15

preference they would have to others, would constitute a natural re-
lation at once equitable, interesting and respectful. The recove-
ry by the State, of a large amount of money from the Federal
Government, which by the action of a former Legislature, has been
already dedicated to the support of primary schools, makes this an
auspicious time to initiate the movement which I have thus imper-
fectly presented, and most cordially commend to your favorable
regard,

MARYLAND PENITENTIARY.

Herewith I enclose reports made to me by the Directors of the
Maryland Penitentiary, for the years 1856 and 1857. This period
has been one of great financial embarrassment to the institution,
owing to causes which are fully stated in their reports. The en-
tire destruction by fire of the north wing of the prison, thereby
causing the loss of the labor of more than 200 of the most profita-
ble hands, for upwards of three months, the cost of reconstructing
said building with iron roof, and improved means for manufactur-
ing, amounting to near eight thousand dollars, the high price of
provisions, and all raw material, such as cotton, yarns, wool, &c,
without any corresponding increase in the price of manufactured
goods, together with the financial troubles that have affected the
whole country, making the sales of goods manufactured in the
prison less than the usual average, have caused the expenses of
the institution for the two last years to be far greater than its earn-
ings.

The actual difference between the earnings, and the expendi-
tures for the year 1856 is stated to be $13,318.30, eight thousand
of which has been met by the annual appropriation of the State,
leaving an actual deficit of $5,318.30. The amount of manufac-
tured goods and materials on hand at the date of the report for
1856 is stated to be $24,172.41. For 1857, the deficit is stated
to be $26,189.92, independent of the annual appropriation of
$8,000 by the State; and the amount of dry goods and materials
on hand, on the 30th of November last, amounting to $20,473.08.

To relieve the institution from present and future embarrassment,
the Board of Directors are of opinion that an appropriation of $50,-
000, will be required from the present Legislature.

Notwithstanding the necessity of this large appropriation for the
causes assigned above, I feel it my imperative duty to renew the
recommendation made in my last message, for the enlargement of
the prison buildings. The necessity for additional room increases
yearly, and the maintenance of the proper prison discipline will
soon become a matter of utter impossibility, with the present im-
perfect and insufficient accommodations.

The number of convicts in the prison on the 30th November
last was 415, of which number more than one-third, nearly one-
half are negroes. In connection with this fact, I beg leave respect-