boat combinations, which have heretofore so much prejudiced the road and injured the state, the company is allowed to have eight vessels, which are intended for the navigatton of Lakes Erie and Michigan, and to provide propellers, if deemed expedient, for Lake Ontario, through which many emigrants now find their way westward. The purchasers are required to pay a state tax in lieu of all other taxes, of one half of one per cent. on the capital stock paid in (including the $2,000,000 paid to the state) for the first five years, and one per cent. after the first five years. This will secure to the state no inconsiderable revenue from the road; and as the expenditure on the road has been from the state treasury, it was deemed but just that the proceeds of the tax should accrue exclusively to the state. The committee having duly weighed the matter, have instructed me to report herewith the accompanying bill to authorize the sale of the Central Railroad, and to incorporate the Michigan Central Railroad Company. Much deliberation has been bestowed upon its provisions, and it is thought to be carefully drawn and prudently guarded. The committee expect shortly to carry out the views herein expressed by reporting bills for the sale of the Southern Railroad, and the Clinton and Kalamazoo Canal, and to apply the proceeds towards the payment of the public debt. GEO. E. HAND, Chairman. The select committee consists of Messrs. Hand, Walker, Moran, Cole, Scott, Ransom and Rice, 1846. No. 3. Communication from the Acting Commissioner of Internal Improvement. To the Speaker of the House of Representatives: SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of the following preamble and resolution: "Whereas, It appears from the report of the Commissioners of Internal Improvement, that there was expended during the year 1844 for the construction of new cars, the sum of $19,976 46; and for the same purpose during the year 1845, the sum of $26,217 87 ; which sums combined, fall only short $680 67 of the whole amount of cars now on hand, as per inventory in said report; therefore "Resolved, That the Commissioner of Internal Improvement be, and he is hereby directed to report to this House, the number and value of cars on hand at the commencement of the year 1844; the amount expended for repairing the cars since that time; and if the value of said cars at the commencement of 1844 shall be found to exceed the said sum of $680 67, he is further required to report what disposition' has been made of such excess." "" The repairs of cars, racks, engine and tender frames, have all' been charged into one general account, called " repairs of machinery and cars," until the commencement of the present fiscal year; consequently I am unable to say what has been the expense of repairs of cars only, for the period named in the resolution of the House. It may not be irrelevant to remark, that accounts are now opened' with each of the articles above named; and that at the close of the present fiscal year, the definite sums expended upon either and all of them can be accurately stated. Having no shelter for our cars, they are necessarily exposed to the storms of winter, and the scarcely less injurious operation of the heat of summer, in addition to the wear and tear of constant use upon a rough road. All of which sufficiently accounts, I apprehend, for the present cars being worth less than their original cost. The amount charged each year for building new cars, is, of course, charged into the stock account of the Central Rail Road. The House are respectfully referred to the following memoranda from the report of the board of Internal Improvement, for the year 1843: Building new cars, Repairs, machinery and cars during that year, Number of 8 wheel passenger cars, $11,498 53 18,477.26 Amount of expense in building new cars in 1844, as per report of commissioners, 19,976 46 Repairs of machinery and cars, 17,726 46 Valuation of cars and racks, including rack covers and 3 racks, 66 4 89 15 Amount expended in building new cars in 1845, as per re port of commissioners, 26,217 87 Repairs of machinery and cars, 23,611 84 Valuation of Cars and racks, including rack covers and |