and said bill was placed among the orders of the day for today.

A bill entitled an Act to aid the administration of justice in Munroe County, was referred to a committee of the whole. The House went into committee, and after some time spent in consideration of said bill, the committee rose, when Mr. Wood, chairman, reported said bill to the House without amendment, and moved that the committee of the whole be discharged from the further consideration thereof, and that it be referred to the committee on the Judiciary, which report was agreed to by the House.

A bill entitled an Act to authorise Mary W. Nuttall to sell so much of the real and personal estate of the late Wm. B. Nuttall, as she may deem necessary to pay the debts of said estate, was, on motion of Mr. Fitzpatrick, ordered to be engrossed for a third reading.

The following bills, were, on motion of Mr. Long, ordered to be engrossed for a third reading, viz:

A bill entitled an Act, to authorize Andrew Young, administrator of Barna McKinne, deceased, and guardian of Richard McKinne, to sell certain lands, and to execute convey-. ance for the same.

A bill entitled an Act, to authorize John Whitehurst, guardian of the minor children of Sextus Campbell deceased to sell certain land in the county of Jackson.

A bill entitled an Act, to declare Holmes Creek, in Washington County, a navigable stream, was read the third time, and passed, ordered that the title be as afore stated.

A bill entitled an Act, for the relief of the inhabitants of East Florida, and a bill entitled an act to provide for the erection of Tombstones over the graves of Major Washington and Lieutenant Yerger, were postponed till to-morrow.

An Act to amend the charter of the Tallahassee Rail Road Company, was read the third time and passed. Ordered that the title be as before stated.

A bill entitled an Act to establish an Academy in the county of Gadsden, and to incorporate the trustees thereof, was read the second time, and ordered to be referred to the committee on Schools and Colleges.

A bill entitled an Act incorporating the Franklin Bank of Florida was read the second time and ordered to be referred to the committee on Banks,

A bill entitled an Act to incorporate the town of St. Marks was on motion of Mr. Read referred to a committee of the whole house. The House went into committee, and after some time spent in consideration of said bill, the chairman,

Mr. Marvin, reported said bill to the House with amendments, whh report was concurred in, and said bill was read the secone by its title, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reactin

Hs x cy the Governor, transmitted to the House, by his private Secretary, Mr. Copeland, the following messages:

To the Legislative Council of Florida.

GENTLEMEN:

I enclose for the information of the Legislative Council a report of the Engineer employed by the East-Florida Rail Road company, to make a survey of the route, and locate the Rail-Road, from Jacksonville to St. Marks. This interesting document, contains much valuable information, and may be highly useful to the Council, while deliberating on the subject of Internal Improvement. The road when completed, will constitute an important link in the chain of communication, between the great commercial emporiums of the North and the South. It will become a national high-way, affor ling the greatest facilities in travelling, as well as in the transit of our produce to market, commencing almost on the castern extremity, it should be extended as far west, as the nature and necessity of the country will admit or require, for the purpose of accommodating as far as practicable, the different sections of the Territory. On this route, a passage from New-York to New-Orleans, with the aid of Steam-Boats at each end, may be accomplished in five days, while the road would become the great artery of commerce, throughout the Territory, and by lateral roads connecting it with the different towns, not immediately in its route, every desirable facility and convenience would be afforded to the country.

You will perceive from the report of the Engineer, that the present capital stock $500,000, which has been subscribed will be insufficient for its completion, and that a much larger sum will be required. This road will have its commencement, and termination within the Territory, and no doubt is entertained that large and populous cities will ultimately be erected at each extremity, if judicious locations are made, the stock, also must become valuable, from the extent of travel and commerce, which will be conducted on the road. I would therefore propose, if the Stock-holders can be obtained to increase the Capital Stock to $2000,000, and that one half of the amount shall be taken by the Territory, which shall have an equal interest in the property, at the commencement and termination, as well as in such other property as the Directors or Stock-holders of the company, may think proper

to purchase, or the intermediate parts of the road. To enable the Territory to meet this responsibility, her bonds might be sold in market bearing such rate of interest, and payable at such times, as the Council may direct. It is believed that the sum proposed for the Capital Stock will be sufficient to extend the road as far west, as may be deemed advisable by the Council and that while the road will thus afford important advantages to much the greatest portion of the Territory, the revenue arising from it, would, in a few years, not only pay off the principal and interest of the bonds proposed to be negociated, but would be sufficient to defray the expenses of a State government, without resorting to taxation of the people. Should the Legislative Council think proper to adopt these suggestions, I would further recommend that provision should be made to authorize an agent to negociate a loan with any of the Banks of the Territory, for the commencement of the work, until a permanent fund can be raised by the sale of bonds.

Florida is deeply interested in the success of this enterprise. If accomplished it will add greatly to her wealth, her population, and political influence, and I recommend it to your favorable consideration.

Respectfully, Your ob't. serv't.

R. K. CALL.
Gov. of Florida.

P. S. I enclose herewith, a memorial from the President and Directors of the East Florida Rail-Road company, asking for an extension of the time required by their charter for the completion of the road, as far west as the Apalachicola river. They further petition for the decrease of the number of their directors. The memorialists have shewed a laudable zeal in prosecuting their enterprise, and their petition is recommended to your favorable consideration.

R. K. CALL,
Gov. of Florida.

TALLAHASSEE, Jan. 27, 1837.

To the Members of the Legislative Council of Florida.

Gentlemen,

I transmit herewith, for your information, the late semiannual report for the year 1836, of the Central and Union Banks of Florida, the Commercial Bank of Florida, and the Bank of Pensacola. No returns have yet been received for the last half of the year 1836, from the Southern Life Insur

1

ance and Trust Company, and from the Farmers Bank of Florida.

Very Respectfully,

R. K. CALL.
Gov. of Florida.

Which were read, and with the accompanying documents to each, were laid on the table till to-morrow.

On motion of Mr. Read, the House went into committee of the whole on a bill entitled an Act, to authorize certain commissioners therein named, to raise a certain fund of money by Lottery, for the purpose of building a Masonic-Hall in the City of Tallahassee: after some time spent in consideration, of said bill, the committee, rose, and Mr. Long, Chairman, reported the same to the House, with all except the enacting clause stricken out, which report was concurred in by the House and said bill is lost.

The following bills were read the second time, and ordered to be engrossed for a third reading on Tuesday, the 7th Feb.

next.

A bill entitled an Act, for the relief of Mary Falana, and a bill entitled an Act, for the divorce of Mary J. Thompson from Alexander Thompson.

A bill entitled an Act, to amend an Act, to incorporate the Central Bank of Florida, was read the second time, and referred to the committee on banks.

A bill, entitled an Act, to establish a Ferry, across the St. John's river, at the cow-ford, was read the second time and referred to the committee on Internal Improvements.

The resolutions offered on Tuesday 24th Jan. by Mr. Wood, were again read and adopted.

A bill entitled an Act, to establish a Superior Court in the county of Dade, in the southern district of Florida, was read the third time and passed.

Ordered that the title be as above set forth.

The House then adjourned till to-morrow morning 10 o'clock.

SATURDAY, Jan. 28, 1837. The House met pursuant to adjournment: a quorum being present, the journal of yesterday's proceedings was read.

On motion of Mr. Hart, the report of Wm. Parker, civil engineer, to the President and Directors of the East Florida. Rail Company was taken from the orders of the day, and read, and on his further motion, 200 copies are ordered to be printed.

Mr. Wood gave notice that he will on some future day ask

leave to introduce a bill entitled an Act to regulate the fees of Notaries Public in this Territory.

Mr. Fitzpatrick gave notice, that he will on Monday next, introduce a bill for the protection of public works in this Territory, and for other purposes.

Also, a bill to regulate the fees and term of service of Notaries Public.

Also, a bill to authorize the Lake Wimico and St. Joseph Canal and Rail Road Company to extend their Rail Road across the Apalachicola River to some point in Middle Florida.

Mr. Marvin gave notice, that he will on some future dayask leave to introduce a bill concerning Jurors in Munroe County.

Mr. Fitzpatrick presented the memorial of John W. Simonton, which was read and referred to the committee on claims.

Mr. Fitzpatrick presented the petition of Mrs. Mary Chandler, which was read and referred to the committee on claims.

Mr. Fitzpatrick from the committee on the State of the Territory, to whom had been referred so much of the Governor's message as relates to the assuming a State Govern ment by this Territory, reported the following bill, viz:

An Act to authorise the Territory of Florida to become a State, which was read and fifty copies ordered to be printed. The House then adjourned until Monday next at twelve o'clock.

MONDAY, Jan. 30, 1837. The House met pursuant to adjournment: a quorum being present, the Journal of last Saturday's proceedings was read. Mr. Wood pursuant to previous notice asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill, entitled an Act to amend the several Acts heretofore passed in relation to the Bank of Pensacola, which was twice read, the rule being waived, and referred to the committee on banks.

Mr. Williams gave notice that he will on some early day ask leave to introduce a bill to amend the criminal code of this Territory, so as to punish in a summary manner, all vaggabonds, and idle persons, who are without visible means of support.

Mr. Downing pursuant to previous notice, asked and obtained leave to introduce a bill to be entitled an Act to amend an Act, entitled an Act to amend the charter of the Southern