portance? Is the impossibility of making these improvements urged? We again appeal to the clear evidence to be found in surveys of the topographical bureau for a refutation of this objection. Is the policy of surveying our coast, and lighting and improving our harbors doubted? We ask upon what principle of policy or justice can the expenditure of millions on the comparatively safe harbors of our sea coast be made, when an investment, equal to the annual loss, would render the increasing commerce of the upper lakes comparatively safe? And we ask, what avails the labor of all who are carrying on this thirty millions of commerce, if all its profits are to be lost by an unimproved and dangerous navigation?

The inhabitants of the west bought their lands of the United States, and have improved and created upon them wealth and capital, with the faith of the nation pledged, if not in terms, yet by immemorial custom, that when their condition should require it, commercial facilities should be afforded to make their purchases and their labor avai lable.

The people have performed their part-their money and their industry have enriched the nation-and are they now to be told that the plighted faith of the nation is a mere bugbear of which an industrious people are the dupes?

We invite the especial attention of congress immediately to the improvement of the Muskegon, the Grand river, and the Kalamazoo -the further improvement of the St. Joseph, the improvement of the New Buffalo, Michigan City, Chicago, Racine and Milwaukie harbors, and the erection of a lighthouse at Wawgooshance point, where three vessels have been lost within eighteen months, and also at the mouth of Grand river, These harbors and lighthouses are of paramount importance.

We would also once more bring to the notice of congress the im provements of the harbor at Monroe, and urge their speedy completion. A large amount has already been expended upon these works, and a small sum now, properly applied, would save them from decay and render safe and permanent one of the most important harbors on lake Erie. The value and necessity of these improvementes have been brought before you so often, that we deem it unnecessary to do more at present than to respectfully direct your attention to the reports in the topographical bureau in relation to the same, made during the last five years, by some of the most scientific and competent engineers of the topographical corps.

Next to these are the improvement of the flats of the St. Clair and at Saginaw, which can be done at a small expense, and are in the route of the western trade.

There is also a bar across lake George, in the St. Mary river, which can be so improved at a small expense, as to open a free navigation to the village of St. Mary for large boats, which would then bring from that port, about a quarter of a million per annum,

A light house at Point de Tour, at the mouth of the St. Mary's river, is also much needed. Vessels bound to the Saut Ste Maric, are now unable to enter that river except by day light, and, owing to the rugged coast and sunken rocks, are often placed in the utmost peril, and not unfrequently from these causes, are they obliged to seck shelter in the harbor of Prosque Isle, or under the lee of Thunder Bay Island, some eighty miles distant. Was a light house built at Point de Tour, these dangers and delays would be overcome.

The construction of the canal around the falls of the St. Mary's river, is deemed to be of the utmost importance, not only to this state but to all the lake states, and indeed to the union at large. Until this canal shall be constructed, the vast internal resources of lake Superior, will continue to lie beyond the reach of the enterprise of our citizens.

This project, it may be added, has been favorably received in congress, and a bill granting one hundred thousand acres of public land once passed the United States senate, with a view to the construction of this work.

For all these purposes, an annual appropriation for two years, of two hundred thousand dollars, would be abundant, and would probably

save to the commerce of the United States the whole amount in less than five years.

We need not here urge upon the attention of congress the fact, that all these harbors, in case of a border war, are absolutely required for the safety of national shipping and army supplies. Nor need we say to the observant, that, in such a war, the ascendency of the lakes will assuredly be decided on lake Michigan or Huron, between American shipping and a fleet which will be armed for the purpose in the inner harbors of lake Huron, under the protection of British fortifications. No longer will lake Erie be the scene of contention. But the clear waters of lake Michigan, never yet stained with the blood of human strife, in case of another war, will become the scene of contention. There may new laurels be added to the escutcheon of our glory, by achievements as brilliant and victorious, and decisive as those of the illustrious Perry.

We therefore earnestly solicit these appropriations, and invite all the states wiro are interested, to co-operate with us-believing as we do, that this application rests upon the soundest principles of policy and justice.

Resolved, That our senators in congress be instructed, and our representative be requested to advocate promptly and energetically, the passage of an act by congress making appropriations suitable for the accomplishment of the objects contemplated by the said memorial. Resolved, That the governor be requested to transmit two copies of this memorial to each of the governors of the states of New-York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and Illinois, and the territory of Wisconsin, and ask their aid and co-operation, and that the same be laid before their respective legislatures.

Resolved, That the secretary of state transmit a copy of this memorial to the secretary of war, to Col. J. J. Abert, of the topographical department at Washington, and each of the members of congress from the states aforesaid.

Approved January 24, 1843.

Représentative and Sen

[No. 7.]

Joint Resolution of instruction in respect to an Indian treaty.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State ators in Con- of Michigan, That our senators be, and they are hereby instructed to gress instruct- use their exertions in the ratification of the treaty lately negotiated

ed to use their exertions to cause to be

with the Chippewa tribe of Indians residing in a part of this state, to expunged any cause to be expunged therefrom any article in said treaty which may stipulate for the continued occupancy, (during the pleasure of

article in said treaty which may stipulate for the occupa- the President,) of the territory ceded by them to the United States, ritory by Uni- or which may provide that the laws of the United States in respect to ted States, &c.

tion of the ter

trade and intercourse with the Indian tribes, shall be especially applicable to the territory acquired under this treaty, and continued in force therein until otherwise ordered by congress.

Resolved, That the Governor be requested to forward a copy of the abome resolutions to each of our senators in congress. Approved, January 24, 18-13.

[No. 8.]

Joint Resolution proposing an amendment to the Con stitution.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State Resolution of Michigan, That the following amendment to section four of article amendment of four of the constitution of the state, be proposed to wit: Strike out

proposing

constitution.

the words "on the first Monday in November and on the following day," and insert the words "on the first Tuesday," so that the said section will read, the representatives shall be chosen annually on the first Tuesday of November by the electors of the several counties or districts into which the state shall be divided for that purpose.

Resolved, That the same be published and referred to the next legislature according to the provisions of the tenth article of the constitution.

Approved February 6, 1843.

[No. 9.]

A Joint Resolution in relation to payments to the treasury.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State Treasury of Michigan, That in payment of taxes, the treasury notes issued notes issued under act of under the act of April 13, 1841, shall be receivable for the amount of April 13,1841, shall be receiv tax assessed for state purposes, whether paid to the township, county

ed in paym't

of state taxes.

or state treasury, but not for taxes assessed for county or township purposes: Provided, however, that the delinquent tax bonds issued to Delinquent tax counties shall be receivable at the state treasury for all delinquent for delinquent

taxes then payable as said bonds become due.

This resolution shall take effect from and after its passage.
Approved, February 10, 1843.

bonds received

taxes

[No. 10.]

Joint Resolution authorizing the Secretary of State to

contract for paper.

state authoriz

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State Secretary of of Michigan, That the secretary of state be authorized to contract ed to contract for paper.

with and purchase of any paper manufacturer in this state all paper to be used by such persons as the state treasurer has contracted, or