The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1830-06-02


service to be performed as often, least as
ten years. On the intelligent and impartial dis
charge of this duty, and its equal operation upon
the citizens, the exercise of important civil rights
as well as the Just superintendent of public burdens
is made to depend. The precedents of former &C.
casions may serve as directory to the course of
proceedings, but the accomplishment of the business
Will ever prove an ardaous difficult and highly re-
sponslble task, demanding patient labor, and sound
judgment, to its successful and satisfactory execu
ton.
The providence of the last legislature, in grant
ing tax for the curreRt year, prevents the occa-
SION OF calling your attention to any measure of
finance, at the present session. 1t will be found
necessary, however. to renew the authority to the
treasurer to borrow in anticipation of the receipts
Of the revenue.
In compliance with request of the legislature,
application was made by me to the secretary of war
OF the United States for copies of any reports esti
mates, or documents in that department. relating to
the construction of a canal across the isthmus of
Cape Cod, to unite the waters OF Buzzards and
Barnstable bays, and have recently received a |
copy of report and estimates forsuch work with
map of survey across the isthmus and plan
and details of the proposed canal drawn up by the
board OF internal improvement, in conformity to
resolution OF congress The report presents various
estimates, on different hypothesis of an upper level
and fixes the maximum cost of the canal on the as
sumption OF the most expensive mode, at sir hun
/ dred and SiTty-nine thousand tiue hundred and
|
OF description given in these documents, will leave
nothing further of information, this subject, to
be desired. If, in the judgment of the Legislature,
! the particular interest of the commonwealth would
be promoted by the accomplishment of the project,
considerations of more general character, con-
nected with the commerce and navigation of the
country, would justify appeal to the general gov
ernmentt TO cause its construction. Whatever ben
ehts would result from the measure must be large
ly Participated in by the nation. The report and
no laid hoOr hv fhoc Ac
the drafts are exceedingly elaborate and highly val
uable, Tor the scientific as well as typographical in
formation which they afford, ! pray leave to sug-
gest, that after the legislature shall have done with
their present use, they shall be deposited for safe
Keeping and future reference, in the library of the
| general court.
i Under the resolve of the last legislature provd-
ing tor the erection of lunatic hospital all that at
tenton has been given to the duties assigned the
executive, which opportunity for an intellige mt and
satisfactory discharge of them would permit. 1t
= was deemed expedient, in the first instance to in
vlte communications, in relation to suitable sites
Tor the location of the institution the supply of
teriais, and the estimated expense of building.
n Without these aids it would have been extremely
d,fhcult to come to the knowledge of many elig-
Die situations and from competition in offers, to
OBTAIN the best proposals for the government. As
soon as time had been allowed for this preliminary
information, committee of the executive council
were charged with making personal examinations
of all such proposed places as seemed favorable for
the object, and which fell within a circuit suffi-
clently central to satisfy the direction given by the
legislature More than thirty sites have been thus
VISITED the terms upon which they can be obtained
generally ascertaned, and the inquiries made, which
are necessary to just comparison of the advanta-
ges which they respectively offer In many instan-
ces, the quantity Of land which may be wanted and
In some cases, additional contributions, have been
, pronered to the government as inducements to a
preference for particular localities 1t remans yet
81 q he
n ton. This cannot but demand the exercise of q
cautious and deliberate judgment In such estab-
snments the cost of construction is not most to be
regarded. An institution which is intended to en-
oure and be OF use for ages may involve in its gov
eminent and support, considerations of far greater
moment than the mere expense of all its fixtures
Here are needed pleasant scenery, cleaf and sau-
brlous air, market for supplies opportunity for
medical counsel and for constant visitoral nspec-
ton, and facilities of access and communication
from all parts Of the State. These circumstances
1 IN connexlon with due regard to economy in the
procurement ofmaterias and labor for the erection
n OF the building, will now govern in determining its
n location. have confidence in assuring you thai
tins will not be unnecessarily delayed. The ap
k polntment OF commissioners to superintend the
: structure will Immediately be made and, with the
continued favor Of the government towards this in
: terestlng design the work will be commenced ant
may yet be brought to its comple.i within the
time originally anticipated and before the close O.
. another season.
Pursuant to the authority contained in certain re-
e solves OF the Sd of March last, gentleman dstin
b gulshed Tor his attainments in astronomical anC
: mathematical science, has been appointed To tn,
important service making survey and proiectin.
an accurate skeleton plan of the State in the man
ner prescribed by the legislature 1t is intended t.
9 cause as much progress in the work, the presen
season, as the previous engagements of the survey
or and the delays occasoned by necessary prepare
C tory arrangements will allow. | deem it prone
however to apprze you, that to execute the plan
!. survey in the accurate and thorough manner pro
posed by the resolve, land to do it otherwise woul
be little work. the appropriation which has beef
: made, will be altogetherinsunicient There is hard
ly more desirable public object than the posses
: sion of good map Of the commonwealth Massa
chusetts, to her discredit in this particular is ia
a behind most of her sister States. The defcienc,
q has been long felt and loudly complained Of The
q most recent map of her appropriate and excusv,
territory, on proper scale, was but an imperfec
compilation, from incorrect and homogeneous mate
rails, made many years since, and now scarcely il
use. The convenience both to the public and to in
dividuals, of original and accurate draft from as
Economical observations, and precise mathematical
results, must far outweigh any considerations O
necessary expense, which it may occasion. Faith
t fully executed, it will be of abiding value Tn,
: great outlines of boundary are now permanent,
established and there probably will be few altera
lions IN minor divisions, to affect the general ac
: curacy of the delineaton in future.
y beg leave to suggest to your consideration, tn
utility of connecting with the geographical surveys
: an examination of the geological features of tn,
State with view to the exhibition of them on tn,
, map. Much knowledge of the natural history o
the country would thus be gained, and especial,
the presence of valuable ores. with the Iocaltie,
and extent of quarries. and of coal and lime forma
lions, objects of inquiry essential to internal i'm
provements, and the advancement of domestic pros
penty, would be discovered and the possession an,
advantages of them given to the public am assur
: ed, that much has already been gratuitously done
by some eminent professors in our colleges, toward
: the accomplishment Of such work. and that. a
little expense, it might be completed, and the fruit
OF their generous abors thus far be secured to tn
e State. This, however, will require the interposi
ton Of your authority in increasing the present ap
preparation, and permitting application of it 5,
far as may be necessary, in the exercise of soun
discretion, to the end proposed.
Il Dv ocnr (. Al.