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priety to encourage the establishment of such factories as will afford us those articles of necessity, for which we have been dependent on a foreign supply, will be in accordance with the best interests of the community. It is, however, on the general government that we are mainly to depend for protection and encouragement to commerce and manufactures. The regulation of the former being particularity confided to congress by the national constitution, cannot be a subject of State legislation. Our extensive connexion in navigation will render every measure of the general government, that may affect the commercial relations of the country interesting to our citizens. Maine has already become the third State in the Union in point of tonnage, and the official returns show its annual increase to be far greater than in either of the other States. Our industrious ship builders find constant employment, and our forests ensure us an abundant supply of materials for their use, as well as an important and staple article of exportation; and our hardy enterprising fishermen, both bank and coast, contribute their full share to the sustenance, the exports and the wealth of the country. In all measures, therefore, which may relate to the interest of commerce and navigation, it is presumed this State will have its due influence. 
The general laws of the State having, within the last two years, all passed under the particular inspection of an able and learned board of Jurisprudence, been revised and adapted to our state and condition, and re-enacted after full consideration by the preceding Legislatures, it will not probably be deemed necessary at the present time to make many material alterations. Great and frequent changes in the laws of a community serve rather to embarrass than relieve those on whom such laws are to operate. For