Virginia free press & farmers' repository. [volume] (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1827-1832, 1831-12-22

not differing in the end, from those
presented To the slaves. That class
oil the community our laws have here
tofore treated with indulgent kind ness,
and many Instances Of soiicitude for
their welfare, have marked the pro-
gress OF Legislation. If the slave is
confined BY law TO the estate of his
master, a. IL Is advisable he should
be-thc free people If color NAV nc
vertheless convey oil the incen,liary
pamphlets and papers with which VIC
are sought TO be inundated. This class
too, has been the first to place itselfin
hostile array against any aud every
measure designed to remove them from
amongst us. Though it will he indis.
Peusabiy necessary for them to with.
draw from this community, yet in the
spirit OF kindnes. which has ever cha.
ractcrized the Legislature of Virginia,
1t is submitted, whether as the last
benefit which wecan confer upon them,
It may not be wise to appropriate an
nuaiiy sum of money To- aid in their
removal from this Commonwealth.
While recent events had created
approximations in the minds of few.
some agitation was also more cxten =.
sivcly felt; wherefore il was deemed
prudent tn arm the militia in a man
ner calculated To quiet all apprchen
slons: and arms were accordingly fur
nished to nearly all the regiments OF.
the Eastern frontier. The want of
them, upon this sudden emergency,
was SO sensibly felt by those in the
vicinity of Norfolk, as to inducc Com
modore Warrington, in command Of
the Navy Yard in Gosport. to distri.
butte portion of the public arms un-
der his care. That gallant and patri
Otto officer did not hesitate to assume
the responsibility Of this step, and i,
- gratifying to perceive that his con
duct has met the appreciation of the
public functionaries. The policy OF
dIsarming the mili,in. il is believed.
was pursued as a measure Of economy.
as the men and officers had been cuI
pably negligent in their attention 20
their preservation, 80 that many were
lost. or by neglect became unfit for
service. Now. however, the necessity
Tor preserving them is distinctly fell,
and doubt cannot be entertained. tina /
more care will be taken of them in
iuture. ] could not weigh the expense
incurred by this measure, against the
possible sacrifice Of life, much less the
possible repetition Of the scenes OF
Southampton.
The Course Of Legislation adopted
by your predecessors during the last
session of the General Assembly, has
excited a strong interest with all classes
OF our fellow citizens in the improve
men' OF our State. Important routes
havo been surveyed and respectable
associations formed, having for their
ultimate end.th construction Of works
ct great usefulness, aud strong hopes
are entertained that YOU will contribute
all that wisdom and prudence may re
quire To attain objects Of such mex
pressible value 10 Virginia. The PEG.
pie expect from your energy the at.
tainment of all those measures, and
again await your decision. You are
now called upon by every considera.
ton which can be presented to the re.
personalities of free people. to take
snch measures, as will revive the de
clinlng hopes OF the country, invigo.
rate her weakened energies, and en-.
sure her repose. With ample mean.
within your resob--Constitution pow
er sufficient to cfiectuatc every good,
with generous and indulgent constitu
ents, you cannot fail 70 put in opera
ton such a system of measures, as
will lead ioa high degree ofprosperity
and secure the future grandeur Of III,
Commonwealth.
In changing from IistIess course o
Inadequate Legislation. TO one Of ener
gy and decision, rome can condemn
II will become apparent to all, hat Il
Is not the impulse Of bold innovation,
but the work Of wisdom and salutar,
eapiion--nOne can contemplate H.,
wants and WISHES OF the inhabitants o
the various regions Of this widely ex
tended Commonwealth. without being
forcIbly impressed with the necesssit,
# mutual CONVERSIONS and sacrifices
60 attain the greatest gond foe all.
Situated as we arc, with fine soil ca
pablc 1T producing much Co incress,
the exports oi the state, vet too dis
tant. and with too limited means 4
make u available. unless aided By Oh,
fostering care vt the government, i
becomes a subject II earnest considcfa
ton. whether e would not greatly con
tribute to the early maturity oi plani
for the increase 0f our wealth ans
population, to raisc funds for The pur
pose 4 constructing such public work
a. may be deemed most beneficial 9,
the country The meaps Of perlcoiln;
these useiai ard necessary inprOye
meats, arc perfectly willis OUT power