Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1862-01-09

worthy and industrious class of cur citizens. if
You adopt some stringent legislation in reference
to the preservation Of the oyster beds in our
waters. Since our National troubles commenced
large numbers Of persons from other States have
'infringed upon our rights and violated our laws
In this regard, thereby rendering the abors Of
those of our citizens engaged in taking oysters
almost value!eSs, and greatly damaging the ovs-
ter beds. Experience has shown that our laws
are not efficient for the protection of this i'm por-
tant and valuable interest and trust that you
will be able to devise some remedy l have
heretofore suggested the proprety of issuing
licenses to catch oysters; the fund to accrue
from the sale of such licenses to be applied to
building and keeping in service small steam
vessels. whose sole duty shall lie to guard against
violations of the laws in this respect. ! still
think the plan good one, and believe that it
Will entail no expense upon the State
l transmit herewith an interesting report from
the Rev. Ethan Allen in reference to the records
OF the Executive department Also. letter
from John Il. Alexander, Esq, in relation to
an index to the first volume of Calendar of
our Domestic State Papers, prepared by him in
accordance with an act of the General Assembly
These matters possess great interest, and trust
that you will consider it proper to take some
action in regard to them.
L nc oheIiuS OF washington, Frederick and
Ailegany counties have claims against the State
Tor guarding our boundary along the Potomac
and on the Pennsylvania line, during the excite
ment attendant upon the John Brown raid.
recommend that said claims be investigated bv
you, and that provision be made for their settle
ment
The condition Of st. Johns College demands
your attention. That institution by vote of
Its board OF trustees, is not now in operation
and it is proper for you to determine whether.
under such circumstances, the States annual
donation shall be continued, so long as the COL
lege shall remain in its present ineffective con-
dition, or unless the board shall execute their
trust under the grant, It is my duty, as er
o0tcio president of the board of trustees, to de-
clare that by no means approve of.the man.
agement Of the affairs of the College, and that
90 not hope for any Improvement in them
while they remain under the control Of the pre-.
sent board. :.'f.r21.- 81
The appropriation made by the former Gen.
eral Assembly for furnishing and repairing the
Government House has been expended pfinci-
pally for repairs outside the building, which
were greatly needed. The vouchers for said ex-
pendltures are ready for examination by the
proper committee.
No provision has been made for the payment
OF counsel for the State in the case of Emanuel
Myers. trust the matter will receive your at
tcntion.
l herewith transmit copies of the correspon-
dence between this department and commission
ers from certain of the States now in rebellion
against our Government 1 transmit, also,
copies Of resolutions passed by several STATE
Legislatures, and which have been requested
to lay before you.
This is the last communication which shall
have the honor of submitting to the General
Assembly. In short time l shall exchange
the cares Of office for the quiet of my home
During my incnmbency of the position to which
four years ago was called by the people of the
State, / have found its duties, in very many
cases, extraordinary, perplexng and harassing
to an unusual degree. and / shall be able to
leave them with no ordinary amount of pleasure.
| Whatever may have been my shortcomings in
their performance, | am persuaded you will be-
lieve me when assert that in every case have
endeavored to do that which thought was
right.
For whatever Of good the ,rent = 1li 1iinanuof
Events has made me the instrument, and iof
whatever Of error the fallihility Of my Judgment
has led me to commit, during my term Of Office,
| am content to await the Just verdict of nv
fellow-citizens, when peace and sober counsels,
experience and calm reason. shall enable them
to approve without partiality and to condemn
without prejudice.
1t affords me great satisfaction, in closing this
communication, to be able to congratulate tho
General Assembly, and the people Of the State,
that in these perilous times the duties of this
office are shortly to be discharged by one whose
discretion, ability, courage and patriotism insure
that he will guide the fortunes of the State with
safety and honor to her people. earnestly
pray that Heaven will abundantly help him and
you in the fulfllment of the duties allotted to
you, and that through your united efforts no
harm may come to the Commonwealth.
THos. II. HICKS.
Executive Chamber, Jan. l, 1862.