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243 of the present Laws, relating to ordinary Militia duty, cannot be in some degree remedied without essentially and necessarily impairing that degree of efficiency, for which the establishment was designed.

The affairs of the State Prison at Thomaston, demand of the Legislature the most careful attention. Since the thirtieth of April 1823, more than seventy thousand dollars have been drawn from the Treasury of the State on account of this establishment, to which sum, must be added the earnings of the convicts, to make an estimate of the total expense. The committee appointed by the last Legislature on the affairs of the State Prison, made to the Governor and Council in June last, a report in part, and in January a report in full, which are herewith laid before you.

I would particularly recommend an examination of the causes, which have rendered our State Prison so expensive, compared with those of other States, and in this examination, an inquiry into the advantages originally anticipated of the location of the Prison, appears to me to be of great importance. If the location is such, that the Prison cannot, by the best management, be rendered other, than a perpetual and heavy expense to the State, the sooner the Legislature know it, the better. On the other had, if Thomaston is found to be the most suitable place, I am of the opinion, that the prison yard and wharf may be enlarged to great advantage, and that a further appropriation will be necessary to meet the expense.

The Land Agent has made to the Executive his annual Report, and when his accounts for the past year are settled by the Council, copies of the same and his account of sales, will be transmitted to the Legislature.

I consider the subject of the Public Lands the most important, which will come under your consideration. On account of inaccuracy of surveys, the Land Agent has been obliged to insert a clause in his deeds, that in case the tract conveyed may be found not to contain the quantity represe-