The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1860-11-28
G@vNHN1I'S MllgSSAGlao
10 me f70n0FuDH nc
General assembly Of NORTH CaroLina.

To The Honorable The
General assembly Of North Carolina,
GENTLEMES Elected by the universal
suffrages Of free people, you have assem-
bled at the time appointed by law, to con-
suit together for the common good and to
adopt such measures as may be demanded by
the public welfare.
Although your session opens amid politl-
cal embarrassments in our Federal affairs OF
a character calculated to excite in every pa
triotic mind, painful apprehensions for the
maintenance Of existing political relations
with our Confederate States, yet We are sur
rounded here at home with such evidences
Of happiness and prosperity as to impress US
with deep sense OF our many obligations to
the Supreme Being who has graciously di-
rected our councils in the past, and upon
whom must be our chief reliance for safe
deliyerance from the evils that threaten the
future of our country.
Within the political period embracing the
past two years, our people have been signal
| " blessed with physical health the returns
6f agriculture, though somewhat diminished
BY the blighting influences Of drought that
widely peryaded the country during the last
able reward TO the labors Of the husbandman
the increased yield Of our mines furnishes
gratifying evidence Of the growing import
ance of that interesting branch Of industry
the products OF mechanical and manufactu-
ring pursuits have steadily increased in
amount and improved in quality /; commerce
has prospered, and the advantages Of educa-
tion have been more widely extended than
heretofore, exhibiting as ever the. natural re-
suit Of social development and moral eleva-
/ tion.
The moral and material progress thus ma
terially evidenced, may be traced for cause,
directly and unerringly, TO the great system
Of Internal improvements that has, for the
past ten years, been prosecuted under the
patronage Of the State.
Our public works have steadily advanced
from their beginning point on the Atlantic
Ocean far into the interior of the country,
stimulating as they progress every depart
meht Of industry. by offering new facilities
Of transportation and opening up sources d
public wealth that have heretofore slumber-
ed, and otherwise would have continued "a
slumber in their natural barrenness.
Guided by the example Of my predeces-
sors, j viii proceed olsy before you the ope-
rations Of the Government for the political
period designated, and respectfully TO sug-
gest the adoption Of such measures as, TO me,
the public interests may seem TO require.
More detailed statements than would be
compatible with the nature Of this commune
cation will be furnished by the heads Of the
several Departments in their regular bien-
NAL reports.
PUBLIC DEBT AND FINANCES.
/ The subject to which ! shall first invite
your attention. deemng il of primary impor.
tance, j. the condition ol the finances Of TIC
State.
4 A rigid observance Of the public faith is a
sentiment deeply impressed upon the mind,
and hearts Of the people Of North Carolina
aud the more sacredly cherished because o
the fact that in all our past history that faitl
has received no tarnish. This we'll knowr
disposition of the public mind forbids |
doubt, that YOU will see that ample proyis
ion il made to meet beyond every contingen
cy. the accruing interest on the public debt
and for the payment Of the principal upor
maturity. And happily forus, the discharge
Of this duty, as will appear from our exami
nation Of our financial affairs, will not ST
much require additional legislation aud tn,
imposition Of increased taxes as the abstain
ing from such new and combined measure;
a. may diminish the present receipts of III,
Treasury. The following abstract. taker
from the books of the public Treasurer, ex.
hibits the amount Of The debt Of the State OF
the first day Of October last, the beginning .
the present financial year, together with th,
purposes for which il was contracted:
Forthc North Carolina Railroad. .s3.O0oOa0
For Atlantic x n Carolina Railroad, I, GGi0j