with the provisions and policy of the suspension act, and of course, I presume, with the other legislation to which I refer. In this view of the enactment in the bill now under immediate consideration, I am wholly unable, after the most careful examination, and mature reflection, to concur with those who hold these opinions, and hence my inability to approve and sign the bill itself, while this provision constitutes a part of it. I will proceed to state the grounds of my dissent, and my objections to the enactment, as concisely as shall be consistent with a clear and full understanding of them."

He then proceeds to show that this appropriation is in violation of the pledges contained in the law authorizing the construction of the Cayuga and Seneca, Oswego and Chenango canals, and entirely inconsistent with the provisions and pledges of the act of 1842.

The governor concludes his message by declaring that he cannot express the regret he feels at being under any circumstances compelled to make a decision contrary to the opinion of the majority of the legislature ; "still," he says, with that peculiar modesty which characterized every act of his life, "my most solemn con victions assure me, that I but discharge an imperious constitutional duty, unmixed with, and uninfluenced by, a single personal feeling or interest of which I am conscious. That the consequence of my action is but a call upon the legislature to reconsider its own, and not a necessary rejection of the bill, is a gratifying reflection; and I am not without hope that the considerations I have presented, imperfect and tedious as that presentation is, may induce the two houses to come to my conclusion, that the bill, in its present shape, and with its present provisions, ought not to pass. If, on the contrary, these

considerations shall seem to deserve no weight, and the bill shall pass, notwithstanding the objections, the harm, if any, of this communication, must fall upon myself, where it should rest, if the objections are not well founded. Should neither of these results follow, and the bill fail for a want of the constitutional vote, a majority of both houses continuing to be in its favor; in that case, I shall cheerfully submit to the people of the state the decision of the issue which will be formed between myself and the majority of the legislature, rejoicing in the conviction that the difference of opinion on my part is unaccompanied by one personal feeling unfriendly to a single individual of that majority, and determined that the decision of our common constituents shall be submitted to by me, in the same spirit in which I have joined the issue."

We have given these ample extracts from this message, because it has been alleged, and is believed by many, that this was the principal cause of the loss of Mr. Wright's election in the autumn of 1846.

To the great regret of the New York bar, and of the public generally, WILLIAM KENT, whose appointment as judge of the first circuit has been heretofore noticed, resigned his office in consequence of impaired health, and the governor appointed JOHN W. EDMONDS, formerly a prominent member of the state senate, in his place.

Mr. Edmonds, by the manner in which he discharged the duties of the office, soon furnished evidence that the selection was judicious. He has proved himself an able judge, and a firm, independent defender of human rights. The people of the first circuit have evinced that they properly appreciate his merits by electing him a judge of the Supreme Court in the first district.

CHAPTER XIX.

Bill to prevent persons appearing disguised and armed-Anti-rent Convention at Bern-No Democratic legislative Caucus was held at the close of the session-Address of the Radical members-Whig legislative Caucus and Address-Democratic Mass Meeting at Albany-Different opinions as to the course pursued by Governor Wright-J. A. Spencer and Samuel Young elected Senators-General Result of the Election in November, 1845-Death of General Jackson-Death of Judge Sutherland-Death of Francis Dwight--His Character.

ON one of the first days of the session of 1845, a bill, in pursuance of the recommendation of the governor, was introduced, entitled “An act to prevent persons appearing disguised and armed." It authorized the arrest of all persons who appeared having their faces concealed or discolored; and, upon being brought before a magistrate, on failure to give a good account of themselves, it declared that they should be adjudged vagrants, and punished accordingly. The bill armed the sheriff with the power of the county, and made it highly penal for any person to refuse to aid him in the discharge of the duties imposed on him by that act. This bill passed rapidly through both houses, and became a law on the 28th of January.*

We omitted to mention in its proper place that an anti-rent state convention was held at Bern, in the county of Albany, on the 15th of January, the proceedings of which were published in a well-conducted antirent newspaper printed at Albany, called "THE GUARDIAN OF THE SOIL." These proceedings evinced great moderation, and on the whole were creditable to those who constituted the assemblage. Dr. F. Crounse of Guilderland, was president pro tem. It is stated that eleven counties, and a much greater number of associations, were represented, viz: Albany,

It has already been mentioned that at the time the state officers were chosen, Mr. Van Buren and Mr. Bouck were elected regents of the University. The former, soon after his appointment, addressed a letter to the president of the senate declining to accept the office, and on the 10th day of May, Jabez D. Hammond was appointed to supply the vacancy.

The legislature adjourned on the 14th day of May. For the first time for many years, no caucus of the democratic members, for the purpose of addressing their constituents, was held. A joint committee of the two houses for calling caucuses then existed, but in consequence of some misunderstanding, no call for a caucus was made. That committee consisted partly of hunkers and partly of radicals. The committee on the part of the senate consisted of Messrs. Porter, Clark, and

Rensselaer, Schoharie, Delaware, Montgomery, Schenectady, Greene, Sullivan, Columbia, Ulster, and Otsego. The following were the officers of the convention:

Hugh Scott, of Albany county, president.

William Murphy, Albany county; Henry Conklin, Rensselaer; D. L. Sternbergh, Schoharie; Orville H. Wilcox, Columbia; Harvey I. Hamilton, Montgomery; John Ladd, Jr., Schenectady; Martin Lamy, Ulster; Hiram Faulkner, Greene; Robert Sloat, Otsego; Wm. Morrison, Delaware; Divine More, Sullivan, vice-presidents.

Thos. Ten Eyck, Rensselaer; Abm. Spickerman, Schoharie; John D. Langdlen, Columbia, secretaries.

The convention was addressed by Mr. John Mayham, of Schoharie. Resolutions, disapproving of the outrages in Rensselaer and Columbia, but avowing a determination to adhere to the anti-rent cause and candidates, were adopted. They also resolved to petition the legislature; and appointed a committee to meet in Albany, with the petitions, on the 5th of February, and remain in attendance upon the legislature as long as such attendance should be advantageous. The following persons were appointed a state central committee: Lawrence Van Dusen, East Bern, Albany county; Abm. Spickerman, Bernville, Schoharie county; John Bowdish, Root, Montgomery county; Luther Butts, Kortright, Delaware county; Harry Betts, Rensselaer county.

Lott. After the adjournment of the legislature, each section charged the other with designedly preventing a caucus, and rather an angry correspondence was carried on between Senators Porter and Clark on the subject, which was published in the Atlas and Argus, in which they mutually accused each other with a course of conduct unfriendly to a union of action of the democratic party. The truth probably was, that both parties, believing it impossible to unite in an address which would be satisfactory to all, were disinclined to meet together in caucus; and that each party desired to produce an impression abroad that the failure of presenting to their constituents the usual address was chargeable on the adverse party.

The radicals, however, did prepare an address, which was signed by thirteen senators and thirty members of the assembly. The material part of this address, to which the hunkers could not subscribe, was, that it took ground on the convention bill adverse to the principles of a majority vote by the people, according to the test which had been proposed by the minority in the assembly, and against a separate submission of the amendments to the constitution which the convention might propose. Much complaint was made by the hunker newspapers against the radicals for publishing this address, as irregular, contrary to the usages of the democratic party, and as factious.

After the adjournment of the legislature, the whigs published an address, reported by a committee of which Mr. Worden was chairman, and which was probably drawn by him. It was signed by forty-nine members of the legislature.

In the address the signers of it complain of the finan