Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-01-14

wealth, within that State, and SET off +
Commissioners, appointed under the act of ser
aration, as an indemnity for the duties and Of
! legations assumed by the said State of Maine
relative to the Indians therein.
Since the last session, / have received a let
ter from the War Department, giving notice
that there are ready to be delivered at the U.
States Arsenal, in WATERFOWL, the quota OF
arms due to this Commonwealth, as authorized
by the act of April, 1903, for arming and equip
ping the whole body of the militia of the Uni
ted States.
From the statements of the Adlutant Gen.
erai it will appear that the number of muskets
assigned to Massachusetts at this issue a
mounts to 443l. OF this number there would
be due to the State of Maine 81 muskets for
the time she constituted part of this State.
calculating the number of her militia and fol-
lowing the same rule of apportionment which
was observed at the time of her separation. On
examining the act of separation, it does rot ap.
pear that the Executive is authorized to deliy-
er to Maine any arms which may have been
| subsequently received by Massachusetts,,
Should the Legislature coincide with the opin-
ION OF the Executive on the equity and Justice
OF delivering to Maine her proportion of the
present issue, an authority from them will be
necessary TO carry it into effect.
| Agreeably to the provisions of law of the
commonwealth of June 1911, the Governor
and Council have visited and examined the
state Prison in Charlestown: and are entirely
satisfied OF its usefulness and importance. The
Legislature, having at their last session. ap-
pointed committee of their own body to ex-
anime into the state and management of the
institution, will probably receive from their
committee all necessary information relative
thereto.
Looming from every part Of the State, you,
gentlemen, will bring with you such informa-
ton as will enable you to judge of any chan
ges or alterations in the laws which may be
required by local circumstances, or by the pro-
gresslve increase of the population and resour-
ces of the State.
There are two objects which have always
appeared to me to merit the constant care and
the first attention Of the Legislature our pri-
mary schools and the militia. Without the
former, knowledge of our civil rights would
not have pervaded TIE great body of the peo-
pie; the principles of civil liberty would Meth
er have been understood nor rightly apprecia-
ted; and without the latter we could not have
engaged in the contest which eventually es-
tablished them. Imperfect as our militia sys-
tenn was, previously to the revolution, an APP
peal may be safely made to history and to the
recollectiS of the few remaining sages who
conceived the great design of our emancpa-
ton, that but for the militia the defence of our
rights would not have been ATTEMPTED, An
appeal to arms was, in fact, an appeal to the
militia, the only existing force at the time. If
independence is blessing dear to freemen and
y worthy of transmission to posterity, the arm
that sustained it is entitled to the gratitude
and support of every friend to his country. II
the system which regulates it be imperfect. let
it be improved, and let those who are loudest
in its eensure bear in mind that under its inf1u-
ence, imperfect as 1t is, degree Of dispine
and OF military knowledge has been attained
=, which has hitherto never been equalled: and
which does the highest honour to the zeal and
exertions Of those who compose this patriotic
band. BY this institution, the moral as we'll
as physical force of the State is increascd-it
constitutes our safety against any aggression
on the laws, assures our internal tranquility,
and forms our only defence as it relates TO 9th
er powers. If there has been any period in our
history since the revolution, admonishing us TO
polish this arm, the march of political events
in Europe, and their probable extension to our
southern hemisphere, points to the present in a
Iforcible manner.
Several attempts have been made TO carry
Unto effect plan suggested by military men Of
high consideration for a radical change in its
organization that this duty should he per
formed exclusively by young men Of a certain
age. Without entering into the merit of this
plan, or the objections against it, it is sufficient
that the sense and temper of the people arc
yo; a..
been able to procure its adoption, either by
the federal or state governments. Resting
then on the old establishment, it remains to
improve and encourage it as we find it. The
time and expense required OF those who com
pose this body imposes on them burden, which
is not in reality made lighter from being vol
-untary. 10 restore an equilibrium in this bur-
den would be an act Of justice, and would OPP
crate as an encouragement and as partial re-
muneration to those who would still be in adj
vance Of other citizens in point of expense.
| Inconvenience have been experienced, and
complaints have been made, that the office of
clerk Of the courts, and that of register of pro-
bate, are in some instances held by the same
individual. II is therefore suggested, whether
| it may not be expedient to provide by law that
the two offices be not held by one person.
! The circulation of capital and credit forms
the great lever which moves agriculture, COM
mcrce, and manufactures, in this, as we'll as in
every other commercial State.
Some of our citizens by extending their cap
ital and credit too far have failed in their OBJ
ljects; and have involved themselves and their
families in distress and ruin. | therefore re-
commend a revision ofthe Insolvent Laws, that
it may be considered whether relief may not
be afforded to this unfortunate description of
citizens consistently with the just rights of the
creditor, and with that confidence which is in
! dspensable in all commercial transactions.
The House Of Representatives being the
constitutional source Of all taxation, are to
| judge Of and determine the amount of the bur
dens required by the public interests to be inn
posed on the people. With them also rests