and in infusing into youthful and untainted minds, correct ideas of religion, justice and honour, that crimes are not so frequently associated with it as with ignorance and debasement of mind. The general dissemination of information, by enabling all to be come acquainted with their duties and rights, tends to prevent the commission of crimes; an effect not to be expected from penal laws alone. It may indeed be questioned, how far it is correct in a government to punish offences without making an effort to enable the people to acquire a knowledge of the laws, and their relative duties in society.

The defects in the administration of civil justice continue to be a topic of complaint. Whether this arises from radical errors in the organization of the whole, or any part of our judiciary system, or from the rule of practice adopted under it, the true cause ought to be sought, and a proper remedy afforded. It must be obvious that however equitable and salutary our laws may be, their beneficial effects must be greatly diminished, unless our public tribunals, by whatever name they may be called, be organized in such a form, and their proceedings regulated in such a manner, that they may expeditiously and satisfactorily apply the provisions of the laws to the cases that arise under them.

The delays incident to the prosecution of suits to a final determination, amount, in some instances, nearly to a denial of justice. It is ascertained, from authentic sources, that one hundred and seventy suits in error are now pending before the supreme court, the period of the decision of which is so distant and uncertain, that the procrastination may prove ruinous to many worthy suitors. As a remissness of duty has not been alleged or insinuated against the judges of the court, this serious and growing evil must be attributed to some other cause, which it is worthy the

wisdom of the legislature to trace, and their duty to

remove.

As agriculture and manufactures are the great sources of wealth, and the only solid foundation of our comforts and independence, they are particularly entitled to the fostering care of government. The power of cherishing and protecting manufactures, on an extended scale, or beyond those of the household directly connected with agriculture, belongs more immediately to the general, than the state government. Agriculture, the basis of manufactures, and the most essential of all the arts to the general welfare, is fully within the scope of our constitutional powers to aid and encourage, and has a strong claim to legislative patronage. Pennsylvania, from the free principle of her political institutions, her genial climate, the fertility of her soil, and the enterprise of her citizens, without having received any direct support from the government, more than the common protection afforded to labour and property, deservedly sustains the character of an agricultural state. The knowledge, however, of the art of husbandry, may be improved, and it is not only the interest, but should be the pride of the representatives of an agricultural people, to promote its advancement. Though the art may be enlightened and assisted by science, it is not from speculation and theories alone, but from various and repeated experiments, together with close observation, that a proper knowledge of it is to be attained. The expense of making such experiments, frequently uncertain in their results, few individuals have the ability or inclination to encounter. It might therefore be advantageous, if the commonwealth were to purchase within her limits, several small farms, situated in different latitudes and embracing various qualities of soil, and place them under the superintendance of boards of managers, or voluntary societies, formed for the purpose, with di7-Vol. V-4th Ser.

rections, respectively to make experiments of the ef fects of native manures; of the different modes of tillage; of the cultivation of grains and grasses; of preeding domestic animals; of rearing fruit trees; of the preservation of fruit; of the utility of newly invented implements of husbandry, intended to facilitate or abridge labour; of the cheapest and most durable mode of fencing; and whatever else may be connected with agriculture; and periodically to publish the results, with observations thereon. The expenses of such establishments would be trivial, when compared with the knowledge that might be thereby acquired and diffused on a subject in which every citizen is deeply interested.

To encourage and stimulate industry, the great spring of the improvement and extension of agricul ture, easy and safe channels of transportation for the products of the soil to a certain market, are indispensable. By the bounty of former legislatures, and the meritorious exertions of companies incorporated for the purpose, about nine hundred and eighty miles of turnpike road have been completed, and numerous elegant and substantial bridges erected across our principal streams; but much still remains to be performed. The completion of roads, that are now from want of funds progressing slowly under the direction of companies, might, by an accession thereto, be accelerated, and the public interest promoted.

Internal navigation affords the cheapest, the most certain, and the most expeditious mode of transportation; yet there has not been much effected towards its improvement, notwithstanding the number, relative situations and diversified courses of our streams, are admirably well calculated for the purpose. When you reflect on the laudable spirit of enterprize displayed on this interesting subject, by some of our neighboring states, I am persuaded you will concur

with me in the opinion, that to avail ourselves of the benefits that may be derived from our local position, and the other natural advantages which we possess, a general and comprehensive system for the improvement of our internal navigation, ought to be adopted; and that after a proper plan of operations is maturely formed, it should be uniformly adhered to and steadily prosecuted.

The idea of connecting the western waters of the Ohio and the great lakes with the tide water of the Delaware, at or near the city of Philadelphia, has been often suggested, and many believe it to be practicable. There is no object of public improvement more worthy the energies and enterprize of the legis lature, and the active industry of the citizens, or one that when accomplished would be productive of more beneficial consequences. It would link together and facilitate the intercourse between the various parts of our territory, be invaluable, in every point of view, in time of peace; and, during war, enable us to transport our means of defence or annoyance to any part of the state with expedition and safety. The celerity with which the Schuylkill Navigation Company has progressed in their undertaking, promises an earlier completion of it than was anticipated; and furnishes probable evidence of the utility of their plan for improving the navigation of rivers. The Union Canal Company have recently ascertained, from accurate levels taken, that a sufficiency of water is attainable on the summit level between the Schuylkill and Susquehanna, to supply a canal of proper dimensions; which warrants the expectation that a water communication can be effected from the mouth of the Tulpehocken on the Schuylkill, to the mouth of Swatara on the Susquehanna, which some had hitherto deemed impracticable. It is alleged that those two rivers may be also connected by a canal from Mill Creek, at the

head of the Schuylkill, to a certain point on the Susquehanna.

It has been likewise said by a skilful engineer, that a canal could be made leading from the Susquehanna at the town of Columbia by the city of Lancaster, to the waters of the Delaware. If the Delaware, by means of the Schuylkill, or otherwise, can be united with the waters of the Susquehanna, it produces a powerful incentive for connecting the latter with the Allegheny; which is considered practicable by various routes. Ist. By the Frankstown branch of Juniata and the Conemaugh. 2d. By the Sinnemahoning and Toby's Creek. 3d. By the north branch of Sinnemahoning and a stream that flows into the Allegheny, designated in its vicinity by the name of Potato Creek. 4th. By Pine Creek, which approaches near to the sources of the Allegheny. It is also considered practicable to connect the waters of Lake Erie with those of the Allegheny river, by French creek, or by the Chetaque lake and Conewango Creek. If the latter route should be preferred, the previous consent of the state of New York would be necessary; which, from her known liberality, could doubtless be obtained. In some, and perhaps in all of these routes, short portages might be necessary. It is, however, said, with some degree of confidence, by those who have a local knowledge of the country and the different streams, that a water communication may be opened from Philadelphia to Lake Erie, without the interruption of a single portage. The waters of the Potomac, as a branch of this great system of water communication, might also be connected with the Susquehanna by means of the Conococheague and the Conodoguinet creeks; the Conococheague being tributary to the Potomac, and navigable, at certain seasons, up to and within the limits of our state. The distance from the Susquehanna at Harrisburg, to the point at which the Cono