time disturbing the repose of private life, menacing the public peace, and mocking the most severe expressions of public vengeance.

On the subject of punishment, however, most of the governments in Christendom have come to a pause. The frequent repetition of crimes, in defiance of the most appalling and sanguinary punishments, has shaken a confidence in their efficacy, which custom and prejudice had so long and obstinately maintained. And the practicability of preventing crimes, and reforming offenders by the force of early education and the influence of moral and religious motives, is gaining credibility and advocates.

But

Although Massachusetts has been distinguished for her zealous efforts to rear her children to habits of order, of usefulness, and virtue, we have too much reason to regret the existence of vice, and the perpetration of crime. on due examination, it will be generally found, that the latter have been committed by those who were not natives; or, if natives, by such as had neglected, or been denied the advantages of early training and instruction. It is believed, that the idea of producing a virtuous and happy state of society, by the influence of early education and discipline, on the great body of the people, has never been so distinctly conceived, nor urged with so much force and effect, as in this country. But changes await us; and we shall do well to endeavor to catch a portion of that spirit of prudence and foresight, for which our ancestors were distinguished, by adapting the means of literary improvement to the state of society, and detecting the bearings of present circumstances on the interests of future times. It is not unreasonable to expect, that, among other causes, an increase of our population, of our commerce, and of large manufacturing establishments, will, as in all other countries, multiply the causes of moral deterioration. If there be just ground for these apprehensions, additional measures ef precaution cannot be too speedily devised.

On this occasion, I would present to your notice the great Penitentiary of the Commonwealth, at Charlestown. I have been recently furnished with a summary, but very satisfactory, report of the present condition of that institution. It must be gratifying to you, as it has been to me, to receive assurances of the salutary effects of the act of Feb

urary, one thousand eight hundred and eighteen, for classifying the convicts, and other purposes, on their temper and behavior. Besides the prevalence of good order, the expense of the institution has become less onerous to the State. The mild treatment observed towards the unhappy convicts, in that prison, their wholesome sustenance, the great attention paid to their health and cleanliness, the means furnished to the younger part of them for being taught to read and write, and to all of them for religious worship and moral instruction, seem to be well calculated to operate on ingenuous minds and lead them to permanent reformation. The report of the Directors will be laid before you by the Secretary.

In the month of October last, the Board of Visitors of the Massachusetts General Hospital, examined the condition of the Hospital for the Insane, at Charlestown. And it gives me great pleasure to be able to state, that an inspection of that establishment, afforded the visitors the most entire satisfaction. The local situation and general arrangements of it, appear to be perfectly adapted to the nature, and the exigencies of such an institution. The manner in which the two buildings designed for the accommodation of the insane, one for males, and the other for females, are constructed, is judiciously contrived, to ensure the safety and comfort of the afflicted patients. And the concerns of the establishment, generally, are so administered, as to fulfil the benevolent intentions of the Legislature, in founding an institution so interesting to humanity, in modes, the most simple, economical and efficacious. It may be satisfactory to you, gentlemen, to kown that the consulting and visiting physicians, comprising some of the most eminent of the profession, in the State, have examined the institution, and given it their unqualified praise, as affording the best hopes of alleviation and cure for the afflicted subjects of mental disease. I cordially recommend the institution to your fostering care; and shall cheerfully concur with you in any measures calculated to lighten the evils of suffering humanity, or to promote the general prosperity and happiness of the Commonwealth.

May it please your Excellency,

THE Senate of Massachusetts, assembled in obedience to the voice of the people and the constitution, to perform its part in the office of a free government, is bound first to offer its acknowledgments to the author of all our privileges. Under the impression of this sentiment, we recognize our duty to devote all our powers to the good of the community, in the enactment of such laws as shall be most conducive to their security, liberty and happiness.

We concur with your Excellency, in acknowledging the supreme authority of the people. The constitution was formed for their benefit; and the duty of legislators is merely to perform their will. It is for them to determine the character of their laws and institutions, and decide their own political destiny. But it is a truth, not to be forgotten, that political rights have little value, unless accompanied by intelligence and virtue. These form the ornament and defence of republican institutions; and legislators are obliged, not merely to enact such ordinances as shall guard the persons and property of their constitutents, but to foster and preserve the institutions calculated to diffuse useful knowledge and correct principles; our schools, colleges and churches.

The laws derive their force, not from the impulse of any physical power. The Legislature of a republic is not sur rounded by arms. The judicary which commands universal submission to its decisions, from the powerful, as well as the weak, has no energy, but what is derived from the sense of justice which resides in the breasts of the people. The force of a republican government, the only one compatible with freedom, is, therefore, a moral force. And, as the laws have their origin in the will of the people, so they are carried into execution, principally, by the sentiment known to prevail in favor of virtue, order and good government. A constitution which requires the support of an armed force,

is either defective itself, or supposes debasement in a considerable part of those subjected to it. It either does not possess the confidence and attachment of the people, as the security of their rights, or the people do not justly appreciate those rights. It, therefore, becomes a free Commonwealth, to recollect that, as they value their liberties and immunities, public opinion, the source and guide of political power, should be founded on public virtue and intelligence. Impressed with these considerations, our ancestors made early regulations for the establishment of schools in every part of the Commonwealth, for the instruction of the poor, as well as the affluent; thus encouraging the humblest individual, with the conviction that he was an object of interest to the community, and teaching him that, as his faculties had been developed under the public care, it was his duty to repay the service rendered him, by contributing to the support of similar institutions. These means of information, united with the public and universal observance of religious worship, so established by law, as not to encroach on the rights of conscience, have formed the glory of Massachusetts and of New England. It was a liberal and enlightened policy, and did the greater honor to our ancestors, because it was not borrowed from the age in which they lived, nor of former ages, but was suggested by their patriotism and reflection. The long experience we have had of the advantages of this system of education, ought to protect it from any encroachment; particularly when we consider, that it has received the commendation of other States in the Union, and will, we trust, be adopted in them all. Nor ought we to allow advantages so valuable, to yield to the unfavorable influence apprehended from the increase of our population, commerce and wealth. It becomes the Legislature, therefore, to be vigilant, lest the causes of moral deterioration, which have accompanied the progress of refinement, and the establishment of large manufactories in other countries, should gain admission within this Commonwealth.

The depravity to which idleness and ignorance have, in some foreign states, reduced a large portion of the lowest classes of the people, evince the value of the principles that have, in a great degree, preserved us from a like humiliation. It is a source of satisfaction to learn that successful efforts are there making, to diminish the mass of

pauperism and vice. Charity schools, founded on new and enlarged modes of instruction, have brought down the elements of education within the reach of multitudes of men. dicants; and their operation has been so efficacious, as to reclaim a neglected populace from the waste of ignorance and crime, and to lead to the manufactory and the field, those who would otherwise become tenants of the prison. Any improvement in our system of education, which may extend its influence still further, will meet with the approbation of the Senate.

We are happy to learn from your Excellency, that, by the adoption of new measures in the State Prison, its design in promoting the reformation of offenders is better accomplished. It is certainly worthy of the philanthropist and statesman, to dispense, as far as possible, with the use of severe and sanguinary laws. Experience has proved, that it is not by the multiplication of capital punishments, that crimes are to be lessened; but that, on the contrary, the humanity of juries sometimes interposes to prevent the conviction of offenders, who would suffer too severely, and if convicted, the feelings of the people revolt against the frequent exposure of victims to public execution. Cur criminal code has never been cruel. But it will be a triumph of humanity, if the penitentiary system can be so improved, as to accomplish more effectually than corporal punishment, the prevention of crimes, and at the same time promote the reformation of the guilty.

It is gratifying to the Senate, to be informed by your Excellency, of the completion of the Hospital for the Insane; and to learn, that this unhappy part of our race have, at length, an asylum, where humane and skilful guardians and attendants devote themselves to their restoration to tranquillity and reason. Its Trustees, together with the visiting and consulting physicians, who have contributed so much to the accomplishment of this charitable design, merit the gratitude of the community. What has been reared. under their care, will not be abandoned by the guardians of the State. The same feelings of humanity and regard to the public good, which at first inspired the purpose of establishing the General Hospital, will not allow the Le. gislature to withhold its patronage, before the original de. sign, conducted with skill and economy, shall be properly completed,