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Zion College Library, many valuable papers which relate to the
ante-revolutionary history of Maryland, without which the history
of that period cannot be complete, nor fully or correctly written.
And also, that there are still documents and papers, amongst the
archives in the Propaganda at Rome, of much historical interest,
and illustrative of the early provincial history of Maryland, copies
of which could probably be procured at a trifling cost.

Mr. J. H. Alexander, a citizen of this State, and well known
for his literary and scientific attainments is now in Europe, and I
am informed cheerfully consents to procure for the State, if so
desired, such transcripts or copies, if said papers are in existence,
and of real value.

I therefore respectfully recommend that authority be given to
Mr. Alexander or some other competent person, to procure for
the use of the State Library, copies of such original papers if they
can be obtained on reasonable terms.

LAWLESSNESS IN BALTIMORE—ELECTIVE

FRANCHISE.

In the last communication which I had the honor to address to
the General Assembly, I took occasion to advert in very decided
terms to a new element, which at that time had recently been de-
veloped in political controversy, under the fosterage of secret socie-
cieties. I can claim no peculiar sagacity, upon a review of the
language, in which I then deprecated the evils inseparable from
policy, in direct antagonism to the letter and spirit of our institu-
tions. Events which have transpired within our own borders since
that period, have abundantly verified my anticipations, and justified
the earnestness with which I invoked the most "rigorous exercise
of public virtue that the tide of evil flowing in upon us might be
restrained." But the sincerity with which I presented the subject
to the consideration of my fellow-citizens proved of no avail.
The evils have since fallen upon us full blown and most per-
nicious; and we have learned in the severe school of experience,
the perilous extremity, I trust, to which outrage, fraud and vio-
lence may be carried, by the proscriptive frenzy of lawless and
irresponsible men, banded together for the accomplishment of
political ends.

A decent respect for the opinions of my fellow-citizens, a due
concern for the dignity of the office I fill, and a proper regard for
my personal honor, induce me to employ the present occasion for
a dispassionate review of a series of events intimately connected
with our domestic policy, and entitled, apart from any concern I
may entertain with regard to myself, to your serious consideration.

At the outset, in view of the wanton perversion of truth, the un-
accountable ignorance of the theory and practice of our system of
Government, or the manifest self-stultification exhibited by many
who affect to enlighten the public mind, I am almost at a loss to