Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-12-10
GOVERNOR OF vIRGINIA's MESSAGE.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
December Cd, 1888 )

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
December I'd, 1888
FsHow Citizens ofthe Senate
and House Of Delegates.
At hardly any former period have you assem-
led, under circumstances calculated to create
deeper interest in your deliberations, and al no
period have greater or more Important subjects
presented themselves for your consideration than
AZ the present moment. Besides the great OBJ
iects OF Internal Improvements, the Militia anti
other interests of the Common wealth. her position
IN the Confederacy will require much deiIbera'
ton and attention.
The prosperity of the Union is daily 'ncreas
inc with the population and Improvement Of the
age and can only be checked 10y The n'sruic of
the government Of the United States, which con.
trolls all our commercial re atoms, and regulates
our intercourse with foreign powers; or ny the
neglect Of ourselves tn improve the MANY and
promiDent advantages which nature has gwen Us,
in the most happy geographical position. and OF
soil aud climate, equally exempt from the ex
tremes of heat and cold; resting upon the ocean
Oh one side, and on the other. contiguous 10 the
most extensive region of fertile soil perhaps the
sun ever shone upon. Their products onl. await
our efforts to enable US 10 reap al the CONNER.
cial value which Can be given to the labor OF that
vast country. which so amply rewards the tolls
OF the husD,ndman.
Roads and canals, or rail roads. which now
seem to be a valuable substitute for rivers, carry
the products of distant countries to market with
velocity which anuihilatrs space, and brings
distant countries almost together, are only want
ins To enable US to reach the highest state of I'M
proyement and prosperity which any people ought
to desire.
Not many years ago the inhabitants OF these
Western States were deprived, Nv their distance
from market, o! the benefits 1T their fertile soil;
the surplus commodities Sufficient 10 su5sst the
entire pOpu! alton Vt any nation Of Europe in ad
diton to their own, with the largest and finest
rivers. were rendered comparatively valueiess,
until the discovery OF tbr application Of steam to
boats. This enables them TO arrive at a seaport
in less time than the wagon now briggs the artI.
Giles Of trade from the great Valley TO this place.
Since which time cities have grown up, equalling
and even doubling the population OF Richmond 1t.
SELF; and for thousands Of miles, giving US at eve
ry turn Of those winding streams. the highest evi
dence Of prosperity and happiness. Nothing,
now, which the labor of man can produce from
that rich soil, but enters the commercial world 10
few days, affording the inhabitants, by their
exchange, all the Injuries OF lille 10 great abun-
dance.
SuSU "ouiu oc t"c P'oSPe'''y W wv -"
were the improvements carried Oh to their hnal
completion. The rich soil OF our western coun-
ties IS now of little value, and many OF them add
nothing to our exports. being scarcely more pro
ftabe than as many acres OF unapproprIated
lands. Those countries embrace a very large
proportion Of our entire territory; and from the
Singular saubrity of that region. and the delight
fnl temperature of their climate, almost wholly
exempt from maadies of any kind, would offer
inducements no where to be met with; and the
tax which would then be paid upon products an
nuaIly sent to market. would amply remunerate
the Common wealth for aIl disbursements, and
more than double her exports. For the want of
q proper conveyance to market. thousands Of
acres Of forest. and the richest soil in the Com
mon wealth, are left wholly untouched by the axe
or the plough. These produce nothing for expor-
tation. and but scanty contribution to the pub.
lie treasury. which. BY well regulated system
Of intercommuncation,w would greatly swell the
revenues Of the State, and put a stop to the dis.
tressing emigration. which annually takes place,
of our best and most useful citizens, who leave
their homes and The government of their choice,
sacrificing all the endearing recoIections Of their