvement of natural and the prosecu-
lion ofartificial navigation ought not, however,
to divert your attention from the establishment of
wads and bridges, so much demanded by the
hits ofnew settlements, the convenience of all
ch.-sct'iptions of people and the primary interests
Every judicious improvement ofthis
In the varying state ofthings in
new con s. which must necessarily arise from
the flu‘ . pulation, the extension of settle-
ment 3 fluctuation of capital, the applica-
tion ol_..-‘-‘ ‘rent measures, at different times, may
be ret,...._..te. A good government will always
consider with peculiar benevolence the hardships
and sufferings of the first settlers ofa country ;
and its disposition to dispense relief will only be
limited by the great landmarks of justice and
public policy.
In order, however, to accomplish important
improvements ; to advance the great interests of
productive industry; to establish the means of
conveyance by land as well as by water ; to dis-
senlinatc: literature and science ; to patronize
schools, academies, colleges, and learned institu-
tions ; to promote the views of benevolence in
the administration ofhealing to the sick, of com-
fort to the poor, and of instruction to the ignorant,
it is necessary that a system of economy and re-
trenchment should be adopted and applied to all
the measures of government and all the channels
of expenditure. 4
Good examples ought to emanate from those
whom the people have honored with their confi-
dence and invested with their authority. Consid-
ering the reduced prices of all the necessaries
and comforts of life,and the pecuniary distresses
of the times", I think that the period has now em-
phatically arrived, when no objcction ought to be
made against a reduction of the compensation of
the officers .of government and the members of
the legislature. The application of economy
ought to be general and impartial; and it is re-
spectfully submittetlto you, whether it be not ad-
visable to shorten your sessions, as the expense of
the legislative department exceeds that of theju-
dicial and executive combined. And as almost
all important statutes are passed at the close of
your meetings, the short interval between that pe-
riod and the ensuing election renders it impossi-
ble for your constituents to obtain accurate infor-
mation of the character of the laws and the con-
duct of their representatives, before they are call-
ed upon to pronounce an opinion by their suffra-
ges. ‘Under these impressions, it is suggested
whether it would not be expedient to contract
the duration of your session at least one half, and
in furtherance ofthis important object, whether
it would not be advisable to omit the answer to
the speech ofthe Governor. He is required by
the Constitution to * inform the legislature at ev-
ery session,’ of the condition of the state so far as
may respect his department, and to recommend
such matters to their consideration as shall ap-
pearlto him to concern its good government, wel-
fare and prosperity: and custom has prescribed
a personal instead of a written communication,
"perhaps as being most respectful to the represen-
tatives of the people. But answers are not de-
mandcd by the constitution, nor by expediency,
and besides prolonging the session, and frequent-
ly interrupting its harmony. they exhibit formal-
ity and pageantry not altogether well adapted to
the simplicity of our republican institutions.
(Rzzmainder 72ex£ week.)
~--—-a-&$-?l€'$T*'—‘
Eighty thousand dollars‘ have been expended
on th_e \Vashington Monument at Baltimore, and
20,000 more is required to finish it.
The tmzall /zox prevails in several towns in
Lower Canada. Vaccination is in consequence
reviving there. .' -
O
RUTLAND, Vermont, Dec. 28.
C’0l‘¢’i71 U1‘""0cd.—On VVedne sday of last week,
Colvin arrived safe at Manchester; and Stephen
Boom, who was then confined, was immediately
set at liberty: And in testimony of the great joy
0“ file 00¢‘-351°“: 50 guns were given, the first of
which was discharged by—_the said Stephen.
Jesse Boom having had his punishment com-
muted to Slate's Prison for life, did not participate
in these expressions of gladness, but ere this has
doubtless heard the glad tidings. The trial of
the BOOPDS exhibits a Curiosity not to be conceiv.
ed: and the discovery of Collin renders it still
more Interesting. -
From the Corzfzecticut Zlfirror.
land, Vermont, a pamphlet containing an account
of the trial ofthe Boorns, taken from the minutes
of the Hon. Chief Justice, together with some
particulars relative to the discovery of the suppo-
sed deceased. From thispublication we learn,
that Colvin had married a sister of the Boorns—
had several children: and was at times unable to
provide for his family all the necessaries of life.
He consequently ‘became somewhat dependent
upon the Boot ns.Wh0 Were not much pleased with
the necessity of administering relie£ We are
led to infer also, from some parts of the testimo-
ny, that Colvin had previously been deranged-—
had several times left his home, and on one occa-
sion took a child with him, and was absent nine
-;',months.' It appears, that seven years ago, Rus-
jsel Colvin, a son of his about 10 years old, and the
two Booms, were at work together in a field ; a
quarrel ensued between Stephen Boom and Col-
the boy was frightened, and ran to the house—
and Colvin disappeared. VVhenever the Boorns.
were questioned upon the subject, they generally
stated that he ran off. They had often threaten-
ed him previously; and some time afterwards
said ‘ he had gone to the devil—to hell,’ Stc.
It. seems, however, that about four years ago‘,
the wife of Colvin found herself in a delicate sim-
ation, but could not ‘make a certain oath unless
her husband was absolutely dead. Stephen Boom
told his sister that * she could swear, for Colvin
was dead, and he knew it.’ J1:/mug]: we are not
while this affair was in agitation, something fell
from the brothers, which fixed suspicion upon
them. The hat worn by Cohin, had been found
in the field, long after his absence, and identified ;
ajackknife, said to have been his, was found in
an old cellar, and also a button, which his wife
swore she had worn for some time. Various cir-
ferent conversations ofthe Boorns are given ; but
we do not find what circumstances caused the ar-
rest ofthe supposed criminals. The son of Col-
abo t thequarrel.
. -l’ .
Stephen or Jesse say what had become of his fa-
ther, though the former‘ had threatened to kill
him, if he told of the quarrel. .
particular confession of the murder, to afellow
prisoner. He waked the prisoner up and pretend-
window, and was then behind him, on the bed.---..--
He stated the particulars of the quarrel, as afore-
said. According to this relation, Stephen Boom
gave Colvin several blows with a small club--—
brought him to the ground——-broke his skull——--
the blood gushed out. By this confession the fa-
ther of the Booms was made a party. Jesse B.
stated that before Colvin was dead, he took him
by the legs, Stephen by the shoulders, and the old
man round the body ; carried him to an old cel-
lar ; the old man then cut his throat with a pen-
knife, and they buried him in said cellar, between
-day-light and dark ; and one of them kept
watch. .
In about 18 months afterwards, he stated that
he took up the bones, and buried them under the.
lloor of a barn. The spring following, the barn
was burnt, and the bones were then again taken
up, pounded to pieces and thrown into the river.
The father scraped up a few pieces and put them
into the hollow of a stump near the road. It ap-
pears by the testimony of another witness, that
some fragmentsof bones were found in the stump
and some pieces supposed to be a thumb, and fin-
ger nails. Stephen Boom made a written confes-
sion, not materially differing from the foregoing.
These confessions were rejected by the court, as
it appeared that some inducements had been of-
fered to the prisoners to confess ; but they doubt-
less had a powerful effect on the minds of the ju-
ry. It appears bones had been found in the cel-
lar last spring; but they proved not to be human
bones. There is nothing said _in the trial of a
dream, which has been so frequently mentioned
in the papers ; and we are, therefore, led to be-
lieve it a hoax, played off upop some of our broth-
er editors, by one of those vastly witty people,
who deemit the nc /llus ultra of ingenuity to im-
pose upon a publisher.
The two Boorns were sentenced to be executed
on the 28th of January inst. but the general as-
sembly of that state being then in session, a pc-
tition for a pardon or commutation of" their pun-
ishment was inimediately sent to that body, to-
gether with ample notes of the trial. On the 15th
November, by a vote of 104 to S}, the punish-
ment of Jesse Boorn was changed to imprison-
ment for life; and Stephen was left to suffer a-
greeably to sentence, by a vote of 97 to 42.
-éfié-
Iudz'a.—Calcutta papers state that letters from
neighborhood. The difficulty of procuring grain
for seed is stated to be very great, and that the
price of it is six times the amount of its ordinary
v.llut:.
longed, for the land cannot be supplied with seed
to provide for the future wants of the population.
They also contain accounts of very severe earth-
quakes in various places. At Ahmedabad, it was
felt with great violence. T he surface ofthe earth
undulated like the sea, and it was with much dif-.
ficulty people could stand upon their legs. '1 he
(_]evas[dLit)ll caused to this city, so much celebra-
ted for its beautiful buildings, is truly lamentable.
The nlaglllficent towers, and Mosques, 8cc. were
reduced ‘to ruins, or greatly injured, as were ma-
ny ptivate houses; and the places of Mahome-
dan worship greatly suffered both in the c_tty.antl
surrounding country. The earthquake lasted a-
bout five minutes, during which time all the disa-
We have a few days since, received from Rut-‘V
told so in the trial, yet we think it probable, that .
cumstances, in relation to the quarrel, and the dif- . .
vin, now 17 years old, testified to the particulars .
He had never heard eithel‘ *
V‘/'l:~ile in prison, Jesse Boom made a full -7
ed to make the confession in consequence bf-*8 .-
fright-—he supposed something came in at the
Nagpore mention that a famine prevails in that,»
The scarcity is therefore likely to be pro- »
\ll] ; the former struck the latter several times; " "
. ‘,
Norwalk Chronicler