which was, by the direction of my predecessor, selected in the mineral region of Lake Superior, in pursuance of law.

To this selection, the Secretary of the Treasury, at Washington, refuses to give his assent or approval, of which this department has been officially notified by the Commissioner of the General Land Office.

Whether such approval is made necessary by the laws of the United States, to vest in the State the title to the lands selectedand if so, whether the discretion has been exercised, in this case, conformably to those laws, are questions requiring careful investigation. That the action of that high functionary has been in strict accordance with his views of official duty, there is no reason to doubt; but as the subject is one in which important interests of the State are involved, it is submitted to the legislature with a view to the adoption of such measures as may seem expedient in the premises.

Under the act of Congress, giving its consent to the sale of the Salt Spring Lands, previously selected by the State, a portion of those lands, were, for the first time, brought into market and offered for public sale during the past year, pursuant to the laws of the State relating thereto; and 777 and 48-100 acres were thus sold, at the minimum price of $4 per acre.

The original selections of these lands amounted to 45,348 and 55-100 acres, 24,264 and 10-100 acres of which, it is understood, have received the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury; from the remaining selections the approval of that officer is withheld.

Of the lands granted by Congress in aid of the erection of public buildings for the State, there remain unsold, 27,805 and 54-100 acres. Certain lands were received in payment of debts due from the Michigan State Bank, and other debts of the State, valued, on appraisal, at $28,176 41, of which sales have been effected to the amount of $5,605 62, leaving a balance unsold of $22,566 79.

The report of the Commissioner appointed under the act providing for the removal of the seat of government, to select and designate a site in the township of Lansing, in this county, on which to erect the Capitol and other State buildings, is herewith transmitted. Various propositions were submitted by and in be

half of individuals, desirous of having the location made upon their own lands. All lands, connected with such propositions, were carefully explored and examined, and each proposal maturely considered by the Commissioners; they finally, however, unanimously concurred in the opinion that the interest of the State would be best subserved, by placing the public buildings upon the sixteenth section in the township mentioned in the act referred to, and they accordingly designated a part of that section for such purpose.

There is no subject paramount in importance to that of Common School Education,-none that has a higher claim to the fostering care of the government. I am not aware that further legislation is necessary in relation to our common school system, unless it be deemed expedient to provide for the establishment of Normal Schools for the education and qualification of teachers. Such institutions, when properly conducted, have been productive of great good, and no doubt is entertained but such would be the result of their introduction into our State, and being made to form a part of our educational system. By a joint resolution of the legislature, approved March 4, 1847, the Superintendent of Public Instruction was required to compile so much of his annual reports for the years 1845 and 1846, as he should deem necessary for the purpose of giving general information relative to common schools. That duty has been performed, and the "compilation" contemplated by the resolution has been made by that officer, and will be laid before you.

The number of townships from which reports have been received, pursuant to law, is 425, somewhat exceeding the number by which reports were made last year.

The number of school districts, from which reports have been received, is two thousand nine hundred and fifty---being eighty one more than reported last year; and the number of children reported, between the ages of four and eighteen years, is one hundred and eight thousand one hundred and thirty--showing an increase of ten thousand four hundred and seventy two, upon the number returned in any former year.

The whole number that have attended common schools during the past year, as shown by the returns from the several counties, is eighty eight thousand and eighty; ten thousand two hundred and seventy three

more than are reported to have received such instruction the previous year.

For the year 1846, the primary school interest fund apportioned among the several counties and townships of the state, was $27,925 72— thirty one cents to every child reported between the ages before men

tioned.

The amount divided the present year is $31,250 54-thirty two cents to each child entitled, by law, to participate in the distribution of the fund.

The whole sum expended in the State, during the year, for the support of common schools, was $130,531 80-$36,543 75 of which was applied to the building and repairing of school houses.

There are three hundred township libraries in the State, containing forty three thousand nine hundred and twenty six volumes, according to the returns of the past year being thirty more libraries, and six thousand nine hundred and thirty eight volumes of books, more than were reported in 1846.

These libraries circulate through one thousand three hundred and forty-nine school districts two hundred and sixty eight more than have participated in their benefits, in any former year.

The returns evince an increasing interest in all parts of the State, in behalf of common schools, and of education generally. In several villages, Union School Houses have been erected at an expense, varying from $800 to $3000, and a greater willingness is manifested to employ competent teachers, and to pay an adequate compensation for their services.

The increasing usefulness and prosperity of the University, cannot fail to be a source of gratification to every citizen of Michigan.

Of the twenty-six professorships contemplated by the organic law of the institution, seven have been already established by the board of regents and their chairs filled, by whom instruction is given in all the branches of literature and science usually taught in collegiate institutions of the highest grade.

Of the seven professors appointed, there is one of the Ancient Languages one of the Modern Languages-one of Mathematics and Natural Philosophy-one of Moral and Intellectual Philosophy-one of

Logic, Rhetoric and the Philosophy of History--one of Botany and Zoology, and one of Chemistry and Geology.

The library, consisting of about five thousand volumes, is believed to be one of the most valuable, of its extent, in the United States, embracing as it does, the most approved foreign works in the several departments of Literature, Science and the Arts.

Its cabinet of Natural History is, also, of great extent and value.The cabinet purchased of Baron Liederer, is a rare and rich collection of foreign minerals. Besides which, it has an extensive collection of American minerals and fossils, together with suits of specimens illustrative of the Geology, Zoology, and Botany of Michigan, affording altogether greater advantages to the student in Natural History, than any similar institution in this country.

The success of the University thus far has exceeded the expectations of its most sanguine friends. The number of Students now belonging to the several classes is eighty-three, and, that the number will be largely increased at the commencement of each succeeding collegiate year, there is every reason to expect.

The professors have been selected for their ability, learning, and high moral qualities, and, that they possess them all, in an eminent degree, is demonstrated by the manner in which they have discharged the varied, arduous and responsible duties of their respective stations. The finances of this favored institution, are also upon a most satisfactory footing.

A debt was early contracted in its behalf, for a loan of $100,000 of the bonds of the State, which has been reduced, from time to time, by the sale of portions of its lands for warrants drawn upon the Internal Improvement fund, to $20,628 01, and the nett amount of revenue derived from all sources, during the past year, and made available for its general use, after deducting interest due on the balance of its debt, will exceed $15,000, about half of which has been expended in the erection of an additional building for dormitories and lecture rooms.

Appropriations are no longer made by the Regents for the support of Branches of the University, and instruction is continued only in those at Kalamazoo and Romeo.

The reports of the Adjutant General and Quarter Master General are herewith transmitted. By an order made on the 26th May last,

the Quarter Master General's department was placed under the direction and control of the Adjutant General, since which, he has performed all the duties of both departments.

A strong repugnance is manifested in many sections of the State to an organization of the militia. Serious embarrassments have been encountered, consequently, by the Adjutant General, in his efforts to obtain from the civil authorities of the various townships and counties, prompt and accurate returns of those liable to do military duty. Those embarrassments however, have been, in a good degree, overcome, by the zealous and unremitted exertions of that efficient officer, to whom the State is principally indebted for the progress, thus far, made in the enrollment of the militia.

The whole numerical strength of the militia of the State is estimated at sixty thousand, embracing those actually enrolled-such as are liable to military duty, but not yet returned, together with the active or volunteer force. I commend to the favorable notice of the legislature the proposition of the Adjutant General to appropriate to the purpose of an Armory the rooms hitherto occupied by the Auditor General and State Treasurer, in the State Building in the City of Detroit. The reasons urged by him for such use of the rooms in question, are certainly forcible, and to my mind, entirely satisfactory. They are fully detailed in his report.

I concur in opinion with the Adjutant General, also, with regard to the propriety of placing at the disposal of his department, a fund sufficient to defray its necessary incidental expenses.

On the 19th of May, 1846, a requisition was made by the War Department, upon the executive of this State, for the enrollment of a regiment of volunteer infantry, of ten companies, to be held in readiness for active service, when called for by the President.

By a joint resolution of the Legislature, approved February 13, 1847, the sum of ten thousand dollars was appropriated, to be applied, in the discretion of the executive, in fitting out any volunteer regiment, battalion or company, that might be called from this State, to serve in the war with Mexico.

In October last, an order was issued by direction of the Presi dent, for mustering these troops into the service of the United States; and the measures necessary to secure a compliance with