The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1827-01-10

able submission to the laws of the Institu-
ton. But one attempt to escape, and not a
single instance of combined opposition to the
laws, has occurred. Instantaneous have
been less frequent, and the rare occurrence of
the solitary cells being without single con-
vict, committed for violation of the rules Of
the prison, has happened more than once,
during the past year." The reports of the
Warden, the Chaplain and the Physician,
confirm this gratifying representation, and fur
nish increased ground for hope, that, with the
completion of the building now constructing,
and the introduction of more salutary sys-
tenn of government and restraint, to prevent
the communicating influence of vicious inter-
course, all reasonable expectations, which
can be INDUCED, OF the best effects Of peniten-
tiary discipline, will be fully realized.
regret to have learnt, that some collision has
arisen between the Warden and the Board of
Directors, upon subject Of relative authori-
~, which may require the interposition of the
Legislature to remove, and hereafter to
prevent, by more distinctly and definitely
prescribing the duties of their respective
ofhces.-The papers which accompany this
communication will explain the occasion and
the extent of the difficulty.
The important interests of the Common
wealth, in the unimproved lands in the State
of Maine, require the continual superintend-
ing attention of the Government. Notwith
standing the utmost exertions of an intelli-
gent, faithful and Jealous officer, in the Land
Agent, trespasses to great extent have
been suffered from irresponsible and desper
ate depredators upon the public property.
The measures Of corrective and protection
which are resorted to, somewhat limit, al
though they cannot altogether prevent the
evil. In a few instances recourse has been
had to the civil authority, and redress for
portion of the mischiefs will, it is hoped, be
obtained. 1t must undoubtedly be for the
interest of the Commonwealth to open the
sales of the lands which are already or may
hereafter be divided with Maine, as fast as
there is demand for them, for settlement, or
wherever it may be done without sacrifice
of their value, and i'll the mean time to con
tinue the immediate charge over them, which
vigilant Agent will o--aseae There iS,l no
authority at present fol selling the townships,
on the Penobscot, which were surveyed the
last wear. A proportion of these lands are
described as exceedingly valuable for their
timber. and to be much desired by purchas-
ers. particular and instructive report on
the subject of the sales which have been
made, and the general character and the SIT
/ uation of the remaining lands, may De eX-
! pected by you from the Land Agent
From inquiries which were instituted, and
the information obtained by the Executive,
it has been thought proper to suspend the
commencement of the work OF clearing OUT
and making passable, through the puonc
lands, the road from Penobscot RIVER 10
Houlton Plantation, as authorized by resolve
of the LIST Of March last, until there was OPP
portunity for further expression OF the pleas
kboo
repeatedly been represented to me, that the
course of this road might most adVantageonslJ
/ be altered, both by giving it more con
|, yenient direction, and in rendering 1T mucf
less EXPENSIVE in construction. In this opln
ion, have reason to believe that the Execu
tive of Maine fully comedies. The concurren
authority of the Legislature of both States
requisite to the proposed deviation from tn
r existing location of the route. The oblec
5 is deemed of Importance, and recommen
l passed., as 10 dnUw Jne- alternative, wfttr fnI
0 consent of the State of Maine, of clearing an
1 making passable the old road, or laying GU
and constructing new one, as upon satisfac
r tory information shall be found most beneficial
e The road authorized to be constructe,
from the mouth of the Mattawamkeag stream
J on the Penobscot, to the mouth of Fish River
has been directed to be surveyed, but tn
report and plans of the surveyor are not ye
, returned.
In compliance with request of the Legis
lature, expressed in a resolution of the 18th o
June last, |, Immediately thereafter, address
ed an application to the Secretary of War 10
: - copies of the surveys made by order of tn,
: Government of the United States, in the coun
ty of Barustable, to ascertain the practica
blity of constructing a Canal to unite thu
waters of Buzzard's Bay and Barnstable Bay
and at Nantucket Island, in relation to propos
ed Breakwater al Great Point, together with
copies of the communications of the Board O
Engineers to the Department in respect t.
those objects. Soon after a printed copy o
the reports and documents relative to the sur
veys at Barnstable and Buzzard's BAYS, was
received by me, with information from the
Secretary, that it would not be in his power
to furnish the others for some time that
the survey of Nantucket had been complet-
ed, and the drawing and memoir relating
to it were in the possession of the Engineer
1 Department, but that no project for Break
water had been formed. This communication
was accompanied with an assurance, that
whenever the business was finished, copies OF
the papers should be forwarded. The delay
probably still owing to the continuance OF
the cause mentioned by the Secretary. The
papers which have been received are herewith
transmitted
The improvements authorized upon the
public grounds about the State House, are
nearly completed. They have been directed
with that attention to economy which was
| cnnsietant ss:al- ~ H. ID 70 sifss--t;- u
appearance. The accounts, when made up,
will be laid before you. 1t is with great salts
faction have it in my power TO state, that
the granite, of which the walls and the splen-
did gateway, in front of the yard, are con-
structed, was wrought by the convicts in the
State Prison. They exhibit style ofexcel-
lence in workmanship, on this material, which
probably has never, any where, been surpass-
| ed.
The annual accounts of the Treasury, made
up to the end of the quarter just past, exhibit
a balance in favour of fhe Comnnon wealth To