The National Intelligencer And Washington Advertiser

Governor IRWIN, of Georgia, on the 5th ult. opened the legislature of that state with a message, of which the following extracts comprise the remarks of a general nature.

"I had flattered myself, from the arrangements which were entered into, in April last, by the general government, and the minister of Great Britain resident in our country, that at the meeting of this legislature, our fellow citizens would have been found in the free and unrestrained exercise and enjoyment of that trade and commerce, the want of which, at this time, so materially affects us both in a national and individual point of view: but a line of conduct on the part of the British ministry, as perfidious as unprecedented, has blasted every hope, for the present, of a friendly accommodation of the difference existing between the two governments, and left us, as to our individual transactions, in a situation worse than that which urged the propriety of the law for relief of debtors.

"Acquainted, as you are, with the operation of this law in the different sections of the state, you can best determine whether it has been productive of those benefits to our citizens which it was expected would be derived from it, & whether it will necessary that it should undergo any alterations and be continued for a longer period, or suffered altogether to expire at the expiration of the time for which it was enacted. This subject ought and will no doubt occupy your early attention. If I am correctly informed the people have not, nor can they get money to discharge their debts; and unless such measures are adopted as will in some degree restore the value of property, and cause it to pass in the payment of debts, the inconveniences and sufferings which our involved citizens have heretofore experienced will be trivial when compared with those which must inevitably ensue.

"Among the various objects which require legislative interference, none are of such magnitude and importance as those which have for their end the general welfare. While the nations of Europe are struggling for the balance of power; their subjects driven from their peaceful pursuits to scenes of horror and devastation—while articles of foreign manufacture, in consequence of their commotions, continue to rise in value and demand in proportion to the great scarcity among us of circulating specie—does it not behove us to encourage & cherish every institution for the promotion of agriculture and domestic manufactures. Already a spirit of patriotism & enterprize has manifested itself generally, & our citizens, foreseeing the evils which must result from too great a reliance on articles of foreign manufacture, are shaking off those fashionable fetters which held them in a state of servile dependence upon other nations, and making every exertion to clothe themselves in fabrics of their own. Will you not second their efforts, and by rendering all the aid in your power, give a spur to their laudable pursuits? By the accomplishment of an object so desirable, the demand for foreign importations of merchandize will be lessened, and the sphere of domestic tranquility greatly enlarged.

"An object of no less importance than that to which I have first called your attention, is the facility of communication between different parts of the state. Our navigable water courses are much neglected, and the numerous obstructions to water carriage our own almost insurmountable barriers to a free intercourse in as on the main land and nothing can more strengthen the general interests of a country, with a population thinly dispersed and widely extended, or give more permanent vigor to local institutions, than a well repaired internal policy; so, on the other hand, nothing can tend more to enhance the intrinsic value of landed property than navigable water courses. In these our country abounds in sufficient number to answer all the purposes of trade, were adequate encouragement given for deepening the channels in some & removing in others the impediments to a free and open communication with the sea coast. What further provisions are necessary to be made in this regard, is a subject well worthy your enquiry and deliberation.

"Another object to which I would particularly direct your attention, is the establishment of a penitentiary.- A square of sixteen acres of ground in Milledgeville, was originally surveyed and set apart for this purpose. As yet, no provision has been made for such establishment. I would therefore recommend it to your serious consideration to devise such measures as you may think best calculated for carrying into effect so laudable a design. In making provision for such an establishment, you will not lose sight of the necessity of a revision of our penal code, so as to adapt it to the genius of our government and the present state of society."