LEGISLATURE, 1847.

Governor's Message.

Fellow Citizens of the Senate and

House of Representatives:

A review of the year which has elapsed since the assembling of the last Legislature at the Capitol, cannot fail to awaken a sense of profound gratitude to Almighty God. His care has been the tion of the republic. His sleepless eye has watched our progress and His all-powerful arm has guarded and directed us. Industry, economy and virtue have been rewarded by the enjoyment of happiness and prosperity. Civil, religious and political liberty has continued without interruption. Progress in the arts of peace, in the comforts and humanities of life, in the pursuits of science and the useful arts, and in the development of the natural resources of the State, was never more remarkable than during the past year.

Invoking the continued kindness and protection of Providence over our beloved commonwealth, I greet you, Fellow-Citizens, on your assembling as a co-ordinate branch of the government, com. missioned to consult upon the public weal. Representing the wishes and interests of the different portions of the State, under the authority of recent elections by the people, I look to you for aid and counsel in endeavoring to administer the government with a view to the public interest. If, notwithstanding the efforts and solicitude of the Executive, any failure has occurred in securing the full enjoyment of the rights of the people, or the true interests of the body politic, I solicit your strictest scrutiny in the causes, and your co-operation in endeavors to apply the proper remedy.

In performing the duty imposed upon me by the constitution, at the opening of a legislative session, I take pleasure in communicat