STATE OF NEW-HAMPSHIRE. In Senate, June 9, 1828. ORDERED, That two hundred copies of the Message of His Excellency the Governor, this day received, be printed for the use of the Senate. W. H. Y. HACKETT, Clerk. A true copy....Attest.... B. B. FRENCH, Ast. Clerk. MESSAGE. -e Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: In obedience to the will of my fellow citizens, I have accepted the office of Chief Executive Magistrate of the State for the present year, and will devote myself to a discharge of the duties, which it imposes, so far as my inexperience in them, and my present feeble state of health will permit. It is the duty of the person who holds this important office, to take the constitution and the laws as the guide of his official conduct. Where they afford no express direction, a recurrence to the great principles in which our government has its foundation, will afford a correct and safe rule of action. The most sincere efforts may not afford security against errors, yet we may cherish the hope,that they may lead to an indulgent and charitable construction of such as are unintentional. The legitimate object of government is the im provement of the moral and civil condition of its citizens, as the most effectual means of promoting and securing individual and general happiness. All legislation should keep this object constantly in view. The chief means of effecting this great end, will be found in laws adapted to promote the general instruction and education of the people, to preserve the public peace and tranquillity, to enforce the performance of contracts, and to maintain the security of private rights. It is our hap (4) piness, that these great duties have not been ne glected by preceding legislatures. The present happy and prosperous condition of this State and of the United States, affords ample evidence, that their governments have been, and continue to be administered with prudence, integrity and wisdom. I have presumed, that the duties which will devolve upon the legislature, within the present year, will render a second session necessary. Under this impression, I have supposed that it would be the wish of the legislature to bring the present session to a close as early as may be practicable, consistently with a proper regard to subjects requiring their immediate attention. I have therefore thought it proper to forbear suggesting for their consideration any particular subject of legislation, excepting that which relates to the choice of electors of President and Vice President of the United States. The law of the United States requires, that the electors should be chosen next autumn. An election, which may in its consequences involve the prosperity and happiness of the people, cannot fail to be regarded with the deepest interest. The law relating to that important election should be so framed, that it will secure a fair and effective expression of the voice of the people. I will cheerfully cooperate in this, and in any other measures, which you may devise for giving further security to the rights, or for the promotion of the interests, of our fellow citizens. JOHN BELL. Concord, June 9, 1828. |
