Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1844-12-19

from time to time. have been drawn from Oh
seat OF Government for the settlement Of thei
'raiisactons with the Government, have gone
away dissatisfied Where the TESTIMONY ha
oeen perfected. and was esteemed satisfactol
sheiF claims nave been promptly audited ane
TINS IN the absence of all favortism or partial
ify. The Government which is non Just to it
own people, can neither claim their affection
nor the respect of the world. AT the same
time the closest attention has been paid II
those matters which relate more immediatei,
| 10 the great concerns of the country. Orde
and efficiency in each branch of the publ,
service, have prevailed; accompanied by
system If The most rigid responsibility, on til,
part Of the receiving and dishursing agents
/ The fact. in illustration of the truth of this re
| mark, deserves to be noticed, that the reye
nues OF the Government, amounting in the
last four years. TO upwards of Sl2 900, 900 have
been collected and tlisbursed through the M
| merous Government agents, without the los
| by default OF any amount worthy of serious
commentary.
The appropriations made by Congress fol
for the improvement of the rivers Of tie
I the West. and of the barbors on the lakes. are
IN course of iudicious expenditure under
suitable agents; and are destined it is to be
hoped, to realize all the benefits designed tc
| be accomplished by Congress. ! cannot how
| ever, sufficiently impress upon Congress the
great Importance of Withholding appropria
tons from improvements which are not ascer
tanned, by previous examination and survey
to be necessary for the shelter and protection
of trade from the dangers of storms and TEN
t pests. Without this precaution, the expendi
! lures are but too apt TO enure to the benefit
of individuals, without reference to the cniy
consideration which can render them constitu
| tional--tEe public interests and the general
good
cannot too earnestly urge upon you the
interests Of this District, over which, by the
Constitution, Congre IS has exclusive iurisdc
ton 1t would be deeply regretted, should
there be, at any time, ground to complain OF
neglect on the part of community which
detached as it is from the parental care of the
! States of Virginia and Nlar2land, can only ex
pect aid from Congresses its local Legislature
! Amongst the subjects which claim your atten
ton, is the prompt organization of an asylum
/ for the insane, who may be found from time
to time, sol burning within the District. Sucl
course is also demanded by consideration!
which apply to branches ofthe public service
For the necessities in this behalf, invite YOU
cretarv Of the Navy.
have thus, gentlemen ofthe two House.
Of Congress, presented you true and faitl
ful picture of the condition of public affairs
both foreign aud domestic. The wants OF tt+
public service are made known to you; anc
and matters of no ordinary importance are
urged upon Your consideration. Shall I not
/ be permitted to congratulate you on the hap
/ py auspices under which you have assembled
and at the important change in the cond tor
of things which has occurred in the last three
vears1 During that period questions with for
| cign powers, of vital Importance to the peace
of our country, have been settled and adius
ted A desoisting and wasting war with saw
age tribes has been brought to close. The
internal Tranquility of the country threatene-
bv agitating questions. has been preserved. -
! The credit of the Government, which had ex-
rerienceG a temporary embarrassment. ha
been thoroughly restored Its coffers,wh'ch
for a season, were empty. have been rep'en
( ished 4 currency nearly uniform i'll lis val
ne, has taken the place of one deprecated
and almost worthless. Commerce and manu-
features which had suffered in common witt
every other interest, have once more revived
and the whole country exhibits an aspect o
prosperity and happiness. Trade and barter
no longer governed by wild and speculative
mania,rest upon solid and substantial footing
and The rapid growth of our cities, in ever.
direction bespeaks most strongly the favorable
circumstances by which we are surrounded
/ NV happiness, in the retirement which shortly
awaits me, is the ardent hope which expert
ence, that the state of prosperity is neither
deceptive nor destined to be short-lived: ant
! that measures which have not yet received it:
sanction, but which | cannot but regard a:
closely connected with the honor, TIE glory
and still more enlarged prosperity of the coun
try are destined. at An early day, to receive
the approval of Congress. Under these cir
cumstances, and these anticipations, shai
most gladly leave TO others,more able than my
SELF the noble and pleasing task ofsustainins
the public prosperity. 7 shall carry with mt
into retirement the gratifying reflection, that
as my sole object throughout has been to al
vance the public good, ] may not entirel,
have failed in accomplishing it, aud this graf.
| ification is heightened in no small degree b,
the fact that when under deep and abidin!
sense of duty, have found myself constrained
to resort to the qualified Veto, it has neithe
been followed BY .iisapprova on the part o
the People,nor weakened i'll any degree thei
attachment to that great conservative featur
of our Government.
/ JOHN TYLER.