Richmond Enquirer

LEGISLATURE OF NORTH CAROLINA.

It convened in the Government House at Raleigh on Monday, the 19th inst. The two Houses proceeded to organize themselves, by the appointment of their officers. In the Senate, Wm. D. Mosely, Esq. of Lenoir, was elected Speaker; (on the 2d ballot, by a vote of 41 out of 58 members;) Samuel F. Patterson, Clerk, and Wm. J. Cowan, Clerk Assistant.

In the House of Commons, Louis D. Henry, Esq of Fayetteville, was elected Speaker; (on the 1st ballot, by a vote of 69 against 52 for Samuel T. Sawyer;) Charles Manly, Clerk, and E. B. Freeman, Clerk Assistant.

The Governor's Message and Treasurer's Report were communicated to the Legislature on Wednesday.

The following are extracts from Governor Stokes's Message:

"On the present occasion, suffer me to congratulate you upon the appearance of general prosperity in the State, and for the enjoyment of a common share of health by its citizens, at a time when other portions of the world have been visited by a most afflicting malady. For these blessings of health and prosperity, we have reason to be thankful to Almighty God: And it gives us just cause to rely with confidence upon His continued mercy in averting the calamities which threaten the peace and harmony of our beloved country. For, it is not to be denied nor disguised from ourselves, that the measures recommended by an excited portion of the Southern people, if persisted in, must have a tendency to weaken the ties which have heretofore so happily united us together as a nation. Whatever may be the issue of this struggle, I rejoice that the people of North Carolina have wisely avoided any interference calculated to disturb the public tranquillity. It is in vain that we look for perfection in any human institutions. An overruling Providence has ordained it to be otherwise. But so far as we have been taught, by the experience of nearly fifty years, under our present form of government, we have had reason to be satisfied with it; and it is hoped that we shall cling to the Union of the States as now connected, without adventuring upon hazardous experiments to change the terms of that connexion.

"Having been appointed by the President of the United States a Commissioner to treat with the Indians and for other purposes, I have thought it my duty to accept the appointment, inasmuch as the peaceable settlement and location of the Indians removing beyond the Mississippi is a matter of great importance to the United States, and not less so to North Carolina, especially as regards the removal of that portion of the Cherokee Nation, now residing within the limits of this State. It is known to many of you, that these Indians have for a long time been orderly and peaceable, and their conduct has not made it necessary for the Legislature of North Carolina to extend the laws of the State over the territory they occupy, or in any manner to interfere with their concerns, except for the purposes of protection. They deserve the fostering care of the General Government, and I have no doubt will receive it."