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grateful to be persuaded that this is the effect of public virtue, the result of respecting that which in its nature is respectable. It would be assuming too much to present the testimonies of a common prosperity, but it may not be so, to refer generally to the documents recently presented to our federal legislature as proofs of distinguished success in accomplishing the purpose of government, in executing the sublime theory that the majority of the whole should prescribe, and the benefit of the whole be the aim and end. Among those documents however, is one relating to the fortification 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 defence by military means, made their observations, altho' men of high talents & 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 & 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 therefor proper, when it is said by the Engineers of the Army, although enlightened and scientific as they are, that the defence of the Penobscot should be a postponed & remote object, that we should 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 acknowledge 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