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-tion, found in this office, was thereupon delivered over to Elias Thomas Esq. who was duly appointed and qualified as Commissioner, to transact the duties of said office during the remainder of the year. As there is no law fixing the salary of Commissioner, he cannot receive compensation for his services until provision is made therefor by the Legislature.

In the course of the season I have had an opportunity of examining such of our principal Literary Institutions, as during the last year received assistance from the State. Their appearance was such as to afford evidence of increasing usefulness, and of the proper application of the public bounty. The Institution at Gardiner, although recently established, bids fair fully to answer the expectations of its patrons, and by supplying a course of instruction of a higher grade than is usually taught in our common Academies, and of a more practical character, and better suited to the immediate business of life, than is afforded in our Colleges, to command itself to the public favour. It is probable that a better acquaintance with those sciences which may be beneficially applied to Agriculture and the mechanic arts may be acquired at this Institution than at any other in our Country.

Previous to the meeting of the next Legislature, the people will be again called to the exercise of their sovereign power in the election of the first Magistrate of the country. As the National Constitution has secured to each State the right of appointing Electors of President and Vice-President, in such manner as its Legislature may direct, and as we have no existing