Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1840-12-10
esoyERyOR,s MESSAGE.
Fellosc Cifixens IF The Senate
and House of Delegates;

hlassiprs which have been dispensed 70 our corn"
rnonwealih by the Supreme Ruler Of events. The
instructions Of experience designed to teach ma
lions the necessity of firm reliance on Him 10 !
whose hands are all human dcstines; and no peo- |
ple have ever had more abundant cause to be thank
fnl than ourselves. While many portions OF The /
earth and soms parts Of our own country nave iet
the rayages Of and pestiience, the year about
10 close with US as it commenced, ia peace and Sc
curity Our fields have yielded their accustomed
hsrvests to tie industry Of the husbnndnan; the
sklI OF the mechanic, and the enterprise Of the
merchant have enlarged the sphere OF their useiul-
ness and their reward and every citizen has repos-
ed in confidence under the mild tut sure protection
Of our laws. IL we have sometimes had occasion
TO lament tho mperfections OF the best and the
wisest Of human institutions, a comparison Oh our
condition with that of the favored OF our race,
will not fail to inspire with contentment, and 10
crafty our national pride. Though we have fe-
Gently Witnessed period of extraordinary excite
ment, am not aware OF any instance IN which tue
laws haya faled to protect the injured or 10 'rsh
the offending. IL cannot be Otherwise long as
our social rights and oblig cations sanctioned by
an anlir h.rnsd popular will and sustained BY those
simple, yet virtues which are the indispensa
bic elements of free government
Though agriculture is the predominant interest
OF our State il pos sesses almost uhequaed adyan-
tages In its climate, its geographical position us ca
pacious bays and rivers, its mineral productions,
and its supplies OF water-powcr, for commerce and
manufacturer The success which, under the dis
advantages Of huctuating population, and an I'M
perfect system ofhnsbandry, has atteaded every de-
nartment OF industry leaves doubt that when att
shall have aided still farther in the Development
Of our natural resources our Commonwealth vail
more than realiz5 the vivid conceptions oil national
wealth and grandeur which animated its early set
tiers Our energies are recovering rapidly ifoin the
effects OF those large contributions 10 population,
wealth and enterprise, which we have made to the
~. .fa
better TO remain and improve their native soil, Eu-
ropean emigrants and citizens OF other States, are
seeking homes in fertile western Forests OF hll-
ing Up the places Of those who have left VS. too OF
ten under the dclusive hope OF improving their con-
dton. The indications ofagricutural Improvement
are decided and cheering. particularly IN many OF
our counties below tide-water; and the astonishing
increase In population and wealth, which is exhibit
cd BY our whole trans Allegheny country, assures
us that though have given more than one west
ern empire 10 the Union, like the Roman tatherswe
are not impoverished by generosity, but as Hucn
remains 10 US before. The multiplication OF az
,cultrai societies, and the welldrected efforts OF
our agricultural journals, improving the old sys
TEN Of cultivation, and adding active and powerful |
stifnuIants to the energies Of our production, |
IL is to be regretted that the means OF acquiring |
accurate statistical information with regard TO the
comprehensive interests oil our State are not more
satisfactory. Such information would at az times
be gsefll to the Legislature and frequently impoi-
tant TO other departments OF the Government. Our
omnerce sacks such diversified channels along the
whole line of the Chesapeake, through our own
ports those of the District of Columbia and the
State of Haryt4ud, and on the waters OF the OHIO
in the West that it il difficult TO form any correct
estirl ITO of its total value. Though the regulation
of il. ex iprna interests has been conhded to the
Federal Government, 1t is nevertheless cur duly 10
watch over and foster those domestic resources
which surplyth foreign market, aud to see that
they receive Just protection would therefore,
cal valir attention 10 the oppressive ami unexam-
Med burdens 70 shch one OF our principal staples
ha, been lon. subjected, aud submit whether 1t 10
nat exoadiea for YOU, through our representation
In Congress. TO enforce the just claims OF our tobac-
co planters, reduction OF the enormous duties
imposed on tobacco, by most European govern
ments In some instances, these duties exceed one
,bousand dollars on the hogshead, while Inquiries
from the countries imposing them are admitted in
TO the United States duty free, and no article ot
commerce is subjected to any thing Ike the same
tax tits difficult conceive, why an article which
ranks second in the exports OF the Onhed Sta'es
and which enters so largely into the consumption OF
civilized and savage men, should have been select
ed "a the subject OF such system ctaxatlon or why
the injurious effects Of these dite. have not been
urged in a more emphatic manner on the considera-
lion Of foreign governments. 1t has been stated by
those who were well acquainted with the subject,
that the different European governments, interested
derive an annual revenue by means OF imposts on
American tobacco. larger than the whole current
revenue of the United States. The beneficial con
ssouences of reduction Of these duties, would soon
bs felt in an increased demand and batter prices
Tor this valuable product of our soil
The great perfection attained by our m'ers IN
the manufacture of hour, has given TO our brands
the highest reputation IN our own country ana IN
foreign markets. The manufacture of chesp cot
ton cloths, of iron, paper salt glass g. IN our
State, has rapidly extended, and already reached a
point at whichfit may be considered a. having es- I
tablished successful composition with me hest ar |
tclcs manufactured elsewhere. The cities OF Rich- |
4uon3 and Wsse2Rg as well Is PetersbRrg Lynch I
barg and several other sites, nre employing very
large amounts OF capital in manufactures and are
displaying an energy which vii sooa enui'7 VV- |
ciaiq TO a high rank among tho Misunderstanding |
States.
Our imports like those Of all the States have
been affected by the frequent fluctuations of general
commerce within the last few years. but they indi-
cate a progressive Improvement, which encourages |
tho belief that distant perod. ourioregn ttade
will flow in more direct aud natural channels than
those in which habit, rather than exPediency, has
40 long confined it. The amount OF our exports !
exhibits a striking contrast with our importatons,
and shews beyond doubt that We possess abundant
means for sustaining that credit abroad, which will
enable as 10 derive those advantages ifom our tor
eign commerce which now enjoyed chiefly by |
others. The application Of steam TO marine navi- |
CATION, While il brings distant nations in closer
tact with each other. will probably render useless
many OF those complicated agencies through which |
the products Of one region have sought market in |
another and the result Of better acquaintance
between different countries, will establish less ar
ti6cial and uore direct system Of foreign credit.
The monopolies Of the carrying trade, and Of estab
lished commercial depots as well the restraints
which governments impose trade, will probably !
be brought more under the salutary influence Of
competition BY this system Of improvement on the
great highway os nations. Experience, however, |
has shown that commerce, ike the tides of the !