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12 communicating and receiving information in relation to the various branches of agriculture, a spirit of honorable emulation is excited, the employment of the husbandman is raised in public estimation, and new energy and enterprise will be introduced among the yeomanry of our State. In my last communication to the Legislature, reference was made to the importance of continuing to afford aid and encouragement to our literary institutions. Owing to peculiar circumstances which then existed, no appropriation excepting in one instance, were made for that purpose. I respectfully submit the subject again to the consideration of the Legislature, from a full conviction that the permanency of our republican institutions of Government and the welfare and happiness of the people, can in no other way be so effectualy promoted as by liberally providing for the instruction of the rising generation. It is also believed, that the Legislature are imperatively required to regard the subject by that article of the Constitution, which provides, "that it shall be their duty to encourage and suitably endow, from time to time, as the circumstances of the people may authorize, all academies, colleges and seminaries of learning within the State. From information received, I am enabled to state that the concerns of the State Prison at Thomaston are in an improved condition. It is believed that the proceeds of the labor of the convicts for the last year will exceed the expense of supporting them, by more than four hundred dollars; but in this estimate the salaries of the officers with the exception of those of the Chaplain and Physician are not included. No special appropriation will therefore be necessary for the support of the Prison during the present year. The situation of the Public lands belonging to the State will require your consideration. For consideration of the manner in which they have been managed during the last year, I must refer you to the report of the land