Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1842-10-21

for agricultural products, upon which the
farmer could depend Certainly no commu-
nifty could secure to itself greater prosperity
than ours, by adopting and steadily pursuing
this course of policy. No people have been
more highly favored than ourselves, by natu-
raj advantages, and it will be our own iault
if we do not improve them.
The tariff of duties lately passed by Con-
gress, will, | have no doubt, greatly increase
our prosperity. Yet we must not expect
from it miraculous effects Protection had
been so long, so unwisely and unjustly with
held, that the whole country was inundated
with foreign manufactures, and our means
almost exhausted TO pay for them. The
consequence has been universal prostra-
ton of all the great interests of the country,
from which we cannot expect they Will sud
denly recover But let us at least derive
some benefit from these sell-infllcted evils.
They should teach us the necessity oil guard
ing against their recurrence. Already do
we sec the same spirit of mischief, which
produced them, again at work in demand
ing and threatening repeal of the Tariff.
If we watch and oppose it, as we should, we
can have little to fear from it. But It's sue
cess would be our ruin.
In connection with our internal prosperity,
| would again call your attention TO the sub
ject of geological survey of the State. The
discovery Of mineral wealth would more GER
tainly haste the establishment Of railroads
than any other cause. To this cause, in
deed, they owe their invention. But it is
principally on account of the direct
benefit which agriculture would derive
] e .l,,. I I,o., a.,
see it undertaken While agriculturalsts
of other countries are availing themselves,
to so much advantage, of the lights of SCI
ence, let il not be said that the farmers of
/ Vermont are falling behind the age in agri-
cultural Improvements Similar surveys
have already been made, or are now in pro-
gress in most Of the sister States, and in no
instance have they failed to be attended by
results of high Importance and value They
have not only determined the locality of sus-
pected ores and other minerals, but have Of
ten laid open rich mines of metallic and min
cral deposites, in regions where their exis-
tence had never before been imagined The
narrow territorial extent of our State, aud
the ready accessibility lis whole surface,
render It's thorough examination a task
which may be accomplished within Mode
rate limits both Of time and expense and
have no doubt our people would cheerfully
bear the light addition to their burdens,
arising from the adoption Of a measure,
which promises not only substantial pecunia-
~ and social benefits, by Development Of
our internal resources, but an important
contribution to natural science and to those
great agricultural and manufacturing inter-
J ,cb "a ,of Of
an enlightened community to foster. |
would suggest, in this connection, that sum
more than sufficient to meet the expense of
such a survey, is now due to the State from
the General Government, arising from the
sales of the public lands, under the act Of
Sept. 4th, lS4I.
1t will be your duty. during your present
session, again to divide the State into dis
trcts, for the election Of members Of Con-
gress. For long series of years this State
has been distinguished, think | am war
ranted in saying, above any other, for the
moderation aud Justice with which the pre-
vaing political party has treated the rights
and claims of the minority. 1t is a circum-
stance in our history of which we may be
justly proud, and upon which we shall al
ways look back with satisfaction. An equi-
table division of the State into Congressional
districts will furnish us no new matter to
boast OF; It will be merely an adherence TO
our established customs
The militia of the State, the brave sue
cessors of those, who, in our revolutiona-
ry struggle, acquired such unfading honor.
will, | am sure, receive from your hands all
the consideration which so important a
7 IF T.
appointing n committee to revise the militia
laws, which you devolved upon me at
your last session, has been discharged, and
their report will, at an early day, be COM
municated to YOU
In the discharge of my official duties,
have had an opportunity Of learning the
mode in which the accounts of the state, with
many of its officers, have hitherto been kept,
and feel bound to call your particular at
tention to the subject There is an urgent
and pressing necessity here, for thorough
reform. have been surprised to find, that
from the manner of keeping these accounts.
opportunities have SO long existed for fraud
ulent practices. A revision of the laws on
this subject is imperatively required, and
system should be adopted which will secure
rigorous and exact accountability of every
public officer Great improvements have
recently been made in the systems of other
States, and it may be well to avail ourselves
OF the benefit of their experience. | fear
we shall gain little, however, by any at
tempts at change, unles they are made with
determination TO effect a thorough and well
matured reform, and to extend it to every
officer, immediate or remotely connected
with the Treasury. j am relieved from the
necessity of entering into greater detail, by