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XXIX can not be reached by Legislature aid. Apparent defects in the operation of our Laws are frequently to be traced to caused independent of the laws themselves; and sometimes to a want of due attention to the whole body of the law bearing upon the same subject. It is believed that great caution ought to be exercised in all partial and desultory legislation. As it is peculiarly your duty, who hold the purse strings of the People, to keep a watchful eye to all expenditures of the public money, so you will never fail to guard them against oppression and extortion in the demand of exorbitant or unlawful fees, by and officer or Agent of the Government, or by and oppressive practices connected with any of its departments.

  I cannot permit myself to forego the remark, that as about half of the length of time usually required to complete a session of the Legislature has already expired, without completing the organization of all the departments of the Government; you are assured that no effort shall be wanting, on my part, which may be necessary to expedite and bring to a close such business as shall come before us, and the occasion may require.
 It is with no ordinary degree of solicitude that enter on the new and untried scene before me the high responsibilities of the station assigned me by the People of this State can not fail to awaken in my mind a deep sense of my obligations. And while I claim that indulgence which may be due to my inexperience, I am consoled under the sublime reflection, that even the most humble and inexperienced in official station are permitted, through divine mercy, to look to Him to enlighten their path and direct their footsteps "Whose counsel standeth forever and the thoughts of his heart to all generations."

Jonathan G. Hunton. Council Chamber February 10th 1830