The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-01-15

tormity to the Resolve of this State, Col.
Lewis was designated 10 negotiate wlih the
Penubscot Indians he has accordingly
.tiected with them a new treaty Or agree
meni, by virtue of which, this State assumes
all the duties and obligations of the Com
monwealth Of Massachusetts IN relation TO
that tribe ; the payment Of the .annulties 70
commence as soon as the stipulated sum TO
be received from Massachusetts, for that
purpose, shall have been paid over to this
State On their part. the Indians have re-
leased to Massachusetts, all claims and stip-
uIations arising under any treaty between
them and that Commonwealth. The ready
compliance of these Indians with the wishes
of this Government; the unhesitating man.
ner, in which they acceded 10 the existing
arrangements, should constitute on our part
additional inducements not only 10 respect
tn ir rights, but to aid them in obtaining at
least the ordinary and common comforts, OF
which it is but too evident, they are desti-
tute. Should the Friends or Quakers OF our
State be inclined to become the friends Of
a trirndless people, they would here find
field for the exercise of those qualities for
which they have long been distinguished,
and at the same time, might do much to
ward producing a union of sentiment here
latter in relation TO their exemption from
bservices, which they may be conscientiously
tscrupulous of performing.
The situation of the Judges of the Circuit
Courts of Common Pleas is not such at this
The Courts not having been organized
anew, the Judges continued oact under their
old commissions, and thus hold their offices
during the pleasure of the Governor and
Council, and not during good behavior, as
the principles of the Constitution require
This delay in organizing that Court has
been deemed proper, as new arrangement
OF the system is under the consideration of
the Legislature. 1t is therefore suggested
whether it is not desirable that what re-
mains to be done in regulating and estab-
fishing the system Of our Courts, should re-
ceive your early attention. With respect
also to the Clerks of the Courts, as they are
receivers of the public money in the sever
al counties, suggest, for your consideration
the propriety Of making provision for pay
ment by them directly 10 the Treasurer Of
the State, and not to the County Treasur-
ers as now required. Such REGULATE on
would not only expedite the payments into
the State Treasury, but would lessen the
expence Of collection.
The Militia law viii require the further
consideration of the Legislature, in order
that its provisions may fully comport with
the spirit and principles of the Constiiutint.
Your attention is particularly requested t.
such of its provisions as relate 10 Courts
Martial, which under the existing laws are
particularly expensive. One general Cour'
Martial only has been ordered, the expence
Of which will be laid before you, and will
render further remarks unnecessary.
OF The loan of twenty-five thousand dol |
lars authorised at the last session, the 'Irea- |
surer borrowed eleven Thousand dollars on |
~, being all that was necessary. This sum. |
added to the sum borrowed by the Conven- |
ton, makes the State debt at this time a.
mount to twenty-five thousand dollars
The receipts into the Treasury, including |
the eleven thousand dollars borrowed, "a |
mounted on the thirty-first day of DeCem. |
Der last, 10 thirty-four thousand three hun
dred and eighty-six dollars. And the pay |
ments up to that time, to twenty-three
thousand two hundred and fifty-three dol |
lars-leaving in the Treasury on the first |
day Of January instant, balance of eleven |
thousand one hundred and thirty-three dol
lars. The situation Of the Treasury will |
probably admit, under system of rigid |
economy in the public expenditures, of the
payment Of q considerable part, if not all of |
the debt due from the State within the year ; |
provided the pauper expences and those for |
criminal prosecutions are not made State |
charge; in which case l recommend the /
passing of Resolve, authorizing the Trea-
surer TO pay such portions Of the debt as the
condition Of the Treasury may from time to
time admit.
Although the salaries Of most Of the
officers have been established at less than
half the sum allowed to similar officers
in the State, from which we have but Just
separated, no immediate inconvenience has
resulted from it; as the persons designated
to fill the offices, have accepted their ap /
pointments. This early evidence of dis
position on the part Of the Legislature to
economic the public expenditures, canr-)t
fail to be satisfactory to the people. can
not however, omit suggesting for your con-
sideratlon, that the amount paid TO salary !
officers by the State, constitutes but a com
paratively minor portion of the State e,1-
penCes. Ii j. in other and moro expensive
branches OF the government, with their nu-
merous appendages and ramifications, where
the want OF economy operates most extern
Sively and severely upon the public Treasu-