Winchester gazette. [volume] (Winchester, Va.) 18??-1826, 1813-06-26
Legislature.
AN,STpER
GOVERNORS SPEECH.
Of the Hoase Of Representatives.
TO THE


-hay 1t please your Ea cetlcncy.
The House of Representatives, re-
ceive with peculiar satisfaction YOU,
Excellency's communication to boil.
Houses, and sincerely rejoice in the
unequivocal testimony of the increased
confidence and appreciation of your fel
low citizens manifested in your recenr
election.
When your exeeilency in compliance
with the anxious wishes of the people,
consented the last year to leave the
pleasures and tranquility of your fivo
rite residence, and resume your high of,
flee you rendered to your country a SER
Whenever to be forgotten. Anew order Of
things has arisenin this commonwealth
inansPicious TO personal seeurityan and
eire PaS..c Pes.ce. i,.t .sost alarming
innovations upon our abcient laws and
usages were introduced under the sane
ton of the highest authorities. Free
dom of speech and the right of the peo-
pie TO discuss III their assemblies the
measures OF government, were denounc-
ed.-The Law Officers Of the Common
wealth were instructed to ransack files
Ofnewspapers i'll search of libels. tn
perpetuate the nsurpation Of power. and
eiiectualiy TO prevent the reaction of
public sentiment under any change of
times or OF affairs. the valuation which
constitutes the basis of taxation. and of
representation in one branch of the he
SIslature, was framed on principles
grossly erroneous ;and the state was
divided, without regard 10 the provi
sioas Of the constitution, The dictates OF
justice or Inc principles of equality, in
to districts Of the most preposterous and
inconveiIient forms for the purpose of
securing po!itiea majorites. x mo-
MED institution was created founded Oh
the determination to abolish those al
ready existing, and its capital was APP
pOrtiOHeG To countries aud towns, upon
disested scheme Of premiums for poll
teal corrup,ion. The courts Of Justice
were new modelled, and IL general re-
m9yal from office Of those who were
suspected OF deviation from the creed of
the ruling party was commenced and
defended as measure of political JUS
tice.
At this alarming juncture, the eyes
Of the people were turned towards your
exeelleucy as so tried and faithful
friend, whose moderation and frmness
were calculated 10 check the progress of
these abuses and contribute TO their re-
formation. These expectations have
been fulfilled, and the good sense of the
people with the benefit Of your influence
and example has rescued the state from
oppression, and probably saved it from
the horrCFs OF evil commotou.
We advert with great interest TO your
excelleDcy's observations upon the cx-
posure Of ON sea coast TO danger. and
are deeply affected By information OF
the priyalions aud suilerings TO which
the inhabitants are doomed in many
places, by the wanloD and cruel war In
which we are engaged. AS the general
government has wholly abandoned this
important and extensive coast, and tIieI
trade so essential to their interest, as
40 portion OF the immense reveuueI
drawn from this state is applied to eff
fective defence, aad as we learn from
the war department, that even the
arms 10 which we are entitled by law
have been sent TO prosecute war Of TO-,
reign conquest against our unofcndins
neigbbo S; the dictates Of self preserva-
ton demand that we should adopt mea.
sbres fer our own protection. And oltho, >