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therefore, only be urged now, that if our own lawyers would throw all the precious maxims they can gather into the treasury, at times when they can leave execution for improvements, and clients for the State, and if we would learn from the practical operations of our sister republics, we should be induced, probably, to consider as expedient a very few changes in our statutes. The subject has been noticed now principally with a view of soliciting your attention to some enlarged means, at least for one year, for supplying the State Library with the adjudications of other States, of nearly all of which the legislative acts have been procured. It may, however, be observed that whatever may be our laws, if there shall not be a faithful administration of them, legislation will be inadequate to its objects. As to that administration and the effects of it, when you shall examine you will find, if my information has been correct, that the monstrous folly of litigation and of suits, which consume property annually like a conflagration, has been diminished, and that convictions from crimes have not been as numerous as formerly.

    Many of the measures adopted by the Federal Government seriously affect the welfare of our constituents. It is undoubtedly a principle of that Government to cherish not only the rights and interests of individuals, considered as units in the nation, but those of the States. It seems to be impossible to determine all the cases in which the whole body politic of any of these States, in representing its interests should be considered as advancing into federal territory, or, in other words, to settle the precise line, where the State may go without intrusion. Hence a difficulty, as to recent transactions relative to our Boundary. But we may at least advise with out Senators and Representatives, and if you shall find any thing in history or contemplation particularly interesting here, as to our commerce, or other objects affected, or to be affected by national regulation, your