New York Tribune

MESSAGE OF THE GOVERNOR OF VIRGINIA.—We mentioned in our Postscript yesterday the meeting and organization of the Legislature of Virginia, and the reading of the Message of Col. John Rutherford, acting Governor, which we find in the Richmond papers of the 7th. It is very moderate in its tone, takes decided ground upon few of the questions discussed, and is on the whole a weak and unsatisfactory document. We give below a summary of its principal points.

After alluding in an appropriate manner to the death of President Harrison, it alludes to the finances of the Commonwealth, which are said to be in sound condition. The State is indebted to the Richmond Banks in the sum of $345,000, payable on the 15th day of this month. The Governor recommends the imposition of a tax to meet the expenses of the Government, instead of resorting, as heretofore, to loans. He justifies the suspension of specie payments last winter, hopes that a resumption may soon be effected, but is for giving the Banks one more day of grace, which is to be 'positively the last.' The old Bank of the United States is kicked at, and the creation of a new one pronounced inexpedient and unconstitutional.

The present condition of the Militia of the State is pronounced to be almost useless, and the outline of a plan for their more efficient organization and discipline is sketched. In this connection the Military Institute at Lexington is recommended to legislative favor.

The necessity of elevating the character of the Common Schools of the State is urged, for which an increase of the School Fund is declared indispensable. Instead of effecting this by resorting to the State Treasury or by a specific tax, he recommends that the several Counties be authorized, with the consent of the People, to raise the necessary sum. He asks aid also for the Colleges, Academies and Medical School of the State.

With regard to the Internal Improvements of the State, although not very decided, he thinks that the most important works should be speedily completed, and the rest stopped. He advises the Legislature to make no appropriation of the Distribution Moneys, since "calculations based upon the continuance of the law may prove delusive."

A Board of Agriculture has been established. The conduct of certain 'fanatics' in venturing to send petitions to Congress for the abolition of Slavery in the District of Columbia is denounced with great fervor.

The following is the passage relating to the difficulties between this State and Virginia. It is more moderate than we were led to expect.

"I regret that nothing has transpired since the last session of the Legislature to encourage the belief that the unpleasant controversy so long depending between this State and the State of New-York will be satisfactorily adjusted. I submit herewith the correspondence between the Executive authorities of the two States, not heretofore communicated. It will display, it is believed, on the part of the Executive of this Commonwealth, an anxious desire to maintain unimpaired the most friendly relations with a State to which we have ever been bound by the ties of affection and interest. With a devoted loyalty to the Union, we have manifested patience, forbearance and courtesy, earnestly hoping if possible to obviate the necessity of resorting to any measure of defence. Our just claim upon that State, under the solemn Covenant of the Constitution, and our reiterated appeals to her reason and justice have as yet been unavailing. The course of her Executive has been fully sustained by her Legislature, and under circumstances which aggravate the injuries we have received.

I sincerely trust it may yet be possible for other councils to prevail, and that a returning sense of justice will result in the recognition of our rights and the perpetuation of that harmony, which, if not actually interrupted, is at least most seriously threatened. Under present circumstances, the Commonwealth owes it to herself to devise and execute firmly proper measures to guard the rights and property of her citizens. If, in the discharge of this duty, imposed by the most solemn considerations, unkind feelings or unpleasant collisions should unhappily arise, the responsibility must rest with those who have left us no alternative. A due regard for the peace of the Union, and an anxious desire to remove as far as practicable, all cause of irritation, will no doubt dictate a resort to measures purely protective. With this view the inspection law of the last legislature was adopted; and the remote period to which its execution was deferred, affords conclusive evidence of the patience and forbearance of Virginia. As, however, the first day of May next is the prescribed time when its provisions will become operative, unless the course of New York shall in the mean time render it unnecessary, I respectfully recommend its careful revision, and the adoption of such additional enactments as your wisdom may suggest, more effectually to accomplish its objects. The correspondence herewith submitted, so fully explains the views and course of the Executive Authorities of the two States, that I forbear further reference to the subject."