Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-12-04

ncr when in discharge Of the proper and Legitimate iunc-
| ,ious assigned 10 his station
shall be cheered and sustained, gentlemen, by 'hess
considerations relying, as do, upon their continued
EXERCISE towards SELF and nduging, III entire CONN
denee the hope that spirit of courtesy and harmony
viii belong to debera,ions-that we Will be i'nnu
Influenced alone BY an anxious desire to advance the
rubc interest; rccollcctng the claims that Virginia.
the common mother Of all, has upon our hes. exer'
tiops to advance her prosperity and happiness.
/ The House having unanimously resolved on the mo-
ton of Mr. May proceed to the election OF Sergeant
nj rms that gentleman proposed for reelection Col
Ward who had faithfully discharged the duties of his
office during the past session. Carried unanimously
\ Robt. BrGdieu and I'm Chambers reelected
Door-keepers
The Speaker informed the House that he had recev-
/ cd some communications which he would now hana 10
! the Clerk for reading TO the House
i MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR.
i The Clerk then read The Annual Message OF the TO-
Feiio,c- Citizens Of he Senate
and House of Delegates
4 In assembling again the representatives OF inc
people of Virginia it proper that our hearts should
acknowledge with humble gratitude, the blessings
which have been dispensed to our commonwealth W
the Supreme Ruler Of events The instructions OF eA
perence designed TO teach nations the Necessity
. firm reliance OH Him in whose hands are all human
destnies, and no people have had more abundant
cause TO he thankful than ourselves. While many por-
tons of the EARTH and parts of our own country
have ielt the rayageS oil war ana peslltHce
about 10 close with us il commenced, in peace ana
security. Our fields have yielded their accustomed
harvests to the industry Of the husbandman the sk u
Of the mechanic, and the enterprise of the merchant,
have enlarged the sphere ct their usefulness ana lhe
reward, and every citizen has reposed in confidence
under the mild but sure protection of our laws. II
we have sometimes had occasion 10 lament the ini-
projections Of the best and the wsest OF human IN
at;intiona a comparison of coalition with thai
of the most favored Of race, will not fail 10 inspire
us with contenmen and TO crafty our national PRIDE
Though have recently witnessed period OF extra
ordinary excitement, | am not aware oil any instance
in which the laws have failed 10 protect the injured or
TO punish the offending. 1t cannot be otherwise, so
long social rights and obligations are sanctioned
by an enlightened popular WILL and sustained by those
simple, yet virtues, which are the indispensable
elements of free Government.
Though agriculture is the predominant interest OF
our State, it possesses almost unequaed advantages in
its climate its geographical position, its capac Gus bays
and rivers, its mineral productions, and IT'S supplies OF
water power, for commerce and manufactures. The
success which, under The disadvantages OF tuctua-
tinr population, and imperfect system Of husband
ry has attended every department Of industry, leaves
doubt that when art shall have aided STILL farther
in the development Of our natural resources our COM
monweath will more than realize the vivid concep
tons of national wealth and grandeur which ANNA
ted its early settlers Our energies recovering ra
pldy from the effects Of those large contributions
in population, wealth and enterprise, which have
made to the new States, and while our own citizens
now find il better 10 remain and improve their native
soil European emigrants and citizens Of other States
eeking homes in our fertile Western forests, or filling
up the places of those who have left us, too often
der the delusive hope Of improving their condition.
The indications of agricultural Improvement are de-
cided and cheering, particularly in many OF our conn
ties below tide water; and the astonishing increase IN
population and wealth. which is exhibited by whole
trans Alleghany country, assures us, that though We
have given than western empire to The Union,
f vet like the Roman father, not impoverished
by generosity; but much remains 10 US before
The multiplication of agricultural societies, and the
wedirected efforts of agricultural journals are
improving the old system of cultivation and adding
active and powerful smulants TO the energies OF our
0 production.
1t be regretted that the ofaceuiring
statistical information with regard TO the compre
{ sve interests Of State, satisfactory.
Such information would at All times be useful TO the
Legislature, and frequently important TO other depart
, ments of the government Our commerce seeks such
diversified channels along the whole line Of the Chesa-
peake, through our own ports those OF the District d
Columbia and the State of Nsryiand, and the wa
tiers of the Ohio in the West, that it is difficult 10
form any correct estimate of its total value. Though
the regulation OF lis external interests has been con-
iidrd 10 the Federal Government, is nevertheless
our duty 10 watch and foster these domestic re-
sources which supply the foreign market, and 10 sec
that they receive ust protection would, therefore,
call your attention 10 the oppressive and uncxam
pied burdens 10 which al "o'ral Staples has
been long subjected and submit whether u IS not eX
pedient for you, through representation in Con-
g:css TO enforce the just claims Of our tobacco plan
icrs to 4 reduction Of the enormous duties imposed on
tobacco by most European Governments In some IN
Stances these duties exceed thousand dollars on
the horshead while Injuries from The countries impos
ing Them admitted into the United States duty free.
and article Of commerce is subjected 10 any thing
like the tax. 1t is difficult TO conceive, why an
article which ranks second in the exports Of the United
States, and which enters largely into the consump-
ton of civilized and savage man, should have been
lected the subject of such system Of taxation,
why the injurious effects of these duties have not been
/ urged in emphatic manner on the considera-
ton Of foreign has been stated by those
who well acquainted with the subject that the
different European governments, interested (and many
Of them deeply in the tobacco trade derive an annual
revenue, by means of imposts American tobacco,
larger than the whole of the In;ted
States The beneficial consequences of reduction o.!
these duties would be felt BY increased de-
nand and better prices for this valuable product Of
soil.
] The great perfection attained by mlers in the
manufacture of -four, has gwen brands the high
est reputation in our own country and in foreign
: kes. The manufacture of cheap cotton cloths OF
IRON, paper, salt, glass, &c. III State has rapidly
extended, and already reached point al which II may
be considered having established successful conf
petition with the best articles manufactured elsewhere
The cities of Richmond and Uhetiing, as well as Pc
iicrsJnrg, LynchjuTg and several other SITES arc en-
poying very large amounts Of capital in manufactures,
and displaying energy which will soon entitle
iFgtatd 10 high rank among Inc manufacturing
, States.
Our imports, like those of al the States, have been
affected hy the frequent fluctuations of general COM
rnercc within the last few years, but they indicate
progressive improvement, which encourages the belief
RI that at no distant period, fore trade Will flow IN
more direct and natural channels than those in which
habit, rather than expcdcncy, has long confined it,
The amount of exports exhibits striking contrast
with our mporta;ions, and shows beyond doubt that
possess abundant means for sustaining that credit
abroad, which will enable 10 derive those advanta-
ges from foreign commerce which enjoyed
chiefly by others. The application of steam to ma
rine navigation, while it brings distant nations in
closer contact 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
,ifcia aud more direct system Of foreign credit. TIL.