LETTER OF ALEXANDRE VATTEMARE, To the Speaker of the House, upon the subject of International Exchanges. IN HOUSE,-March 2, 1849. HARRISBURGH, Pa., Feb. 24, 1849. To the Hon. Speaker of the House of Rep. of the State of Ohio: SIR-Being on my way to Ohio, but fearing not to be able to reach Columbus before the adjournment of the legislature, I take the liberty of addressing you herewith a copy of a report I have made to the governors of the several States of which I have the honor of being the agent, and to call your kind attention to the subject it treats, begging of you to recommend to the favorable consideration of your honorable house, the system of international literary exchanges, a plan regarded by the good and the wise of the two hemispheres, as the most powerful means of uniting all the nations of the earth under one and the same benevolent banner of science, making of them all one great and harmonious commonwealth, whose ensign shall be "knowledge," and whose motto shall be "peace and good will to all!” Perhaps, Mr. Speaker, the legislature has already been informed of the transmission I have had the honor to make, of the interesting collection, "Memoirs of the French Society of encouragement for the promotion of national agriculture, manufactures and industry of France," selected by the Ohio delegation in Washington last year; also the new edition of the complete works of LA PLACE, published by order of the National Assembly, and presented in the name of FRANCE, by the Minister of Public Instruction, to OHIO, at the request of our distinguished astronomer LE VERRIER, and delivered by myself to Professor Mitchell, of the Observatory, during a visit made by that learned gentleman to New York, in 1847-independent of a good collection of works relative to commerce, agriculture, manufactures and industry, which I have yet to present to the legislature in the name of France, as very inadequate tokens of my beloved country's esteem and fraternal feelings towards yours. These, Mr. Speaker, constitute but an earnest of the valuable relation which national friendships establish; they furnish materials by which the statesmen and citizens of each will appreciate and love each other. For the purpose of giving uniformity and efficiency to the information so important to be communicated, permit me to make an appeal, through you, to each member of the legislature, and to ask from them, the most appropriate source, the following information in regard to the several counties of the State of Ohio. 1st. The census of 1840, so far as the same shall be applicable to the county, corrected according to the opinion of its representative. 2. A geographical description of each county, with its relative position as to points of local interest of political or commercial importance. 3. The geology of the county, with the extent to which its minerals and the metals are now or may probably be worked, the thermal or mineral waters, with the extent to which they are or probably may be restored. 4. The state of agriculture within the county, the area in acres, value of lands under the last public assessment, with an opinion whether the lands have or have not declined in value, the character of staple productions, with an opinion as to the capacity of the lands for the profitable production of staples, other than those cultivated, the character of the labor employed, with its cost and profit, including an estimate of the cost of investment, current charges and net profits of agriculture within the county. 5. The state of commerce and manufactures, the registered tonnage belonging to the county, value of imports and exports, with the charges upon internal coast-wise and foreign trade, the social condition of the county, showing from the reports of the courts of justice, the number of prosecutions for offences, with any other statistics of a similar character, showing the state of public morality. 6. The state of religion within the county, the number of churches, proportions in which the several christian denominations co-exist, the probable amount of voluntary contribution to the support of the clergy, and to religious and charitable associations, the humane institutions within the county, with the particulars of their endowment and useful ness. 7. The state of education within the county, the system of public education, institutions of learning, number of newspapers, periodicals, &c., the names of distinguished Americans born or settled in the county, and other facts connected with or appropriate to the subject. To this hasty indication of the subjects of information important to foreign nations, may be added any other general or particular statements which may occur to those whose province it may be to reply. For the trouble imposed upon them, in addition to their public engagements, I have to make the apology, that in all measures of general and international philanthropy, many patriotic duties must be performed, the compensation of which is to be found in the general promotion of human happiness. I would respectfully suggest, that each Senator should act as chairman of a committee formed of the members from the county or counties of his district, whose reports can be by him properly arranged and revised. These different reports, Mr. Speaker, when printed as a public legislative document, would form a most valuable and most important gazetteer, which would exhibit to the world the inexhaustible intellectual, moral and commercial resources of your glorious State. Assured that such an appeal will find acquiescence in the sentiments of every patriotic bosom, I beg leave to subscribe myself, Mr. Speaker, Your very humble and obedient servant, REPORT OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC WORKS, RELATIVE TO WATER POWER OF MERCER COUNTY RESERVOIR. IN HOUSE-MARCH 6, 1849. The standing committee on Public Works, to which was referred a joint resolution instructing the Board of Public Works-"to turn into the Mercer County Reservoir, the streams of Burntwood and Coldwater, or so much of said streams as will be sufficient to create water-power at Celina, or as near that point as may be practicable, to run four run of mill-stones, &c." have had the same under consideration and REPORT: That in view of the facts stated in the communication of the Acting Commissioner of Public Works, (hereto attached and made part of this report) they would respectfully recommend the following joint resolution, as a substitute for that referred to them. L. GIDDINGS, E. P. EDSON, J. D RINGWOOD, WM. DURBIN, R. F. HOWARD. Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of Ohio, That the Board of Public Works be and are hereby authorized to adopt such measures as they may deem consistent with the interests of the State, to increase the water power now derived from the Mercer County Reservoir, and lease any and all water power now available, or which may hereafter be added, at such points as they |