wise and faithful framers of the constitution, were sensible of danger from this source: and all the checks established by that instrument, are designed to guard the purity of its republican character against the mistakes of public agents, as well as the misuse of power. The indefeasible right of the people, " to institute government," and "to reform, alter, and change the same, when their protection, safety, prosperity, and happiness require it," is distinctly asserted in the bill of rights. But the constitution contains no provision for a revision, after the year one thousand seven hundred and ninety five. Yet as the legislative power extends to every object that involves the good and well being of the Commonwealth, which is not specifically excepted, we may infer the right and duty of the Legislature, to submit to the consideration of the people, either the general question of revision, or such propositions for particular amendments, as they shall judge to be most promotive of the public good. The inference from analogy arising from the provisions of the tenth section of the sixth chapter of the constitution, seems to favor the idea of limiting the power of the Legislature to submit primarily, the general question only to the people. But as that article was designed for the particular case of a revision in the year above mentioned, it does not seem reasonable to conclude that the general power of the Legislature can be abridged by that specific provision. I have been thus particular in expressing my views of the constitutional doctrine of amending the constitution, from a persuasion, that an occasional recurrence to first principles, tends to preserve the purity, and to maintain the strength of a republican system of government; and from a corresponding sense of obligation on my part, to present the same, on the present occasion, to your consideration. The subject, gentlemen, is constitutionally in your hands; and I feel entire confidence that your deliberations on this and every other subject, will be guided by wisdom, and result in the best good of the Commonwealth. To carry into effect the benevolent intention of the Legislature, agreeably to a resolve of the nineteenth of June last, "respecting the deaf and dumb," measures were immediately taken to give publicity to the same, and to require that application should be made in writing, and directed to the Secretary, by the parents or guardians of such persons as were entitled to the benefits of the resolve. Immediately after the expiration of sixty days, the attention of the Council was invited to this subject, and such arrangements were made as to designate twenty of the applicants who appeared to possess the pre-requisites for admission into the Asylum, at Hartford, pointed out by the government of that institution, to be placed under their care. From the several documents, relating to this business, you will perceive the course pursued in adjusting it. The report of Mr. Gallaudet, dated the first of the present month, contains information relating to the individuals who are now at the institution. From an examination of the documents, and further reflection on the subject of the "deaf and dumb," a review of it may be thought adviseable; more especially in reference to protracting the term of education, as suggested by the Trustees of the Asylum; to increasing the number of beneficiaries, and to devising means for rendering the talents and acquirements of those who are educated at the public expense, in as high a degree as practicable, useful to themselves and others. During the recess, I received from the Governor of the State of South Carolina, a communication, containing the proceedings of that State, on the subject of the amendment of the constitution, proposed by the State of North Carolina. Likewise a communication from the Governor of the State of Pennsylvania, containing a proposal of the Legislature of that State to amend the constitution, so that Congress shall make no law to erect or incorporate any bank or other monied institution, except within the District of Columbia. These communications will be laid before you by the Secretary. At the usual period in October last, the Visitors of the State Prison visited and examined the condition of that Institution, and had the satisfaction to find marks of vigilance among the officers, and the appearance of diligence and good order in the several departments. The reports of the Warden, and the Surgeon of the establishment, together with sundry other documents, will be laid before you by the Secretary. He will, at the same time, present the return of the ordnance and ordnance stores, made by the Quarter Master General. Council Chamber, January 13th, 1820. J. BROOKS. CHAP. LIII. Governor's Message. January 17th, 1820. Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, I have just received a letter from the Honorable Prentiss Mellen and the Honorable Harrison G. Otis, Senators of this Commonwealth, in the Congress of the United States, dated the eighth instant, stating, that in the discussion of the bill that had passed the House of Representatives, for the admission of Maine into the Union, many difficulties presented themselves as to the right and mode of apportioning the Representatives to be elected by Massachusetts and Maine, respectively, for the seventeenth Congress. The subject appearing to have a bearing on the bill pending in Congress, for admitting Maine into the Union, I lose no time in laying the communication before you, for your con sideration. Council Chamber, January 17, 1820. JOHN BROOKS. CHAP. LIV. Governor's Message. January 19th, 1820. Gentlemen of the Senate, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, Having received from the Secretary of the Convention of Maine, manuscript copies, duly authenticated, of the records of the convention, of the constitution of government framed by that convention, and the acceptance of it by the people of the district, the Secretary will lay them before you. Should you think proper to assign them a place in the archives of the Commonwealth, the arrangement would not only preserve those documents for future reference, but perpetuate a remembrance of the respectful and courteous attention of the Convention of Maine to the Government of Massachusetts. The Secretary will, at the same time, lay before you the Treasurer's account for the last year. Council Chamber, January 19, 1820. JOHN BROOKS. CHAP. LV. Resolve on the petition of J. and E. Hager, and of Hannah On the petition of Jonathan and Elijah Hager, and the petition of Hannah Storer, each praying for the renewal of a State note: Resolved, For reasons set forth in said petitions, that the Treasurer of this Commonwealth be, and he is hereby directed to issue to the said Jonathan and Elijah Hager, a new State note, of the same tenor and date as the one by them lost; that is, a note, number one hundred and fifty two, of date, July the seventh, one thousand eight hundred and ten, for one hundred and thirteen dollars and seventy eight cents; and to endorse thereon the interest that has been paid. Also to issue to the said Hannah Storer a new State note of the same tenor and date as the note by her lost; that is, a note, number three hundred and seventy, of date, July the thirtieth, one thousand eight hundred and ten, for two hundred and seventy nine dollars and eleven cents; and to endorse thereon the interest that has been paid; they the said Jonathan and Elijah Hager, and the said Hannah Storer, first making affidavit before some Justice of the Peace, of the truth of the facts stated in their respective petitions, and giving bonds to the Treasurer of this Commonwealth, the said Jonathan and Elijah Hager, in the penal sum of two hundred dollars, and the said Hannah Storer, in the penal sum of four hundred dollars, with one or more sureties each, to secure the Commonwealth against any loss that may happen in consequence of the renewal of said notes. |