Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1830-12-22

The following Message Of tho Governor O
Virginia MAS received in the Senate and IIous.
Of Delegates, the first day Of tho session. an,
read by the Clerk IL each House.
Executive DEp,Rr~sxr.
December C,,, 1880.
feilo,c- Ciiisens Of Tie Senate
lad 81 The House Of Delegates
offer YOU my sincerc saluta,ion,
npon this your first assemblage unde,
the new Constitution-ro YOU belongs
the task Of giving the FIRST impulse
10 the Government, and you will no,
Ian properly to appreciate the honor
and magnitude of your station. or the
difficult aud responsible duties which
have devolyed upon YOU.
In the call Of Convention. its pro.
gross. and the ratification of the a
menied Constitution by the people
virginia has exhibited 10 the world an
other grand spectacle. Of a nations
changing its fundamental law, without
d'scorl or difficulty. directed alone bv
reason, and making manifest to the
universe the great truth, that man is
capable of self government.
We lived, il is true, for more than
half century under the former Con.
stitution, and enjoyed great tranquil
ty, and n considerable share of pros.
perity. That many should have pre
ferred 1t to any that could be sub,ti
tuted, IS not matter of surprise ;
when we consider how intimately il
was blended with all the past in our
history.
When that instrument was formed.
the population of Virginia hardly ex.
tended beyond the great Valley
Since that period. large counties have
been created IN the west with a rich.
numerous and increasing population,
Inhabiting steep, difficult and noun.
famous country far removed from the
seat OF government, and destitute of
commercial facilities-it should afford az
little matter Of surprise. that the peoplc
oil that region. should desire a change
IN the anticipation Of much benefit.
ln the change which has been made.
1t IS, perhaps, only what might have
been expected, thet both sides should
think they perceive some cause Of dis
satisfaction. The ono, in having lost
more than was hoped. the other, ON
having gained less than was desired.
The contest Is passed; let the tri
umph OF victory, and the bitterness of
defeat, be forgotten in an united effor,
To bcneht our common country. and
add new lustre to this the oldest of
the Republics. To this we are en-.
courased, not less by the memory of the
past, than the promise of the future.
Amongst the important duties. those
OF recognizing the Judiciary. and in
Producing into the Judicial System such
notifications rs may tend To the CHEAP
and moro speedy administration OF
Justice, will demand your most anxi-
Gus attention.
The various and somewhat conflict.
ing opinions which arc believed to pre-
vail OH this interesting subject, will be
reconciled by your wisdom, aud full
and perfect system be put. il is hoped,
into harmonious and successful opera.
ration. The country rcposes IN safe.
~ upon your prudence and discern
ment.
Notwithstanding the arduous service
which you will have 10 perform, in
rendering more perfect our form oil
civil polity, cannot fail to recon.
mend tn your attention the subject al
our internal condition, in reference tc
the means OF INSTRUMENTATION be.
tween distant parts of the Common
wealth. By the bountifuI disocnsa
ton OF Providence, that beautiful ant
extensive region lying below the fall,
oi our rivers, has afforded 10 IL. al
those facilities which open every mar
ket to the industry and cntcrprizc @
ITS inhabitants. This fortunate con
ditiOn is denied to the inhabitants abov,
tide water, and presses with unspcaka
BILE weight upon our citizens rrsidinl
beYond the mountains.
While this state Of things is suffer
cd To continue, the resources of th
State admit Of but partial developmen
lands Of inexhausiible fertility, re
main unreclaimed, ard the country
deprived Of much of iis efficiency
what - The inducement 10 reclaim IN
forest or cultivate the earth. IL th
means Of obtaining remuneration IL
ones labor Is denieds That arRumen
which N opposition 10 a iodieiou
system Of Improvement i. made TO re,
upon the inequality Of contribution
either real or supposed. 60 be made b
the different Portions Of the State. az
pears to me, TO fail utterly ~ - obiec
Ii Opposes the only means which ca
ever bring about that equality Of COZ
tf'bution To the public chest which
seeks so earnestly TO establish. l.
markets be opened for the agricaItGr
products OF any country, and insian