The Minnesota pioneer. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn. Territory) 1849-1855, 1851-01-09
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Feiloic citizens Of ke Council
and House OF Representatives:

you come together to deliberate upon the
wants. and TO promote the interests Of
our common constituents. In meeting
you al this time, cannot refrain from
rendering my heartfelt congratulations
upon the suspicious circumstances I'M
der which you convene.
Though our Civilizations are naturally
chasiened, in view Of the affecting dis
pensation visited upon our land during
the past year, in the death Of its chief
Magistrate yet as nation, under a
wise and patriotic administration, we are
prosperous al homc--at peace with all
the governments of the carth--increas-
ing with unabated.rapidity in population,
intelligence, wealth and power, in the
full enjoyment Of civil and religious lib
erty, and possessing all the elements Of
individual and national prosperity. AS
Territory, but yesterday without Il
paMe, or political existence, our growth
has been ofthe mos, satisfactory charac-
ter. Health has prevailed within our
borders. Our new soil has not failed TO
resp md gratefully to the labors of the
hush ndman; and already in places,
our prairics, scarcely abandoned by the
disappearing buffalo, are assuming a
robelof cultivated verdure The enter
prise of our hardy .umbermen has met
with! a liberal return and there has
been rapid augmentation of this i'm
portant element Of wealth, and rich
SOURCE of revenue, so Invaluable to our
SELVES, as well as to the country on the
great river TO the south of US.
In the interval since the adjournment
vi the first Legislative Assembly, practi-
cal test has been made Of the navigation
OF the Mississippi river above the Falls
of 81. Anthony, and to the navigable wat
ers OF the globe has been added the
stream which has given name to our flu
ture commonwealth. A permanent Great
Seal has been procured in accordance
with the directions OF the "Act concern
ing Seals'-the devices and notices
having been determined upon by the
Territorial delegate and myself agreea-
bly, 10 the Instructions of said act. The
counties erected by acts OF the last Leg
islative Assembly have been duly organ
ized, and the elections held therein, and
other operations incident thereto CON
Quoted with rs much quiet and order as
Is Witnessed in older and more firmly
established communities.
Though accidental circumstances
have in some degree diminished the i'm
migration, which otherwise, during the
past year, would have been attracted to
our Territory; yet these are of tran
silent character, and may not again re
cur. Emigrations, from one region to
another, are common incidents in the
history of mankind; but there is nothing
recorded in the annals Of the world, that
does not sink in comparison by side OF
that marvellous American progress, that
astonishing growth and development OF
our triumphant, irresistible civilization,
which in its march to the uttermost ex-
tremi,ies. ofthe West has passed the bar
rier Of the AlIeghanies, peopled the val
ley Of the Mississippi, crossed the Rocky
Mountains, and planscdpur glorious liber-
ty and benign institutions by the shores OF
the Pacific. That the fertility of our soil
the salubrity Of our climate, our forests,
tible water power, furnish elements
WHICH will attract hither a large and
steady immigration, and secure growth
both vigorous and rapid, cannot be
doubted. In our new state of society
the elements are all healthy, and full Of
infant purity. New objects are opening
and new resources developed, on every
and in the Olympic race to greatness
untrammeled with previous habits, and
leaving behind us the the cumbrous clogs
of a feudal and military age, which con-
tinue, even to the present time, to affect
the condition oiproperty in Europe-we
enjoy the experience Of older states, IN
addition to the advantage incident to
new communities, of legislating withou,
violence to ancient prejudices or estab-
lished rules. One dissatisfied with the
realities of the present, and the promises
of the future, may find here no venera-
BILE past, on which to ruminate with an
tiquarian rapture; but with capacities OF
Improvement, not only unapplied and un-
exhausted, but even, in great measure
as yet, uuCApfOFcu. Will a CeEtdln aug
:nentation, both by internal develop
ment and external accession, a sober
contemplation Of our condition spreads
magnificent prospects before US, and full
ly iustifies the prophetic anticipations OF
future greatness. in which we all SO fond
ly indulge.
That our growth, gentlemen Of the
Council and House Of Representatives,
may take the most heaithful direction,
will depend much upon the temper and
wisdom of your counsels; and in pre-
senting to your notice, on this occasion,
such topics as are thought to be entitled
to a share of your attention, shall con-
tent myself, without seeking for subjects
Of legislative action in speculations OF
my own, with brief reference to such
measures as have already, to some ex-
tent occupied the public mind, and in
regard to which you are doubtless well
advised of the wishes of your constitu-
ents.
Prominent among the matters, which