Wednesday, January 12, 1848. The House met pursuant to adjournment, and was called to order by the Speaker. Prayer by Rev. Mr. Sanford. The roll was called, and Mr. Hazen was absent on leave, and Messrs. Emmons and Strong were absent without leave. Mr. Littlejohn asked and obtained leave of absence for Mr. Strong for an indefinite period. The journal of yesterday was read and approved. Mr. Campbell presented the petition of Sands McCamly, and one hundred and sixty-five others, in relation to a certain state road from Battle Creek to Michigan. Referred to the committee on roads and bridges. Mr. Scott presented the petition of citizens of Clinton county, for the passage of a law authorizing Robert Palmer and Morris S. Allen to build a dam across Grand River. Referred to the committee on internal improvement. REPORTS. Mr. Littlejohn, from the committee on ways and means, reported a bill to defray the expenses of enlisting, mustering and subsisting the volunteer regiment called from this state to serve in the existing war with the Mexican Republic; Which bill was read twice, referred to the committee of the whole and placed on the general order. Mr. Noyes, from the committee on engrossment and enrollment, reported that the bill to provide for the payment of the officers and members of the legislature, and for other purposes, was correctly enrolled, and was this day presented to the Governor for his approval, Mr. Noyes, from the same committee, reported as correctly engrossed, A bill to legalize the tax roll for the township of Port Huron, in the county of St. Clair for the year 1847, and to extend the time for the collection of taxes; and A bill to authorize Joel Rathbone to sell certain lands. Mr. Eldredge, from the committee on public lands, reported a bill authorizing the Commissioner of the State Land Office to sell certain lands, and for other purposes, which was read twice, and On motion of Mr. Patterson, Laid on the table. Mr. Eldredge, from the same committee, reported a bill to convey to the state of Michigan a certain piece of land in the town of Michigan, which was read twice, and On motion of Mr. Pierce, Laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Mr. Eldredge, from the same committee, reported a bill authorizing the Commissioner of the State Land Office to make certain improvements in the town of Michigan, which was read twice, and On motion of Mr. Mack, Laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Mr. Eldredge, from the same committee, reported a bill directing the Commissioner of the State Land Office to offer certain lots in the town of Michigan for sale, and for other purposes, which was read twice, and On motion of Mr. Mowry, Laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Mr. Turner, from the committee on claims, reported back the claim of Richard Hudson, for property lost on the Central rail road, and reported adverse to any legislative action thereon, asked to be discharged from its further consideration, and that the petitioner have leave to withdraw his papers. The report was accepted, the committee discharged, and leave was granted to Mr. Hudson to withdraw his papers from the files of the House. Mr. Turner, from the same committee, reported back the claims of G. F. Rood & Co., recommending their allowance, and that they be referred to the committee on ways and means, with instructions to embody them in the general appropriation bill. Which report was accepted, the committee discharged, and the claims referred to the committee on ways and means, with the instructions. The following messages were received from the Executive : EXECUTIVE OFFICE, To the House of Representatives: Transmitted herewith, for the use of both Houses, in compliance with a request contained therein, are certain resolutions adopted by the National Medical Convention, held at Philadelphia, in the month of May last, together with the memorial of that convention referred to in the several resolutions now transmitted. To the House of Representatives: EPAPHRO. RANSOM, EXECUTIVE OFFICE, Michigan, January 11, 1848. S I transmit herewith, for the use of both Houses, a report and several resolutions of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, in pursuance of a request in one of said resolutions contained. EPAPHRO. RANSOM. The memorial of the National Medical Convention was referred to the committee on state affairs. On motion of Mr. Pierce, The report and resolutions of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, were referred to the committee on federal relations. The Speaker announced the following communication, which was read, and, On motion of Mr. Eldredge, Laid on the table: INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT OFFICE, Hon. ALEX. W. BUEL, Speaker of the House of Representatives: In answer to the call made by a resolution of the House of Representatives, upon the board of internal improvement, "for a list of tools, instruments and other property, if any, yet belonging to the state, which have been used in the construction of the Central and Southern rail roads," I would respectfully state that, (with the exception of furniture belonging to the office of the board,) all property appertaining or belonging to the Michigan Central and Southern rail roads, was delivered to the companies incorporated for their purchase, under the 2d sections of acts No. 42 and 113, of 1846, of their incorporation. An inventory of the property on the Southern rail road, and its valuation, is attached to the annual report of the board for 1847. Yours, very respectfully, GEO. B. COOPER, Ch'n Board of Int. Imp't. The following communication was received from the Senate : SENATE CHAMBER, To the Speaker of the House of Representatives: SIR-I am instructed by the Senate to return a bill concerning the assessment, collection and returns of the state tax for the year 1847 and for other purposes, and to respectfully inform you that the Senate have concurred therein; also, Joint resolution relative to postage, which the Senate have adopted, with amendments, in which said amendments the concurrence of the House is respectfully asked. I am further instructed to transmit a joint resolution relative to a settlement of the claim of H. B. Lathrop, and Joint resolution relative to the printing of the journals, which the Senate have adopted, and in which the concurrence of the House is respectfully asked. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant, CHAS. SMITH, Secretary of the Senate. The bill concerning the assessment, collection and returns of the state tax for the year 1847 and for other purposes, was ordered to be enrolled. The Senate joint resolution relative to the settlement of the claim of Henry B. Lathrop, was read twice and referred to the committee on claims. The Senate joint resolution relative to the printing of the journals, was read twice and referred to the committee on printing. The Senate amendments to the House joint resolution relative to postage, were severally concurred in, and the joint resolution was or dered to be enrolled. Resolved, That the report of the select committee on the contested seat for Chippewa county, be made the special order of the day for to morrow. Mr. Mowry offered the following resolution : Resolved, That the state government, as the depository of the pri mary school fund, is under the highest obligation to watch over and to consider it a most sacred trust; that law, equity, and the rights of the rising generation, require that it be kept inviolate; that the legislature have no power or right to appropriate any part of the principal or interest of said fund for any other purpose than that designated by the general government. Mr. H. Stone moved to lay the resolution on the table, which motion was lost. On motion of Mr. Terry, The resolution was laid on the table and ordered to be printed. Mr. Terry gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce a bill so amending so much of chapter twelve of the revised statutes, that the Attorney General shall not constitute a member of the Board of State Auditors, and that it shall be his duty to attend on behalf of the state, all meetings of said board. Mr. Denton gave notice that on some future day he will ask leave to introduce a bill to incorporate the Macomb county mutual insurance company. Mr. Warren offered the following resolution: Resolved, That the Speaker of the House of Representatives be requested to invite the Rev. F. Millerd to officiate as Chaplain of the House during the present session. On motion of Mr. Denton, The resolution was laid on the table. On motion of Mr. Lothrop, Resolved, That a select committee of three be appointed to inquire into and report to this House what number of the report of the Superintendent of Public Instruction has been printed and charged to the state, and what disposition has been made of the same. On motion of Mr. Littlejohn, Resolved, That the claimants, Andrew Harvie and Henry M. Dodge, severally asserting a right to a seat in this House, be permitted to ap |