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GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE,


AND OF THE House OF Commons
The periodical assemblage of portion of the
people, selected for their eminent qualifications,
for the important trusts confded to them-to enact
laws by W hich they as we'll as their constituents
are to be governed-is an occasion Interesting to
the phanthropist, cheering to the friends of ra-
tlonal liberty, and an able commentary upon the
excellence of our political institutions.


To that Department of the Government, assign
ed to superintend the due execution of the Laws,
this assemblage should always be acceptable, as
aftordng opportunity to show how the duties
of that Department have been discharged-to point
out the defects of the laws, which experience has
proven to exist-and to suggest such amendments
and enactments as the good of the community may
require


Such is the interesting occasion, fellowcitizcns,
which brings US together; and, in the name of
our common constituents, l cordially greet you,
and tender you my hearty cooperation IN the adop-
ton and execution of all measures that may re-
dound to the welfare of the community.


Since the last meeting of your Honorable body,
although portions of our State have been visited
with afflicton, and with physical causes, destruc-
tive to the hopes and labors of the husbandman-
yet the general health of the land and the bounte-
Gus productions of the soil, have been such to
elicit the most profound gratitude towards that
Author, from whom all blessings flow, and to
whose experimenting Providence we are indebted
for all we are, and for all we hope to be. And it


is our especial Duty asst that ofevery Department
of every American Government earnestly to soli-
cit continuance of those peculiar favors, which
have rendered the American people the blessed of
the earth


Within the same reriod an event has taken
place, in the death of our late lamented Chief
Magistrate which, while grateful people have
mourned their bereavement, and a suffering
country felt the afflction, yet has it proven the
foresight of our Revolutionary sages, in the adop-
ton of our Constitution, and has tested its wisdom
and stability A similar event, in most other coun-
tries would have been followed by resort to force,
or, at least to extraordinary legislation, to establish
the succession. With US. the successor, already
indicated by the people themselves glides into the
Chief Magistracv with an ease and quiet on his
part, and an acquiescence on ours, that proves,
how fortunate it is for the human family, when,
in the establishment of their forms of Government,
they select Wisdom, instead of Ambition, for their
counsellor And, it is to be fondly hoped, that
every future test like this, will assure the friends
of form of Government of its strength, and its
enemies, how deusive the hope of its destruction.


The result of the late Treaty with Great Brit
ain, gives us pleasing prospects of continued peace
and however widely some of us may differ from
the President, as to the manner in which he has
discharged portion of his duties, yet the need of
praise is due to him. for his earnest and successful
efforts Sustained and carried through by the cmi-
nent abilities Of his distinguished Secretary, to ad
Just our difficulties with that Power upon princi-
plies of Honor and of Justice Nor is it to be be-
lieved that the good arising from this adjustment,
will be confined to the parties Immediately con-
cerned. The noble example, set by two of the
most powerful, intelligent and honorable nations
of the earth, in adjusting their difficulties, by re-
sort to argument instead of arms will be worthy
the imitation of every member constituting the
great family of nations.


| The history Of nations ought 10 have taught,
and it is hoped has taught the present generation,
that that good which arises from the guidance of
reason and the dictates of justice, is more benef-
cia and permanent, than that which results from
the most brilliant triumph of arms, victorious over
right and justice.


In inviting YOUR attention to such matters, as
ought to engage your deliberation, during your
present Session, refer you to the first Article of
our Constitution, as amended, whereby it becomes
your duty, at this Session, to lay off the State into
Senatorial Districts, and to apportion the repre-
sentatives in the House of Commons among the
several Counties ofthe State The rules by which
YOU are to be guided in the discharge of your du-
ties, are so explicitly laid down in the Constltu-
ton ITSELF as TO preclude all suggestions on the
subject


| At the last Session of Congress, Act was
passed. to apportion the Representatives among
the several States according to the sixth Census.
! By this Act, the number of Representatives, to
which North Carolina is entitled, is reduced from
thirteen, to nine 1t therefore becomes your duty,
to Law off the State into nine Congressional and
eleven Electoral districts. In the discharge of
this duty Justice to the citizens of every part OF
the State demands, that the districts shall be laid
off, as nearly equal in Federal Population as it is
practicable to make them and that they shall as
sumo such shape, as shall be most convenient Tor
the voters and candidates of every district In
deed, the principle that in all popular elections.
every citizen should have the full political weight
to which he is entitled by the Constitutions and
Laws of his country is SO obviously just and uff-
deniable, that it is deemed scarcely necessary to
suggest its adoption for your guidance in the dis
charge Of your important duties


By an Act of Congress- approved the 4th Sept,
184 entitled Gan Actto approp the Proceeds
of the sales of the Public Lands, and to grant
Presumption rights" payment became due to
North Carolina at the Public Treasury, on the
1st July last On the Oath June preceding, a
communication from the Treasury Department
was addressed to this Department, requesting that
an Agent should be designated to receive the pay
nent forthwith appointed Charles l. Hinton
Esq Public Treasurer the agent OF this State to re-