might think proper to obtain possession for the Territory, of any of
them wrongfully occupied by any one, and to lease them for the
term of one year. Both of the two last mentioned statutes require
the Treasurer to make a report of his proceedings under them to the
Executive, annually, to be communicated by him to the Legislative
Council. These acts are still in force, but I regret to say that they
appear to have been very imperfectly executed. And from the na-
ture of the duties imposed on the Treasurer, whose office and pres-
ence must necessarily be at the Capitol, it is almost impossible for
him to pay the attention to these various duties, which their import-
ance requires. The small amount due for the annual rent of many
of the quarter sections, as shown by the report of the Treasurer,
seems to be worth less than the labor and expense of making the
collection, and the extent of country over which the School lands
are dispersed, comprising every sixteenth section, and the two en-
tire Townships, one of which is located in different parts of the
Territory in tracts of sections, appear to render it entirely impracti-
cable for the Treasurer to perform the duties required of him, either
for the collection of the rents due the Territory, or the prosecution of
trespassers. I therefore recommend, that provision be made by law
to place all these lands, both the sixteenth sections and those grant-
ed by Congress for the support of a Seminary of Learning, under
the special protection of the county Courts of the different counties
in which the lands are situated; that those courts be required, at
their first terms during the present year, to issue process to the
Sheriff of their respective counties, to dispossess all intruders; that
they be authorized to lease out the Lands for a limited period,
(should it be deemed expedient;) to collect the arrearages which
may then be due, and appropriate the proceeds to the establishment
of public schools.

All the subsequent acts on the subject, tend to shew that the Legislative Council, has not considered the lease of any of these lands, under the provision of the act of 1828, as obligatory, and that the intention has been to take possession of them, and make other leases for a shorter period.

How far the contracts made by the Agents of the Territory, with individuals for the occupancy of the School lands, may be binding, is a legal question to be decided by the Courts. But where a right of entry has accrued to the Territory, or to the inhabitants of the several Townships, in consequence of the want of power on the part of the Legislative Council, to make any other disposition of the lands than that intended by Congress in making the grants, or for any other cause whatever, possession should be immediately taken, by some authorized agent, empowered to protect the property from further trespass and damage. The County Courts composed of a presiding Judge and Justices, coming from all parts of the different counties, would generally possess the necessary local information, and would be most disposed to guard these lands with proper vigilance.

The sum of 815 25-100 dollars, principally in Union Bank bills, appears to have been collected, at different times, from the rent of

the lands described in the report of the Treasurer. This fund, derived from the rent of certain sixteenth sections, should be appropriated to the education of children of the poor living within the townships where those sections are situated. I would suggest the propriety of adding to this the amount to which the Territory is entitled in the distribution of the proceeds of the public lands, under the provision of the act of Congress, approved the 4th of September, 1841. By these means, the foundation might be laid for an institution which may become valuable to the country; and the sum referred to is too inconsiderable to be divided, and appropriated to any other beneficial purpose.

It appears to me that the time has arrived when some effort should be made to render available the liberal grants of the Government for school purposes, within this Territory; and, humble as our first attempts must be, for the accomplishment of this desirable object, they may, in time, be productive of interesting results. If they should but afford the opportunity of acquiring the rudiments of education to those who would otherwise have remained in ignorance; if they should redeem one youthful mind from darkness and vice, and inspire a noble emulation to pursue the path of learning and morality-this alone would be an achievement worthy of our greatest efforts. But in this unobtrusive sphere of life, genius is as often found, as in the mansions of the rich and great; and at the obscure institutions which we may be able to establish with our present limited means, many interesting youths may receive that spark of knowledge, which, in mature life, may expand into brilliant light, rendering the possessor useful to himself, and serviceable to his country.

Fully impressed with the high importance of commencing the establishment of public schools, without further delay, I cannot too strongly recommend the subject to your consideration.

The accompanying report of the Commissioner, will enform you of the present condition of the Tallahassee fund. The Capitol, you will perceive, is yet in an unfinished condition, and is liable to sustain much injury if permitted to remain long in that situation.During the last session of Congress, a bill making an appropriation sufficient for its completion, passed the House of Representatives, but, from some cause, it was not acted on in the Senate. As there can be no well founded objection to this measure, sustained as it is by so many precedents, in making similar appropriations for other Territories, we may indulge the hope that the bill will pass the Senate during the present session of Congress, and that the building will be completed in time for the reception of the next Legislative Council.

During the past year, our frontier settlement experienced great distress and suffering, from the depredation and murders committed by the Seminole and Creek Indians. In the midst of these sufferings, the termination of the war was formally announced. But with this annunciation, peace was not restored and other outrages were perpetrated, with undiminished ferocity. Since, however, the sig

nal chastisement inflicted on a band of these marauders, by a party of citizens from Georgia and Florida, led by their gallant commander, Col. Bailey, no further disturbance has taken place. And although I had but little confidence in any favorable result from the late treaty with this treacherous and perfidious race, from recent events, of which I have heard unofficially. I entertain the hope, that the Seminole war, after seven years continuance, is now approaching its final termination. From report, I have heard that a large party of the Indians, who, by the late treaty, would have beer permitted to remain in Florida for the present, at least, by retiring within the limits of the country assigned them on the Peninsula, from certain indications of bad faith on their part, have been sur prized and captured by the troops of the government, and that they will in a short time, be transported to Arkansas. While they stood with arms in their hands, to resist the power of the Government, to enforce one treaty which they had solemnly made, and treacherous ly violated, little reliance could be placed in the sincerity of their promises, to observe the provisions of another. And while they are permitted to occupy any portion of Florida, no permanent peace or security can be enjoyed by the frontier inhabitants. But the energetic measures recently pursued, to defeat their treacherous designs, and to compel them to emigrate in pursuance of the treaty of Paine's Landing, (the violation of which on their part, produced the war,) gives cheering hopes of relief; and if continued with the en ergy characteristic of our gallant army, they must in a short time, be successful, and restore peace and tranquility to our Southeastern border, so long harrassed and disturbed, by the ravages of this sar guinary war.

From the South-west, the most gratifying intelligence has been received. The expedition recently led, by Lieut. Col. Hitchcock, of the United States army, in pursuit of the fugitive Creeks, it is believed, will be entirely successful, and that portion of the country which has been so long the theatre of murders and depredations, will be relieved from the presence and annoyance of this savage band. The success of this enterprize will enable its gallant commander, to receive from his government the reward of merit, and from the people of Florida, an expression of their gratitude.

Although we have no voice in the Councils of the Nation, yet, as a portion of the American people, we cannot be indifferent spectators of passing events, calculated either to elevate, or depress our national character. We may therefore, without impropriety, express our cordial concurrence in the public sentiment, so generally manifested by the American people, in favor of an appropriation by Congress, to refund to General Jackson the fine (of one thousand dollars, with interest) inflicted on him, for an alleged contempt, by the Judge of the United States District Court, for the District of Louisiana, in the year 1815. Faithful history will rclate, in after times, the cause which led to this extraordinary proceeding. It will represent the Hero of New Orleans, at the head of his victorious army, bowing in humble submission to the constituted authority of his

country, even in the person of a civil tyrant. Posterity will do justice to the fame of Andrew Jackson, but the National honour demands, for its own vindication, that the amount of this fine, imposed for an official act, which led to one of the most glorious achievements of our country, should be refunded from the public Treasury. I therefore recommend the adoption of a resolution, expressive of the sentiments of the Legislative Council on this subject.

I have been requested by the Governor of the State of Mississippi, to lay before you and to invite your attention to the Resolution passed by the Legislature of that State at its last session, relative to the annexation of Texas to the United States, a copy of which is herewith enclosed.

At the request of its President, I also present, for your consideration, a copy of a memorial adopted at a meeting held at Washington, during the past Summer, by the American Colonization Society. It contains many important facts relative to the situation of the settlement at Liberia, and cannot fail to be read with interest by the Legislative Council, though we may not be prepared to afford the assistance which he so earnestly solicits, in behalf of that infant settlement.

As the representatives of the people of Florida, I tender you my sincere congratulation on the reformation of morals so generally produced by the influence of associations to promote the cause of Temperance. There are no institutions of the present day more productive of useful and beneficial results to society, and they present just claims to the encouragement and support of the friends of morality and virtue.

In the midst of pecuniary embarrassment and distress, our heartfelt gratitude, to the Giver of all blessings, is due, for the abundant crops and general good health we enjoyed during the past year. A continuation of these blessings, with the economy acquired by the experience of the past will, in a few years, redeem the people of this Territory from all difficulties, and restore their former success and prosperity. Cheered with this pleasing hope, we may pass the ordeal of the present, and look forward with confidence to the dawn of a brighter and happier day.

Your fellow-citizen,
R. K. CALL,

Tallahassee, January the 5th, 1843. Governor of Florida.

Which was read and five hundred copies ordered to be printed. On motion of Mr. Betton the House proceeded to go into an election for printer.

Mr. Floyd moved that a Committee of two be appointed to wait on Messrs. Arnou and Pent (who are confined to their rooms by indisposition) and receive their votes before the election be declared; which motion prevailed, and Messrs. Cromartie and Scott were appointed that Committee.

On motion of Mr. Forman, the election was postponed until the Committee appointed to call on Messrs. Arnou and Pent reported their votes.

The Speaker laid before the House the following communication: THE HON. J. B. LANCASTER,

Speaker of the House of Representatives. The Honorable the House of Representatives of the Legislative Council of Florida, now in session, are most respectfully invited to attend the Anniversary Meeting of the Tallahassee Total Abstinence Society, to be held in the Presbyterian Church, on Tuesday, the 10th instant, at 6 o'clock, P. M. WM. G. BURGESS, Sec'y.

Which was read, and the invitation therein contained, accepted. Mr. Floyd offered the following resolution:

Resolved, That a Committee of three be appointed to enquire into the loss of the Government of furniture purchased for the use of the Legislature, and that they be authorized to make arrangements for the furnishing of the House.

Which was adopted, and Messrs. Floyd, Smith and Zeigler were appointed that Committee.

Mr. Forman from the Committee appointed to draft rules for the government of the House made the following report:

The undersigned, a Committee appointed by the House of Representatives, to prepare suitable rules for the government of the House, beg leave respectfully to

REPORT:

That your committee have examined the rules adopted at the last session of the Legislature, and are of opinion that the same should be adopted by this House for the government of the present session, with the following amendments, viz:

Rule 10th. Amended by placing the word "messenger" in place of sergeant-at-arms.

Rule 12th. Every motion made and seconded, shall be reduced to writing, delivered in at the table and read, before the same be debated.

Rule 29th. After the word "dated." After a bill shall have been reported amended, it shall again be in order for its second reading. Rule 38th. The word "engrossed" stricken out and "enrolled" substituted.

Rule 39th. The "secretary," in place of "clerk," and "messenger," in place of sergeant-at-arms, substituted.

Rule 42d. The secretary, assistant secretary, foreman, messenger and door-keeper, shall be severally sworn by a judicial officer of the Territory. [Here insert the oath.] All of which is respectfully submitted.

ARTHUR J. FORMAN, Ch'n.
R. J. FLOYD,

D. MCRAENY.

Which was received, read and adopted, and one hundred copies ordered to be printed.

The Committee appointed to call on Messrs. Arnou and Pent for their votes for Printer, reported that they had performed that duty. On counting the ballots, Joshua Knowles was declared duly elected Printer of the House.