No. 16.

To the Senate:

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,
Detroit, February 27, 1846.

In compliance with a resolution of the Senate, requesting information as to what action, if any, has been had under the joint resolution authorizing the employment of an emigration agent in New York, approved March 24th, 1845, I have caused an examination to be made for the purpose of procuring the desired information.

Under the authority of the resolution last mentioned, John Almy, Esq., was appointed by my predecessor, to the agency on the 19th of April, 1845. His employment in that capacity was restricted to two months, and his compensation to sixty dollars a month. He was also authorized to expend a sum not exceeding thirty dollars; in procuring certain printing to be done, with a view to extending information in connection with a pamphlet already prepared by Mr. Almy, relative to the lands and public works of this state, and the inducements presented to emigrants to select Michigan for their residence. He was also authorized to expend a small sum, if he found it necessary, for the employment of interpreters for the purpose of disseminating like information among immigrating foreigners who were not acquainted with the English language. Mr. Almy was directed to forward to the Executive office weekly statements of his proceedings in the agency.

I find in the office only one communication from Mr. Almy on the subject; and 1 herewith transmit a copy of such portion of the letter as relates to his action as such agent.

No other information on the subject is found in this office.

By reference to the books and files in the offices of the Auditor General and the State Treasurer, it appears that Mr. Almy received two hundred dollars in part payment for his services as such agent on the 14th of June last. This amount was drawn from the contingent fund agreeably to the provisions of the joint resolution and by direction of the Governor.

Nothing more appears to have been expended under the joint reso lution. ALPHEUS FELCH,

Extract from a letter from John Almy to Governor Barry.
NEW YORK, April 29, 1845.

John S. Barry, Gov. of the State of Michigan:

SIR-Yours of the 19th, conferring upon me the appointment of State Agent, to reside at this place for the purpose of encouraging immigration to the State of Michigan, came to hand a few days since. The report, however, of the commissioner of the land office, did not arrive at the same time. After its reception, I proceeded immediately to make extracts from such portions of it, embracing the schedule of state lands and the quantity now in market, as in my judgment would form a suitable addition to the pamphlet already published, and which at a moderate expense, will be printed, and attached to a large edition, now on hand and ready for circulation.

I am informed that the number of persons intending coming over from Europe the present season, for the purpose of settling in the United States, so far as advices have been received from foreign agencies, amounts to, or in the neighborhood of 140,000. Between 600 and 700 have arrived at this port within a few days past.

The emigrants from Germany, Sweden and Denmark, are entirely under the control and direction of an organization now existing both here and abroad. This association have made such arrangements as enables them to afford to the persons emigrating, every facility for a cheap transit from certain ports in Europe to New York, and after their arrival, they are forwarded to their several points of destination by contract with some transporting company, and in most instances, an agent is sent along for the purpose of preventing any impositions being practiced upon them by steamboat runners and transporting agents at the different points of transhipment as heretofore.

Hence it must appear evident that in order to make any diversion in favor of our state, it becomes absolutely necessary to secure the influence of the associations here, whose opinions and prejudices, for or against any state or territory, become the text and comment of those committed to their care and supervision; and to do this, such informa tion should be placed in their hands, (authentic in its character) in regard to our state, its inducements to the settlers on the score of soil, climate, health and other advantages.