Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-12-10
GOVERNORS MESSAGE
II, Uo,,-C;,;zens ofMc Senate

Ffllo,o-C Citizens Of the Se"d'e
-------,...vo y LeteSdteS -
In assembling again as tile representatives
of the people of Virginia, it is proper that our
hearts should acknowledge with humble gra-
titude, the blessings which have been dis
pensed to our commonwealth by the Supreme
Ruler of events. The instructions of expert
ence are designed 10 teach nations the neces-
sity of a firm reliance on Him in whose h ands
are all human destinies and no people have
ever had more abundant cause to be thankful
than ourselves. While many portions Oft the
earth, and some parts OF our own country,
have felt the ravages of war and pestilence,
the year is about to close with us as ii com
menced, in peace and security. Our fields
have yielded their accustomed harvests to
the industry of the husbandman, the skill of
the mechanic, and the enterprise of the mer-
fitness and their reward, and every citizen
has reposed in confidence under the mild but
sure protection Of our laws. Ii we have
sometimes had occasion to lament the i'm
PROJECTIONS of the best and the wisest of hu-
man institutions, comparison of our condi-
ton with that OF the most favored of our race,
will not fail to inspire us with contentment,
and to crafty our national pride. Though
we have recently witnessed aperiod of extra
ordinary excitement, | am not aware Of any
instance in which the laws have failed to
protect the injured, or to punish the offend
inc. 1t cannot be otherwise so long as our
social rights and obligations are sanctioned
by an enlightened popular will, and sustain
ed by those simple, yet stern virtues, which
are the indispensable elements of free gov
eminent.
Though agriculture is the predominant in
terest of our State, it possesses almost UNI
eaualled advantages in its climate, its geo.
graphical position, its capacous bays and
rivers, its mineral productions, and its sup
plies of water-powcr, for commerce and man
ufactures. The success which, under the
disadvantages Of fuctuating population,
and an imperfect system of husbandry, has
attended every department Of industry, leaves
no doubt that when art shall have aided still
farther in the development of our natural re-
sources, our Commonwealth will more than
realize the vivid conceptions of national
wealth and grandeur which animated its early
settlers. Our energies are recovering rapidly
from the effects of those large contributions
in population, wealth and enterprise, which
we have made to the new States, and while
our own citizens now find it better to remain
and improve their native soil, European emf
grants, and citizens of other States are seek
inc homes in our fertile western forests, or
filling up the places of those who have left
us, too often under the delusve hope of i'm
proving their condition. The Indications of
agricultural improvement are decided and
cheering, particularly in many Of our counties
below tide-water and the astonishing in
crease in population and wealth, which is
exhibited by our whole trans-Alleghany coun-
try, assures us, that though we have given
tb,,, FL,
vet like the Roman father, we are not impover-
ished by our generosity, but as much remains
to us as before. The multiplication of agr-
cultural societies, and the wel-directed eff
forts ofour agricultural journals, are improv-
ing the old system of cultivation, and adding
active and powerful stimulants TO the ener-
gies of our production.
1t is to be regretted that the means of ac-
curing accurate statistical information with
regard to the comprehensive interests of our
State, are not more satisfactory. Such infor-
nation would at all times be useful to the
Legislature, and frequently important to 9TH
CT departments of the government. Our COM
merce seeks such diversified channels along
the whole line Of the Chesapeake, through
our own ports, those of the District of (0htIn-
lila and the State of Naryland. and on the
waters Of the Ohio in the West, that it is diff
ficult to form any correct estimate of its total
value. Though the regulation of its external
interests has been confded to the federal roy-
eminent, it is nevertheless our duty to watch
over and foster those domestic resources
which supply the foreign market, and to sec
that they receive just protection. | would |
call your attention to the oppres-
sive and unexampled burdens to which one |
of our principal staples has been long sub
iectcd, and | submit whether it is not expe- |
dent for you, through our representation in |
Congress, to enforce the Just claims Of our
tobacco planters, to a reduction of the enor-
nous duties imposed on tobacco, by most
European governments. In soRe instances.
these duties exceed one thousand dollars IN
the hogshead, while luxuries from the coun-
tries imposing them, are admitted into the
United States duty free, and no article of com
Inerce is subjected to any thing like the same +
tax. II is difficult to conceive, why an arti /,
rlc which ranks second in the exports of the
United States, and which enters so LARGELY
INTO the consumption of civilized and savaGe
men, should have been selected as the sub
ects Of such system Of taxation, or iyby
he injurious effects of these duties have not
'een urged in a more emphatic manner on the 4
consideration OF foreign governments. It
las been stated by those who were we'll ac-
uanted with The subject, that the different
european governments, interested land many
f them decply,) in the tobacco trade, derive
II annual revenue, by means Of imposts on
american tobacco, larger than the whole cur.
snt revenue Of the United Suites The ben