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intend the expenditure of the public money will do it with the same care as they would their own. It is the duty of the Legislature to investigate the manner in which this trust has been discharged. To aid in such investigation there will be laid before you a particular statement of all the money drawn from the Treasury the past year, specifying to whom paid and for what purposes; and the several officers of the Government, will be directed to furnish all the information in their possession, or that may be derived from documents remaining in their respective departments. The Legislature are already informed that, at the invitation of our National Government, this country is now visited by a distinguished Foreigner for whose patriotic and noble exertions in our Revolution we are under the greatest obligations. There is reason to hope that his tour will be extended to this State in the course of the ensuing summer, and that our Fellow-Citizens will then be favored with the opportunity of uniting in that general expression of gratitude which his pressence [presence] and the reccollection [recollection] of his services have evry [every] where excited among our countrymen. The Executive will most cordially unite in such measures, as shall be thought proper to be adopted, to testify to this illustrious Friend of our Country, the high estimation in which he is held by the people of this State. I may find it necessary to make some further communications by special message, but will avail myself of this occasion to express an anxious hope, that nothing may arise in the course of the session, which will in any manner interrupt the harmony of the Legislature, or impede the progress of the public business; and that our united efforts may be constantly directed to the advancement of the welfare of our constituents and the character and prosperity of the State.

Albion K. Parris.

Council Chamber, January 7th 1825.