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 STEAM NAvIGATIoN.-The objects referred to in the following copy of petition to the next Legsla ure will he made the subject of consideration by a meeting of the merchants, steamboat owners, cap. ans, officers and other citizens, to be held two weeks hence. We invite the public attention to il. To the Honorable the Senate and House of Represen- taueS of the Slate of AiaJama in Generai Assembly

 C0nueled

 The petition of the undersigned, citizens of the State of Alabama, respectfully showeth, that they deeply interested in securing and advancing pru- dence and skill in the navigation of Steamboats on the of said State, and they most respectfully recommend to the General Assembly, the esta- blShment of certain regulations calculated 10 d- mnsh the danger heretofore incident to the nav iga- gaton of that class of vessels. Most of the acc- dents which endanger the property transported in SteambOas, and the lives of those who travel in them, proceed from want of skill, of care prudence, in the engineers employed in their management. Many persons pretending 10 be competent engineers, and who ohtam employment in managing the engines in steamboats, grossly ignorant of the complica- ted and powerful machinery which they undertake to direct and control. Many other persons disqua lifed by the indulgence improper habits while dis charging their most responsible duties. And 10 such men committed vast amounts of property; and what Is of far higher value, the lives of mnlttudes Ol citizens of both sexes, and of all ages. Under such management it Is not surprising that there ire quently occur disastrous explosions, causing great loss of property, and destruction of life, Your petitioners, as a means 0l guarding against this great evil, most respectfully suggest to the Ge neral ssembly, the establishment by law of one or more boards, to be composed of experienced engi- Reers, possessed of competent skill whose duty il shall be, to examine every person presenting himself as engineer, and seeking employment in that ca pacity, in any steamboat running on the ua, gable waters of thls State, and to grant q certificate show ing that they possessed of the requisite qalid cations, to such only they shall find 10 have com petent skill, and not be disqualified by improper habits, for the discharge of their important d,I- ties; and further providing, that il shall be penal in any person not having such certificate, as engineer in any steamboat na, ,is"ti"s tc waters oI thls State; and in like manner, that it shall be penal in any owner manager of steamboat navigating the waters of this State to employ engineer there any person not having such certificate IS above mentioned.

 To this most important subject your petitioners most respectfully solicit the consideration of the Le gisature; and in duty bound, they well pray Sc.