In making the surveys of Vermont, the tedious operation and expensive apparatus in measuring a base line, will be unnecessary, in consequence of the establishment of such a line, by Massachusetts, in the trigonometrical survey of the state; this line will answer as the basis for making the surveys of any of the adjacent states, or, of any extent of country for several hundred miles in every direction from its locality; this line, was measured on the extensive plains on the west bank of Connecticut river, in the towns of Deerfield, Whately and Hatfield, and a connection of triangles has been formed from it, to the southern boundary of Vermont, where several station points have been permanently marked, the immediate use of which, will greatly facilitate and expedite the surveys of Vermont, so as to save at least three thousand dollars in expenditure, and more thau a year's time in its acccomplishment. The prominent features of Vermont are very favorable in making the trigonometrical surveys, and wil, therefore, require far less labor and expense in the triangulation of so great an extent of territory, than would be requisite in a country of less protruding features. Of the utility of such a survey as is now contemplated, the legislature, which should wisely order it, would be fully aware, especially of its great aid in the diffusion of that geographical knowledge so highly important and beneficial to every citizen of the state, and to the country at large there are many things connected with a survey of this kind, which will not readily occur to persons unacquainted with the nature of the work, and the process of performing it: the station points, (which wili be permanently marked, in every direction, over the whole state,) furnish the best data from which to determine, with precision, the quantity of lockage in canals, the inclination of rail roads, and the relative height or depression of one place from another throughout the state; from this survey may always be adduced the position of the true meridian, and the variation of the compass from terrestrial objects alone, without recurrence to astronomical calculations; the position of state boundaries, and the boundaries of towns and counties, may at all times be defined with the great st exactitude and in the least possible time: in a scientific point of view, it gives the length of an arc of the meridian, from which to determine the figure and magnitude of the earth. The surveyors, in their reports to the chief engineer, will furnish inaps of each town on a large scale; these may be engraved and printed full size, so as to form an atlas, which, if distributed to every public office, to public schools and to each town, will be a means of diffusing generally a perfect knowledge of the geography of the state: these maps may be so coloured as to show the geological character of each town, and the particular locality of every mineral in the state. In every petition to the legislature for a charter of incorporation of any company for the construction of a turnpike, a canal, a rail road or any other internal improvement, the petition should be accompanied with a survey of the route intended, traced on the town maps, so as to furnish every citizen with a particular knowledge of its location, that he may judge of its advantages or disadvantages to his real estate; the route should also be definitely inarked out on the map of the state, to show its general direction, to enable the legislature the better to judge of its public utility when acting on the subject. I have the honor to be with the highest respect, &c. To His Excellency, SILAS H. JENISON, Governor of the State Vermont. IN SENATE, Ocr. 25, 1837. The commissioners of the University of Vermont made the following REPORT: To the Legislature of the State of Vermont: The undersigned commissioners appointed, pursuant to law, to attend the annnual examination of the University of Vermont, and inquire into the state of its funds and regulations, beg leave to submit the following report: In executing the duty imposed upon us, it seemed important, in order that our inquiries and observations might be properly directed, to keep in view the great ends regarded in the establishment of this and similar institutions, and the means by which these ends ought to be attained. The history of our New England colleges shows us that they are intended to be places where, from generation to generation, our youth of all conditions, the rich and the poor alike, can assemble and enjoy, on terms of the most perfect equality, with each other, during an important period of their lives, the same advantages for obtaining that sound intellectual and moral culture which is usually called a liberal education. The importance of this object, as affecting all the peculiar social and political institutions of our country, as essential for the preservation and nurture of our civil and religious liberties, is unquestioned and need not be enforced. To accomplish this great end, there needs to be attached to each of our colleges a sufficient number of competent and faithful instructors. There must be, moreover, an accumulation of other means of acquiring knowledge. Their libraries should embrace as wide a range of information as possible on subjects, which any teacher or pupil, and in fact any person in the community, needs to investigate. There should be also such other apparatus as shall suffice to illustrate and determine the laws of the natual world and to shew how those laws can be rendered subservient to the benefit of mankind. Some of the points of inquiry, which would be suggested by the foregoing considerations, received particular attention by the commissioner of the last year, to whose report, published in the journal of the House of Representatives, we beg leave to refer, as exhibiting a view of the institution, worthy of special attention. In regard to the number of professors employed, we found that there had been no change. We are well aware that some other colleges in our country employ no more teachers than have been employed, thus far in this institution; but it is manifest that they are too few and that the duties imposed upon and executed by the faculty of the institution are too arduous, and nothing but a want of means to increase their number can justify the corporation in delaying to appoint additional professors. Of the competency and faithfulness of those who have labored in it for years past and who are still employed in the various departments of instruction, saying nothing of what their general reputation may be for literary and scientific attainments, it may be for us to draw some conclusion from the exhibition of the students at the annual examination, which furnished the most interesting and satisfactory proof of the assiduity of the scholars and the fidelity and ability of the instructors. That the faculty of this institution aim also, to inculcate on the minds of the young men under their charge such principles of patriotism and virtue as ought to fill the bosom of every American citizen, and as are most important to such as are destined to exert an influence in public life, is, we think, to be inferred from the literary productions of the graduating and junior classes at the last commencement occasion. The report of last year contained a clear exhibition of the state of the institution in reference to its pecuniary resources. No change in its condition in this respect, worthy of notice, has taken place. That the strictest economy will not enable its annual expenses to be met from its annual income, is most evident, and it is equal y so, that its expenditures ought to be increased in order to accomplish what is desirable for the good of the community. One thing is certain.-that the increase of its means ought not to be sought by increasing the amount to be paid by individual students for tuition. It is essential to an American college, that it be accessible on easy pecuniary terms, and whenever this state of things is altered, the very foundation of our freedom may be considered in dan ger. We are well aware that repeated applications have been made to the Legislature of this state for aid to its public seminaries of learning, but we believe always without success. Saving the reservation, in the early history of the state of some wild lands, for such purposes (and considering their small value at that time, that must be reckoned of small amount,) this state has done little or nothing, for the founding and building up of its academies and colleges. In this respect, it legislation has been peculiar. Other states have done and are doing differently every We think it deserves a serious inquiry whether the policy hitherto pursued will not prove, in the end, if persevered in, detrimental to the best interests of its citizens. year. On this point we beg leave to draw the special attention of the General Assembly, to one particular, in the financial concerns of the University. We find that some time since, it borrowed from the school fund of this state, to sustain itself in its necessities, two thousand dollars, on which it has been paying annual interest, for several years. Whatever ground there may have been in former years, for wishing to have the school fund increased, there certainly appears to be no good reason why, after the ample appropriation made, at the last session, for the support of our common schools, this small claim on the Univeristy should not be relinquished, and we beg leave to express our earnest hope that a bill for that purpose may be sustained and become a law at this session of the Legislature. October, 1837. NORMAN WILLIAMS, IN JOINT ASSEMBLY, Oct. 12, 1837. The joint committee, appointed to sort and count the votes for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Treasurer, made the following REPORT: To the Honorable General Assembly now in Session: Your committee, appointed to receive, sort and count the votes for Governor, Lieut. Governor and Treasurer, having attended to the duties assigned them, respectfully report, that the whole number of votes given for Governo, was Necessary for a choice Of the above number of votes 66 Silas H. Jennison received 39,998 20,000 22,260 17,730 8 Your committee therefore report that the freemen have elected Silas H. Jenison, Governor, for the year ensuing. Your committee further report that the whole number of votes given for Lieutenant Governor, was Necessary to a choice Of the number of votes David M. Camp received John S. Pettibone 39,686 19,844 22,072 17,586 28 Your committee therefore report that the freemen have elected David M. Camp, Lieutenant Governor, for the year ensuing. Your committee further report, that the whole number of votes given for Treasurer, was Your committee therefore report, that the freemen have not elected any person, for Treasurer for the ensuing year. All which is respectfully submitted, October 12, 1837. P. WHITE, Chairman, P. DILLINGHAM Jr, Clerk. REPORT OF THE AUDITOR IN THE TREASURY DEPARTMENT: To his Excellency, Silas H. Jenison, Governor : SIR: The Auditor in the Treasury Department, appointed by your Excellency to examine and audit the accounts of the Treas urer for the year following the 30th of September, 1836, having attended to the duties of his appointment, Reports the following to be a correct statement of the fiscal operations of the Department for the past year, and its situation on the 30th day of September, 1837. STATE OF VERMONT IN ACCOUNT WITH AUGUSTINE CLARKE, TREASURER, DR. September, 30, 1837. To cash paid Judges of the Sup. Court, towards their salaries, Deduct fees in civil suits $6037,94 3720,89 2624,28 17386,97 140,00 6434,66 cash paid for Bear certificates, cash paid for Crow certificates, cash paid Com. of Deaf and Dumb, cash paid on several Acts of Legislature, 446,00 385,90 1377,57 cash paid Superintendent of State's Prison, 2150,00 2900,39 cash paid Supt. of State House, 29334,21 cash paid Harvey Bell for Law Reports, 1405,97 cash paid Secretary of State half year's salary, 150,00 cash paid Sec. of Gov. and Council half year's salary, 125,00 cash paid Sec. of civil and military affairs, half year's do. 100,00 cash paid O. H. Smith Clerk pro tem per act of Legis. 187,50 cash paid Auditor of accounts his salary, 75,00 87,50 cash paid Treasurer and Com. School fund his salary, 500,00 |