even presumptive notice. It would be at war with all notions of right to take from a man his property without notice, and the comparison between a resident tax-payer, whose chattels are likely to be sold at auction for the amount of his tax, and the absent land holder does not hold good; even in the enforcing the collection of a just demand, against an absentee by attachment, the law is slow to issue its execution, and it is never done except upon a long delay, and proof of publication of a notice prescribed by law. It would ill become the dig. nity of a sovereign state, to enforce the collection of its revenue against a non-resident, with undue precipitation, and without that regard to his rights, which it enforces, upon those who seek the redress of private grievances.

Besides, your committee are not prepared to believe that everything proposed by way of change, is therefore an improvement. Experiments, as such, are dangerous, and although they believe, that the slight alterations of the chapter of the proposed revision necessary, to leave the county treasurers the several duties relative to redemption and sales of lands for taxes, may be made, without laying out any new duties to be performed by any officer, which cannot be easily understood; yet, they at the same time believe, that to sell the lands for taxes in the townships in the first instance, would tend to unsettle the foundation of our tax laws.

And in conclusion, your committee would respectfully recommend the adoption of the accompanying amendments to chapter 20, title 5, of the proposed revision, and ask to be discharged from the further consideration of the subject.

February 16, 1846.

WM, M. FENTON, Ch'n.

Report of the Judiciary Committee on the Amendment of the Constitution, so as to extend Elective Franchise.

Mr. HOWELL, Chairman of the judiciary committee, to whom was referred several petitions asking such legislative action for "an amend"ment of the first section of the second article of the constitu"tion of this state, as shall abolish the legal distinction now exis66 ting between WHITE and colored citizens, and extend to all the "elective franchise irrespective of color or descent," submitted the following report:

The committee are unanimously of the opinion that it is inexpedient and impolitic to grant the prayer of the petitioners.

At the same time, that your committee feel constrained from a sense of duty, to report adverse to the prayer of the petitioners, they are frank, to say that they recognise among them many of the most worthy and respectable citizens of this state-characterized by sterling integrity and moral worth; and feeling as the petitioners seem, that it is strictly a moral question involving the great principles of humanity and philanthropy, the committee are not disposed to question either their sincerity or their motives.

Did the petitioners ask to be themselves relieved from the operation of unjust or unequal existing laws, or for the passage of such laws as would secure to themselves as citizens of the state, equal rights and privileges with others; it would be the duty of the legislature, if the evils complained of existed, to adopt such measures as would secure equality of rights without regard to the number complaining; but if, as in the present case, they ask to change a settled and salutary feature in our government, so as to give a separate and distinct race of people the full benefits of citizenship on an equality with themselves, a question for grave consideration is presented.

Our Government is formed by, for the benefit of, and to be controlled by the descendants of European nations, as contradistinguish

ed from all other persons. vernment at the same time, extends its protection to the person and property of every human being within its limits, irrespective of color, descent, or national character.

The humane and liberal policy of our go

When, by the act of a distinct race of people, entertaining mutual views and feelings, they shall ordain and establish a government for their own protection and benefit, neither the dictates of humanity or philanthropy requires them to admit as citizens on an equality with. themselves, any other distinct and separate race without the unanimous consent of all interested; especially a race physically and mentally different, and one who, by universal consent, could never be admitted to fellowship in social intercourse or domestic relations.

"Self preservation is the first law of nature," and is as applicable to governments as individuals. If, therefore, Michigan should admit all male persons to enjoy the elective franchise, irrespective of color or nationality of character, it would require no great stretch of the imagination to perceive a period, when, by the colonization of the African race, the control of government, by the operation of the ballot box, could be taken from those who first ordained and established it.

The African population of the United States being large, and no other state in the Union holding out equal inducements, their settlement in this state, would follow as a natural result from the adoption of such a policy.

A project has been on foot within the last year, and contributions solicited, to purchase a tract of land in this state equal to one entire county with a view to its colonization by Africans. Should this project be carried into effect they would undoubtedly be entitled to, and receive the protection of our laws, both as regards their persons and their property, but to admit them to all the privileges of electors, would be an experiment, leading as the committee believe, to an innovation unsafe to the harmony of the government.

No distinct and separate race of people have a greater right to be admitted to all the political privileges of our own citizens, than one individual has to demand the enjoyment of the individual rights and property of another without his consent.

If it be a question of morality and of conscience, as has been con