Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1858-01-25

In reply to an inquiry touching the favor tina
the Governor has been accused Of extending
to the project of Eli Thayer for improving TIT
neglected lands and developing the bidder
resources of Virginia. The Governor says
| that he has never been consulted IN any man
ner upon this scheme, that he has no nfor-
nation Of it, except such as is before the pub
lie. If any attempt is made to cause inva-
sion, to incite instruction, or to impair the
value of slave property. he will resist it, and
| enforce the laws, which are sufficient for the
! purpose. At the same time, he recognises
the right of citizens of one State to pass, fol
lawful purposes, into another, and to settle
| there as peaceabe citizens, obedent to the
laws. He says:
RICHMOND, V&, August q, 1857.
Dear Sr-Yours of the 18th inst. was re-
ceived this morning, and reply to it imme-
diately, that g Mr.. Eli Thayers emigration
scheme" in Western Virginia or anywhere
else, has never been submitted in any man
ner whatever for my approval or disapproFal.
What the scheme is, for any part of Virginia
or elsewhere, sm not definitely informed,
and the agents of no such emigration scheme
have ever addressed me on the subject, di-
rectly or indirectly, and It's friends, whoever
they be, have no authority whatever for the
use OF my name in its favor. A newspaper
report TO that effect, in some Cincinnati jour
nal, was lately contradicted by the Richmond
Enquirer, with my authority.
L am - cognizant" of no matter appertain-
ing to the origin, objects and probable results
of this " enterprise" which have not been
given to the public. Officially, have moth
ing to do with the subject, except it be made
apparent by proper and sufficient proof, that
combinations or associations are formed, in
or out Of the State, to cause invasion or in
cite instruction, or to prevent the execution
OF our laws, especially those for the protec-
ton OF property in slaves. Any association
or combination, formed under any pretext,
coming into our limits with the avowed or
manifest purpose and act of impairing the
value of property in slaves, would be against
the laws of the Commonwealth, which l will
take care shall be faithfully executed" No
such association or combination has my APP
probation, and it will have to encounter all
the power vested in me by the Constitution
to resist and overcome anv such unla wful in
tent or purpose, and to enforce the execution
of the laws. But in saying this, disdain all
meaning to interfere with peaceful and law
full immigration into the limits of our Com
monweath.
Our State needs settlers to develope her
vast resources and l would from policy and
without fear, encourage immigrants to come
to our waste lands and improve them, to in
crease our population, our wealth, our reve-
nue., and our state and federal strength
ana SO conscious am of the power OF Vir-
gina TO protect and defend her institutions,
and the persons and property of her citizens,
IN her own limits at least, that would nei-
ther feel nor betray any fear, it felt, which
would repel lawful immigration and settle
ment. That State must be weak, indeed,
whlcn would, from mere apprehension, ar
rest the progress of her development, lest she
could not preserve her peace protect her per
sons and property, and enforce her laws.
nave no Tear, therefore. that any emigration
scheme intended TO affect Virginia, can en-
danger either her honor, her rights, her pos
sessions or her peace IN her own limits.
No matter what may be the newspaper ru-
mors, however calculated to alarm the timid