Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1833-12-26
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
ExEcvrIys DEPaRrMESr.

Decemoer =, 1888.
feI0tr- Cih-eyls Of the Sc7iaie,
and House Of Delegates:
At hardly any former period have YOU as
semoicd, under circumstances calculated TO
create deeper interest in your deliberations.
and at no period have greater or more impor-
tant subjects presented themselves for YOUR
confederation, than At the present moment
Besides the great objects Of internal improve
ments, the militia, and other interests Of the
Commonwealth, her position in the confed.-
racy will require much deliberatiua and At
tention.
The prosperity OF the Union is daily in.
creasing with the population and improvement
oil the age, and can only be checked by the
misrule Of the government Of the L. States,
which controls all our commercial relations
and regulates our intercourse with foreign
powers; or, by the neglect Of ourselye. 10
improve the many and prominent advantage,
which Nature has given US, in the most happy
geographical position, and Of soil aud :, mate.
equally exempt from the extremes Of heal
and cold; resting upon the ocean on one side.
and on the other, contiguous TO the most ex-
tensive region of fertile coil, perhaps tho sun
ever shone upon. Their products only avail,
our siforts 10 seable us to- reap all the COM
merciai value, which can be given to the Ia
Dor OF that vast country, which so amply re-
wards the tolls Of the hnsbandman.
Roads and canals, or railroads, which now
seem to be valuable substitute for rivers
carry the products Of distant countries to
market, with a velocity which annihila,cs
space, and bring distant countries almost to-
gether, are only wanting to enable us TO reach
INC highest state OF Improvement and pros
Perity, which any people ought to desire.
Not many years ago, the inhabitants Of
these Western States were deprived, by their
distance from market, OF the benefits Of their
fertile SOIL the surplus commodities sufficient
10 suosist ute entire population of any nation
OF Europe, Ia addition TO their own, with the
largest and finest rivers, were rendered com
paratively valueless, until the discovery of
the application Of steam TO boats. This en-.
aoies them to arrive Ut a seaport in less time.
than the wagon now brings the articles OF
trade from tho great Valley to this place
since which time, cities have grown up, e.
araling and even doubling the population OF
Richmond itself; and for thousands Of miles.
giving Us at every turn Of those winding
streams, the highest evidence Of prosperity
and happiness. Nothing, now, which the
labor OF nan can produce from tbas rich soil,
but enters the COMMERCIAL world in a fe W DAYS
ahording the Inhabitants, by their exchange,
all tho iuxuries Of life in greet abundance.
Such would be the prosperity Of our own
State, were the Improvements carried on TO
their final completion. The rich soil Of our
western counties IS now Of little value, and
many Of them add nothing to our exports,
being scarcely moro profitable than as many
acres Of unappfopriatcd lands. Those coun.
ties embrace a very large proportion Of our
entire territory, aud from the singular saIl.
brity Of that region ard the Delighted tent
perature Of ibcir climate. almost wholly ex.
empt from mn!adics OF any kind, would oder
inducements no where To 10 met with; and
the tax which would then be paid upon pro-
ducts annually sent TO market, would amply
rcmunera,e the Commonwealth for all Dr.
burssments, and more than double her ex-
I ports. Por the want q a proper conveyance
10 market, tb0gsanis Of acres Of forest, and
/ the richest soil ~ the Commonwealth, are
\ left wholly untouched BY the axe, or the
: plough. These produce nothing for expOrta-
7 ton, and b,ii . scanty contribution 10 the pub.
tic treasury, which, by a welI-reguIated sys-
ten Of INSTRUMENTATION, would greatly
swell tho revenues 81 the State, and put =
stop 90 tbe distressing emigration, which an
nually takes place, Of our best ard most use
Gal citizens, who leave their homes and the
7 government 81 their chorc. sacrificing OIL
the endesring rccollections 81 their childhood
60 improve The condition ~ thoir children, by
placing thcn on those highways 90 market,
which enable them 20 eujoy from the profits
Of their lsbour, those benefits denied 10 them
IN their native land, by their distsBce from
market, and In despair At achieving them by
the policy Of their government For the Ssn'
Of these Improvements, whole oeighbOri,oOd.
are in a great measure dcpopniatcd, and IN
place of hardy, healthy, aud Industrious citi-
zsas, We now SEQ herds Of cattle grazing
! about their deserted homes, which stand N
solitude az monuments Of The bsucful eject.
u the policy of the country.
csnno, refrain from bringing to your no
, tire once moro. the subject % the improve
? ment Of the James and kanawha rivers, ant
q the construction % railroad from the Ohs
r river 10 a suitable poiut on ths James river
have 80 often presented this subject % you
view and consideration. that little else can b
! urged than what heretofore has met you
view. 81 fsr ~ a. present advised, o.