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268.

necessary for the complete equipment of the Artillery of the State. As this species of force will rarely, if ever, be employed except in defence [defense] of towns lying on the coast, and on the large rivers, it is deemed proper that the heavier ordnance should be committed to the charge of the companies raised in such towns; and that the companies raised far in the interior be furnished with the lighter ordnance more easy of transportation to the field, on days of review, and to the coast, should occasion require it. Measures will, therefore, be taken to arrange the field ordnance of the State in this manner so far as it can be conveniently done. The attention of the National Legislature having been, at the commencement of its present session, particularly called to the subject of the Militia, we may expect that the important power granted to Congress of providing for the organization and discipline of this most effective branch of our national defence [defense] will now be exercised.

A Resolve was passed by the fourth Legislature, authorizing the Governor to negotiate with the Penobscot Indians for the transfer of their Islands to the State. These Islands, situated in the Penobscot river, many of them large and of excellent soil, are now of inconsiderable advantage to the Indians for agricultural purposes. The inhabitants, on the river townships in the vicinity of the Islands, have repeatedly expressed a desire that they may be purchased; and the Executive has been, at all times, ready to institute a negotiation for that purpose. The tribe not having manifested any disposition to sell, but on the contrary, it being understood that they are not willing to dispose of them for any reasonable compensation, the Resolve remains wholly unexecuted.

From the report of the Inspectors of the State Prison, a copy of which will be laid before you, it appears that since the first of January last forty two convicts have been discharged, one has escaped, and fifty three have been committed; that the whole number then confined, at the date of their report, on the twenty first of December, was sixty nine, of whom twenty two were in solitary imprisonment under sentence of court, and the residue were principally engaged in some productive employment.