Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1837-09-13

for, under the pressure Of temporary
circumstances. II, therefore, | refrain
from suggesting TO Congress any spe-
cific plan for regulating the exchan-
ges of the country relieving mercan-
title embarrassments; or interfering win
the ordinary operations of foreign or
domestic commerce il is from con-
viction that such measures are not
within the constitutional province of
the General Government: and their
adoption would not promote the real
and permanent welfare Of these they
might be designed to aid.
The difficulties and distresses of the
times, though unqueStionably great,
are limited in their extent, and cannot
be regarded as affecting the permanent
prosperity of the nation. Arising, I'M
great degree from the transactions
of foreign and domestic commerce, III
lis upon them that they have chiefly
fallen. The great agricultural inter-
est has, in many parts of the country,
suffered comparatively little; and, as II
Providence intended to display the mu-
nificence of its goodness at the moment
of our greatest need, and IN direct
contrast to the evils occasioned by the
waywardness of man, we have been
blessed throughout our extended terri
tory with a season Of general health
and Of uncommon fruitiulness. The
proceeds of our great staples will soon
furnish the means of llquldatlng debts
at home and abroad; and contribute
equally to the revival of commercial
activity, and the restoration of COM
mercial credit. The banks, establish
ed avowedly for its support, deriving
their profits from it, and resting under
obligations to 1t which cannot be over
looked, will feel at once the necessity
and Justice of uniting their energies
with those of the mercantile interest.
The suspension of specie payments, at
such a time and under such circum
stances as we have lately witnessed,
could not be other than temporary
measure and we can scarcely err IN
believing that the period must soon
larriye when all that are solvent will
redeem their issues in gold and silver.
Dealings abroad naturally depend on
resources and prosperity at home. If
the debt of our merchants has accumu-
lated, or their credit is impaired, these
are fluctuations always incident to ex-
ltcnsive or extravagant mercantile tran.
sactions. But the ultimate security OF
such obligations does not admit of ques-
ton. They are guaranteed by the re-
sources of country, the fruits OF
whose industry afford abundant means
of ample liquidation, and by the evil
dent interest Of every merchant to sus-
tain a credit, hitherto high, by prompt
ly applying these means for It's preser-
walton.
deeply regret that events have &C.
Cured which require me TO ask your
consideration of such serious TOPICS
| could have wished that in making my
first communication to the assembled
representatives Of my country, | had
nothing to dwell upon but the history
Of her unalloyed prosperity. Since 1t
is otherwise, we can only feel more
deeply the responsibility OF the respec-
tive trusts that have been contided to
US, and, under the pressure OF dliticul-
ties, unite in invoking the guidance and
aid OF the Supreme Ruler OF nations,
and in laboring with Jealous resolution
to overcome the difficulties by which
we are environed.
1t is, under such circumstances, a
high qualification to know by long ex-
Iperience, that we act for Il people TO
whom the truth, however unpromislng,
can always be spoken with safety for
the trial Of whose patriotism no emer-
gency is too severe, and who are sure
never to desert public iunctlonary
honestly laboring for the pubic good.
1t seems Just that they should receive,
without delay any aid in their embar-
easements which your deliberations can
afford. Coming directly from the midst
OF them, and knowing the course OF
events in every section of our country,
from you may best be learned as we'll
the extent and nature Of these embar-
easements, as the most desirable mea-
/, sure Of relief.
am aware, however, that it is not
, proper to detain you at present longer
than may be demanded by the special
objects for which you are convened.
To them, therefore, have confined
my communication, and, believing it
will not be your own wish to extend
your deliberations beyond them, | re-
serve ill the usual period Of your an
nual meeting, that general information
on the state of the Union, which the
Constitution requires me to give.
M VAN RIlREN