Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1836-12-21

with a request that the same
should be laid before you, viz:
Resolutions Of the Legislatures OF
Mississippi, Connecticut, and Michigan
on the subject Of slavery /; and OF Maine
respecting an amendment Of the Con-
stitution of the United States, so as TO
prevent any future election by Con-
gress of President and Vice President,
and so that the election can, in no case,
be taken from the States.
The regretted death Of Allen Taylor
Esq, Judge Of the 18th judicial Cir
cult, in - last, occasIoned a vacan-
CIV in that office which it became my
duty to supply. accordingly appoin-
ted John J. Allen, Esq, by a commiss-
ion, to expire with the termination OF
the present session Of the General AS
sembly. That gentleman accepted the
appointment and has ever since full
filled the duties incident to it. 1t now
devolves on the Legislature to fill the
office permanently.
Isend herewith a letter received in
April last from Peter V. Daniel, Esq,
resigning his Office as Councillor Of
State. As no emergency then or since
demanded that his place should be sup
piled, and the power Of the Governor
to appoint q Councillor seems at best
doubtful, | declined filling the vacancy.
1t now appertains to you to fill 1t.
The resignation of Brigadier-G Gene
raj Elisha McComas; OF the 22d Brig
ade, (Which has been accepted the pro-
motion of Brigadier- General Briscoe
G. Baldwin, of the 7th Brigade, and
the lamented death Of the Brigadier
General Severn E. Parker, of the 21st
Brigade, have severally occasloned va
cancies in these offices, which it is pro-
| per | should to you in order
to their being supplied.
| cannot close this communication to
the General Assembly without advert
ing to an event that has marked the
present year with a sad distinction. 1t
will be at once perceived that | allude
to the death of James Madison-the
latest survivor of that illuStrious band
who dedicated to their country's indie
p~endence, "their lives, their fortunes,
and their sacred honor"-the last of
the Statesmen and Patriots who confir.
med that independence, and provided,
with consummate wisdom, for a nations
happiness, by the Federal Compact
To him in special mercy, Heaven see-
med to prolong the term of human life,
that he might the longest rejoice in
witnessing the glorious result, which
none perhaps, more than himself, con-
tributed to achieve. Virginia, whom
he made partaker of his glory, exulted
in, and ever warmly cherished, while
living, her favorite son. When dead,
he sunk in no unhonored grave. Her
citizens, and not they only, but the wise
and good throughout the Union-for
his fame was, as his services we're, ma
commissioned to his memory every
respect. Her public authorities also
manifested their sense of his loss, and
and amongst the rest, the Executive
marked the mournful occasion with
such honors as appeared appropriate,
and were within the scope of its autho-
rity. Are not memorials less fleeing
than these, due to the pre- eminent SER
vices, and the shining virtues of the il
lustrious dead? To him, then-and to
others that have gone before him, the
associates of his patriotic labors, and
who we'll deserve a similar tribute
trust the Legislature of their native
State will deem it meet to raise some
enduring monument, not to ommemo.
rate their seryices-for these are inter-
woven inseparably with their country's
history-but as a memorial Of the pub.
lie gratitude, and to incite the youth
of Virginia to reach after their high
honors by emulating their services and
initiating their virtues.
In conclusion, allow me to hope that,
from the harmony of your deliberations
and the courtesies of personal inter-
course, the session may prove a pleas.
ant one to yourselves, and that it may
conduce, by the wisdom of your meas
ures, to the advancement of the happi-
ness, prosperity, and glory ofthe Com
monwealth.
WYNDHAM ROBERTSON.
Executive Department, Dec. 5, 1886.
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