The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-01-09
Gov1RNo1.'s n6EsA AGE

Gentlemen Of the Senate, and
Gentlemen Of the House Of Representatives.
Having re-assembled for the despatch of pub
llc business in the Legislative Department OF
the Government, your attention will naturally
be first directed to those subjects which were
presented for consideration, at the commence
meEt of the political year, and to the measures
which were then postponed TO await this more
convenient opportunity for mature discussion,
and deliberate and Iudicious disposition. The
present time is pre-emiently favorable to a
faithful and successful discharge of official
Obligations. In the entire absence Of all topics
Tor party excitement here, with a sentiment
abroad and extensively pr vail az and growing
In the community, auspc US . the application
of the highest means of intellectual, moral and
physical improvement, those who stand in re-
spoLsibe stations have little to regard, but the
greater occasions, which state of prosperity
creates, for charging the capacities of public
enjoyment, by strengthening and multiplying
institutions for the lasting security of civil lib
berty and forming establishments and encourage
glng enterprises to advance the blessings and
promote the beneficial interests of society. 1t
Will continue to be, with me, an earnest and
anxious desire to fulfil the duties of the relation
which | am permitted to sustain toward you
that ! shall seek to cooperate in whatever
measures may be proposed for the best service
of our immediate constituents, and the peace,
honor, and welfare of our common country.
The Legislature having made competent
provision, at the last session, for instituting
general board of Internal Improvement, and
also special commission to survey a route for
Railway from the city of Boston westward,
to the line of the State, and thence, if circum-
,eEa a. Al
the State of New York, an immediate attention
was given by the Executive to the appoint
ment of suitable persons to discharge these ar
duous and responsible Offices Gentlemen
were selected, in the single consideration of
competency to the service. from the number of
distinguished individuals who were recommend
ed by expressions of public confidence, or were
known to possess peculiar qualifications for the
employment. Pecunlary means for commencing
the work were drawn from the appropriations
of the Legislature and placed at the control of
the respective Boards, and every possible ar
rangement was made to expedite the accom-
pllshment Of their assigned duties The Com
mlsSioners promptly entered upon their en-
gagements, and have prosecuted their labors
with exemplary fidelity and perseverance
through fatigue and constant exposure to all
the changes OF the late unusual and Indictment
season Frequent storms and early cold have,
however, greatly retarded their progress, and
their eXamlnations and surveys must necessa-
rlly have been less extensive and complete
than were intended. The precise Details OF
the Reports which are to be expected, cannot
now be anticipated. have been assured, that
they will be presented as soon as it will be
practicable to revise the minutes of surveys
but recently made, to prepare the plans and
estimates n q ami hat tao
the mass Of facts which have been collected In
the country, from various and disconnected
sources; to exhibit the extent of business, and
the consequent occasion and inducements to
the proposed Improvements. In the mean
time II may be gratifying to our fellow citizens
to be informed, IN tie general, that the Con-
mlssoners Of the Western Railway, under the
sanction of that indulgence which was solicit
ed from the Executive of New York, have
been enabled to extend their observations as far
as the Hudson that they have approached
this extreme limit by different routes, which
they have carefully examined, and are able ac-
curatelY to compare, and that no greater OBJ
stacles are found to the whole undertaking,
than an enlightened spirit OF enterpriZe, and
the useful application of means from the
abundant resources OF a prosperous people,
may successfully overcome Their report will
probably again present to the Legislature the
interesting question of encouraging, by public
appropriations, works ofinternal Improvement
Aud II sense of pecumary interest may dc
tate any thing to official duty, or the love OF
home can ado aught OF motive to a generous
regard ior country, a consideration OF the pecu-
liar benefits winch may be secured to the COM
monwealth, alike with the suggestions OF patrl-
otIsm, which ottentimes exacls contribution ior
/ objects conducive to national grandeur and
happiness, will direct to wise and liberal pro-
ceedlngs upon the subject
| The general board, under sundry Resolves Of
a former Legislature, have had their attention
directed to various objects. They were charg-
ed with the surveys OF a route for a Ratiacaa
from the city of boston to Providence, and Of
a route for Canal from the city, by the wa.
tiers of Charles River, to the Blackstone Canal
and thence to the line OF Connecticut, to CON
meet with the proposed Canal from Norwich
in that State and also with survey and ex
animation of the capacities Of country to fur
nish supply of water, without prejudice tC
existing hydraulic works, for a Canal from
Western In the County of Worcester, to NEE
the Canal last mentioned from Connecticut
The causes before adverted to, of weather and
season, will prevent a full report upon all thess
subjects, during your present session. The
4
to complete only the examination and surveys
oftwo entire routes for a railway to Providence
with such lateral surveys as might assist in de-
termining their precise direction, and in the
preference to be given between them. Or
either route the country is found remarkably
/ level and feasible for the proposed improve
ment, and no unexpected difficulty has appear.
( ed dlscourging to the undertaking. A partcu.
lar report by he commissioners, of the perfor.
nance ofthis portion of their duty, is promised
to be soon placed in my power to lay before
you, in compliance with the direction in the
resolves. The routes for the contemplated
canals have been partially examined and some
surveys made upon them, but it will require
further opportunity in more favorable season
ofthe year, to finish the service.
| A commission constituted, pursuant to a re-
solve ofthe Legislature Of the 10Th of Februa
ry last, upon the petition and representation
of the tenants of certain estates in the town O.