Publication from Florida Governor Harrison Reed to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; 1869

Documents
Publication from Florida Governor Harrison Reed to Mississippi Governor Adelbert Ames; 1869

Document Network
Document Metadata

Each transcribed document contains links that connect it to other documents on the same topic in the collection.

People

Adams, J. S.Austin, C. H.Bull, J. H.Call, Wilk Cheney, Edw. M Conover, S. B.Dickerson, Edward N.Galbraith, John B.Gamble, R. H.Gleason, William H.Grant, Ulysses S. (Ulysses Simpson), 1822-1885 Hart, Hubbard L.Houstoun, Edward Jackson, William E.Reed, Harrison, 1813-1899 Stonelake, A. B.Taylor, Moses Webster, Frank W.

Events

Appointment to office Collecting of accounts Conventions Conventions--Florida. Constitutional Convention (1868)Crime Crime--Fraud Imprisonment Indictments Political Elections--Election of 1868 Political elections Recruiting and enlistment Seminole War, 3rd, 1855-1858 Taxation Trial

Military Units

Florida. State Troops United States. Army

Organizations and Businesses

Banks Banks--National City Bank of New York (N.Y.)Courts Courts--Circuit Courts Florida Canal and Inland Transportation Company (Fla.)Florida Governor’s Mansion (Tallahassee, Fla.)Florida. Auditor’s Office Florida. Department of State. Office of Cabinet and Legal Affairs Florida. Executive Department Florida. General Assembly. Senate Florida. Historical Bureau Florida. Legislature Florida. Office of the Surveyor General Florida. State Agricultural Society Florida. State Department of Education Florida. Supreme Court Florida. Treasury Department Grand jury Hospitals Jails Jury Railroad Railroad--Florida Railroad Company Railroad--Florida, Atlantic, & Gulf Central Railroad Railroad--Pensacola and Georgia Railroad Company Republican Party (U.S. : 1854- )Schools Seminary State Prison of Florida (Chattahoochee)Union and Southern Rights Party (U.S.)United States. Adjutant-General's Office United States. Army. Ordnance Department United States. Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen, and Abandoned Lands United States. Congress United States. War Department Watercraft

Occupations

Attorneys General Collection agents Commissioners Farmers Florida. Governor Judges Justices of the peace Laborers Lawyers Physicians Planter Printers Prison Guard Publishers Sales personnel Secretaries Sheriffs Superintendents Surgeons Tax collectors Treasurers United States. President

Places

Atlantic Ocean Aucilla River (Fla.)Brevard County (Fla.)Charlotte Harbor (Fla.)Chattahoochee (Fla.)Chattahoochee River (Fla.)Fernandina (Fla.)Florida Gulf of Mexico Indian River (Fla.)Jacksonville (Fla.)Jupiter Inlet (Fla.)Key West (Fla.)Magnolia (Fla.)New York (N.Y.)Ocklawaha River (Fla.)Orange County (Fla.)Palatka (Fla.)Pensacola (Fla.)St. Augustine (Fla.)St. John's County (Fla.)St. John's River (Fla.)Tallahassee (Fla.)Tampa Bay (Fla.)Volusia County (Fla.)Washington (D.C.)

Social Identifiers

African Americans Christians Christians--Catholics Historically free and newly freed African Americans Impoverished people Imprisoned people Mental illness Native Americans

Vital Statistics

Death Disease and illness

Page 1

ANNUAL MESSAGE
Compliments
OF
HIS EXCELLENCY
GOV. HARRISON REED,
TO
THE LEGISLATURE OF FLORIDA,
JANUARY 7th, 1869,
WITH ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS.

TALLAHASSEE:
EDW. M. CHENEY, STATE PRINTER.
1869.

Page 2

ANNUAL MESSAGE
OF
HIS EXCELLENCY
GOV. HARRISON REED,
TO
THE LEGISLATURE OF FLORIDA,
JANUARY 7th, 1869,

WITH ACCOMPANYING DOCUMENTS.

TALLAHASSEE:
EDW. M. CHENEY, STATE PRINTER.
1869.

Page 3

GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND OF THE ASSEMBLY:

With the election of America's great military chieftain to the highest office in the nation, the peace, welfare, and prosperity of the Union is secured upon the basis of freedom and equal rights.

Throughout our beloved State, violent opposition to Federal authority and Republican government has ceased, and all classes of the people yield obedience to the laws. The last embers of the late rebellion are rapidly dying out, and our citizens, "without distinction of race, color, or previous condition," are gradually uniting in behalf of common interests and mutual prosperity.

The newly enfranchised citizen of color sits side by side with his white fellow, without antagonism, in the Cabinet, the halls of legislation, the jury box, and on the Boards of Commission-ers—occupies the magistrate's chair, and executes the decrees of courts, without exciting violence or occasioning asperity. The change since your last session is marvellous, and calls for grate-ful recongnition. Political antagonisms still exist and must ever exist among free and enlightened people; but toleration and concession have taken the place of intolerance and proscription. Florida stands redeemed and disenthralled, and with wise legis-lation and judicious administration, her citizens will soon re-deem the wastes of war and retrieve the misfortunes of the past.

THE FINANCES.

The reports of the Comptroller and Treasurer herewith sub-mitted, exhibit the condition of the finances of the State:

Page 4

Our bonded debt is . . . .		$578,045.08
Of this debt the Internal Improvement Fund holds . . . . .	$45,000.00
The Seminary Fund, . . . .	71,292.45
The School Fund, . . . .	190.752.63	—307,045.08
Leaving outstanding in other hands,		$271,000.00
Of this amount there is past due, . .	$21,000.00
Due first of March, 1869, . . . .	30,000.00
Add floating debt, . . . . .	75,846.03
Amount of accumulated interest, say	150,000.00
Expenses for current year, . .	200,000.00
Interest on bonded debt, $548,000, at 7 per cent. . . . . .	38,360.00
Interest on new bonds, $300,000, at 6 per cent. . . . . .	18,000.00
Total to be provided for immediately, . .		$533,206.03
RESOURCES:
Estimated amount of revenue for 1868, . . . . . .	$200,000.00
Special tax for expenses Constitu-tional Convention, . . .	45,000.00
Am't due from Collectors in default, $133,935.95, of which may be re-ceived, . . . . .	40,000.00
Bonds, $300,000, at 80 cents, . .	240,000.00	—$525,000.00
Leaving unprovided for, . . . . . .		$8,206.03
To which should be added scrip au-thorized by the Convention, and as yet unaccounted for, . . . . .		10,000.00
Making balance to be provided for, . . .		$18,206.03

It should be the aim of the Legislature to provide for the im-mediate redemption of all the obligations now outstanding, the accumulated and accruing interest, and the current expenses of the year, and henceforward no more scrip of any sort should be issued. If we once resume the payment of all expenses in cash, as they accrue, we shall reduce these expenses from 25 to 50 per cent., and place our bonds at par.

It is understood that $132,000 of our bonds are held by the U.S. Indian Trust Fund at Washington. The State of Florida has an existing claim against the United States, for expendi-tures in the Seminole war, of nearly or quite that amount, which

we hope to make available as soon as it can be ascertained and adjusted.

The three hundred thousand dollars in 6 per cent. 30 years bonds, authorized at your last session, are in the Treasury await-ing a proper adjustment of our domestic affairs, so that they may command proper respect in the market.

In September last I visited New York with a view to a dis-position of these bonds, but after mature reflection, and con-sultation with financial men, I deemed it wise and prudent not to hazard them on the market until the policy if the Ferderal government should be settled by the Presidential election, and our own financial resources were shown to be ample and relia-ble. Wise and judicious legislation at this session may estab-lish the fact that no Southern State resumes its position in the Union under better financial auspices, or with more available resources.

TAXATION.

From the report of the Comptroller, the great necessity for legislation upon the subject of taxation is apparent. In order to secure uniformity of taxation, there should be uniform fair-ness in the valuation of property. In some counties the same class of lands is valued at one half the amount it is in others. This is wrong and unjust, and the strong arm of the law should be exercised to secure fairness and equality. I earnestly recom-mend the organization of a Board of Equalization, with full and ample power over subordinate officers of the revenue to secure the desired result. I would also recommend that a failure upon the part of the revenue officers to make returns at the time pre-scribed by law, be made an offense, punishable by fine and im-prisonment.

I respctfully commend to your consideration the suggestions of the Comptroller upon this and other points.

PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM.

No organization of a system of public schools for the State has yet been perfected. The State Superintendent appointed in July, has been absent from the State for the past four months,

Page 5

probably gathering information for presentation, but has sub-mitted no report of his proceedings. It will be necessary that a well-prepared plan for the early inauguration of the system of public education contemplated in the Constitution be enacted at this session.

No organization of the Historical Bureau in this Department has yet to be reported, nor has any visible action been taken to-ward the establishment of a cabinet of minerals and other natu-ral productions as contemplated.

IMMIGRATION.

An increasing and wide-spread interest is felt throughout the Northern States in regard to emigration to Florida. A proper exhibition of the advantages and resources of the State will bring to our borders large accessions from the intelligent yeomanry as well as the capitalists of the North.

No organization of this department has as yet been attempted by the Commissioner, and no report of his transactions has been received. In answer to the increasing demand from all quarters for information relating to the State, in the absence of the Commissioner from the State, I have engaged J. S. Adams, Esq., a gentleman well qualified for the duty, to prepare for gratuitous circulation a pamphlet of 100 or 150 pages, setting forth the resources and peculiar anvantages of every portion of the State. This pamphlet will be ready for delivery before the close of the present session, and will prove a valuable auxiliary to the development and prosperity of the State. I have also ordered for immediate distribution 1000 copies of a pamplet prepared by Mr. Adams for a land agency at Jacksonville. No State expenditure will afford larger returns than this.

In this connection I invite attention to the efforts of farmers and planters in behalf of a State Agricultural Society, which is now in the full tide of successful experiment, and which com-mends itself to the fostering care of the Legislature, as an auxiliary to immigration and development. I recommend that provision be made for the publication by the State of the annual report of this Society—its transactions, essays, addresses, &c., &c.

RAILROAD SYSTEM.

While the railroad system of contiguous States is rapidly improving, ours still languishes and makes no progress towards completion.

In 1857 an accurate survey and estimate for a road from the Chattahoochee to Pensacola was made, and large grants of lands were secured for the work. That project now awaits the atten-tion of capitalists and the fostering hand of friendly legislation. The length of this road as surveyed is 154 miles. It can be constructed and equipped probably for $2,500,000. Six hundred thousand acres of United States lands were granted for this work, and the State could well afford to add from her domain as much more to secure its early completion. It will unite the best harbor and most promising commercial town on the Gulf with the cities on the Atlantic, and is essential to the unity, prosperity, and development of the State. I cannot too strong-ly commend it to your favor.

I also recommend that provision be made for an immediate survey and estimates, at State expense, for the construction of a railroad from some point on the Florida Railroad to Tampa Bay, Charlotte Harbor, and Key West. Such a road would be of national importance, and would render (with the road to Pen-sacola) our State railroad system complete, and add hundreds of thousands to the population of our State. A large grant of lands was made for this work, and its advantages will attract the attention of capitalists.

STATE PENITENTIARY.

In September last, I applied in person at Washingtion, and obtained from the Secretary of War, and the Commissioner of the Bureau of Freedmen, Refugees, and Abandoned Lands, the use of the United States Arsenal property, at Chattahoochee, for a State penitentiary. The buildings are ample, and with the proper modifications will accommodate 300 convicts. No ap-propriation was made at the last session for the expenses of such an institution, but the want of proper jails for the confinement of felons has rendered it necessary that it should be opened im-meditely for convicts. I have, therefore, assumed the responsi-

Page 6

bility of appropriating from the Executive contingent fund the necessary means to procure temporary supplies. A prison guard of fourteen men has been enlisted, and nine convicts have been introduced to this home for State criminals. Provision should be made at this session for fitting up the buildings with cells and accomodations for at least one hundred convicts. I have caused proposals to be invited for furnishing iron cells to be intro-duced into the main building, and the Adjutant General will submit estimates for the necessary expenses of fitting and fur-nishing the prision for the current year.

HOME FOR THE FRIENDLESS

On the 1st January inst., the Assistant Commissioner of Feed-men for Florida turned over to my care twenty destitute and helplesss freedmen, who had up to that time been provided for by the Federal Government at Magnolia; together with a quantity of bedding, furniture, and hospital stores remaining on hand. I placed these helpless and dependent persons in charge of the Adjutant General, to be provided for at Chattahoochee, where there are buildings ample for their accommodation; where their attention will cost less than at any other point, and where they can be under the care of the surgeon of the State prison. One of these has died since being received, and others are entirely dependent from insanity, imbecility, epilepsy, &c., &c.

It will be for you to determine whether these paupers shall be turned back upon the counties from which they may have been gathered, or whether the State will provide a home where they can be made comfortable. I have made temporary arrangements for their expenses, from the Executive contingent fund.

I recommend that a State institution be provided for such persons, where they may be maintained at the expense of the State, or the counties from which they severally come, or that the counties be granted each a tract of State land, and be required to make permanent provision for this class.

THE MILITIA

No organization of the milita has been attempted under the law of the last session, and no militia officers have yet been appointed:

1st. Because a law of Congress (of doubtful force) has prohibited it; and

2d. Because the presence of Federal troops rendered it un-necessary. Several volunteer companies of patriotic citizens, both white and colored, have been enrolled, and have selected their officers, but in the sensitive condition of the popular mind, I have deemed it unwise to accept these organizations, though I believe, with the repeal of the act of Congress, and the firm es-tablishment of Republican government, now acquiesced in by all classes, the time is at hand when a thorough enrollment and organization of the militia may be safely had.

LANDS AND INTERNAL IMPROVEMENT FUND.

The reports of the Surveyor General and the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund show the affairs of that de-partment in rather a confused and unsatisfactory condition, but exhibit vast resources which invite immigration and afford ample means for internal development.

During the last two years, and since the last report, four hun-dred and sixty-three thousand two hundred and fifty-five 95—100 acres of our State domain have been disposed of as follows:

To H.L. Hart, for improving navigation of the Ocklawaha, . . . . . . .	33,006.03 acres.
To E. N. Dickenson, for interest on bonds of the Florida Railroad, . . . . .	246,507.44 "
To Wm. E. Jackson, for interested on bonds Florida, Atlantic, & Gulf Central Railroad, .	113,064.80 "
To purchasers, . . . . . .	70,677.68 "
Total, . . . . . . . .	463,255.95 "

The amount of the State domain undisposed of, is estimated at ten million seven hundred and eighteen thousand four hundred and thirty-seven acres. To this may be added several millions of acres yet unserveyed, which will inure to the State under the acts of Congress.

There is due to the Sinking Fund, for the redemption of the bonds of the Pensacola and Georgia Railroad Company, one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, for the non-payment of which the road is forfeited, and the bondholders have been in-

Page 7

formed that the road will be sold by the trustees. When this is done, and the bonds of the Company are surrendered, the In-ternal Improvement Fund will be released from further liability in that connection.

AMENDMENT OF THE CONSTITUTION.

I earnestly renew the recommendation of my last message for the amendment of the Constitution, by striking out section 27 of Article XVI., and invite your attention to the reasons then set forth.

LOCAL LEGISLATION.

Much of the time of each session is necessarily taken up with private and local legislation, and much expense is incurred in that behalf. As a measure of economy, as well as justice, I recommend that all bills introduced for private or local pur-poses be required to be printed and furnished at the expense of the parties for whom the benefit is sought. This will greatly reduce the cost of the public printing.

GENTLEMEN OF THE LEGISLATURE:

You are assembled at an important period of our political history, and under circumstances of grave responsibility. As yet our State government is regarded by many as an experi-ment of doubtful success. Your session will dispel these doubts by a patriotic adherence to the Constitution, by prudence and economy, and a wise and catholic policy, which knows no dis-crimination, and seeks no personal, sectional, or class aggran-dizement.

It will be my pleasure, as it is my duty, to co-operate with you in everything that tends to the advantage and honor of our State and the welfare of mankind. I invoke on your counsels a spirit of harmony and concession, and the blessing and gui-dance of the Most High.

HARRISON REED.

DOCUMENTS
ACCOMPANYING THE GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.

REPORT OF COMPTROLLER.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE,
TALLAHASSEE, November 1, 1868.

His Excellency, HARRISON REED,
Governor of Florida:

SIR—In compliance with the requirements of the law, I have the honor to submit to you my official report of the Finances of the State for the fiscal year ending October 31, 1868:

	The receipts at the Treasury for the fiscal year, ending October 31, 1868, amount to		$179,332.00
viz:	For Revenue, 1866,	14,911.61
	For Revenue, 1867,	117,193.60
	For Revenue, 1868,	1,832.38
	For Fines,	1,951.33
	For Licenses,	9,412.76
	For Auction Tax,	1,087.80
	For Common School Fund,	1,718.19
	For Bond Account,	28,492.50
	For Seminary Fund,	947.83
	For Tax on Commissions,	1,784.00	—$179,332.00

	The warrants issued during the year amoung to		$207,616.56
to-wit:	Criminal Prosecutions,	37,821.54
	Jurors and Witnesses,	29,694.33
	Governor's Residence,	750.00
	Contingent Expenses Circuit Court,	1,346.05
	Contingent Expenses Supreme Court,	1,143.22
	Contingent Expenses State,	4,650.05
	Maintenance Lunatics,	997.95
	Repairs of Capitol,	706.54
	Salaries Judicial Department,	25,661.10
	" Executive "	9,860.69
	" Military "	375.00
	Post Mortem Examinations,	1,019.20

Page 8

	Printing and Publishing,	980.00
	Interest State Debt,	630.00
	Supreme Court Reports,	250.00
	Common Schools for Freedmen,	6,939.50
	Reimbursement of certain officers of the United States,	593.18
	Expenses 1st Session, 15th Legislature,	72,355.39
	Miscellaneous Printing and Printing Laws,	791.56
	Indian Hostilities of 1849, Principal,	171,36
	Indian Hostilities of 1849, Interest,	146.89
	School Fund,	712.50
	School Fund,Interest,	187,50
	Seminary Fund,	643.00
	West Florida Seminary Fund, Interest,	4,428.67
	East Florida Seminary Fund, Interest,	2,900.00	—$207,616.56
1868.
Nov. 1.	—The warrants issued for the fiscal year 1868 amount to		$207,616.56
	Amount of Warrants and Treasurer's Certificates outstanding Nov. 1, 1867, as per last report, .		57,492.32

			$265,108.88
Am't of Warrants redeemed by Treas.,		$213,203.36
Amount of Certificates issued by Treasurer,	$88.184.26
Am't Certificates redeemed by Treasurer,	73,527.45	—$14,656.81	—198,646.55

Nov. 1.	—Amount of Warrants and Certificates outstanding,		$66,562.33
	Am't Treasurer's Certificates outstanding,	$54,005.95
	Am't Comptroller's Warrants outstanding,	12,556.38	—$66,562.33
	The Bonded Debt of the State Nov. 1, 1868, is as follows, viz:
	In Bonds of 1856,		220,000.00
	In Bonds to the School Fund,		190,752.63
	In Bonds to the Seminary Fund,		71,292.45
	In Bonds to Internal Improvement Fund,		45,000.00
	In a Bond issued to E. N. Dickerson, Dec. 3, 1866 for money forrowed under Act of January 10, 1866,		21,000.00
	To which may be added Bonds issued under an Ordi-nance of the late Convention of the State to pay the expenses of said Convention; for the redemption of which Bonds a special tax has been levied,		30,000.00
	Amount of Bonded Debt,		$578,045.08
	Amount of Warrants and Ceritficates outstanding,		66,562.33
	Total,		$644,607.41

School Fund—Capital.

1868.
Nov. 1.	—Balance in Treasury as per last report,	4,321.47
	Receipts in fiscal year ending October 31, 1868,	1,718.19
		6,039.66
1868.
Nov. 1.	—Amouut of Warrants issued from Nov. 1, 1867, to date,	712.50
		P $5,327.16

School Fund—Interest

1868.
Nov. 1.	—Balance in Treasury as per last report,
	Amount interest due to July 1, 1868,	14,332.63
		14,332.63
1868.
Nov. 1.	—Amount of Warrants issued from Nov. 1, 1867, to date,	187.50
		$14,145.13

Seminary Fund—Capital.

1868.
Nov. 1.	—Balance in Treasury as per last report,	573.82
	Receipts during the fiscal year ending Oct. 31, 1868,	947.83
		$1,521.65
1868.
Nov. 1.	—Amount of Warrants issued from Nov. 1, 1867 to date,	643.00
		R $878.65

Seminary Fund—Interest.

1868.
Nov. 1.	—Balance Interest due Nov 1, 1867,		14,936.07
	Of the above sum there was due to East Florida Seminary,	11,021.04
	To West Florida Seminary, Nov. 1, 1867,	3,915.07	—$14,936.07
1868.
Nov. 1.	—Amount Warrants issued to East Florida Seminary,	2,900.00
	Amount Warrants issued to West Florida Seminary,	4,428.67	—7,328.67
	Balance due Seminary Fund, Interest,		$7,607.40

P—This amount consists chiefly of Treasury Warrants and Certificates received for land which are to be funded in a bond of the State and when so funded will diminish the amount of outstanding Warrants and Certificates herein reported and to the same extent will augment the Bonded Debt.

R—This amount is to be funded, and it will then diminish the floating debt the sum of $878.65; and to the same extent the bonded debt will be increased.

	According to the report made by the Comptroller, Nov. 1, 1864, the amount then due by Revenue officers for a series of years was,	$92,963.93
Nov. 1, 1867.	—Amount then due for the year 1866,	28,477.60
		121,441.53
	Amount Collected and settled since Nov. 1, 1864,	42,714.72
		78,762.81
Nov. 1, 1878.	—Amount due for the year 1867.	55,209.14
	Total,	$133,935.95

Page 9

The amount due the State by defaulters shows that there must be some defect in the revenue laws which requires amending. The taking of an official bond seems to be too often considered a matter of mere form, requiring the signa-ture of a few persons, one as principal and the others as sureties; and thus bonds are approved without a due regard to the ability of the parties signing to indemnify the State for negligence or fraud on the part of the obligors. In this way no adequate security is taken. The person or persons who are charged with the important duty of taking and approving official bonds should be satisfied that the parties signing are responsible; and, with this view, they should examine their tax returns, and should also be authorized to require each bondsman to state upon oath what he is worth free of incumbrance; which oath should be written on the bond, signed by the parties, and witnessed by the proper officer or officers.

As additional security to the State it might be advisable for the Legislature to pass a law making it an indictable offence on the part of any revenue officer to neglect a settle-ment of his accounts within a specified time after the day on which he is required by law to settle at the Treasury; the indictment in such case being based on a presumption of fraud.

Next to fidelity in collecting and settling the revenue is economy in its expenditure.

While it is good policy to allow public officers such com-pensation as will secure the services of persons well qualifed, every care should be taken to prevent unnecessary and im-proper charges against the State. With this view the Legislature enacted a law in 1866 forbidding the Comptroller to issue any warrant for costs in criminal prosecutions before any Justice of the Peace, unless the bills of costs were approved by the Grand Juries, evidenced by the certificate of the foreman that there was probable cause for the pro-ings. The costs of criminal prosecutions, already large, are annually increasing. It is believed that both the State and County Treasuries would be much relieved by requiring the counties respectively to pay all the costs that arise in con-sequence of offences committed within their boundaries, and giving them the benefit of all fines and forfeitures imposed therein. This would cause the people of each county to use greater efforts to punish offenders, and more scrutiny into greater effots to punish offenders, and more scrutiny into their financial affairs. Of course the counties would be

exempt from all costs and charges arising in cases of offend-ers sent to the penitentiary, as the common State prison must be supported by the State at large.

I would call your attention to the great expense incurred by the State for printing.

Since I came into this office the charges of this descrip-tion amount to $16,790.05. This includes, among various items, several for publishing proclamations and notices of elections in four several papers, which, for the same amount of printing, charge four different rates, viz:

One press charges for 8 insertions, . . . . . .	$56 00
A second press charges for 6 insertions, . . . . .	60 00
A third press charges for 8 insertions, . . . . .	81 00
A fourth press charges for 9 insertions, . . . . .	144 00

This is an evil that ought to be corrected by some legislative provision.

As yet only about one-fourth of the tax books for this year have been received at this office. Several of these show a great falling off in the valuation of lands compared with that of former years. This is undoubtedly to be at-tributed to the unfavorable seasons and to the want of confidence in the in the procurement of efficient labor. Hence the difficulty of equalizing the valuation of lands, which was always great, is much increased. I think the evil might be much mitigated by the establishment of a Board of Assessors for the whole State.

Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,

R.H. GAMBLE,
Comptroller.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT
COMPTROLLER'S OFFICE
Tallahassee, January 1, 1869.

His Excellency, HARRISON REED,
Governor of Florida:

Sir:—Formerly, when the Legislature met annually in November, the reports on the finances of the State were concluded on the first of that month. Now, as the Legisla-ture does not meet till after the end of the fiscal year, which is the 31st of December, it is considered expedient to add a

Page 10

supplement to the report that has been made and extend it to the end of the year 1868. This I have done in order that hereafter the necessity of a supplement, which is apt to cause confusion, may be avoided.

	Receipts at the Treasury from November 1, 1868, to December 31, 1868, amount to		$44,101.67
viz:	For Revenue 1867,	5,820.89
	For Revenue 1868,	7,590.53
	For Convention Tax,	834.80
	For Fines,	99.72
	For Licenses,	1,314.61
	For Auction Tax,	498.06
	For Tax on Commissions,	209.00
	For Seals for County Courts,	56.00
	For Bond Account,	27,678.06	—$44,101.67

	The warrants issued from the 1st day of November, 1868, to the 31st day of December, 1868, inclusive, amount to		$26,617.24
to-wit:	Criminal Prosecutions,	7,369.59
	Jurors and Witnesses,	1,711.60
	Contingent Expenses Circuit Court,	498.57
	Contingent Expenses Supreme Court,	269.32
	Contingent Expenses State,	5,494.92
	Contingent Fund for Governor,	2,640.53
	Repairs of Capitol,	70.50
	Salaries Judicial Department,	2,035.67
	Salaries Executive Department,	1,708.33
	Post Mortem Examinations,	269.75
	East Florida Seminary Fund Interest,	500.00
	Expenses Boards Registration and Judges of Election,	865.00
	Miscellaneous Printing, and Printing Laws,	2,661.46
	Interest State Debt,	192.00
	Maintenance of Lunatics,	30.00	—$26,617.24

1869.
Jan. 1.	—The amount of warrants issued from Nov. 1 to Dec. 31, 1868, amount to			$26, 617.24
	Amount of Treasurer's Certificates and warrants out-standing Nov. 1, 1868,			66,562.33
				93,179.57
	Amount of warrants redeemed by Treas.,		24,919.59
	Amount of Certificates issued by Treasurer,	18,642.62
	Amount Certificates redeemed by Treasurer,	11,056.57
		7,586.05	—7,586.05
			17,333.54	—17,333.54
1869.
Jan. 1.	—Amount of Warrants and Treasurer's Certificates outstanding,			$75,846.03

1869.
Jan. 1.	—Amount of Treasurer's Certificates out-standing,	$61,592.00
	Amount of Comptroller's Warrants out-standing,	14,254.03	—$75,846.03
	Amount of Bonded Debt as per report of November 1, 1868,		578,045.08
	Total,		$653,891.11

Seminary Fund--Interest.

1869.
Jan. 1.	—Balance due Nov. 1, 1868, as per report,	$7,607.40
	Am't Warrants issued from Nov. 1, to Dec. 31,1868,	500.00
		$7,107.40

Very Respectfullly,
Your obedient servant,

R. H. GAMBLE,
Comptroller.

REPORT OF STATE TREASURER.

TREASURY DEPARTMENT,
OFFICE OF TREASURER,
Tallahassee, Fla., Jan. 1, 1869.

His Excellency HARRISON REED,
Governor of Florida:

SIR:—In compliance with the law requiring reports from this Department, I have the honor to submit to your Excel-lency the Annual Report from this office from November 1st, 1867, to December 31st, 1868, inclusive.

Statement "A" exhibits the condition of the Treasury at the time I took possession, on the 1st of August, 1868. Statement "B" shows the transactions of the office from August 1st to December 31st, 1868, inclusive.

The books and accounts of the office were turned over to me by J. H. Bull, Treasurer ad interim, whose transactions I examined and found strictly correct. The report of the Comptroller will show the Bonded Debt of the State to be five hundred and seventy-eight thousand, forty-five dollars and eight cents, while the floating debt (in warrants and certificates) is less than seventy-six thousand dollars.

The estimated debt of the State, then, (exclusive of the

Page 11

three hundred thousand dollars authorized by the last Legisla-ture, for which a market has not yet been found,) is as follows:

Bonded Debt,	$578,045.08
Floating Debt,	75,846.03
Estimated interest due on Bonded Debt,	150,000.00
Estimated expenses Legislature 1869,	60,000.00
Total (estimated) State Debt,	$863,891.11

Seventy-five thousand, eight hundred and forty-six dollars and three cents, (floating) is in Comptroller's Warrants and Treasurer's Certificates. Add to this the estimated interest due on the Bonded Debt of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars and the estimated expenses of the Legislature of 1869, and the Floating Debt will be two hundred and eighty-five thousand, eight hundred and forty-six dollars and three cents.

This should be provided for by the issuing of an addition-al number of Bonds, (say to the amount of 300,000.00) having thirty years to run and bearing seven per cent. interest, payable in the city of New York.

The resources of the State from taxation are ample to meet the expenses of the Government, (if judiciously and economically administered) and to pay the interest on the debt when funded in Bonds, and also to leave as a sinking fund, a sufficient amount to redeem the Principal of the Bonds at maturity. The immigration coming to the State will develop its resources and greatly increase the Revene.

Very respectfully, &c.
S. B. CONOVER,
State Treasurer.

STATEMENT A.

TREASURER'S REPORT for the Fiscal Year ending October 31st, 1868, showing statement of C. H. AUSTIN, late Treasurer, to August 1st, 1868.

1867.	DR.
Nov. 1.	—To balance as appears from report of C. H. Austin, late Treasu-rer of the State of Florida, viz:
	Int. Im. Fund, . . .	$8,928	63
	School Fund, . . . .	1,724	13
	Seminary Fund, . . .	561	66
	Cash, . . . . .	68	41	—$11,282	83

1868.
Aug. 1.	—Am't rec'd from Revenue 1866, .	$14,911	67
	" " " " 1867, .	114,545	73
	" " " " 1868, .	1,832	38
	" " " Licenses, . .	7,363	76
	" " " Fines, . .	1,869	33
	" " " Auction Tax, .	1,087	80	—114,610	61
	" " " School Fund, .	1,718	19
	" " " Seminary Fund, .	947	83	—2,666	02
	" " " Bond Account, .			28,492	50
	" " Treasury Certificates issued from Nov. 1, 1867 to Aug. 1, 1868,			54,441	28
				$238,493	24

1868.
Aug. 1.	—To balance as appears from report of C. H. Austin,Treasurer, viz:
	In. Im. Fund, . . . .	$8,928	63
	School " . . . .	1,724	13
	Seminary Fund, . . .	561	66
	Cash, . . . . .	126	53	—$11,340	95

1868.	CR.
Aug. 1.	—By am't pd on acc't of Executive Dep't, . .	$10,050	00
	" " " Judicial " . .	25,802	86
	" " " Military " . .	500	00
	" " " 13th Gen'l Assembly, .	2,056	20
	" " " 14th Gen'l Assembly, .	17,987	00
	" " " Criminal Prosecutions, .	37,671	15
	" " " Jurors and Witnesses, .	29,242	12
	" " " Contingent Fund, . .	3,301	12
	" " " Supreme Court, (cont'gt,)	747	82
	" " " Circuit Court " .	2,020	49
	" " " Repairs of Capitol, .	480	54
	" " " West Fla. Seminary, .	2,355	50
	" " " East Fla. Seminary, .	2,950	00
	" " " School Fund, . . .	1 062	50
	" " " School Fund Interest, .	187	50
	" " " Seminary Fund Interest,	702	17
	" " " Interest State Debt, .	1 680	00
	" " " Schools for Freedmen, .	7,325	13
	" " " Printing and Publishing,	1,860	08
	" " " Lunatic Acc't, . .	1,095	70
	" " " Post Mortem Examinations,	761	70
	" " " Census, . . . .	5,996	82
	" " " Reimbursem'nts to U. S. officers,	593	18
	" " " Convention of 1865, .	390	05
	" " " Bond Acc't, . . .	418	00
	" " " Treasury Certificates redeem'd,	69,914	66
	By balance, . . . . . . .	11,340	95
		$238,493	24

Page 12

STATEMENT B.

STATEMENT OF S. B. CONOVER, Treasurer of the State of Flori-da, from the 1st of August, 1868, to the 1st of January, 1869.

1868.	DR.
Aug. 1.	—To balance cash rec'd from J. H. Bull, Treas. ad in.			$58	12
Dec. 31.	—To am't rec'd on acc't Revenue 1867,	$8,468	76
	" " " " 1868,	7,590	53
	" " " Licenses,	3,363	61
	" " " Fines,	181	72
	" " " Auction Tax,	498	06
	" " " Convention Tax,	834	80
	" " " Commissions,	1,993	00
	" " " Co. Court Seals,	56	00
	" " " Bond Acc't,	27,678	06
	" " " Treas. Certificates issued from 1st Aug., 1868, to 31st Dec., 1868, inclusive, . . . .	52,385	60	—103,050	14
				$103,108	26

1869.
Jan. 1.	—To balance cash, . . . . . . .	$37	60
1868.	CR.
Dec. 31.	—By am't on acc't Executive Department, . .	$5,972	80
	" " Judicial " . .	5,295	89
	" " Expenses 1st session Legislature,	51,385	51
	" " Treasury Certificates redeemed,	16,406	19
	" " Criminal Prosecutions, . .	7,543	86
	" " Jurors and Witnesses, . .	1,769	56
	" " Census of 1867, . . .	124	00
	" " Schools for Freedmen, . .	558	00
	" " Cont'gt expenses Circuit Court,	105	86
	" " " " Supreme Court,	344	20
	" " " " State,	3,611	24
	" " " fund for Governor,	2,940	53
	" " Post Mortem Examinations,	177	25
	" " Miscellaneous Printing and Pub-lishing Laws, . . .	2,144	17
	" " Expenses 13th Gen'l Assembly,	80	00
	" " " Registration, &c.,	60	00
	" " Repairs of Capitol, . .	166	25
	" " Interest State Debt, . .	192	00
	" " Convention of '67, (certificates,)	1,935	00
	" " School Fund Interest, . .	914	91
	" " Indian Hostilities for 1849, .	1,343	44
		$103,070	66
	By balance, cash, . . . . . .	37	60
		$103,108	26

REPORT
OF THE
Board of Trustees Internal Improvement Fund.

TALLAHASSEE, Fla., Dec. 3, 1868.

To the Senate and Assembly of the State of Florida :

The Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund have the honor to submit their report of the transactions of the Board since November 6th, 1866, the date of the last report.

Nov. 7, 1866.—A resolution was adopted that the $97,800 in hand, arising from the sale of the Florida Railroad, be de-posited on call in the City Bank of New York, and thay Mr. Moses Taylor be appointed the Confidential Agent of this Board for the purpose of taking up the first mortgage bonds of the Florida Railroad Company, with instructions to purchase the same, including the past due coupons, at no more than twenty per cent, upon the principal of said bonds.

March 11, 1867.—Petitions were received from the Presi-dents of the Pensacola and Georgia, and Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad Companies requesting aid from the Fund to enable them to provide for the payment of interest upon bonds of said Companies guaranteed by the Board.

At the same meeting the following resolutions were adopted:

1st. That the Board will lend to the State of Florida the amount of $45 500, held by this Board in certificates of the Treasurer of said State, upon recieving for said loan the bonds of the State of Florida, issued according to law by the Gover-nor of said State under the provisions of an act of the General Assembly of this State, approved January 10, 1866, entitled "An Act to authorize the Governor to negotiate a loan for the State of Florida," and also "Resolutions authorizing the Governor to issue one or more bonds of the State of Florida at his discretion," approved January, 1866.

2d. That this Board will and do hereby appropriate to pay the interest guaranteed by the Board on the bonds of the Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad Company, the amount of twenty-five thousand dollars, and for the payment of the interest on like bonds of the Pensacola and Geor-

Page 13

gia Railroad Company, which interest is guaranteed by this Board, the amount of fifty thousand dollars is hereby appro-priated, to be disbursed by the Treasurer under the direc-tion of the Governor.

Provided, That the above appropriation of funds shall only be applied to paying the interest on bonds of the said Rail-road Companies which has accrued since September, 1866. And provided further, That said payment of interest shall only be made in case the interest due on said bonds previous to September, 1866, shall be paid by the Railroad Compa-nies in such manner as to relieve the Internal Improvement Fund from further responsibilty for the payment of the same, and that the parties holding said bonds shall receive the bonds of the State of Florida, held by this Board, or the proceeds thereof, in payment of the interest or coupons of said bonds.

April 17, 1867.—The price of lands belonging to the Inter-nal Improvement Fund was reduced (to date from the 1st of June following) as follows: Swamp and overflowed lands to fifty cents per acre, and Internal Improvement lands to their original appraisement.

May 18, 1867.—The following preamble and resolutions were adopted:

WHEREAS, The General Assembly of the State of Florida did, at its last session, incorporate the Florida Canal and Inland Transportation Company, for the purpose of digging a canal connecting Aucilla river with Jupiter Inlet; AND WHEREAS, Said canal, if completed, will accomplish one of the objects declared by the act of January 6th, 1855, to be "proper improvements to be aided from the Internal Improvement Fund," to wit: To connect the waters of St. John's river with the waters of Indian river; AND WHEREAS, It is believed that the digging of said canal will drain much land now unfit for cultivation by reason of overflow; AND WHEREAS, The completion of said work will give value to many of the lands belonging to the Internal Improvement Fund, which at this time are not salable by reason of inaccessibility to market; therefore be it

Resolved, That whenever the Florida Canal and Inland Transportation Company shall, within the time limited in their charter, construct said canal so that vessels drawing four feet water can feely pass from Fernandina to St. John's river at low water through the route designated in the act in-corportating said Company, and steamboats of one hundred

and fifty tons, United States register, drawing three feet wa-ter, can be freely navigated through said canal from Jupiter Inlet to St. John's river, then the Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund will sell to said Florida Canal and Inland Transportation Company two hundred and fifty thousand acres of the swamp and overflowed lands, to be selected by said Company, lying in the district of country now embracing the counties of St. John's, Orange, Volusia, and Brevard, at the rate of five cents per acre; and

Be it further resolved, That the salesman of this Board shall reserve from sale such lands lying within the counties aforesaid as may be designated by the said Company, until otherwise ordered by this Board.

June 1, 1867,—The following preamble and resolution
were adopted:

"WHEREAS, Edward N. Dickerson and his associates, did, in September, 1866, and before the sale of the Florida Rail-road, present to this Board for payment, all the coupons, amounting to $— (amount not stated), then past due upon the first mortgage bonds of the Florida Railroad Company, numbered as follows:" (numbers not given)

"now, therefore, be it

"Resolved by the Board of Trustees of the Interal Improvement Fund of Florida, That the salesman is hereby authorized to sell to said Edward N. Dickerson and his associates, all the lands belonging to the Inter-nal Improvement Fund, lying within six miles of said Florida Railroad, on either side, amounting to—acres (number of acres not stated), and receive in payment therefor all said past due coupons so presented as aforesaid."

At the same meeting it was resolved, that so much of the moneys placed in the hands of Mr. Moses Taylor, President of the City Bank of New York, for the purpose of purchasing the first mortgage bonds of the Florida Railroad Company, by resolution adopted by this Board on the 7th November last, as shall not be applied to the purchase of said bonds prior to the first day of August next, shall be invested as a sinking fund, to provide for the ultimate payment of the outstanding bonds of said Company, in the class of securities mentioned in "An Act to provide for and encourage a lib-eral system of Internal Improvements of this State, approved Jan, 6, 1855."

June 8th, 1867.—A resolution was adopted appropriating

Page 14

bonds of the Pensacola and Georgia Railroad Company, amounting to $39,000, and bonds of the Tallahassee Rail-road, amounting to $5,700 (assets of the Internal Improve-ment Fund), to payment of coupons (falling due the 1st of July following), of bonds of the Pensacola and Georgia Rail-road, interest on which had been guaranteed by said Board.

June 18th, 1868.—The resolutions adopted May 18th, 1867, in reference to the Florida Canal and Inland Trans-portation Company, were modified so that upon the comple-tion of the canal from Fernandina to St. Augustine, in the manner specified in said resolutions, the said Company should be permitted to purchase of the Board, at five cents per acre, one hundred thousand acres of swamp and overflowed land, lying east of the St. John's river, and north of the line divi-ding townships seven and eight, south, and upon the comple-tion of said canal in the manner aforesaid, to Jupiter Inlet, the further quantity of one hundred and fifty thousand acres of swamp and overflowed lands, lying east of the St. John's river, or in the counties of Orange and Brevard.

July 30th, 1867.—It was resolved by the Board, that the Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad having failed to pay the sinking fund the one per cent. per annum on their bonded debt as required by law, the Board will take posses-sion of, advertise, and sell said Road. Sale to take place at Lake City, September 4th, 1868.

August 31st, 1867.—In response to a communication from Dr. A. B. Stonelake, it was resolved, "that the salesman be, and he is hereby, authorized to receive payment for lands in quantities of forty acres, and the multiple thereof, without specifying any particular tract or tracts, and to issue certifi-cates therefor, authorizing the purchaser, or his assignee, to locate in legal subdivisions the quantity of land paid for upon any of the lands granted to the State of Florida by the Act of Congress of September 28, 1850."

Upon petition of Wilk. Call, Esq., Attorney of the Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad Company, the sale of said Road was postponed until the 18th September.

Sept. 7th, 1867.—John B. Galbraith, Attorney—General, was constituted the Agent and Attorney of the Board, with authority to demand and receive all moneys, bonds, and funds, belonging to or under control of the Board, and in the hands of any person in the city of New York, and especially the funds in the possession of Mr. Moses Taylor. (See reso-lution of November 7, 1866.)

Oct. 26, 1867.—The following preamble and resolution were adopted:

WHEREAS, Hubbard L. Hart of Palatka, Florida, has ap-plied to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improve-ment Fund, to make to him donations of lands to enable him to remove the obstructions to the navigation of the Ocklawaha river, and to drain the swamp lands lying thereon; therefore,

Be it Resolved, That the Board of Trustees will grant to the said Hubbard L. Hart, the swamp and overflowed and Internal Improvement lands embraced in the odd-numbered sections lying within ten miles of the Ocklawaha river, and the lakes supplying said river, as follows, to wit: For every expenditure made by the said Hart in removing said obstruc-tions, the said Hart shall receive the amount thereof in lands at the present prices, provided that the said expenditures shall not exceed the sum of twenty thousand dollars.

The said Hart shall be, and he is hereby, authorized to select, in the odd—numbered sections within the limits afore-said, lands to the value of twenty thousand dollars, which lands shall be reserved from sale. Upon the expenditure by said Hart of four thousand dollars, the Trustees will convey to him lands of that value, and so with each four thousand dollars expended, until the work is completed, or the twenty thousand dollars exhausted. The work shall be done under the superintendence of said Hart, or some competent and trustworthy person, to be appointed by him, and reports shall be made once every three months, showing the nature, amount, and cost of work done, the number of hands em-ployed, &c., which report shall be verified by the affidavit of the said Hart, or the affidavit of the superintendent em-ployed by him, with the affidavit of the said Hart that the person so employed is worthy of credit, and that he believes, from his character and standing, that the statements sworn are true.

Dec. 3d, 1867.—The following resolution was adopted:

"That the President of the Board be, and he is hereby, authorized to invest, out of the Sinking Fund attached to the Florida Railroad Company, now in the hands of Moses Tay-lor, in New York, a sufficient amount to purchase a certain Bond of the State of Florida, issued Nov. 3d, 1866, payable to Edward N. Dickerson, and signed by the Governor, coun-tersigned by the Treasurer of this State, for the principal

Page 15

sum of twenty-one thousand dollars, and also to invest a suffi-cient amount to purchase or pay for the interest on the same."

Dec. 17, 1867.—Upon the petition of Dr. A. B. Stonelake, the salesman of the Board was authorized to issue certificates or floats to the said Stonelake for 20,000 acres of land, and forward them to some reliable person in New York, to be delivered to Dr. Stonelake upon his paying the price thereof.

Jan. 4, 1868.—A letter was received from the President of the Pensacola and Georgia and Tallahassee Railroads, ask-ing an appropriation to pay interest upon guaranteed bonds of said Companies, which fell due January 1st; upon which it was resolved that the Board would pay, in State bonds and scrip, the said interest, to the amount of $30,000, provided
said Companies would pay and cancel all the other coupons that fell due on that date.

Jan. 14, 1868.—Hubbard L. Hart presented a statement of expenditures to the amount of $5,495.13, in removing ob-structions from the Ocklawaha river, whereupon the Board resolved to convey to the said Hart lands belonging to the Internal Improvement Fund to the amount of $4,000, in ac-cordance with the resolutions adopted Oct. 26, 1867.

Jan. 20, 1868.—Information having been received that the injunction against the sale of the Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad had been removed, it was resolved that in default of payment by said Company of one per cent. per an-num to the Sinking Fund, and interest upon its bonds, as required by law, the Board would take possession of said road and all its property, and sell the same at public outcry, and that said sale be duly advertised.

March 13, 1868.—Hubbard L. Hart made statement of a further expenditure of $3,638.63 in removing obstructions from the Ocklawaha river, making a total expended of $8,133.76—whereupon the Board resolved to convey to said Hart lands to the value of $4,000 in addition to $4,000 worth previously conveyed.

At the same meeting the resolutions of April 6, 1866, au-thorizing Wm. H. Gleason to ditch and drain certain swamp and overflowed lands (see last report), were modified so as to require certified statements of work accomplished, and such other evidence as the Board might require, and so as to limit the time within which said draining should be done to ten

years from the survey and confirmation to the State of the lands to be drained.

March 6, 1868.—The salesman of the Board reported his fulfilment of the orders of the Board, with reference to sale of the Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad, which sale was made March 4, 1868, to Wm. E. Jackson and his associates, for $111,000, upon the following conditions: "The purchaser or purchasers shall be bound to continue the pay-ment of one half of one per cent. semi-annually, to the Sink-ing Fund, until all the outstanding bonds are discharged, un-der the penalty of an annulment of the contract of purchase, and the forfeiture of the purchase money paid in; and the sale is also subject to all the conditions of the act of Jan. 6th, 1855."

April 28, 1868.—Cancelled bonds and coupons of the Florida Railroad Company, (enumerated in the records of the Board,) were destroyed in presence of the Board, viz.: 1,118 bonds of $1,000 each, and 10,898 coupons of $35 each.

June 24, 1868.—Past due coupons upon bonds of the Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad Company hav-ing been surrendered to the Board to the amount of (amount not stated), it was resolved "that the Trustees will convey to Wm. E. Jackson (from whom said coupons were received) all the lands lying within six miles of the Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad."

It was further ordered that funds in hand realized from the sale of the Florida, Atlantic, and Gulf Central Railroad, be placed in the hands of Col. Edward Houstoun, to pur-chase the outstanding bonds of said Company.

July 1st.—The President of the Board reported the num-ber of outstanding bonds of the Florida Railroad, and the amount of sinking fund accrued (for purchase of said bonds), viz.: $4,230, which was ordered to be placed in the hands of the Agent of the Trustees in New York.

August 31st, 1868.—The Board was organized by the choice of Harrison Reed, Governor, as President, S. B. Con-over, State Treasurer, as Treasurer, and Frank W. Webster, Surveyor-General, as Secretary and Salesman.

Lands belonging to the Fund to the value of $8,000 were ordered to be conveyed to Hubbard L. Hart, in accordance with resolutions adopted October 26, 1867, he having com-plied with the required conditions.

Nov. 17, 1868.—Lands to the value of $4,000 were ordered

Page 16

to be conveyed to H. L. Hart, in completion of his contract with the Board.

The following resolution was adopted : "That until further action of the Board the minimum price of lands in charge of this Board shall be $1.25." But this resolution shall not ap-ply to entries for which applications have already been made but not perfected.

Nov. 25, 1868.—S. B. Conover, Treasurer of the Board, was directed to proceed to New York and make demand for funds belonging to the Board, or in its control, and deposited with any person in New York, and especially funds in the hands of Moses Taylor, Agent of the Board.

Dec. 28, 1868.—S. B. Conover, Treasurer, reported that he had performed the duty required of him, and that Moses Tay-lor declined to deliver to him the funds of the Board, or to give any account of his agency, basing his refusal upon the present confused condition of the political affairs of the State.

A portion of the "Floats" authorized by resolution of De-cember 17, 1867, are in possession of the Board. A portion appear to have been paid for and delivered, but the records do not show what number or amount.

By order of the Board of Trustees.

FRANK W. WEBSTER, Secretary.

REPORT OF THE SURVEYOR GENERAL.

SURVEYOR GENERAL'S OFFICE,
STATE OF FLORIDA,
Tallahassee, Fla., Dec. 31, 1868.

To His Excellency, HARRISON REED,
Governor of Florida :

SIR :—I have the honor to submit herewith my report of the business of the State Land Office since November 1st, 1866, the date of the last Report.

In consequence of the confused condition of the records of this office, I have been unable at this time to prepare a re-port which can be relied upon for entire accuracy of detail.

The sales of land during the period covered by this Re-port have been as follows:

Of Swamp Lands,	60,430.14 acres for	$34,302.29
Of Internal Improvement Lands,	7,219.02 acres for	$11,086.56
Of School Lands,	2,676.30 acres for	$3,533.49
Of Seminary Lands,	352.22 acres for	923.71

Conveyed to H. L. Hart, in consideration of expenditures in removing obstructions from the Ocklawaha river—

Of Swamp Lands,	29,846.23 acres of the value of	$14,923.12
Of Int. Imp. Lands,	3,159.80 " " " " "	$5,061.21

Conveyed to Edward N. Dickerson, June 1st, 1867, in consideration of the delivery, to the Board of Trustees of the Internal Improvement Fund, of coupons of Bonds of the Florida Railroad, (guaranteed by said Board,) amount not stated—

Of Swamp Lands, . . . . . . .	236,606.02 acres.
Of Internal Improvement Lands, . . . .	9,901.42 "

Conveyed to Wm. E. Jackson, of Swamp Lands, 113,064.-80 acres, in consideration of the delivery to the Board of Trustees Int. Imp. Fund, of coupons of Bonds of the Flor-ida Atlantic and Gulf Central Railroad, (guaranteed to said Board,) to amount of $126,320.

Remaining unsold December 31, 1868, (estimated,)
Of Swamp Lands, . . . . . . .	9,855,720.55 acres.
Of Internal Improvement Lands, . . . .	230,487.37 acres.
Of School Lands, . . . . . . .	590,030.47 acres.
Of Seminary Lands, . . . . . . .	42,199.00 acres.
There is due upon notes—
For Internal Improvement Lands, . . . . . .		$1,662.24
For School Lands, . . . . . . . . .		7,996.82
For Seminary Lands, . . . . . . . .		9,370.97

The entries covered by these notes are now forfeit, the conditions of purchase not having been complied with.

The maps required by Act of the Legislature, approved August 6th, 1868, for use in the various counties, are in course of preparation. The funds appropriated by that Act are, however, not available, viz: "Moneys in the hands of the Surveyor General, resulting from the sale of lands." The work thus far has, therefore, been performed at a dis-advantage, and I would recommend an appropriation for expenses already incurred, and for the completion of the work.

In the preparation of these maps my attention has been drawn to irregularities and uncertainties in the definition of

Page 17

the boundaries of counties, in consequence of which it is often impossible to tell to what county certain townships belong. I would, therefore, recommend that the boundaries of counties be more accurately defined, and, as far as prac-ticable, by water—courses and townships and range lines.

The laws in reference to trespass upon the public lands of the State appear to be defective in that they provide only for seizure of timber found cut upon the public lands, leaving the officers of the law no power in reference to timber known to have been cut upon the public lands, but which has been hauled off.

I would suggest the correction of this omission; also that trespass upon the lands of the State be made punishable by imprisonment. And further, that agents appointed by the Governor, or by the Board of Trustees of the Internal Im-provement Fund, specially for the protection of the public lands, be clothed with the same powers as are Sheriffs in the performance of that duty.

I would recommend that the records of the Surveyor Gen-eral's office, or duly certified extracts therefrom be, by law, made evidence in the courts of the State.

Very respectfully,

FRANK W. WEBSTER,
Surveyor General.