Litchfield enquirer., 1839-05-09

aCCepLeU.
Al O'clock the two Houses met in convention, to
receive the Governor He was sworn into office 6y
Chief Justice WILLIAMS, after which he delivered IN
person the following
MESSAGE.
Fezlo,o Citizens of the Senate and
ofthe House of Representatives
The past year has been distinguished for
the blessings of kind and watchtul ProVl-
dence. The earth has yielded large returns
to the husbandman; health has generally
nrevailed the laws have afforded security;
the merchant and manufacturer have pur-
sued their labors with confidence; and bu-
siness has returned to iIs accustomed chan
nels. Nothing has transpired to interrupt
our harmony, disappoint our hopes, or wea-
ken confidence in the stability of our lnsti-
tutions.
The cause of education has advanced, our
youth have been benefited more largely by
iheavails ofthe school fund, land new energies
nut forth 10 improve the system Of instruc-
tion. The administration of justice has been
imnartia|. taxes have not been burdensome
to anv: and no exclusive privileges have
been created or fostered by public authority.
All have stood on the platform of our excel.
lent constitution, recipients of equal and
wise legislation. With what respect and
gratitude ought we to call to remembrance
our predecessors in office, while we survey
their labors and occupy for time their pla-
ces Of public trust; and how should these
feelings kindle with increasing fervor, when
we contrast our privileges with those OF
large portion of the human family who are
less favored of heaven, and crushed beneath
the wrongs of oppressive governments. In
view of their sufferings. how do our grlcvan-
ces and wrongs dwindle to insignificant evils.
Permit me to express to you. gentlemen,
how deeply am sensible ofthe honor of be-
ing called to the Office of Chief Magistrate.
1t IS through too favorable an estimate OF my
abilities, that people OF so much intelli-
peuce renewedly honor me with this distinc-
ton. But in whatever else I may be def
cient, am not conscious of bringing to their
service aught but a disinterested love of my
country and sincere and heartfelt desire 10
promote its welfare. There are but few SUBJ
iects which can be presented by the Execu-
five to the General Assembly. Our terrific
nv is so limited, the pursuits of the inhabit.
ants so uniform and the policy of the govern
ment so we'll established and understood,
that little is to be done besides making the
annual appointments, and attending TO the
personal and local wants Of our constituents.
The institutions of the State are likewise but
few the laws are simple and easily COM
pretended, and the administration, of them
free from complicated and expensive forms.
Indeed we find provided at our hands con-
sttution and system of laws unsurpassed in
all that is sought by enlightened freemen.-
We admire the wisdom and forethought of
our fathers, which enabled them to embody
SO much substance in forms so simple. If
this community cannot be happy, it will be
vain to look for happiness from human wis.
dom or political sagacity.
Our national interests being committed to
the general Congress, come not within the
province of q State Legislature, yet as these
interests involve the welfare of the whole
country, it is right that the people of the
States should watch the councils of the ma
tion. and it may become the duty of the re-
representatives. of the people respectfully to
express their opinions respecting measures
of general Importance.
have on a former occasion presented my
views upon tho subject of the public lands
Those views remain unchanged and doubt
not that the resolutions adopted by the last
Assembly were and still remain the sent-
ments of the people of Connecticut. The
considerations presented by the committee
who reported the resolutions were Just and
weighty, and the resolutions most firm, hon
orable and patriotic. We will trust that this
vast domain, won by the valorand sacrifices
Of a united people, will yet be saved and ap.
propriated to the common good. The pres
ent system for the sale of public lands has
long been practised with universal approba-
ton, and the sanction of distinguished states
men of all parties. One dollar and twenty
five cents per acre (the government price, is
cheap enough for any land worth possessing,
and certainly as cheap as the Old States, for
any length oftinae, can endure, since through
the ready facilities of intercommunicatio
the lands and products of the West are
brought into competition with the lands of
the East All will agree that an outright gift
OF the public lands would not only be fla.
gravity unjust, but that it would allure from
the Old States even that small proportion of
their growing population which is now with
difficulty retineds But to graduate the
price ofpublic lands in advance by a known
settled and permanent scale of depreciation
according 10 the length Of time land has been
surveyed and in market, is in its effect not
materially different from gift. There is
no necessity for such an innovation in we'll
tiled and established system; honest set
tiers do not demand st.; nor are they the per-
ems who complain. Nor should any when
it is considered what large sums have been
paid by the government in purchasing these
lands, ln extinguishing Indian titles, and in