Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1832-12-07

highly qualified to discharge so ardu6us task'
to examine and carefully arrange Whatever pa
pers might be found worthy Of preservation e'tn.
err from their furnishing information as matter OF
history. or as evidence Of cur claims against the
United States for revolutionary disbursements.
That gentleman undertook the performance OF
the duty assigned, and discharged 1t with great
labor and accuracy, and has recovered many va
liable documents which it Is believed VIII Iu,iy
substantiate the claim OF Virginia against the
United States, for still larger sums OF money
due for disbursements made to her forces, EN-
pIoyed against the common encmy.-H's report
is herewith laid before you.
1t is probable that the want oil sufficient room,
originally led to the practice Of piling away the
old records aud documents in the upper apart
ments of the capitol, and perhaps during the
late war, further accumulations may have taken
place.
The Inconvenience suffered by some OF the
officers of government in the transaction 0i the
public business. for the want 0f sufficient anu
convenient apartm nts, is now such as to IN
duce me to ask your attention to that subject
The rooms in the basement story are small,
confined and badly lighted, and many OF those
confined to them by official duties during the
summer, find their health impaired by their
dampness, which is believed TO be- very destruc.
tive to the records aud documents themselves;
moreover, the apartments now occupied by the
Auditor of Public Accounts, are so crowded by
the annual accumulation of papers, that in a
short time, there will not be sufficient space to
bile them away.
1t gives mt great satisfaction to state TO YOU
the improving condition OF our primary Schools,
since hot doubt is now entertained. that IN
time, they, will be found to answer fully, the
expectations Of their warmest friends. The
number of children sent TO school annually in
creases, and the operation OF the system has been
improved bv the cOmmendable labor and indus
try Of the second Auditor in perfectng such re-
sulatinns as greatly assist the commissioners.
who are becoming more attentive to the subject,
and take iaudable interest in best0wins upon
those around them all the benefit in their power
The preiudlces which were felt upon thr frs en-.
actment of this law have almost wholly subsidized,
and the plan NAV now be said TO meet approba
ton every where. aud ~ fullI successful.
Whilst looking in this direction, | cannot fail
70 ask, that your attention and fostering care be
extended to our University, the nrblest lnstitu
ton erected in the present aye, and it protected
destined, in lew years, to she'd blaze OF light
over this country, which will more than compen'
safe the cost. aud all the difficulties encounter
ed in its erection. Let US constantly bear in
mind, that there is in fact but little difference
amons tnen, except what arises from education,
and which will be found in the day Of trial strong
err bulwark for the defence of liberty. than a 70.
rest of bayonets, or piles of gold. To control
money is an humble quality, but to control and
direct those who pnsSess 1t, Is an ambition woi.
thv state, and can only b. achieved by the su.
peri0r illumination Of its citizens.
Institutions Of this kind to be extensively use.
FIJI, must be placed in situation which will ena.
Bile them to educate our youth on the cheapest
terms All our Citizens know the value of men
tai endowments, but heretofore the expense of a
collegiate course has been such, as to put it BE-.
yond the power of many parents to accomplish
for heir sons, that which they most desire. There
are also other institutions deserving your atten-
ton, whose professors are among the most &C.
complished and distinguished men OF the Union
and for many years have given the best proof
that the reputation they have gained, is but just
tribute to their merit. Liberality towards Lite.
rary Institutions. and to professors Of talent and
learning. is true economy in Republics. and con-
fers benefit from generation to generation, tor ages
to come.
The benefits winch the youth of Virginia might
receive from the most learned and accomplished
professors IL not complete, unless those PROFESS
ors and students are furnished with ample Ii.
braries, TO which thev may refer. in order the
more easily to arrive at truth, explode error. and
keep pace with the progress of learning. Our
University is yet new and is much in need Of the
works originally designed for ITS Library. Were
the General Assembly 10 authorize the original
catalogue to be filled. and small annual appro.
priation fn' its gradual increase, benefit would
be conferred greatly beyond the amount which
would b. deemed sufficient to keep pace with the
| advance of science.
1t Is with deep regret have to announce to
YOU, that the Honorable Littleton Waller TdZe-
" ell. one of our Senators in the Congress of the
United States. has resigned that office. which re.
slgnatIon occasions a vacancy you will be called
on to fill It is much to be lamented that his
private affurs. from which he has been so much
absen, for some years past together with the i'll.
health of his family, stated in his letter OF
siynation, herewith communicated, has compelled
him to take step which has deprived the State
of the service, of Citizen, who for talents, in.
tegrlty and devotion to the true interest and
principles of Virginia, has few equals.