branches of government have performed their duty as guardians of the people; whether the public taxes have been justly laid and collected; in what manner the public moneys have been disposed of; and whether the laws have been duly executed.

The Counsellors and Representatives receive $1,50 a day, during attendance, and six cents a mile for travel in going and returning. The Lieut. Governor and Speaker of the House receive $2,50 a day.

Salary $375.

The Supreme Court is a court for the determination of questions of law and petitions, and other matters not triable by jury. Each Judge receives, in addition to his salary, $125 per annum, for preparing reports of the decisions of the Supreme Court, to be published by the state.

The Legislature appoints annually two assistant judges in each county, who, with one judge of the Supreme Court, compose the County Court. The County Court has original and exclusive jurisdiction in cases triable by

jury, where the matter or thing in question exceeds the value of one hundred dollars; and in some cases where smaller damages are claimed. The assistant judges of this court have no salaries, but are paid by fees, which vary probably from $50 to $250 per annum, according to the amount of business done in the thirteen different County Courts.

BANKS IN VERMONT.

The several items are taken from the Report submitted to the Legislature, October 13, 1829.

of Brattleborough,

of Rutland,

of Montpelier,

66

of St. Albans,

66

of Caledonia,

of Vergennes,

of Orange County,

of Bennington,

100,000 50,000 67,044 22,415 148,687 100,000 60,000 125,003 33,993 221,548

100,000 30,000 52,831 4,141 91,472 100,000 20,000 64,634 9,577 95,526 100,000 30,000 25,506 11,617 69,056 100,000 30,000 40,218 5,277 77,091 100,000 29,625 21,959 11,536 65,761 100,000 40,000 79,763 4,073 128,031

The Bank of the United States has an Office of Discount and Deposite at Burlington.

EDUCATION.

There are two colleges in Vermont, at Burlington and Middlebury; medical schools at Burlington and Castleton; and about 20 incorporated academies in the state, where young men may be fitted for college.

Common schools are supported throughout the state. The money raised by the general law for the support of schools, at 3 per cent. on the Grand List [the valuation for taxes], would be about $51,119 42; and about as much more is supposed to be raised by school district taxes. The state has a Literary Fund, derived principally from a tax of 6 per cent. on the annual profits of the banks; the amount on loan in September, 1829, was $23,763 32.

IV. MASSACHUSETTS.

THE territory of Massachusetts comprised, for many years after its first settlement, two separate colonies, styled the Plymouth Colony and the Colony of Massachusetts Bay.

The first English settlement that was made in New England, was formed by 101 persons who fled from religious persecution in England, landed at Plymouth on the 22d of December, 1620, and laid the foundation of Plymouth Colony.

The settlement of the Colony of Massachusetts Bay was commenced at Salem in 1628. Boston was settled in 1630.

The two colonies continued separate and elected their own governors annually till 1685-6, when they were deprived of their charters, and were placed under the government of Joseph Dudley, and afterwards of Sir Edmund Andros. In 1692, they were united into one colony under a new charter; and the governors were afterwards appointed by the king.

After the Dissolution of the First Charter.

[Joseph Dudley, appointed President of New England, Oct. 8, 1685. Sir Edmund Andros assumes the government of New England, Dec. 20, 1686-is deposed by the people, April 18, 1689.]

[In October, 1774, a Provincial Congress assumed the government, and in July, 1775, elected counsellors; in 1780, the Constitution

The Constitution of this state was formed in 1780, and amended in 1821. The legislative power is vested in a Senate and House of Representatives, which together are styled The General Court of Massachusetts. The members of the House of Representatives are elected annually in May; and they must be chosen ten days at least before the last Wednesday of that month. Every corporate town having 150 ratable polls may elect one representative, and another for every additional 225 ratable polls. The Senate consists of 40 members, who are chosen, by districts, annually, on the first Monday in April.

The supreme executive magistrate is styled The Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and has the title of "His Excellency." The Governor is elected annually by the people on the first Monday of April, and at the same time a Lieutenant Governor is chosen, who has the title of "His Honor." The Governor is assisted in the executive part of government by a Council of nine members, who are chosen by the joint ballot of the Senators and Representatives, from the Senators; and in case the persons elected, or any of them, decline the appointment, the deficiency is supplied from among the people at large.

The General Court meets (at Boston) on the last Wednesday of May, and also in January.

The right of suffrage is granted to every male citizen, 21 years of age and upwards (excepting paupers and persons under guardianship), who has resided within the commonwealth one year, and within the town or district

in which he may claim a right to vote, six calendar months next preceding any election, and who has paid a state or county tax, assessed upon him within two years next preceding such election; and also every citizen who may be by law exempted from taxation, and who may be, in all other respects qualified as above mentioned.

The judiciary is vested in a Supreme Court, a Court of Common Pleas, and such other courts as the Legislature may establish. The judges are appointed by the Governor by and with the advice and consent of the Council, and hold their offices during good behavior.

Government for the Year ending on the last Tuesday in May, 1831.