Tunstall clerk. On Tuesday, the 20th, governor Murphy transmitted his message. After a view at some length, of the duties of legislative bodies, the governor occupied considerable space in treating on the pecuniary depression which existed in the state, and which he submitted to the consideration of the legislature. The criminal law and the judicial system of the state, the subject of education, and the agricultural interests of the state were dwelt on. It was suggested whether it would not be wise to improve the facilities which the state presents for internal improvements. On the subject of the tariff, the following remarks were made:

"The system of protecting duties which occupied the attention of congress at the last, and which will probably be urged upon their consideration at the present session, may well deserve your serious reflection. It is the duty of every member of the confederation to have their full weight of council and advisement in all great measures of national policy. There is too much reason to believe that the proposed tariff will prove to be highly impolitic, unequal, and oppressive. It is not the intention to enter into the argument which has been so ably managed by others, but suggest the subject to your careful and impartial consideration."

MOBILE.-A great fire broke out in this city on the 21st of September. Two thirds of the business part of the town was destroyed, and the loss estimated at more than a million of dollars. $500,000 worth of property was insured in the N. Y. offices. The houses destroyed by the fire amounted to one hundred and sixty-nine, exclusive of back buildings or out-houses, and much damage was also done to the wharves. About seven eighths of the buildings destroyed were of wood.

TARIFF.-In January, 1828, the legislature adopted a remonstrance to the congress of the United States, against the power to protect certain branches of domestic in

dustry, and also against the poli cy of the measure. It states that they "do not complain of the power to raise revenue or regulate commerce; nor do they complain of the incidental protection that may result from a well adjusted tariff,' imposed on the importation of foreign goods, with a view to revenue alone; nor yet of the occasional inequalities that must attend the operation of any general system. But they complain of the assertion of a different power; of the power to impose a duty on any article of foreign commerce; not because we want revenue, or the regulations of commerce, as such, require improvement; but because we want to exclude the foreign in favour of the domestic fabric." They contend that such a power is not granted in the constitution, and must be sustained, if at all, by the pliable doctrine of implication; and as it is not necessary to the power to raise revenue or regulate commerce, it cannot be sustained as an incidental or implied power; on the contrary, it is a substantial, distinct power, resting on assumption and fraught with danger." In the concluding paragraph of the remonstrance they observe, "Let it be distinctly understood, that Alabama, in common with the southern and southwestern states, regards the power assumed by the general government to control her internal concerns by protecting duties beyond the fair demands of the revenue, as a palpable usurpation of a power not given by the constitution, and the proposed woollens bill, as a species of oppression little less than legalized pillage on the property of her citizens, to which she can never submit until the constitutional means of resistance shall be exhausted."

March, 1828.---UNIVERSITY.---On the 22d instant the trustees of the university of Alabama selected as a site, whereon to erect the buildings of this institution, the place known as Mair's Spring, situated on the main road leading in a direction towards Huntsville, and distant from the town

of Tuscaloosa, one mile and a half. The site selected is a part of the land originally granted by congress to the institution. The site is high and healthy; it is in the immediate neighbourhood of the quarry, from which most of the beautiful stone used in building the basement stories of the state capitol and bank, has been obtained.

FIRE. The theatre at Mobile, in the state of Alabama, was consumed by fire on the first instant. Mr. Ludlow, the manager, was not only the principal stockholder in the theatre, but lost the whole of an extensive and valuable wardrobe.

MILITIA. According to the latest returns received at the department of war, pursuant to the act of March 2d, 1803, the militia of the state amounted to 23,000.

December, 1828.-On the 18th of this month, Governor Murphy sent his message to the legislature. Among the subjects alluded to in the message was the tariff lately passed by congress, and which he particularly recommended to the consideration of the legislature.

That part of his message was referred to a select committee, which reported resolutions against the tariff as impolitic, unjust, and unconstitutional, together with a preamble containing the argument against the policy. These resolutions were passed and transmitted to congress, and were entered on the journal of the senate, February 28th, 1829. They are as follows:

Resolved, by the senate and house of representatives of the state of Alabama, in general assembly convened, That the tariff of 1828, is, in its operation, impolitic and unjust, producing the most unhappy effects on the interests of the great body of our citizens, by its exclusive bearings on them; prostrating agriculture, commerce, and navigation, while it cherishes and elevates manufactures; and which is an exercise, on the part of the general government, of a power not delegated by the constitution un

der which we live, and too well calculated to disturb the harmony of the union.

Resolved, That all duties imposed by congress on imposts, not for revenue, but to control the industry of the country, are contrary to the spirit of the constitution.

Resolved, That when the genera government transcends the power delegated to it by the constitution, the legitimate mode of opposition, becoming the dignity of a sovereign state, is, by respectful remonstrance, until argument and entreaty are exhausted; and that open and unqualified resistance, should be the last and desperate alternative between submission on the one hand, and the liberty of the people on the other.

Resolved, That our senators in congress be instructed, in the name of the state of Alabama, to record on the journals of that body, a solemn protest against the tariff act of 1828, as unconstitutional, unjust, unequal, and oppressive in its operation.

Resolved, That the governor be requested to forward to each of our senators in the congress of the United States, a copy of the foregoing remonstrance and resolutions.

January, 1829.-William R. King was re-elected, without opposition, to be a senator of the United States from the state of Alabama, for six years from the 30th day of March next, when his pretent term of service will expire.

Resolutions were introduced proposing to the citizens of this state, at the next general election, a change to the constitution of the state of Alabama, so as to have biennial, instead of annual sessions of the legislature; also to limit the tenure by which the several judges of this state hold their offices to six years, instead of the present tenure.

October.- -Gabriel Moore was elected by the people of the state of Alabama, to be governor of that state, of which he has for several years past been one of the representatives to congress, without opposition, and R

E. B. Baylor, Clement C. Clay, and Dixon H. Lewis, were elected representatives to congress.

constitution

INDIANS.-A was adopted by the Cherokee Indians at a convention held at New Echota on the 26th of July, 1827. The constitution commences by designating the boundaries of the Cherokee nation, beginning on the north bank of the Tennessee river, at the upper part of the Chickasaw Old Fields, &c. The lands are to remain the common property of the nation, but the improvements made thereon are to be the exclusive and indefeasible property of the citizens who made, or may be rightfully in possession of them. The power of the government is to be divided into three distinct departments-the legislative, executive, and the judicial. The legislative power to be vested in two distinct branches-a committee and a council; and both to be styled, "The general council of the Cherokee Nation," The nation is laid off into eight districts; the committee to consist of two members from each, and to be chosen for two years; the first election to be held on the first Monday in August, 1828. The gen

eral council to be held once a year, at New Echota.

The executive power of the nation to be vested in a principal chief, who shall be chosen by the general council, and shall hold his office for four years. Three councillors are to be annually appointed to advise with the principal chief in the executive part of the government, &c.

The judicial powers to be vested in a supreme court, and such circuit and inferior courts, as the general council may from time to time order and establish. The supreme court to consist of three judges. All the judges are to be appointed for four years. No minister of the gospel is to be eligible to the office of principal chief, or to assist in the general council. Religious freedom is secured. Sheriffs are to be elected in each district by the qualified voters, and to hold their office for two years. A marshal to be appointed by their general council for four years; his jurisdiction to extend over the whole Cherokee nation. The right of trial by jury to remain inviolate. For a more particular detail of its provi sions, vide public documents 2d part.

BLOODY RENCOUNTER.-The following is an account given in the New Orleans Argus, of a bloody affair that took place near Natchez, on the 19th October, 1827.

Doctor Maddox, invited Mr. Samuel L. Wells, without the limits of the state of Louisiana; they met at Natchez on the 17th; on the 18th, Wells was challenged by Maddox; the 19th was appointed for the day of combat, and the first sand beach above Natchez, on the Mississippi side, for the place of meeting. They met, exchanged two shots without effect, and then made friends. While the combatants and friends were retiring from the ground, Wells invited Maddox, his friend, col. Crane, and surgeon, Dr. Denny, to the woods, where

his friends, who were excluded from the field, were stationed, to take some refreshment. Crane objected, and stated as his reason, that there were certain men among them that he could not meet. Wells then assented to go where Maddox's friends were stationed in the woods, who were also excluded from the field; when about half way, they were met by the friends of Wells, viz: Mr. James Bowie, general Cuny, and T. J. Wells. General Cuny on meeting them observed to colonel Crane, that it was a good time to settle their difference. Crane had a pistol in each hand, which he was carrying to the woods-he immediately put himself in an attitude of defence. He observed Bowie with a drawn pistol, he therefore shot him

July, 1828.-ELECTIONS-Mr. Derbigny was elected governor by an overwhelming majority; and Messrs. White, Gurley, and Overton, were elected members of congress. The first, by a majority of 607 over Mr. Livingston; the second by a majority of 44, and the third by a majority of 229 over Mr. Brent.

November.-The Jackson electoral ticket succeeded by a majority of 527 votes. In New Orleans the votes were 747 for Jackson, and 665 for Adams.

SUGAR AND MOLASSES.-The following table, prepared by an individual who visited personally every su gar plantation in the state, exhibits the amount of sugar and molasses made in the several parishes in 1828: Hhds. Hhds. Sugar. Molas. 535

Parishes. Point Coupee, West Baton Rouge,

883

242

420

998

3,055

3,633

3,851

7,309

5,918

2,787 1,164 7,656 8,614 7,692

3,354

6,515 2,814 5,913 2,757 1,010

485

87,965 39,874

The most extensive plantation in the state is that which belongs to General Wade Hampton, there having been produced upon it during the year 1,640 hhds. of sugar, and 750 hhds. of molasses. The next largest amount produced was 999 hhds. sugar, and 415 hhds. molasses, on the estate of Mr. Labranche, ten miles above New Orleans. Several other estates pro duced upwards of 900 hhds. of sugar. July, 1828.-The militia amounted, according to returns received at the department of war, to 12,274.

1828.-NEW ORLEANS.-Mr. Roffinac, mayor of the city, on the expiration of his term of office, addressed a memoir to his constituents, on the affairs and prospects of that capital.

The population, depending on the commerce of the southwestern states, had doubled in every ten years since 1794. The shipping had increased from 144,179 tons in October, 1822; to 204,460 in October, 1827. The city debt was then $253,600, and the expenses 171,000; and the revenue 200,379, from 119,000 in 1820. improvements in the city have amounted, by an account rendered in 1825, and since that time, to $855,437, and their further prosecution, in streets, roads, canals, &c., was strongly recommended.

The