x REPORT OF THE

Schooners and new Steamers, but judging from the
small number of complaints that have been made, I
feel warranted in saying that the new Oyster Law has
been pretty generally obeyed. That the increased pen-
alties which it imposes in the forfeiture of the offending
boat, and the imprisonment of the master for a term in
the Penitentiary of the State, are sufficient in a great
measure to deter those who would be violators from
breaking the law; and I believe that it will be demon-
strated in the near future, that we can secure an efficient
Oyster Police Service and at the same time reduce the
present large and expensive force.

STATE'S INVESTMENTS.

"Statement I" will give you the State's Capital and
Credits.

PRODUCTIVE INVESTMENTS.

In the amount designated as productive capital will
be found the large estimated sum of $1,485,305.46 due
from Incorporated Institutions, Collectors of State Taxes,
Clerks of Courts, &c.

Many of the claims that make up this sum are of
long standing and have been placed by my predecessors
and myself in the hands of the proper officers for collec-
tion, and I shall make an effort so as to be able to desig-
nate in my next report those that possess value. "While
the State will derive considerable revenue from this
source, yet I fear that a large per cent, will be found
unproductive.

UNPRODUCTIVE INVESTMENTS.

The most important among these are the State's in-
terest in the Chesapeake and Ohio and the Susquehanna
and Tide Water Canals.

CHESAPEAKE AND OHIO CANAL COMPANY.

This company, as shown by the report of the Presi-
dent made to the stockholders at their last meeting is
verging upon bankruptcy, harrassed alternately by
floods and droughts during the past season, and now
by vexatious suits, it would seem that the Fates had con-