into the coffers of the State, the sum of twenty-one thousand one hundred and twenty-five dollars. The steady course which it has pursued for some years part, has had a tendency to redeem its former character, and place it amongst the cherished institutions of the State; more especially as it now possesses the confidence of the public and shares its patronage.

The joint committee to whom was referred the annual statements of the condition of the Bank of the State of Georgia, of the Darien Bank, of the Savings Bank of Augusta, and of the Augusta Insurance and Banking Company, Report: That the statement of the Bank of the State of Georgia, as exhibited by the accompanying account current, shows the said Bank and its branches to be in a sound condition, and that they deserve a continnance of that full confidence hitherto placed in them by the public.

The report of the Augusta Saving Bank, from the com mencement of its business to the present time, gives a detailed statement of its operations. This differs from ordinary banks its object is essentially charitable, and with its benevolence it affords to the improvident practical lessons on economy; it holds out no invitation to the capitalist or office. holder [hunter.] The management of this institution reflects honour upon its philanthropic directors; and in confirmation of the disinterestedness with which it has been managed, it is shown that its expenses, from the commencement of its operations to the present time, nearly three years, amount to only twenty two dollars and seventy four cents.

The statement of the Augusta Insurance and Banking Company exhibits available means, "on brief notice," adequate to all current demands. The promptitude with which it settled [its] late uncommon losses, entitle it to the highest praise.

As the Augusta Insurance and Banking Company, under the privileges of its charter, both issues bills and insures on property, the committee would have been better satisfied, if its statement had been accompanied with the amount of its risks on insurance; for in addition to its bank liabilities, it is equally bound to meet losses on insurances.

The committee on banks, to whom was referred the annual statement of the Bank of Augusta, beg leave to report, That on a careful and minute examination of the exhibits, they find such evidence of the ability with which the affairs" of the bank have been conducted, and of its sound and stable

condition, that notwithstanding the great depreciation in the real estate belonging to that institution, of about twenty-nine thousand dollars, and in doubtful and bad debts to the amount of twenty-four thousand [dollars;] yet your committee are of opinion that this bank is in a prosperous and flourishing condition, and without, [withal] that the ability and fidelity with which its affairs have been managed, meets the approbation of your committee, and as such is entitled to the entire confidence of the Legislature and of the people of Georgia.

The committee on banks, to whom was referred the annual statement and condition of the Planters Bank of the State of Georgia, respectfully Report, That after a mature and careful examination into the fiscal concerns of said Bank, your committee are fully of opinion that the condition of said institution, and the management thereof, as to its pecuniary concerns, is highly satisfactory to your committee, and deserves the confidence of the Legislature and the public at large.

The committee on banks, to whom was referred the report of the bank of Columbus, beg leave to report, That after a due examination on the condition of said bank, they find nothing in the management of the affairs of said institution, which does not warrant your committee in saying that the institution has been well conducted, and in a sound condition, and is entitled to the fullest confidence of the Legislature and of the people of Georgia.

'The committee to whom was referred the annual exhibit of the condition of the Merchants and Planters Bank of Angusta, respectfully report, That after such an examination into the condition furnished by said bank, your committee are of the opinion that the affairs of that institution, as to its pecuniary concerns, is entirely sound, and merits the confidence and patronage of the Legislature and the public generally,

The joint committee on banks, to whom was referred an extract of the minutes of the Central Bank of Georgia, in relation to the claim of Col. Seaborn Jones, beg leave respectfully to report, That they have had the same under consideration, and from all the information that they have been enabled to collect upon the subject, they cannot but believe that the course pursued by the officers of the Central Bank, with regard to this subject, is perfectly correct. Your committee, from information, find that Col. Seaborn Jones receiv

ed the appointment of the States's agent, to settle a contract entered into between the State and Col. Bedney Franklin, relative to the collection of certain debts, then due the state, and that Col. Jones received the sum of forty-four thousand four hundred and ninety-three dollars, seventy-five and threefourth cents, and paid into the treasury forty-two thousand four hundred and fifty-two dollars and fifty one cents, retaining as his fee two thousand and forty one dollars twenty-four and three-fourth cents, which your committee believe to be ample compensation for the services rendered, and therefore believe the claim of Col. Jones to be unreasonable and ought not to be granted.

The joint committee on banks, giving the utmost credit to those who manage the Macon Bank, and placing the most liberal construction on their annual statements, feel authorised to say the institution is able to redeem all the bills it has in circulation, and its issues in bills do no not exceed the amount which strict banking principles allow.

The Committee on Public Education and Free Schools have examined the several subjects referred to them, which consist of a portion of the Governor's communication-the annual report of the President and Trustees of Franklin College to the Senatus Academicus-the reports of each of the Senators of the State, and condition of the schools within his peculiar county, and a reference from the Representative branch of the Legislature. A detailed report on these several subjects would, involve the committee in a prolixity

incompatible with legislation. Some consideration is deemed necessary to each, and the more especially, as occasional notices of the condition of the literature of the State, as provided by law, may awaken an increased zeal in the community at large on the important subject of education.

In our country every man ought to prepare himself for taking a part in her public busines. Should he never aspire to a seat in her State or National Councils, he yet owes it as a duty to himself and his posterity, to let any talent he may possess appear at least in her primary assemblies.

If this view of our duty be correct, and it is believed it cannot be controverted, the committee feel warranted in considering the subject of education, the noblest and most im portant that can engage the attention of the lawgiver, it lies, in truth, at the basis of the whole social system. It affects not only the individual happiness, the character and the usefulness of those who are its objects, but it exerts a most powerful and irresistible influence upon the government, the laws, and the liberties of communities. No nation when the majority of the people is well educated, can remain enslaved; no nation when the great mass is ignorant can retain its freedom. In proportion to the general intelligence will be the force, the wealth, and the influence of a State, and it will be respected in the exact ratio of the instructed talent it can bring into its negociations.

The committee regret to say, that they have seen strong indications of a belief that more of learning than will suffice for the pursuits prescribed by parents and guardians, or than is absolutely demanded in the contemplated profession, is worse than useless. Divines have deprecated the use of mere human learning in their noviciates-Physicians sneered at by their fellows, because they were Chemists and Zoologists-Lawyers less patronized because they were scholarsMerchants who refused liberally educated men as clerks; and parents who have prohibited the study of the ancient languages and Mathematics to boys intended for the countinghouse. The great cry in considering systems of education is, where is the good? The ends are always mistaken for the means; and it seems almost universally to be forgotten, that elementary education is far less intended to qualify for any specific pursuit; than to give that developement of mental powers and energy, which may lead to usefulness in any, and lay the foundation of greatness in that for which the peculiar bent of the genius is calculated. Objections like these are too common to be disregarded, and can be removed only by a general diffusion of intelligence. No one who has ever studied Mathematics can fail to havê remarked the im

provement of those of his powers which are adapted to mercantile life. The whole subject of compound interest. The compensation of chances on which every species of insurance is founded. The real principles of stock operations. The arbitration of exchanges may be treated mathematically, and in this way alone any valuable and practical result can be derived. The last of these is not yet an object of business in this country; but the time is approaching, when [in] intelligent hands it will be the surest and safest mode of employing capital.

No one who has watched the manner in which duty is performed, by those who are in possession of mental resources to fill the hours of idleness, and by those who must for a want of other objects of interest apply their waste time to dissipation, would hesitate between an educated and an ignorant clerk. Who that has compared the close and pertinent reasoning of the well education [educated] and learned Barrister would hesitate, which to choose for his counsel? Who that knows the powerful effects of Chemical affinities upon the substances employed as remedies, and the vast complexity of the human machine, would intrust his life to the Physician who could not judge for himself of the chemical, physical, and even mechanical principles on which the success of his practice depends? What harm will he not do to the cause of religion, whose diction is barbarous and inelegant, whose taste is gross from a want of acquaintance with classick models, who will oppose his own interpretation of a text, or even that of his church, to the facts which the study of the great book of nature is every day bringing to the confirmation and support of revealed religion?

Franklin College, the fondly cherished Institution, should continue to receive the fostering aid of the Legislature. Notwithstanding the many reverses which have visited the institution, it has now an organization which promises to fulfil most of the purposes of a solid and extensive education. The committee have the most satisfactory assurances, the contributions and appropriations from time to time made by the Legislature, have been faithfully and profitably expended. The College edifice destroyed by fire is nearly rebuilt, a new library and mathematical and philosophical apparatus has been supplied to answer the exigencies of the institution. The committee notice with great gratification the zeal with which the patrons of the College afford a real, as well as an incidental patronage. The most sanguine friends of the College must have anticipated that the embarrassment occasioned by the destruction of one of the college edifices, would