The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1849-12-07
Virginia.


a copy of the message of Governor Floyd, of Vir-
gnia The following Is an abstract:
The liberal spirit evinced in the more recent
legislation of the State touching the improvement
of roads and canals, has not resulted in embarrass
ing its finances or endangering the prompt pay
ment of its obligations. If it were thought de-
sirable to pay the public debt Immediately, the
sale at par of the profitable and interest paying
stocks belonging 10 the State would very nearly
do it.
The present subsisting debt amounts to $s7,54l,-
292 III. The annual interest and dividends received
by the state amount to $3.50, $50 09; showing that
the stocks yielding this sum worth, at par,
$7l79,20O, or within $4,000 of the amount of
the debt.
In addition to this, there is sum of $6,000,000
which, under existing laws, may be called for out
of the treasury, and about $5,00O0O0 of which
will at is thought, be certainly demanded in the
course Of few years hence this sum, although
not now subsisting debt, will become SO, and
ought therefore, to be taken into the estimates of
the public liabilities. The State has also guaran-
tied loans for various incorporated companies, but
it is assumed that they are, will ultimately be,
amply able to pay their bonds, as up to this time
they have always done the interests on them.
The Governor congratulates the legislature upon
this suspicious aspect of the fiscal affairs,
mending at the same time that, except such sums
as arc necessary to carry on the great works al
ready begun, or such as are essentially necessary
to contribute to their success and profit, farther
appropriation should be made for the present out Of
the treasury.
He looks upon this course as necessary to the
successful completion of the works of internal inn
provement now under way; and that completion as
indispensable, if Virginia would regain that pecu-
mary and commercial ascendency which she once
possessed in the confederacy. He says
''The example set us by our neighbors at the north
is of wisdom, and deserves most earnest
attention In spite of a bleak climate and sterile
soil, they have by judicious policy, afforded such
facilities % INSTRUMENTATION and trade, that
commerce with her golden tides has filed the land
with plenty, prosperity, and wealth Our natural
advantages remain still the same; they
cqualled by any Atlantic State; and while it is
probably too late to divert the commerce Of the At
lantc cities from its present channels, still 1t is III
the power OF demonstration to show that vast deal
of what we have unwisely lost can be regancd, and
that still secure fair division OF that COM
mercial wealth and power which is now monopo-
lied by the north
The condition of the several works Of public inn
proyement is reviewed at great length, nearly one
half of the message being devoted to the subject
and their claims upon the public attention pressed;
but have not time to- day TO follow the Governor
in detail He seems particularly anxious, how
ever, for connexion with Louisville. He says
% If the East India commerce can then be brought
across continent upon railroad, that road
seeking the best route must pass through the midst
ofour commonwealth From Norfolk, the best At
lantic seaport or from any other tidewater city of
Virginia, there is difficulty in reaching the city
of Louisville. At this point the Ohio can be easily
bridged, affordng il does a rock foundation
across the entire channel
''From thence, through the States of Indiana and
Illinois, the ground is favorable for road, and the
Mississippi itself furnishes a rock foundation for
bridge across its bosom, at the Grand Tower, not
far above the mouth of the Ohio From this, if j
am rightly informed, water courses interposc
barriers TO the construction of railroad, until the
magnificent bay OF San Francisco shall be reached
There Is nothing then, hinder a car, laden with
the rich silks and aromatic spices of India on the
shores of the Pacific, from pursuing its continuous
and uninterrupted course, until its journey is com
pleted, and II rests upon the banks of the Chesa-
peake."
The necessity of reform in the fundamental law of
the commonwealth is urged, and the belief expressed
that il cannot be much longer delayed. The Lee
gisaturc are earnestly recommended 10 take the
sense O the people, at the next election upon the
expediency Of calling convention TO amend the
constitution.
The schools and colleges throughout the common
wealth are in unprecedently iourishing condi-
ton. The experiment of n military institute has
been successful, and il is commended nstitu-
ton where habits Of regularity, system and order
arc acquired, which must be of incalculabe advan-
tagc throughout all after life 10 the graduate.
In relation 10 the free negro population, the Gov
ernor is inclined To think that the most feasible
plan yet proposed for the reduction of their num-
bcrs Is 10 give ample assistance TO the colonization
society.
The final column Of the message is devoted 10 the
discussion of the great subject of interest 10 the
South, and indeed 10 the Union-thc exclusion of
slavery from the newly acquired territory. IL is
treated with much more moderation, and with a
greater show Of argument than is usual in South
messages, while its tone is not the less decided,
because its opinions advanced IN less offensive
manner, and with a smaller exhibition Of gascon-
ade and bravado.