Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1851-07-02

In the year l792. IL Is taken from the Fropi-
dence Gazette and Country Journal, published
by JOHN CARTER, at Providence, X. l., and is
now the property of our worthy citizen, HARRY
EATON Its dress is that of the old seventy-six
stamp. 1t will be seen that the establishment
of system of free schools is therein recon-
mended-by which, says the bold HANCOCK"
"The children of the poorer will have equal ad-
vantages with those of the richer part of the
community"
Gentlemen of the Senate, and
of the House of Representatives..
The candour which my felow-citizens have
shewn towards me, by repeatedly giving me
their suffrages for Governor of the Common
wealth, and my duty resulting from that office,
induce me to request your attendance in this
place, that may pay to you the respect which
is due to the assembled Representatives OF a
great and free people.
In times of public danger, and Of common
calamity, men in office have an opportunity to
make display of ability, firmness and patriot
ism; but we, Gentlemen, in the present state
of our country, have little more to do, than to
improve and enjoy that general tranquility, and
those scenes of public prosperity, which sell
kom fall to the lot of nation From the char
acters which compose the Legislature, our fell
low-citizens must possess the highest assurance,
that all the measures of the present year will
be calculated to preserve to the people of Uni
ted America in general, and to those of this
Commonwealth in particular, those invaluable
blessings.
That free government, founded in the nat
ural equal rights of all the people, is within the
reach of human ability, and to be priced as a
principal support of national happiness, is an
idea which has been long established in the
minds of the greatest and wisest men in the
world: The manner in which this State was
originally settled by our ancestors, has given us
an opportunity to carry this principle into prac-
tice: And our great and uneXampled success
has given us cause of gratitude to Him who
prescribed the bounds of different nations, and
has fully compensated us for all our toll, ex-
pence and trouble.
That government may be considered rs truly
free, where all the people are, by the constitu-
ton and laws, upon the same rank OF privilege,
and have an equal security for their lives, liber-
ties, and property; where the laws do not ere
ate, but are calculated to prevent all exclusive
rights to fame or wealth. and leave each citizen
upon his own merit for the honours OF his coun-
try, and upon his own honest eXertions for the
requirement Of property. That such situa-
ton as have limited at, may be in the possess
ion of every nation on the earth, it is the de-
vout wish of every good man: And in this
idea, our prayers cannot cease for people, with
whom we are nearly allied and whose generous
assistance did much towards promoting the OBJ
ject of our wishes in the time of our distress
The means most likely to continue our pub
lie felicity, are the establishing and executing
such laws, as will tend to support the habits OF
truth, integrity, and every moral virtue; and by
certain and adequate punishments, to prohibit
all frauds, and every immortality and vice: The
providing for regular support of teachers OF
pietv, religion and morality; and the mainten.
ance of free public schools in the towns of the
State, by which the children Of the poorer will
have equal advantages with those of the richer
part Of the community. | am exceedingly graf
flied in being assured that these important in
stitutions are so generally attended to by the
people Of this State: And as ] consider oul
University at Cambridge as being the principal
source Of the learning and intelligence possess
ed by this community, | cannot but earnestly
solicit you to give it your encouragement and
support. By these, and other measures, which
your wisdom and prudence will dictate, under
the smiles of that Divine Being who has hither
to afforded us his support, we may hope for &
continuance of our prosperity, aud for perma
ncnt public happiness.
We live in a country that naturally excites
the mind to enterprise, giving encouragement
to industry, and to that spirit of commerce
which tends TO commend friendly intercourse
amongst all the nations of the earth, to improve
in the arts, and to render more valuable and i'm
portant the vast variety of blessings which we
possess.
have directed the Secretary to lay before
you such acts and proceedings of the Congress
of the United States, as have been forwarded
to me. Among them, is an act for regulating
the militia Of the State. That act appears to
me to be quite consonant to the constitution o.
the General Government, and | shall, as Com
mander in Chief of the militia of this State
take every measure in my power to render the
militia respectable under it,
There is also another act providing for the
proportion of Representatives to be sent from
the states to Congress. Your attention vii b,
Immediately called to forming districts, from
whence they are to be elected in this state
You will in this business be pleased to consid
er, that having the districts so formed as to gv'
a centre of communication to the inhabitants o
each, will have tendency to promote harmon!
and unanimity in their proceedings.
In the last session of the late General Cour
was Obliged, by the sense of duty to obec