Alexandria Gazette & Daily Advertiser

From the Richmond Enquirer, Nov. 18.

BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.

Further Proceedings.

Tuesday, Nov. 11.—A motion was made, and agreed to unanimously, that the Address of the President, at the commencement of the session of the Board, be spread on the Journal.

The Governor's address was as follows:

"GENTLEMEN—This being the first annual meeting since I have had the honor of being placed in the high and responsible situation which the law has assigned me at this Board, I will ask your indulgence whilst I make the declaration that it shall be my unceasing endeavour to manifest an impartiality and disinterestedness which will satisfactorily evince that I shall always be governed by a due and deliberate regard to the individual feelings of this Board, whilst I shall advance with an undeviating eye and steady step, to what I conceive to be the most important and essential interests of the whole State.

"Were I not convinced that all the members composing this Board had devoted much reflection upon the important subject of the internal improvement of the State, and particularly the sections of it which they represent, I should have deemed it my duty to have made an effort to have briefly presented to their view such prominent subjects as I might have deemed most worthy their consideration. But when I see around me those who I know to be well qualified for the discharge of their duty, and amongst them those very persons to whose zeal and devotion the institution is in a great degree indebted for its existence, I should be very ignorant of myself and very arrogant, were I to attempt to prescribe subjects, or direct their deliberations.

"No important institution can be brought completely into operation without encountering the delays and difficulties consequent upon a state of incipiency. By those who do not witness every unavoidable embarrassment which necessarily retards, there is rarely that liberal allowance made which is justly due. It is with regret that I have seen an impatience in every section of the state, which could not be gratified. While I have properly appreciated the motive, I cannot help fearing that it will beget an unfriendly spirit, which may endanger the foundation of the institution, and destroy the best efforts and fairest prospects for the internal improvement of the State, that have been devised since the establishment of the government. Yet I can never cease to cherish, with the fondest anticipation, the day when this great project shall be matured. For, whether it is considered as involving individual benefits, by promoting wealth and industry, or whether it is regarded in a political point of view, as strengthening the ties of fraternity between the eastern and western sections of the state, by a direct intimacy which always goes to a subversion of narrow prejudices, and by the additional union of an inseparable interest; or, indeed, whether as touching the great character of the State, it is equally the subject of my deepest concern and most anxious solicitude. Permit me therefore to reiterate my assurances, that in every step towards the promotion of so important an object both to the people and the State, it will always give sincere pleasure to afford my most cordial co-operation."

A resolution was adopted instructing the Public Engineers to survey a route for a canal from Richmond to the route of the contemplated canal, connecting the waters of the Roanoke and Appomattox rivers, so as to meet that route at the most convenient and eligible point: provided provision shall previously have been made for defraying the expenses, according to an Act creating a fund for Internal Improvement.

Sundry documents on the subject of the Navigation of the Rappahannock river and its branches, were referred to a Committee of three to report their opinion thereupon.

Mr. Bernard Peyton was re-elected Secretary to the Board for one year.

Wednesday, Nov. 11.—The committee to whom was referred the Report of the Principal Engineer, and sundry other documents in relation to the Rappahannock River, made the following Report:

That, in pursuance of the said resolution, they called upon the Principal Engineer, and requested him to consider the said Report and documents and to make an estimate of the expense necessary to render the said river and its branches navigable to the points designated by the charter of the Rappahannock company, so as to afford a navigation as good as the present navigation of James River above the falls.

"The Engineer accordingly made such estimate, which accompanies this report. Your Committee are of opinion that in the present state of the population and resources of the country interested in this subject, it would not be practicable to raise the funds necessary to render the said river navigable upon the extensive and perfect plan, originally proposed by the Engineer, and that it will be attaining a beneficial and valuable object for the present to put the navigation of the Rappahannock into a situation as convenient and useful as the present navigation of James River.

Resolved therefore, as the opinion of this committee, that $200,000 will be sufficient to render the Rappahannock river and its branches navigable according to the provisions of the several acts of Assembly on that subject."

This report being received, it was thereupon resolved by the Board, that the sum of two hundred thousand dollars, is necessary and sufficient for the completion of the works required to be effected by the Rappahannock Company according to their charter.

Resolved that a copy of the foregoing resolution be transmitted to the President and directors of the Rappahannock Company.

On motions severally made, the latter clause of the resolution of 12th of June 1816, and the entire one of the 8th November, 1816, which provides that the principal Engineer, (when not otherwise employed in the service of the Board) may engage in other business, were rescinded.

Resolved unanimously, that the address made by the President at the commencement of the present session of the Board, be published in the newspapers of this city.

Adjourned until the 3rd Monday in December next.