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[40] A message being announced, the Secretary of State pro. tem came in, and laid upon the Speakers table the following communication from the Governor & then withdrew. viz. [Governors message] Gentlemen of the Senate and of the House of Representatives. The political connexion, which had so long subsisted between Massachusetts and Maine being dissolved, it is a source of much satisfaction to reflect, that the measures, adopted for its accomplishment, have effected the object in the most friendly manner. A great and powerful Commonwealth voluntarily yielding up her jurisdiction over a large portion of her citizens and territory, over whom she held an undisputed and rightful sovereignty; these citizens peaceably and quietly forming themselves into a new and independent State, framing and adopting with unexampled harmony and unanimity a Constitution embracing all the essential principles of liberty and good government; these are events, which constitute a memorable era in the history of our state - events for which you, no doubt, as well as our fellow citizens in general, will acknowledge with gratitude that divine goodness, which directs and controls the concerns of men. The Act of Massachusetts, assenting to the formation of the District of Maine into a separate and independent State, also provides for a division of the public property. Although a large majority of the legislative body, which passed that act, was constituted of members from Massachusetts Proper, who thus had it in their power to dictate the terms; the principles of division as settled by them are so equitable and just, that they have received the general