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of Maine in connection with the object of common defense, which although not new, may be worthy at present of an attention which the country may be more disposed to pay to it than it would have been at an earlier period. When the Engineers employed to form a plan for the nation as to its defense by military means, made their observations, although men of high talents and intending only to do right, they neglected to report favorably and as it is believed, undoubtedly as circumstances now are, the best opinion in all its relations as to the security of our principal river, the Penobscot. Yet it is evident that an enemy might easily advance to Bangor, and would control by a successful movement, of that kind, what is to be our commercial capital, and beyond that, a most valuable and extensive territory, In fact an enemy controlling the navigable waters of the Penobscot and the towns on its borders would have at command the region above. It seems therefore proper, when it is said by the Engineers of the army, althoug enlightened and scientific as they are, that the defense of the Penobscot should be postponed and a remote object, that we should exhibit the case in the comparison which existing circumstances may render advisable, and the more readily because we know that it must not be for a selfish object, but a general end that this view should be approved.

It is with particular gratification that I acknowledged the execution of the Resolve providing for what is usually denominated the Mattanawcook road. The liberality of the United States in its appropriation for the continuance of that great thoroughfare, creates a reciprocal obligation to meet their views and to complete the object, if any additional grant shall be required.

The Last Legislature, for whom the feeling of respect for the intelligence with which it devised, and