business is mainly to iron off the carriages and sleighs made by the wheelwrights; also, to repair the tools for the quarrymen, and such other repairs as is needed about the Prison.

The Coopering department is yet continued, but it is the opinion of the undersigned, that, inasmuch as the burning of Lime in the Prison yard is discontinued, that of manufacturing of Lime casks should also be discontinued perhaps as soon as the stock on hand is used up; as Lime casks are frequently hauled to this market and sold for one half of what they will cost the State to manufacture them.

Although the convicts in this department are generally invalids, and unable to do such business as is carried on in the Prison, yet the materials for making the casks are worth more before it is made into casks, than they are sold for, many times, after delivered in market.

When the undersigned took charge of the Institution in April last, the whole amount of stock then on hand, as per Commissioners' Report, was $9,554 28, including tools and stock, although appraised lower than it was last fall, or December 1838. Yet it was appraised for as much as it was probably worth. The Inspectors have appraised the stock on hand, much lower than it was appraised last Spring, and I think they have called it about what it is worth to the State. Yet this difference in

appraisals, will show the expenditures during the eight months last past, more than they really are, by the difference of the two appraisals, of $400; and I believe the Inspectors will mention the fact in their Report.

The Inspectors have so arranged their Report, as that it will show what part of the stock on hand is tools, and what part is manufactured and unmanufactured articles. It has been usual heretofore, for the Inspectors to call the property on hand, stock and tools, not designating what part to each; but by the present arrangement, the Legislature will understand what portion of the whole amount is available.

I feel it my duty to state to the Legislature, that the Prison yard fence is getting much out of repair, and must of necessity be rebuilt in the course of two or three years. If it should be rebuilt with stone, I would suggest the propriety of making a beginning immediately, so far as to let the Prison team and such of the convicts work upon it as could with safety be trusted outside of the yard; by so doing, the business could be very much forwarded, as the foundation could be laid with the refuse rock which we are obliged to take out of the quarry almost daily. I think a small portion of the fence could be built yearly, and much of it with the labor of the convicts, much cheaper to the State than to build it all at one time. If the finances of the State were in a

good condition, I would recommend the remodeling of the Prison and Cells. The Cells are inconvenient, uncomfortable and unhandy, as there is now no means by which they can be warmed.

I flatter myself, gentlemen, that the condition of the Prison is now as good as it ever has been. Although I have been in charge but a part of a year, and having been obliged to have an account of stock taken twice in the short time, which you must be aware retards the progress of the business much; notwithstanding these embarrassments, the Institution has very nearly paid its way, including all the officers' salaries, except the Warden, as the Inspec- · tors' Report will show, to which I would refer you. I have the vanity to suppose, at the end of another year, we shall be able to show a small dividend to the State, unless some unforseen accident should befall us, or we are obliged to make more repairs than we have the present year.

I am incliued to believe that we shall not need an appropriation this year, further than to pay the officers' salaries, should those indebted pay promptly, as it is believed they will.

I am gentlemen,

With high respect,

Your ob't servant.

BENJAMIN CARR, Warden.

Thomaston, January 4th, 1840.

BENJAMIN CARR, WARDEN.

Before me,

ASA PERKINS, Justice of the Peace.