to taxation according to the provisions of their charters, except the Union Bank of Florida and the Bank of Pensacola. Taxation of the former is expressly prohibited, andthe charter of the latter is silent on the subject. Under the charter of the Central Bank, a tax of three per cent. is required to be paid annually on the nett profits: while the Commercial Bank of Florida is taxed only two per cent, on its nett profits. The charter of the Southern Life Insurance and Trust Company, provides that its stock may be taxed as other personal property, the tax not to exceed in amount five thousand dollars per annum. The Farmers Bank of Florida is liable by its charter to pay the same taxes as other banks of the Territory. In the two last cases, the Legislative Council has made no provision for the collection of any tax whatever, and until some law has been passed on the subject, no tax can be collected from either of them. I suggest to the Legislative Council the propriety of placing these several institutions as nearly as possible on the same footing; and if the equality cannot be effected in any other manner, that the taxes now paid by the Central and Commercial Banks, be dispensed with, and that part of their respective charters by which the tax is imposed, be repealed.

The accountability of the officers charged with the collection and disbursement of the Revenue of the Territory, is, perhaps, not sufficiently provided for; and I would, therefore, recommend a revision and amendment of the law on this subject, in such manner as to insure the most prompt and faithful performance of these important duties. Taxes should not be drawn unnecessarily from the people: but where public necessity requires them to be levied, a judicious and economical application of the funds arising from them, should be strictly observed.

There is another subject of deep interest to the community; and one, in the opinion of the Executive, which, hitherto, has not received from the Legislative Council, the attention and consideration which its importance requires. I allude to the number and variety of charters which are granted at every session, on the application of companies, the members of which, in many instances, are non-residents of the Territory, having no common interest with the people. The power of granting charters is a high and responsible one; and should be exercised with great caution and deliberation. There are many instances where the interest of the community requires that they should be conferred, while there are others, where the grant would be attended with the greatest evil and injus

tice to all, or to some part of the community. I would, therefore, recommend to the Legislative Council, a more guarded action in the exercise of this high and important power.

There is no portion of the United States more susceptible of improvement of every kind, than the Territory of Florida, every year its resources are more and more extensively developed by the successful industry and enterprise of our citizens. Its climate is found peculiarly favorable to the growth of the most valuable staples, and its soil yields an abundant reward to the labor of the husbandman. In a few years it is hoped that the different extremities of the country will be connected by rail roads, and a rich commerce will flourish in all our sea port towns. With these advantages, aided by a judicious and prudent system of Legislation, in a short time Florida must become one of the most prosperous and desirable portions of the Union.

That you, gentlemen, will contribute all in your power to promote its welfare, I have every assurance; and I shall be happy to co-operate with you to the extent of my power and ability.

Your fellow citizen,

R. K. CALL,

Governor of Florida..

Mr. Fitzpatrick moved that a Committee be appointed to contract for the printing of this House; which motion prevailed, and Messrs.. Fitzpatrick, Levy, and Long were appointed on that Committee. The House then adjourned until to-morrow at 12 o'clock.

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 4th. 1837. The House met pursuant to adjournment, a quorum being present, the Journal of yesterday's proceedings was read. William Marvin, the member elect from Munroe County, appeared, produced satisfactory evidence to the House of his election, and on motion of Mr. Downing, took the oath of office, and was admitted to a seat.

Mr. Fitzpatrick moved the adoption of the rules in force at the last and former session of this House; which motion prevailed, and one hundred copies, on motion of Mr. Levy, were ordered to be printed.

Mr. Downing presented the memorial of John G. Gamble and others, praying the establishment of a University, which was read and laid on the table.

Mr. Long presented the petition of John Whitehurst, guardian of the children of Sextus Camp, deceased, praying for

authority to sell certain lands belonging to heirs of said dec'd, which was read and laid on the table; also the petition of Andrew Young, which was laid on the table.

Mr. Fitzpatrick, from the select committee, appointed to contract for the Public Printing, made the following

REPORT:

The Committee charged with contracting for the Public Printing of the session; have the honor to report that they have entered into contract for the same, as follows, to wit: With J. Knowles for the printing of five hundred copies of the Journals in pamphlet form, at four dollars per page, including folding and stitching.

With William Wilson for the printing of seven hundred and fifty copies of the laws of the present session, at the rate of four dollars per page including folding and stitching.

With the same for the publication of the Laws in the Floridian Newspaper, at the rate of one dollar and twentyfive cents per page.

With the same, for the Miscellaneous printing of the Session at the rate of five cents per hundred words, counting the first twenty-five copies.

The Laws and Journals in pamphlet form, to be ready for delivery within six weeks after the adjournment of the Council. R. FITZPATRICK,

Chairman.

Also, from the Select Committee, to whom was referred the memorial of E. J. Wood, contesting the right of John Carr, to occupy a seat in this House, from Franklin County, reported as follows:

The Select Committee to which was referred the contested election between E. J. Wood and John Carr, from Franklin County, report, That they have carefully examined all papers submitted to them by the parties, and also, the whole of the returns which have been made to the Executive Office from said County, and they can find no copy of the poll-book or list of voters' names from Apalachicola. The list of votes from St. Joseph is signed by the Inspectors and Clerk, and shews that E. J. Wood received two hundred and forty-seyen votes, and John Carr three votes, There is a certificate from two persons as Inspectors, at Apalachicola, which sets forth that John Carr received two hundred and fifty-fourvotes, and E. J. Wood six votes, which if it were true, the votes taken, were legal votes, would give Mr. Carr a majority of four votes. The Committee proceeded to examine the

testimony of the Clerk of the Apalachicola precinct, who upon his oath, declares, that neither the Inspectors of the Election there, nor himself were sworn, they having agreed not to be sworn, and informed him, that it was not necessary he should be sworn; he then officiated as Clerk until about twelve o'clock, when a new clerk commenced his duties; he heard one of the Inspectors say he would not sign the returns; he is an alien, and says he did not vote. The Committee find that Myers, the Inspector above alluded to, has not signed the certificate sent to the Executive Office. The Com⚫mittee, on further examination of the testimony, find that 60 or 70 men, belonging to the U. S. Army, voted at Apalachicola, and about 100 aliens, some of whose votes were challenged; some refused to take the oath; others affirmed; but all were permitted to put in their votes. The certificates of

14 men belonging to the Washington City Volunteers, is sworn to, and declares that they were told it was legal for them to vote if they voted for John Carr: five others declare that their names were put on the poll-book without their knowledge or consent. The Committee deem it unnecessary to follow the testimony further, which goes to prove most clearly that some of the voters at that precinct were aliens ; some resident in another County; some not present at the Election, from their own affidavit; some fictitious; some dead; and lastly, that the name of John Carr, who, it is proven clearly, voted at the St. Joseph precinct, is also found. on the list of voters at Apalachicola. The Committee, therefore, are unanimously of opinion, that the Election held at Apalachicola, was fraudulent and illegal, and is void and of no effect; and that E. J. Wood, having received two hundred and forty-seven legal votes, and John Carr three votes, Mr. Wood is entitled to a seat in this Legislative Council, as the representative of the County of Franklin.

The Committee cannot close their report without an expression of their indignation and disgust at the unparalelled effrontery and audacious depravity of the persons who have attempted to destroy and bring into ridicule one of the dearest and most sacred rights of American Freemen, by such a mockery and outrageous abuse of the elective franchise.They unanimously and strongly recommend that the Elec tion Laws of this Territory be so amended, and such strong guards placed over them, as effectually to prevent a similar occurrence in future. R. FITZPATRICK,

Chairman. Which was read, and on motion of Mr. Carr, referred to a Com

mittee of the whole; the House went into Committee there. on, (Mr. Downing in the Chair) after some time spent the Committee rose, and the chairman therefrom reported to the House the report of the Select Committee without amendment; which report was agreed to by the House; the ques-.. tion was then taken upon concurring in the report of the Seleet Committee, which was decided in the affirmative: whereupon, Mr. President announced from his seat, that the decision made by the House, divested Mr. Carr of the right to occupy a seat in this House, as the member elect from Franklin County, and invested Mr. E. J. Wood with that right.

Messrs. Downing and Fitzpatrick, on motion, were appointed a Committee to notify Mr. Wood of his right to a seat in this House, as the member elect from Frankling County; which notice being given, Mr. Wood appeared, took the oath of office, and was admitted to a seat.

The House then adjourned until to-morrow, 10 o'clock..

THURSDAY, 5th January, 1837. The House met pursuant to adjournment-a quorum being present, the Journal of yesterday's proceedings was read. Mr. President appointed the following Standing Commit