colleges and academies, while few efforts have yet been made by the legislature to encourage and sustain our institutions of female education. Many of these, have been brought into existence in various parts of the State, by the public spirited liberality of our citizens, who are yet struggling to sustain them, without the aid or patronage of the General Assembly. Surely the education of the females of the rising generation, cannot be viewed by the Legislature of an enlightened State, as an object of indifference, or as of less importance than that of the other sex.

In the first message which I had the honor of submitting to the General Assembly, I endeavored to bring to their notice, this interesting branch of education, as deserving their aid and patronage, and as fraught with the most important and beneficial results, in the improvement of future generations. So obvious to my mind, is the propriety of extending a liberal encouragement to our institutions, for the culture of the female mind, to the same extent that we do for those of the other sex, that I deem it almost superfluous, in again calling your attention to the subject, to offer to your understandings, a single word of argument in its favor. All must be aware of the predominating and durable influence of early impressions in fixing the character, and in moulding the human mind. They are known to be the most lasting, whether for good, or for evil; and hence, the pa amount importance of their being derived from an enlightened source, in order that they may be correct and salutary. It is admitted by all, that the influence of the mother, over the character of her offspring, is greater than that of all the teachers of schools, to whom their education may be confided. It is in infancy around her, in the social and demestic circle, that the first, most lasting and important impressions are received, which give shape to the character, throughout after life, and fix the destinies of her sons and daughters. As a great and efficient means then, for the improvement of society, by implanting in the most effectual mode, the seeds of knowledge, virtue and intelligence, in the youthful mind,-extend the blessings of education freely and fully, to the females of the rising generation. And believing that the importance of this subject, cannot be too earnestly pressed upon your consideration, I would respectfully recommend, that the female instititutions of learning now in existence in this State, or that may hereafter be put into existence, be made participants for their encouragement, to an equal degree with the academies and other male schools, in accordance with such equitable plans and regulations, as you, in your enlightened wisdom, may think proper to adopt.

The subject of internal improvement, is one in which the people in every seçtion of our State, feel a deep interest, and one which I have heretofore felt it my duty to urge upon the consideration of the Legislature, to which I would again invite your deliberate attention. Under the operation of the system for the encouragement of internal improvements in this State, adopted by the Legislature on the 19th of February, 1836, authorizing the Governor to subscribe on the part of the State, for one third of the stock, in any joint stock company, that has been, or that may hereafter be incorporated for the construction of rail roads or M'Adamized turnpike roads within the limits of this State, I have the honor to state that, under the salutary influence thereof, the Executive has subscribed for one third part of the stock, in the following companies, (to wit:)

The Nashville, Murfreesboro and Shelbyville Turnpike Company; capital

stock $200,000, State subscription made 23d June, 1836, $66,666 661. The Lagrange and Memphis Rail Road Company with a lateral branch to Somerville; capital stock $375,000, subscription on the part of the State, made 23d June, 1836. $125,000.

The Gallatin Turnpike Company, capital stock $135,000 subscription on the part of the State, made 23d June, 1836, $45,000.

The Lebanon and Nashville Turnpike Company, capital stock $125,000, subscription on the part of the State made the 4th of October, 1836 for $40,000.

Making the total amount actually subscribed, on the part of the State, in these several works of internal improvements $276,666 663.

Application has been made to the Executive Board, on the part of the Hiwassee Rail Road Company, with a capital stock of $600,000 (two thirds of which had been subscribed by individuals,) for the State's subscription. A like application has been made on the part of the Franklin and Columbia Turnpike Company, with a capital stock of $100,000, two thirds of which had also been subscribed. In both of which cases, the Board have withheld the State's subscription, on the ground, that said conpanies, had not complied with the requisitions of the law, requiring the two thirds subscribed by individuals to be well secured; which subscriptions if made, would swell the liabilities of the State, on account of internal improvements, to more than half a mi lion of dollars.

In the cases in which the Executive Board, had taken stock on the part of the State, as above stated, they had received the guarantee of the companies, in their corporate capacities, as sufficient security for the stock subscribed by individuals, which guarantee the Agent and President of the Hiwassee rail road company refused to give, on their application for the subscription on the part of the State. At their request, the question (as to the security required by our system and law) was referred to the Attorney General of the State. That officer, after a full examination of the law, presented to the Board his written opinion (contained in document No. 8, herewith presented) to which the Board have thought it proper to conform in their subsequent ac ion. In as much as this presents iucreased difficulties, to the companies which have been, or may hereafter be incorporated, I respectfully recommend (for the satisfaction of all, who are, or may be coucerned) that the Legislature pass a law explanatory of that part of the "Act to encourage internal improvement in this State," specifying in the most explicit manner, the security required in all cases, to authorize a subscription on the part of the State. I would also recommend that said act be so amended, as to authorize a subscription by the Governor on behalf of the State, for one third of the capital stock of any company which has been, or may be incorporated, for the purpose of constructing turnpike roads in the western part of the State, composed of earth and timber (by causeways and embankments of earth) under the same rules, regulations and restrictions which are prescribed in regard to rail roads and M'Adamized turn.pike road companies, thereby placing that section of our State, on an equal footing with others, in the enjoyment of the benefits of the present system. I would further, respectfully request you to specify the amount to be subscribed by this State, and on what conditions, to the Louisville, Cincinnati and Charleston RailRoad Company, which important enterprize, is again recommended to your most

favorable consideration. Tennessee occupies a position in relation to this mag nificent undertaking, involving the highest responsibility, being the last State concerned, which has been called upon to grant to the company the important privilege of banking within her limits. This privilege seems to be considered by the company, essential to the prosecution of this great work; a work which is surely calculated to confer the most exalted benefits upon a large portion of the Eastern division of our State, and to secure which, no ordinary exertions should be withheld. In furtherauce of this object, I herewith submit for your consideration, documents 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6, (embracing the letter of his Excellency the Governor of South Carolina together with the acts and resolutions of that State, relative to this interesting subject) in full confidence, that while you will be disposed to favor the application for the privilege desired to the utmost extent of your authority, and views of expedience, you will, at the same time guard that privilege in the most careful manner, from abuse or misapplication.

The present equitable, just and safe system, combining as it does, the capital, industry, skill and enterprize of our citizens, with the public interest, and thereby giving the greatest possible security for the proper application of that portion of our funds which may be thus vested, is well calculated to advance the internal improvement of our State, with regular and accelerating speed. It will, I doubt not, ultimately extend its benefits to our utmost boundaries in every section, in which either rail roads or turnpike roads, may be required. Under its influence, those works will be first selected which are most needed, and which will yield to those making investments of their private funds, the highest rate of profit and interest. It avoids the risk of embarking the State in wild and visionary schemes, which by resulting in failure, would lessen confidence in others; and although its progress may appear for a time to be slow, being confined at first to but few objects; yet it will be certain and safe, and will be extended as time advances, until it pervades every portion of our State.

While however, I conceive it to be the true interests of the State to sustain the present system in regard to the encouragement of the construction of turnpikes and rail roads, I must at the same time invoke your continued attention to the improvement of our navigable streams. They are the great arteries of our system, with which are to be connected our other improvements, and the most liberal policy should be observed in the appropriations, that may be necessary to remove existing obstructions, calculated to prevent, or make hazardous their navigation. These improvements, not falling within the range of the system of which I have been speaking, the necessary expenditures for their accomplishment, must be met entirely by the State.

Before taking leave of this part of the subject, I must ask to be indulged in calling your attention to a work of internal improvement, which hitherto, seems to have attracted no notice in our own State, or elsewhere; but which, nevertheless, I-consider of high importance, not only to a large portion of the citizens of Tennessee, but to others of our sister States. I allude to the construction of a canal from the Tennessee river, near Savannah in this State, to Big Hatchie, at the nearest point of steam boat navigation (at or near a place calied Warnersville) above Bolivar, embracing a distance, not exceeding thirty miles. By this canal, the distance to market, for all produce descending the Tennessee river,

would be shortened probably, more than four hundred miles, and the frozen region during winter, about the mouth of the Ohio, entirely avoided. Should it be found on an examination by the Engineer of our State, that the situation and nature of our country, and the short distance between those points, are favorable to the construction of a canal, in which such a vast extent of country is interested, it might be undertaken and completed at a time not very far distant. I would therefore respectfully request the attention of the Legislature to the ject, and ask that the Engineer of the State be directed, so soon as the public interests will allow, to make the necessary examination, with estimates for a canal, between the points above referred to, and report thereon, as you may think proper to direct.

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Contemplating the views and feelings of the citizens of our neighboring sister States, as expressed in the acts and resolutions of their General Assemblies, in conjunction with those of our own State, it wou'd seem that the spirit of internal improvement was indeed "abroad in the land," and that Tennessee, from her geograghical situation, occupies a position to der.ve incalculable benefits from the successful prosecution of those grand and important schemes, which have been set on foot, by the enterprise of a free people. Louisiana has urged upon our consideration, the great work of a rail road from New Orleans to Nashville, for which we have granted a charter, with the desired privileges. Mississippi has been rapidly imbibing a similar enterprising spirit, and has at this time, several important works of this kind, in actual progress. Alabama also, has been pressing on, two works towards us—one to connect by rail road, the navigation of the Tombigbee with the Tennessee river near Florence; the other, that of the Alabama river, with the Tennesssee near Rossville. Georgia, besides her other works of similar kind, has proposed the construction of a rail road from the Chatahoochee river, to the southern boundary of our State, in a direction towards Rossville, and requests our permission to extend the same through our territory to the Tennessee river.

Virginia holds out a prospect, of the construction of a rail road to our northeastern boundary, while Kentucky is proposing similar works from the Ohio to our northern limits-inviting us thereby to unite in the extension to this point.. In addition to these, the States of South Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky and Tennessee, have jointly embarked in a still greater undertaking in the construction of the Charleston and Cincinnati rail road, with which they are progressing. These, with our own works,-the great central road through our State, from east to west, commenced by your predecessors, and on which our Engineers are now engaged, together with others of similar character within our limits, in which the State has become interested, and those which may hereafter demand her subscription under our existing law-will open up to you an extensive field for contemplation. It is to me, as it must be to every friend of the cause of internal improvement, a matter of deep regret that there should exist ought to repress the anticipations which a survey of the future successful prosecution of these several works, is calculated to inspire; or, that the lively feelings of interest, which, but a short time ago, were so extensively prevailing upon a subject of such vital importance to our prosperity and glory in years to come, should have been checked and abated by any unforescen calamity. But in the midst of our highest hopes, and in the very outset of our schemes of improvement, we aro

visited by the blighting effects of the measures of the General Government, in relation to the currency-measures more pernicious and unholy than were ever known to be inflicted upon the people of a free and enlightened country—while we are still threatened with another experiment, in continuation of the same blind and infatuated policy. This policy, if adopted and acquiesced in, it is greatly to be feared, will, for a tine at least, paralyze the energies of the States, in the prosecution of those works of internal improvemeent, to which I have briefly alluded. Pointing, however, to our State, as to a common center, should our neighboring sister States proceed in their accomplishment, sound policy would seem to demand from us, a ready co-operation, in at least carrying on each work to the point desired, so far as the same may lie within our own limits.

In the unfortunate condition of our monetary concerns, to which I have above alluded, and with the uncertainty which hangs over the future, it becomes us to act in a spirit of caution, as well as of perseverance. Our system, with all that is progressing under it, is yet in its infancy; and it devolves upon us to cherish and sustain it, under every circumstance, to the full extent of our means and power, avoiding (which in my judgment, is the greatest danger to be apprehended) failure in any undertaking of internal improvement, by a premature attempt to do too much.

In the progress of our system, the State has issued her bonds to the amount of $66,656 668 cts. There has been subscribed to other companies, the additional amount of $210,000, for which her bonds are subject to be issued, when called for by the respective companies, making the aggregate amount of stock now taken by the State, $276,666 €¤kets—for a part of which, only, have bonds been issued, as before stated, but the remainder will, in all probability, be very soon called for. In addition to these amounts, I am officially informed, that the stock has been subscribed by individuals and companies, in other works, to the amount of $166,666 6€3^ts., which will demand the further subscription, on the part of the State of $233,333 334cts. (being one third of the capital stock) which will swell the whole amount of State bonds to the sum of more than half a million of dollars. On this amount, the State will be bound to pay the interest of 54 per centum per annum, semi-annually, at the office of the Treasurer of Tennessee. To preserve the character of our tate, and to sugtain the credit and value of our State bonds, is considered of the highest importance to the success of our system. Hence, I feel it my duty, earnestly and respectfully, to press upon your consideration, as the best means of effecting these desirable objects, the adoption, during the present session, of efficient measures to meet in the most prompt and punctual manner, these obligations of our State, by making provision for the payment at the Treasury of our State, of the interest on all her bonds which have been, or may be issued, at the times when it may fall due, in gold and silver or its equivalent. Every contingency possible to accrue, in consequence of failures on the part of the companies, to pay at the time, and in such currency, should be fully provided against, and the strictest punctuality secured on the part of the State, by the most effectual means within your power.

The appropriation of five thousand dollars, to pay the expense of surveying the route for the Charleston and Cincinnati Rail-Road, through the State of