.MjEwMQ.MjYzNzQ

II

these purposes. In surveying our widely extended territory, over which an enterprising population is rapidly spreading, the importance of making such improvements in the internal communication between the different sections of the State, as their situation may be found to justify and the interests of the people to require is forcibly suggested. The success which has attended the experiments of some of our sister States, in the construction of roads, railways and canals, may well encourage us to expect like favorable results from a liberal and well directed system of Internal Improvements within our own borders. What may be done advantageously in this respect, upon a more extended scale than has hitherto been adopted, and consistently with the wishes and interests of our constituents, is not yet satisfactorily known. And I deem it worthy of your attentive consideration whether it may not be expedient to organize a Board of State Commissioners, for the purpose of obtaining information upon this subject; particularly by instituting actual surveys, under such directions as may be adapted to the accomplishment of the desired results. The labors of intelligent Commissioners, judiciously directed to the development of such improvements in the internal commerce of our State as may from time to time be projected, would, I feel pursuaded [persuaded] fully confirm the highest estimate that had been made of the natural resources of our territory and add strength to the convictions of our fellow citizens, that their growth as a people, in wealth and power, is vigorous and progressive. Information thus obtained would evidently form a surer basis for our successors to act upon,