.MjEwMQ.MjYzNzU

III

whenever appropriations of the public moneys to the purposes contemplated, should be made. It would enable them to legislate with a better understanding of the subject than has hitherto been possessed. A more efficient and economical expenditure than has been practised [practiced] in such appropriations, would also be attainable through the immediate supervision and prompt correction, which such Commissioners might be empowered to exercise over the Agents entrusted therewith. The public lands are justly regarded as susceptible of being made a source of very considerable revenue to the State, supplying as they do an important branch of our commerce; and various considerations have arisen, latterly to give strength to this opinion. By the aid of the revenue supposed to be derivable from this source, past legislation appears to have contemplated an advancement of the cause of education, in a manner calculated to reflect the highest honor upon the State, and to secure benefits of incalculable magnitude to the present and to future generations. With what fidelity the accomplishment of this purpose has been kept in view, is an inquiry to which I deem it my duty to invite your attention. In this age of improvement and well directed enterprise, when the subject of education is assuming in the community a most interesting aspect, and when men of high intellect and dilligent [diligent] research are bringing to its support the weight of their influence, and contributing to the diffusion of knowledge through the higher Institutions of learning, we are naturally led, in view of the interests confided to us by our constituents, to took well to the fountains