Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1843-12-14
ERNoR,S MESSAGE.


ordered to be printed.
GOVERNOR'S MESSAGE.
Felosc- Citisens Of the Senate,
and IF the House Of Delegates:
Although the time which has passed since your
sate adjournment is but short, and has not been
productive OF any extraordinary national events,
nor OF any irregular critical condition of our
State affairs there is, nevertheless, in the current
condition oil these, good deal that will require
the provdent exercise of the functions to which
you have returned. So frequently however, have
previous legislatures convened under a like con-
d'uon OF things, that you will see in the existing
one, nothing to be surprised at, nor any thing
else which is not incident at all times to the
common course and operation Of Governments.-
Like other Legislatures, you will find in your
turn, how difficult it is 10 place the wide and va
rious interests Of the Commonwealth upon their
soundest and steadiest footing. And like others
too, you will find, when you have executed your
trust in this respect, to the uttermost of your a
bility and means, have extended your aid to every
thing that may be thought 10 require or deserve
It, and applied your remedies to every discovered
defect in the policy, principles and administration
OF the laws, that the inherent tendency of them
all to relaxation and disorder, will operate just as
before--that your own labors will result in i'm
perfections, which the labors of others will be
required To- correct. and that at last, the great
problem Of what is best to be done for the good of
the Commonwealth, will continue to occupy your
successors in office, as anXiously as it now occu-
pies you. Such is the constant movement, either
forward or backward, in all human things, that
the duties of Legislation can never cease, no mat
ter how well or wisely they may be performed.-
And, least of ALL are these duties like to be sus-
pended even, much less TO cease, i'm communities
like ours, where the whole body of the law is in
perfect sympathy with the people, upon whose
consen, it is formed, and where, as necessary
consequence, change will be made TO follow
change, not because the public mind is reckless
OF results but because, on the contrary, il is ha-
bitually, ardently, aud profoundly intent upon
shaping results for the best, and obtaining, for
human happiness, every thing which Government
and laws can be made to contribute. These are
the duties which await you, and such has been
the general health, the general abundance, the
perfect peace, the soothing repose from party con-
fiict, the exemption from calamities Of all kinds,
by which the year that is closing has been mark
ed, that you enter upon these duties surrounded
by blessings which call upon you, and upon the
State, for devoutest gratitude TO Him, who has
provided and bestowed them ALL With advanta-
ges SO suspicious 10 the calm, wise, and prompt
execution of your duties, the public have right
to expect, that a correspondent good will be re-
narrow Legislation for small defects, you will ar
range, with wisdom, the pecuniary burthens OF
the State-will foster, with liberal hand, the sub
Jects OF education and internal commerce--and so
labor to bring the sympathies and interests of our
scattered people into fellowship and unity with
each other, as to lay the foundations OF a still
broader, and more progressive prosperity, than we
have yet enjoyed, and thus contribute useful
share to the patriotic work, Of rendering the Com
monwealth as strong in every element of ply si-
cal, moral, and intellectual power, as she has ev-
er been strong In the veneration and attachment
of her children.
should overlook the manifestations of public
anxiety less than the oft
state, II were not, at the very outset of your la
oors, to recommend the subject of our finances as
amongst the first and principal of any which can
or ought to engage them. This is always deli
cate and embarrassing subject, when considered
with reference to taxation, but never so much SO
as when the necessity for continuing a high rate
OF revenue taxes exists, as it does at present
with severe and dscouraging reductions in the
marketable value Of the property from which il
must be taken. In this case, the ordinary diff
Gully OF assessing tax which shall be fair in
Its relative proportions, and sufficient in its total
amount, is deeply aggravated by the necessity Of
Keeping up its exactions at the very moment
when it would be most desirable 10 relax them
This necessity would not now be seriously felt
II felt at ALL had the law Of the last Legislature
providing for an increase Of revenue during the
present year, been as productive as il was intend
ed and expected to have been. But as it has not
been so, having yielded little more than half the
sum 1t was expected to yield, it will be for you tt
supply the deficiencies Of the ensuing year, either
by re-enactiDg the same law, or by adopting some
other not less effective.
whist, however, this law has but partially ac
comPlIshed Its main design, Of providing stuff
cient means to discharge the current expenditures
OF the State, together with the interest upon lis
permanent debt, and TO pay off its temporary loar
from the banks, it has effected certain colIatera
and contemplated objects Of great value. in In,
most gratifying and serviceabIe manner Wher
1t was passed, the bonds Of the State, altbouol
they were bearing interest which was payabl.
half yearly at the treasury, and which had beer
punctually paid, had sunk to depreciation "A,
low as seventy-seven seventy-eight cents in tn,
dollar, in consequence no doubt of the wide
spread and indiscriminate suspicion with which
the monied obligations Of the several States bat
come to be regarded. Since its passage this de
probation has disappeared, and the bonds hav,
risen to several per cent above par, and so risen
unquestionably, under the influence Of the law it
self, which following up in practice the resolu
lions OF your body IN the case Of the guaranteed
bonds, proved the lofty and determined spirit il
which the whole matter was considered, and rem
dered it perfectly evident, that the power of thu
Legislature would never bo wanting to protect thu
obligations Of the State from false and causeles,
discredit. IL was rightly considered by the lie
gislature, that these bonds would not DO restored