JOINT DOC.] 25 [NO. 5. This last sum is the amount of appropriation still required to complete the road to Kalamazoo, independent of iron and spike. To iron this route will require, including side tracks, about thirtyseven miles of iron, or, at thirty tons to the mile, 1,110 tons.` At the rate of $60 per ton, this will amount to For 56,000 lbs spike for iron, at 7 cents, 30,000 do $66.600 00 3,920 00 for cross ties, at 8 cents, 2,400 00 $72,920 00 All of which is respectfully submitted, by your obedient servant, Detroit, December 1, 1843. JOHN M. BERRIEN, Chief Engineer. No. 6. 1844. ANNUAL REPORT Of the Superintendent of Public Iustruction. OFFICE OF SUPERINTENDENT OF PUBLIC INSTRUCTION, S To the Legislature of the State of Michigan: In obedience to law, the Superintendent of Public Instruction submits his annual report. From causes beyond the control of the undersigned, the school law was not printed and bound till September. So soon as this work, with the requsite forms and instructions was completed, he sedulously applied himself to the task of their distribution through the state. But before he had accomplished this, he was seized with a severe indisposition, which rendered it impossible for him during two months, to discharge aught of the duties of his office; hence he was obliged to confide them to the agency of others. It is obvious, therefore, that in this state of things, more than ordinary delay in completing the distribution, was unavoidable. Circumstances existed which subjected some of the district and town officers to inconvenience in making their annual reports. The school law being a new one, and considerably extended, embracing many principles and objects, and prescribing to numerous officers multifarious duties, it is not surprising that perfect harmony in its interpretation, should not obtain, or that, in some instances, the import of parts of it should be mistaken. These things have accumulated the correspondence, and augmented the labor of this department. But correspondence and inquiry conduce to a better understanding of the law, and, by consequence, to that propriety and concord of proceeding under its provisions, which are desirable and necessary. The undersigned is happy in the conviction, that at no former period, have the high interests of popular education, been so justly and generally appreciated in this state, as at the present time. The disposition of the public mind in favor of the universal diffusion of the blessings of knowledge and virtue, must be peculiarly gratifying to your honorable body. It is, moreover, inspiring to the feelings, and animating to the hopes of the friends of education of the country and of man. In view of the ample and enduring foundation, laid in the magnificent grants by the general government, of the university and school lands, grants, the proceeds of which are inviolably secured by the constitution and laws of the state, to the high and holy objects for which they were intended-and in view of the fact, now admitted by most of the civilized world, that mind is public property, and should be educated at the public expensé, all must perceive the facility with which the rising generation, with the innumerable multitudes who shall succeed them on our lovely peninsulas, may acquire an education, which shall develope and discipline all their intellectual faculties-unfold and refine all their moral sentiments-an education, which shall enable them to enjoy and accomplish all that a beneficent Creator designed in their being. The happiness and respectability of an individual, and the service he may render society, depend much less on his earthly possession than upon the qualities of his mind. These form his manners, mould his reputation, and fix the character of the influence he exerts in all the social circles in which he moves. Even the greatness of a nation is not founded in its numbers and wealth, but in its intelligence and virtue. But men of good enough sense upon most subjects, are not, at all times, invincible to the seductive power of external circumstances. They sometimes move in the wake of adventurers, who are nearing the place of danger and destruction. Many of our fellow citizens, ardent and enterprising-cherishing, perhaps, an extravagant fondness for wealth, and a desire to obtain it with romantic rapidity, had neglected the more safe and sober pursuits of life-the prosecution of ordinary business, and the cultivation of the mind, and embarked, in defiance of the maxims of prudence, in utopian schemes that promised an excited imagination speedy riches and fame. Rebuked by that disappointment and adversity which usually follow in the train of such a career-profiting by the lessons of disastrous experience, they have resumed those habits of industry and economy— of reading and reflection to which they had been trained, and prosperity and honor will be the result. This change of purpose and conduct, while it promotes the public weal, is auspicious to the interests of letters and philosophy. The happiness of a cultivated mind, habitually engaged in the investigation of truth and the acquisition of useful knowledge, and cordially obedient to the rigid dictates of virtue, is pure, sublime, and perennial. It is not destroyed by unfortunate speculations, or the alternate triumphs of political partics-it will endure so long as memory shall live, as reason and conscience shall maintain their empire. Lectures upon popular education, and the salutary influence of the press, are among the occasional causes of the friendly feelings of the community in reference to this subject. Wherever an education that duly developes all the intellectual and moral faculties, and establishes suitable habits, becomes a subject of thought, research and discipline, its excellency is seen, its attractions felt, and it is ranked among the choicest benefactions of mankind. Education constitutes the mighty contrast what exists between a barbarious and a civilized people. Rightly applied, it successfully combats many of the infelicities to which man is exposed in this troubled world. It imparts the power and inspires the disposition for great mental effort and achievement. It is essential to the discovery of the exhaustless treasures of nature. These, through the exercise of man's physical faculties, directed by intelligence and virtue, are rendered subservient to the maintenance and enjoyment-the refinement and exaltation of man. Education prevents crime, pauperism and degradation. To guard against these evils, by appropriate laws, and labors, in the promotion of its lofty and manifold interests, is an obvious dictate of wisdom and humanity. How much more commendable and advantageous is such a policy than one which visits upon the neglected, ignorant and miserable cul prit, the penalties of vindictive laws-the fury of angry justice. Education is manifestly favorable to that industry and prudence which are usually rewarded with peace, plenty and happiness. It averts numerous diseases it enables one to avoid a host of melancholy cas |