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NEW HAMPSHIRE.

ELECTION. The Legislature of this State met at Concord on the first Wednesday in June. The Senate chose Benning M. Bean, President. In the House of Representatives, Franklin Pierce was elected Speaker, having 205 votes of 208. The whole number of votes legally returned for Governor was 39,233; of which Governor Dinsmoor had 24,167, and was re-elected. Ichabod Bartlett had 14,920, and there were 146 scattered.

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LEGISLATION. The legislature at the preceding session, June, 1831, passed twentyeight public acts and eleven resolutions. Among them was,

An act giving Equity powers to the superior Court in all cases, where any personal property shall be withheld from the owner, so that they cannot be replevied, and the court is authorized to order the same to be given up, or to compel such disclosures and make such orders, &c, as equity shall in such cases seem to require. The court is also authorized to determine in equity all disputes between co-partners, joint tenants, and tenants in common and their legal representatives,' in such cases where there is no adequate remedy at law, and is vested with powers necessary for this purpose.

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An act extending the limits of the jail yard to the limits of the respective counties in which such jails are situated. Persons hereafter committed to prison on execution founded on contract, are permitted to have the liberty of the jail yard no longer than one year; if within that time they shall not take the benefit of the poor debtor's oath, pay the debt, or be otherwise legally discharged, they shall be liable to go into close confinement. Any person arrested upon execution shall, on giving bond as if he were actually committed, be discharged from the arrest, and shall have the liberty of the jail yard and other privileges, as if he had actually been committed and given bond as now provided by law. No female shall be arrested either on mesne process or on execution founded upon

contract.

An act authorizing the Court of Common Pleas, where a new highway is to be laid out, provided the highway is of general public utility, and that the expense of constructing it is burdensome to any town, to order such portion of the expenses incident to such town as may seem reasonable, not exceeding one half

of the whole expense, to be paid by the county.

An act providing that when the tenant or occupant of any house, &c, shall hold, even after notice in writing to quit, the landlord may summon him before a justice of the peace, and if the tenant shall neglect to appear, or if it shall be consid ered by the justice that the landlord hath sustained his complaint, then judgment shall be rendered, that the complainant have possession of the premises and for bis costs, and thereupon the complainant shall be entitled to a writ of possession. A right of appeal to the Court of Common Pleas is reserved, but the appeal must be claimed within two hours from time of rendering the judgment. If the title to the premises is brought into question by the pleadings, the action is to be entered in the court of Common Pleas. All leases at will, and tenancies at sufferance' may be terminated by either party, after giving to the other party three months' notice; and where the rent shall be payable more frequently than quarterly, the notice shall be sufficient, if it be equal, to the time between the payments thereof;' but in all cases of neglect to pay the rent due, seven days notice to the tenant shall be sufficient.

A resolution was passed by this Leg. islature giving consent to an appropriation of three thousand dollars, made by the legislature of Maine, for the purpose of repairing the road in this State leading from Maine through the notch of the

White Hills to Vermont.

An act authorizing any married woman whose husband is under guardianship, and is seized in her right of any real estates in this State in common with any other persons or corporatives, to join with the guardian of her husband, in making partition with the other tenants in common.'

A resolution was passed by which the Senators of the State in Congress, were instructed, and the Representatives requested, to use their exertions to procure the passage of a law for the more perfect organization of the militia. The Governor was requested to transmit copies of this resolution to the Governors of the other States, to be submitted to the legislatures thereof for their consideration.

The preamble of a resolution which was passed, states, that the legislature of Vermont has authorized the executive

of that State to adopt such measures in conjunction with the executive of New Hampshire, as may be deemed expedient to ascertain the boundary line between the two States, and to appoint commissioners to meet commissioners on the part of New Hampshire, to define such line; the preamble then declares that this boundary line has for a great number of years been well defined, and the river Connecticut, for the whole extent of the line between the two States, conceded to be within the limits and exclusive jurisdiction of the State of New Hampshire; and that the legislature of New Hampshire is not sufficiently informed of the nature of the difficulty to warrant the appointment of commissioners at the present session. It was therefore resolved, that the Governor be requested to transmit to the executive of Vermont a copy of this preamble and resolution, and to communicate to the legislature of New Hampshire at the next session, any information he may receive relative to this subject.

An act authorizing any two or more persons to associate together for the purpose of forming a fire engine company, a library society, a singing or other musical society, and may admit members and assume a name, by which such society may be known and distinguished in law; the agreement of association' is to be recorded in a book of records to be kept by the clerk of such society, and the substance thereof posted up in the town where such society is formed, and also recorded with the clerk of such town; the persons so associated are thereby constituted a body corporate and politic,' with the usual powers and duties incident to corporations. The property of such society is not to exceed one thousand dollars in value. No member of any fire engine company formed under this act, shall be exempt from performing military duty in the militia, if his exemption would reduce the company to which he may belong, below the number of fortytwo, rank and file, nor unless such engine company shall own and possess a suitable fire engine.'

An act was passed to abolish special pleading. In all civil actions the defendant may plead the general issue, which shall be joined by the plaintiff, and either party may give in evidence any special matter in support or in defence of the action, upon filing in the court a brief statement of such special matter, either of law or of fact, within such time as the court may order, of which statement

the other party shall be entitled to a copy.

An act to authorize persons to vote in any town who have resided in the town where he may offer his vote, at least thirty days immediately preceding the day on which the meeting in which he offers to vote shall be holden.' But when any person shall have removed into any town with his family and goods, with an evident intention of a permanent residence therein, and it shall so appear to the satisfaction of the selectmen and the moderator,' he shall be permitted to vote in any legal town meeting thereof.

An act was passed to raise the sum of fortyfive thousand dollars for the use of the State, to be paid into the treasury on or before December 1st, 1832.

Acts were passed for the incorporation of two Savings Banks; four library companies; nine manufacturing companies; the trustees of the Methodist Annual Conference; five fire engine companies; the Lyme Aqueduct Company; Walpole and Aikens Academies; two bridge companies; the Beebus River Mining company; and the Dodges Falls Canal company.

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At the session of the Legislature in June 1832, fortyfive acts and fourteen resolutions were passed.

An act making bank shares subject to all direct taxes, for the actual amount in value of said shares, whether the same be mortgaged, pledged or conveyed for the purpose of securing any loans obtained thereon, or for other purposes.

An act was passed granting premiums for killing bears, wild cats, foxes and

crows.

An act authorizing the selling of any franchise for the payment of any tax that shall be assessed upon any bridge, canal, or other company, incorporated by law with power to receive toll, or upon any person holding such franchise.'

An act authorizing the chairman of any committee of the legislature, or the person acting as such chairman, to administer the oath to any witness who may be called before them to testify in relation to any subject under their consideration.

An act appropriating $1500, for the purpose of educating indigent deaf and dumb children belonging to this State, at the Asylum in Hartford, Conn.

An act regulating the construction of highways, when such highways shall be laid out, for the accommodation of the public, through lands belonging to any minor, who has no legal guardian. Such highway may be constructed and

used' before the damages assessed by the selectmen to such infant shall have been paid or tendered, and the town in which such highways shall be laid out shall be liable to pay the damages assessed by the selectmen, as aforesaid, to the guardian of such infant, when a guardian shall be appointed, or to the infant himself, when he shall arrive at the age of twentyone.'

An act was passed to regulate the inspection of beef and pork intended to be exported, and further to regulate the inspection of mackerel.

An act was passed that required the selectmen of towns to return to the secretary's office on or before November 21, 1832, an inventory of the polls and real estates of their respective towns, which inventories are to contain a statement of the lands, cattle, sheep, horses, mills, wharfs, toll-bridges, ferries, carding machines, bank stock, value of stock in trade, the sum total of all the money on hand, and at interest more than the party pays interest for, property in the public funds, chaises and other wheel carriages of pleasure, &c.

An act declaring that no mortgage of personal property shall be valid, unless the property be delivered to the mortgagee or the mortgage be recorded by the town clerk.

This act, however, is not to extend to bottomry and respondentia bonds, nor to property at sea, provided possession be taken as soon as may be after its ar

rival.

An act authorizing the removal of

LEGISLATURE.

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prisoners from jail upon the breaking out of any contagious disorder.

An act authorizing the replevin of goods when attached, that are exempted from attachment. If the attaching of ficer have delivered the goods to a third person, the officer bearing the writ of replevin is authorized, after demand and refusal, to enter the close or building of such third person and replevy the goods.

Fourteen acts of incorporation were also passed.

Also acts regulating marriages and for the registering marriages, births, and burials;

Regulating the sawing and sale of sawed clapboards and shingles;

Authorizing selectmen to tax the rateable estate of legatees and wards in the hands of executors, administrators, trustees, and guardians:

To establish the rates at which polls and rateable estate shall be assessed in making direct taxes:

For the better organization of Courts of Justice.

Regulating the mode of putting pine timber into Connecticut river.

Among the resolutions was a Resolve approving the sentiments contained in the Proclamation of the President.

A Resolve directing the Governor to issue his warrant to the selectmen of the several towns, to take the sense of the qualified voters on the subject of a revision of the constitution.

And three for addresses to the executive to remove certain public officers.

MASSACHUSETTS.

The legislature of the State assembled at Boston on the 4th of January, and the government was organized in the usual form. The Governor's Message was read on the 9th. The alteration of the present law relating to the election of representatives to Congress, and a restriction of the time for the return of votes, was recommended, and a bill for that purpose having been introduced was immediately passed. The State's Prison is said to have reached a satisfactory point of improvement, and to have been converted into a school of salutary instruction and reform. The number of convicts have been reduced, within the last year, from 290 to 256. The balance against the prison in 1830 was nearly $7000; this has been reduced to $177 47. It is

anticipated that the earnings of the prison will hereafter be more than adequate to its ordinary expenses. The Hospital for the Insane will be ready for occupants during the next summer, and will accommodate the superintendent and one hundred and twenty lunatics. The map of the State from actual surveys and admeasurements upon trigonometrical principles, is in progress. The geological survey of the Commonwealth is nearly completed. The necessary examinations of the country have been mostly made, and the First Part of an elaborate scientific report, comprising The Economical Geology of the State. or an account of our Rocks, Soils, and Minerals, that may be applied to useful purposes, and thus become sources of pecuniary profit,' accompanied with a

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map, delineating by distinctive numbers and colorings, the various minerals and rock formations which prevail, has been transmitted to the Executive. The plan of the Professor proposes, that the Report should consist of Four Parts; the second part to exhibit the Topographical Geology, or an account of the most interesting features of our scenery ; the third part, the scientific Geology, or an account of our rocks in their relation to science; and the fourth part to contain catalogues of the native Mineralogical, Botanical and Zoological productions of the State. The sales of the public lands in the State of Maine, between the first of February and the sixth of December, amounted to $35,499 60. The Governor is of opinion that the award of the King of Holland, in relation to our boundary, is altogether void; and he says he sees no constitutional power in the nation to require an acquiescence in it, on the part of the States which would be prejudiced by its adoption.'-In relation to the Militia, the Message states that the laws now enforced have given rise to exemptions and evasions scarcely less in the aggregate than the musterrolls of the train-bands themselves. The disbursements on account of the State, within the year have amounted to $381,481 68; the receipts have amounted to but $325,059 23; leaving a balance against the state of $56,422 45. Of the disbursements, one item was for the payment of members of the legislature, $101,271. This amount will be reduced hereafter, by dispensing with one session of the General Court, and still further reductions will be made by the statute enlarging the criminal jurisdiction of the Common Pleas. It is stated that the expenses of the government are less than one fifth part of the disbursements from the Treasury; the remainder of the aggregate is composed of various grants and immunities.

STATE VALUATION.-The Valuation Committee, which is required by

the Constitution to value and assess the whole Commonwealth, once in ten years, finished its session about the first of January. The following table shows the aggregate of polls and property, as finally fixed by the Committee, and the apportionment of $1000 on each, together with the increase per cent from

the last valuation.

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At the last valuation, in 1821, the amount of property was $158,644,267 77, and the number of polls, 122,715. According to the above estimate, the increase of property in ten years has been $55,263,839 77, and of polls 27,876.

BANKS.-It appears from the Abstract of the Bank Returns, that there were in

this State, on the 1st of October last, seventy chartered banking corporations, and that their capital stock paid in was $21,439,800; bills in circulation, $7, 739,317; net profits on hand, $734, 312, 33; balances due to other banks, $2,477,615 43; cash deposited, &c,. not bearing interest, $4,401,965, 62; cash deposited, and bearing interest, $4,550, 947 68; due from the banks, $41,393, 083 33; gold, silver, &c,. in banks, $919,959 73; in real estate, $683,307 89; bills of banks in this State, $1,104, 606 88; balances due from other banks, 567 29; bills of banks elsewhere, $270, $2,427,679 37; due to the banks, excepting balances, $86,040,760 76; total resources of the banks, $41,445,700 09; amount of last dividend, $566,715; amount of reserved profits, $409,128 76; debts secured by pledge of stock, $752, 312 37; debts due and considered doubt. ful, $268,687 81; rate of dividend on amount of capital of the banks, as existing when dividend was made, 3 per cent less 1-3 of 1-100th part of 1 per

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This act confers on the common pleas, except in the county of Suffolk, exclusive original jurisdiction of all crimes and misdemeanors formerly cognisable in the supreme court. Persons accused of capital crimes, are to be originally prosecuted in the common pleas and tried in the supreme court. The State is to be divided into districts, and a District Attorney with a salary of $1800, appointed for each District, and an Attorney General, with a salary of $1800, is also to be appointed, who is to give advice when required, in the arrangement and preparation of legislative business, and to appear in the trial of all prosecutions for capital offences and of all causes in the supreme court in which the Commonwealth is interested.

An act was also passed dividing the State into thirteen districts for the choice of Senators and counsellors according to the late valuation, viz:

Suffolk, Essex

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Of County Treasurers

to choose

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Plymouth

Deaf and Dumb

6,745 25

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6,860 07 25,118 71 18,551 03

$1,032,082 71 LEGISLATION.-The Legislature of Massachusetts adjourned on the 24th of March, having been in session from the first Wednesday in January. One hundred and seventy acts were passed of which about twentyone were of a strictly public character ten were for increasing the capital stock of certain banks- seventeen were to incorporate new banks twentyfour were to incorporate manufacturing companies — nine related to insurance companies - and the remainder, chiefly had reference to the incorporation of academies, religious societies, rail-roads, wharves, bridges, &c. One of the most important public acts is that enlarging the jurisdiction of the court of common pleas in criminal cases, and regulating the appointment and duties of prosecuting officers.

Barnstable

Nantucket & Dukes

An act exempting fuel to the amount of ten dollars from attachment.

An act extending the process of foreign attachment to property in the possession of a corporate body, and compelling the proper officer conducting its concerns, to make a full disclosure under oath.

An act declaring mortgages of personal property invalid, except possession is taken of the property or the mortgage be recorded with the town clerk. This law which is similar to that of New Hampshire, is not to extend to property under bottomry or respondentia bonds, or at sea, provided it be taken into possession upon its arrival.

An act giving to the Supreme Court equity powers in all controversies between co-executor or co-administrators.

An act declaring persons attempting to commit murder by poisoning, drowning or in any other way not before provided for by law, or accessary thereto before the attempt, liable to solitary confinement of three months and to be imprisoned at hard labor for five years.

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