The Massachusetts spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1821-1823, 1822-01-16
MESSAGE.

Gentlenaea Of The House Of Representatives.
Suchis, the present tranquil condition of the
United States, such the prevalence Of active
industry, and the general indications of pros
perity m tbs Commonwealth, that few SUBJ
jects offer themselves for consideration on the
present occasion but from a recollection of
the many blessings by which we are distin-
guished, we are melted gratefully to recognize
the agencyof a bene6cent Providence IT,
In reviewing the condition and general as
pect Of the Commonwealth, you will, | am
sure, observe with complacency the attention
bestowed on agriculture. The Improvements
manifested in the culture of the soil, and in
the quality OF oS various kinds of stock,
have increased theemount of annual produc-
ton +; which, after yielding an ample supply
for our own consumption, has furnished re-
spectacle surplus for the purposes of COM
merce.. To, the ordinary motives to agricul-
tural erlerPrize, arising from personal and do
mestick wants, and from the certainty of
finding a ready market for surplus produce,
there have been supetadded, in the course of
The last few years, muni6cent- grants of the
Legislature TO the respective Agricultural So
Cieties in the State, and the no less liberal
contributions of Individual citizens for the
same object. And an impulse has been thus
given to rural economy that promises to be
lasting and progressive.
|, BY the last census we are Informed that the
population of this State amounts to 523,287
persons; and it may be presumed that more
than 1900 OF that number are exclusively
|, engaged IN agriculture, besides which it is
well known, that many persons who are en-
I gagged in commerce and manufactures are a.
mong the most useful and distinguished agri
culturalists. Massachusetts,, therefore, is es-
sentially an agricultural community.
Since the adoption of the Constitution Of
the United States, the interests of commerce
have been confded exclusively to the general
government, and the national prosperity is
satisfactory evidence that the trust has been
understood and duly administered.
But the interests of agriculture and manu-
features may be considered as inyolved in the
exercise of the power to regulate commerce !;
and the great mass of the people who are de-
I voted to these pursuits, as well as those who
are engaged in commerce, must look to the
same government for Just share Of TN COM
sideraG,on anu Iesasss.@ Exclusive favours to
either should neither be granted nor sought.
By the same census, it is very satisfactory
to find, that, Notwithstanding the separation of
the State of Maine, and the emigratons which
have gone TO people the western States,
Massachusetts,, has experienced an aug
mentation of one hundred and forty-four
thousand fve-hundred souls, since the first
census was taken in the year 1890. From
the same source, we learn that thirty-three
thousand three hundred and sixty-one per-
sans are engaged in manufa lures: But no
discrimination is made of the number employ
I'd in the several branches of the general class.
But it is within our own knowledge, that many
of the most important manufactures are adj
vantageously increasing. And we may OBJ
serve with particular satisfaction the growing
yalue OF the manufactures of cotton. and Of
wollens, of salt, glass, and some other arti-
Giles (; which must be the more gratifying to
every friend of his country, inasmuch as the
impulse given to manufacturing industry has
sprung not from artificial and fugitive causes,
but from the permanent wants and circum-
stances of the nation, which maseensure their
future success and. stability. The Hourishng
condition OF the cotton manufactures must
be contemplated with increased pleasure,
from the consideration that the raw material
is the growth of several of the southern
States, and that while an increasedintercourse
between thu two extremities of the Union
must promote the interests Of both, the union
of all the States, under the influence of an
equable and wise course Of policy, will become
more strongly cemented.--And thus the Unit
ed States, gradually developing their rcspec-
tive resources, and bound together by the
strong ties Of interest, will continue to increase
in wealth, in aistin ton and happiness.
| shall DULY add here one remark, on SUBJ
ject equally connected with agriculture and
manufacturers refer TO the raising of sheep.
The high price ofwool, | am sensible, has ten
dency to call the attention of the farmer to the
rearingrof that useful animal, but it is appre-
hended that until plentiful supply of wool is
afforded to the manufacturers, that branch, of
industry must continue depressed. The sub
ject is recommended to your consideration.
In consequences of the decease of the Hon.
TIMOTHY BIGELow, a vacancy took place in
the Board of Commissioners appointed under
the authority of the act relating to the sep
aration Of Maine, which vacancy has been fill
ed by the appointment of the Hon. George
Bliss to the same Office. The joint Board
has been in session in the town of Boston
since the vacancy was filed, and were for
some time assiduously engaged in the ardu-
Gus duties OF their appointment. The Com
misSioners adjourned in November, to meet
again ia the month Of February next. I'shall
cause to be laid before you representation
made to me by the commissioners, by which
you win be made acquainted with tho meas
ures they have thus far pursued, and the
course they propose TO follow in farther exc
cutting the responsible and difficult duties as
signed them. Should nothing occur 10 rem
der the intended surveys needless, the whole
of the ensuing season will not be more than
sufficient to accomplish the contemplated OBJ