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[V]

towards a satisfactory settlement of this important question. And his appointment of a minister from among the citizens of this State, well acquainted with the merits of the case, to present our arguments to the umpire for decision, has increased our assurance of the desire or the federal government to consult our wishes and give satisfaction to the people of this' State, I am not aware that any thing at present remains to be done by the legislature, that can facilitate this inquiry, or affect the result. It affords me pleasure to be enabled to state, that the claim of this State in common with Massachusetts on the national government, for services rendered by the militia during the last war with Great Britain, is in a train to be finally adjusted and settled. At the last session of Congress an act was passed authorizing the payment of a considerable portion of this claim, estimated to amount to more than four hundred and thirty thousand dollars, one third part of which according to the act of separation after it shall have been paid to Massachusetts, is to be received by Maine. The interest upon this amount may be a subject of discussion, but it is confidently believed that it will be allowed in conformity to the principles which have governed in the settlement of similar claims from other States. It may be necessary that measures should be adopted to procure the receipt of this money into the treasury of the State, the payment of which seems still to be subjected to great delays, and also to provide a mode for its most secure and profitable investment when received. The whole amount after deducting the public debt of the State, has already been appropriated by the act providing for the promotion of education, as a fund, to be reserved for the support of primary schools.