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9 simplified will the administration of government in each of its departments, be brought within the capacity of a greater number of our citizens. To none ought such a result to be a matter of uneasiness, or regret. It is in accordance with an important principle of our republican form of government and will serve to impress upon the minds a just estimate of the excellence and self preserving character of the representative system.

From the Penitentiary at Thomaston, it is believed, most if not all of the objects are realized, which can be expected from such an institution. The labor of the convicts is productive to a reasonable and gratifying extent and the affairs of the prison generally under the management of present efficient Warden, appear to be conducted with intelligence and fidelity to the best interests of the State. Whether any further provisions by law may be necessary to accomplish more fully the ends for which it was established, I leave to your wisdom to determine. I have received information from the office of Secretary of State that the edition of the first two volumes of the Public Laws published for the use of the State in 1821 has nearly been exhausted in the distribution prescribed by law. A new edition of these volumes, prepared with care and ability, and combining improvements which have elicited the approbation of many of the most experienced jurists in the state, has been recently published by individual enterprise. Aside from the policy which should influence every free government, to extend a liberal encouragement to such efforts of