condition of the settlers. The latter, as a general rule, were prompt in performing the obligations imposed upon them, to open roads and inake other improvements in payment for their lands, and there was an increased demand for settling lots in Aroostook. This result was attributable to a better knowledge of the richness of the soil and the healthfulness of the climate, and also to the anticipation that the projected European and North American railroad would soon be commenced through the region. This enterprise, however, depending for its immediate success upon the connection it might make with lines of railway in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, made little progress during the year. The crops during the year were good; that of hay being unusually large, and the State was well supplied with live stock of all descriptions. The high prices realized for every species of farm products rendered the agricultural interests of the State prosperous beyond precedent.

The political canvass commenced early in the summer, and was conducted with unusual earnestness until the presidential election in November. The Republican State Convention assembled at Portland on June 29th, and renominated Samuel Cony for Governor by acclamation. John B. Brown and Abner Stetson were at the same time nominated for presidential electors at large. The following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, That the Convention representing the Union men of Maine emphatically indorse the avowed policy and determination of the national Govern. ment to make no compromise with traitors in arms, but to prosecute the war until full submission is yielded to the Constitution and the legal authorities of the nation.

Resolved, That Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson, as patriots and statesmen, tested in years of greatest public peril, deserve the entire confidence of the Union men of the country, and should be enthusiastically supported at the polls for the offices to which they were nominated by the Union National Convention at Baltimore.

Resolved, That the Union men of this State cordially approve the principles enunciated in the resolutions of the recent National Convention, which placed in nomination Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson for President and Vice-President of the United States.

Resolved, That no country ever had a more heroic body of soldiers and sailors to defend its integrity than ours, that are deserving the gratitude and care of all true friends of liberty and the Union.

Resolved, That this Convention heartily sympa thizes with the friends of the wounded and deceased

soldiers, and pledges itself to the support of the be

reaved and needy.

Resolved, That Hon. Samuel Cony, for the eminent ability and fidelity with which he has performed his official duties of Governor of the State, has the confidence and approbation of the Union citizens of Maine, and that we hereby pledge ourselves to give him a triumphant election in September.

The Democrats met at Bangor on August 16th, and unanimously nominated for Governor Joseph Howard, of Portland. Their candidates for electors at large were W. P. Haines and Adams Treat. The following resolutions were adopted:

Resolved, That the Democratic party is and ever has been the true Union party of the country. Under United States have hitherto been preserved in conits conservative principles and enlightened policy the cord and in strength, our territory has been extended, our resources developed, our wealth increased, the rights of the United States and people maintained, public peace and domestic tranquillity secured, and established, and God helping us, this Union we will the respect of the world for our free Government maintain intact and hand it down as a priceless heritage to our posterity.

tous war is the result of the political ascendency in Resolved, That the existing fratricidal and calamipower of fanatical and factious extremists; that the

deliberate invasion by the National Administration of the rights of the States, the freedom of the press and the personal security of the citizens, and its avowed purpose to prosecute this war for the aboli tion of slavery, or until that institution shall be abandoned, exhibits a policy at once unconstitutional and revolutionary and in direct violation of the most solemn pledges of the President when he entered on the duties of his office, and of the unanimous not waged in any spirit of oppression, or for the purvoice of Congress when it resolved that this war was pose of conquest or subjugation, or for overthrowing or interfering with the rights and established institu tions of the States, but to defend and maintain the supremacy of the Constitution, and to preserve the several States unimpaired, and when these objects Union with all the dignity, equality, and rights of the are attained the war ought to cease.

Resolved, That the only ground of hope for the preservation of the Union under the Constitution, and of maintaining the rights of the people and of the States, and of securing an honorable peace, is by expelling from power the present corrupt, imbecile, and revolutionary administration, and substituting in its place an administration which will conduct the Government according to the requirements of the Constitution, and protect all parties in the full enjoyment of their constitutional rights, privileges, and immunities.

Resolved, That the administration, by its corruption and imbecility, has shown itself incapable of a tergiversations, and its bad faith, is manifestly insuccessful prosecution of the war, and from its levity, capable of negotiating an honorable peace.

Resolved, That we stand where the Democracy always have stood, in favor of the Constitution and of the rights of the States and the people, and of the entire Union in all its integrity, and of an honorable peace at the earliest possible moment.

The State election took place on September 12th, with the following result:

resigned his seat to accept the office of Secretary of the Treasury, Governor Cony appointed Nathan A. Farwell in his place.

As one of the northern border States of the Union, Maine was exposed during the year to petty depredations by rebel refugees from the adjoining British provinces. At mid-day, on July 18th, a bold attempt was made to rob the Calais Bank, in that town, by a small party of rebel raiders from St. John, N. B., led by one Collins, a captain in a Mississippi regiment. But the town authorities having been previously put upon their guard by the American consul at St. John, three of the party were arrested and committed, and the remainder prudently kept out of the way. This attempt, though frustrated, caused an uneasy feeling along the eastern frontier, and in Eastport, Calais, Belfast, and other border towns, volunteer organizations were formed for the purpose of patrolling the streets at night, and the ordinary police force was increased and armed. The Governor, in view of the possibility of future attacks of this nature, ordered the several companies of State guards to be in readiness to move to any part of the State at a moment's warning.

An important change was made by the Legislature of 1864, in the rules regulating criminal proceedings, by the passage of an act providing that in the trial of all indictments, complaints, and other proceedings against persons charged with the commission of crimes or offences, the person so charged may, at his own request, but not otherwise, be deemed a competent witness; the credit to be given to his testimony to be left wholly to the jury, under the instructions of the court. An act was also passed incorporating the "Foreign Emigrant Association of Maine," to which the State agreed to give $25 for every able bodied foreign emigrant from the north of Europe, between the ages of fifteen and fifty, whom the association might, within the next five years, introduce into Maine, and cause to remain one year.

MALAN, (Rev.) ABRAHAM HENRI CESAR, D. D., a Swiss Protestant clergyman and author, born in Geneva, Switzerland, July 7, 1787, died in the same city May 8th, 1864. From infancy young Malan exhibited extraordinary abilities; at three years of age he received at the commencement of the Geneva Academy a prize medal for reading, being borne in his nurse's arms to the old cathedral where the prizes were delivered, to receive it. His studies were continued at the Academy till his eighteenth year, when, from a desire to aid his parents, he went to Marseilles, and entered a mercantile house, but soon returned and prepared for the ministry at the Faculty of Theology, and at the age of twenty-three was ordained by the "Vénérable Compagnie" or Presbytery of Geneva. His extraordinary eloquence as a preacher and writer attracted attention at once, and ere long he was appointed preacher at the cathedral, where he occupied the pulpit of Calvin and

drew crowds to listen to his brilliant oratory. He was also appointed Regent at the Academy, and published for the benefit of his pupils a carefully annotated edition of "Les Fables de Phèdre," and a selection of Latin poems of his own composition, remarkable alike for the exquisiteness of their Latin versification and their high moral tone. The title of this collection was "Carmen Ettricum de precipuis bonæ vitæ officiis." When Cesar Malan entered upon his ministry in the Genevan cathedral, the forms of the church founded by Calvin remained, but the spiritual life had departed. The young preacher endeavored to infuse the vitality of his own fervid spirit into the lifeless forms, and the latitudinarian creed of the "Vénérable Compagnie," but in vain. At this time there came to Geneva four men whose influence on his character was deep and abiding. These were the late Dr. John M. Mason and Matthias Bruen, of New York, and the brothers Haldane, of Edinburgh. By their instruction and conversation Mr. Malan was converted from Rationalism to a pure and active Christianity, and preaching the doctrines which he had so heartily imbibed, he soon produced a commotion in the city of Calvin. The "Vénérable_Compagnie" had issued for circulation among the masses an edition of the New Testament, in which all passages bearing the Divinity of Christ were so altered as to favor the Socinian belief; this translation young Malan denounced with the most vehement eloquence, explaining at the same time to the assembled multitude what were the real declarations of the New Testament. The theological faculty ordered him to desist from such preaching, but in vain; they threatened him with the loss of position, and present and prospective honors; his reply was God and Truth will remain."

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In 1818 the rupture between him and the Vénérable Compagnie had become two public to admit of any hope of reconciliation, and he was dismissed from the Established Church, and the post of "regent" filled by another. For two years subsequently he preached in his own house, where some of the most eminent people of Geneva attended his service constantly. In 1820 he erected upon his own ground a church, which he named "the Chapel of the Testimony." (La Chapelle du Témoignage.") But his active spirit was not content with preaching the truth, or engaging in pastoral labors; his pen was also busy, now on polemical works, in defence of the Divinity of Christ; or the Sovereignty of Divine Grace, or exhibiting errors of the Romish Church, and anon in the preparation of religious tracts, clear, simple, and practical, and which exerted a powerful influence over the masses. He established the first Sabbath-school in Switzerland; founded a Magdalen Asylum, or "Penitentiary," as it is called on the Continent; organized a Tract Society for Switzerland, and taught a school of theology, in which several excellent pastors and some missionaries were educated; and amid all his toil

and cares found time to indulge his extraordinary powers as a musical composer and poet in the composition of both the music and words of a collection of Chants de Sion, many of the tunes in which are now adopted in the religious worship of nearly every Protestant denomination and people in Christendom, and some of his anthems have even been introduced in the Catholic service. Dr. Malan was a painter of great skill, both in oils and water colors, producing many gems in miniature during his hours of relaxation, for the gratification of his friends, a skilful lithographer and printer, and as a sculptor he possessed the ability to have attained a very high rank. Thorwaldsen was his intimate friend, and more than once intrusted him with the completion of some of his choicest groups, of which the lion executed for the city of Lucerne is an example, the fore-foot having been cut by Dr. Malan. These artistic pursuits constituted his usual amusement and relaxation from severe studies. He was an accomplished linguist, and with one of his sons, now a clergyman of the Church of England, and said to be equal to Mezzofanti in the extent of his linguistic acquirements, he made it a rule only to converse in Latin. Dr. Malan repeatedly visited England, where he attracted great attention by his eloquence, and where he had many warm friends. Many of his tracts, and several of his larger works, have been translated into English, and published in England and the United States. Among the Italian are "the Church of Rome," N. Y., 1844. "Stories for Children," 1852, "Pictures from Switzerland," 1854.

He was able to preach in his own church until the 10th of November, 1863, when he was prostrated by the disease which eventually proved fatal, but lingered almost six months, maintaining, amid severe and constant suffering, that serenity and patience which had been conspicuous in his entire life.

MARYLAND. At the commencement of 1864 all parties in this State were looking forward to the session of the Legislature which was to inaugurate measures for emancipation. The question of a State Convention to alter the organic law of the State, so that emancipation could be effected, had been decided at the election in November, by the choice of members to the Legislature in favor of such change. This body assembled at Annapolis on January 6th. The Senate was organized by the election of John S. Sellman as President, and the House of Delegates by the election of Thomas H. Kemp as Speaker. The vote was for Kemp 54, for John S. Dent 16, and one blank. On the 10th the following joint resolution was passed in the Senate and sent to the House, where on the next day it failed to pass ayes, 26; noes, 27.

Whereas, The Senate of Maryland has this day received information from a "member of the House of Delegates" and from other reliable sources, that Gen Birney, who is in command of the "negro encampment at Benedict," has sent out about one hundred and fifty negro soldiers into the counties of Charles

and St. Mary's, with orders to seize upon and carry into the encampment at Benedict all negro men found upon plantations and otherwise, for the purpose of forcing into the military service of the United States all such as are capable of bearing arms, and of setting at liberty all who are not fit for such service;

And whereas, In the opinion of the Senate, this outrage upon the rights, property, and security of her citizens has been perpetrated by said Birney without the authority, knowledge, consent, or approval of the President; therefore,

ap

Resolved, That a joint committee of not less than three on the part of the Senate, and not more than poined to repair to Washington to confer with the five of the House of Delegates, be and hereby are President, and ask such redress and protection for her citizens as the necessities of their condition claim, and demand protection at the hands of the Government, and at their earliest possible convenience report to their respective bodies.

On January 13th the position of the members of the House on the question of emancipation was brought to a test. A preamble and resolutions were introduced, declaring that the "true interests of Maryland demand that the policy of emancipation should immediately be inaugurated within her borders; " that the Legislature "declares its intention to submit to the people at as early a day as practicable a call for a Constitutional Convention, so as to give them an opportunity to carry such policy into effect; " and requesting the Senators and Representatives in Congress "to use all honorable efforts to secure the passage of a law by Congress whereby all loyal owners may be compensated for the loss of their slaves." By a vote of 48 to 22, the rules were suspended, and the resolutions passed to a second reading. A proposition to amend the last resolution by striking out the words "loyal owners,” and inserting "all who own slaves, and have not engaged in actual hostilities against the Government of the United States, or given aid or comfort to those engaged in hostilities against said Government," was rejected by a vote of yeas 19, nays 51. The preamble and resolutions were finally adopted by a vote of 51 to 15, seven members being absent or not voting.

On January 15th the Committee to whom was referred that portion of the Governor's Message relating to a State Constitutional Convention, submitted a majority and minority report. The majority report was signed by all the committee except one. It proposed a bill directing an election to take place on the 6th day of April ensuing, at which ballots should be east "for a Convention or against a Convention." At the same election should be chosen delegates to a State Convention, on the same basis of representation as was established in the election of members of the State Legislature. If the majority of votes were cast in favor of a Convention the Governor was then to issue a proclamation, declaring that fact, and the delegates elected should meet in Convention at Annapolis on the 27th day of April. The Constitution adopted by the Convention was to be submitted to the voters of the State for confirmation or rejection at such time as the Con

vention might prescribe. At the time of voting on the Convention question and for the election of delegates thereto, it was made the duty of the judges of election to challenge a voter on the ground of not being a citizen of the State, that he had expatriated himself, or did not admit his allegiance to the United States. To voters thus challenged an oath of allegiance was to be administered as a test of citizenship, The vote of those refusing the oath was to be rejected. The oath prescribed required the challenged voter to swear that he had not borne arms against the United States, or encouraged persons in armed hostility thereto; that he had not yielded voluntary support to any Government within the United States and hostile thereto, or held office under any such pretended authority, and furthermore that he would support the Constitution and Government against all enemies, foreign or domestic, and bear true allegiance thereto. The members of the Convention on assembling were required to take the same oath.

The bill reported by the minority submitted the question of Convention or no Convention to the voters at an election to be held on the 6th day of April, but did not provide for the election of delegates at that time. The result was to be certified to the Governor, who was to announce it in a proclamation. The Governor was also to communicate the vote to the Legislature, if he should call an extra session, or if he should not convene one, then at the next regular session of the Legislature. The effect of the bill would then be, that unless the Governor chose to convene an extra session of the Legislature, provision for the election of Delegates could not be made sooner than two years. The bill provided no test oath for voters or for members of the Convention.

On the 18th the Committee in the Senate on the same subject reported a bill similar to the majority bill of the House without conferring the right to require an oath of allegiance of voters as a test of citizenship.

On the 20th a motion made in the House to amend the majority bill so as to postpone the election of delegates to November, 1865, was lost-ayes 15; noes 51. On the 21st a motion to substitute the minority bill was lostayes 20; noes 51. In the Senate a motion to postpone the election of delegates to November, 1865, was lost-ayes 6; noes 15. These votes were watched with intense interest by the friends of immediate emancipation, who regarded them as test votes.

On the 22d a motion was made in the House to strike out of the bill the test oath. On the next day it was carried-ayes 33; noes 28.

On the 27th the Senate adopted an amendment providing that in all cases where voters were challenged as to their right of citizenship, on the score of having taken up arms against the Government, or having given aid, counsel, and encouragement to those in rebellion, it should be the duty of the Judges of Election to VOL. IV.-32 A

put the party so challenged on his oath, and to examine him as to the truth or falsity of the charge. The vote was-ayes 14; noes 3. On the 28th the Senate passed the bill before it-ayes 13; noes 2. The House on the same day passed its bill-ayes 45; noes 17. On February 3d the House passed the Senate bill with some amendments-ayes 43; noes 16. The most important amendment was the striking out from the first section all provisions relating to military interference with the election, and providing that the Clerks of the Circuit Courts of the State, the Clerks of all the Courts of Baltimore City, and the Registers of Wills, should not be eligible as members of the Convention. The Senate, on the 5th, refused to agree to these amendments. The House declined to recede, and appointed a Committee of Conference. In conference it was agreed that the House recede from its amendment striking out that portion of the first section relating to military interference at the election, and that the section continue in the bill as it originally passed the Senate.

An amendment making members of the Legislature of Maryland eligible to seats in the Convention as delegates, but disqualifying the Senators and Representatives in the Congress of the United States, Judges of the Circuit Court of Baltimore and all the counties, the Judges of the Superior Court, Court of Common Pleas, and the Criminal Court of Baltimore City, the Clerks of all the said Courts, the Registers of Wills, and Sheriffs of all the counties and the city of Baltimore, was adopted.

An amendment was also agreed to requiring that sixty-five members of the whole number of delegates to the Convention-ninety-sixshould be elected under the provisions of the bill before the Convention should organize; and after such organization, fifty members-the number constituting a quorum of both Houses of the Legislature-at least to constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business.

The bill was passed with amendments of the Conference Committee, in the Senate-ayes 14; noes 2. House-ayes 43; noes 15. The provision in the bill relating to military interference with the election, was as follows:

And in case any organized military or armed force of the United States shall appear at the places where the polls shall be held, and shall interfere with said election, unless such military or armed force shall be called out by the judges of election, or other civil authority charged with the preservation of the peace, the said judges of election shall, under oath, certify to the Governor such unwarranted military interference with said election, in such election district or precinct, and the Governor shall, immediately thereupon, order a new election for delegates to said Convention, after ten days' notice, to be given by the Sheriffs as aforesaid, in such election district or precinct, and such new election shall be held and conducted in the manner and form herein before provided; and the Governor shall order a new election for delegates from time to time as often as such illegal military or armed interference with the elec tion shall be certified to him as aforesaid; but such

order or orders for such new election or elections shall not interfere with, hinder, or delay the assembling of said Convention as herein provided, if it shall appear from the count that a majority of all the votes cast in the election districts and precincts where no such illegal military or armed interference shall be certified to have taken place, are in favor of the call of such Convention.

The day fixed in the bill for the election was April 6th, and the day for the assembling of the Convention, if the election was successful, was April 27th.

Previous to the election a correspondence took place between Maj.-Gen. Wallace, commanding the military department, and Gov. Bradford, relative to the persons who should be allowed to become delegates to the Convention, or who should be allowed to vote for delegates, as follows:

HEADQUARTERS, MIDDLE DEPARTMENT, EIGHTH ARMY CORPS, BALTIMORE, Md., March 80, 1864. His Excellency, Gov. A. W. Bradford:

DEAR SIR: Herewith please find official copies of papers, a glance at which will doubtless satisfy you that persons disloyal to the Government of the United States are candidates for the Constitutional Convention, the election for which takes place on the 6th of April next. It is hardly necessary for me to say that I am deeply interested in the prevention of the scheme disclosed; and as my offer of cooperation in all matters calculated to promote the welfare of the people of Maryland was very kindly received by you, I am encouraged to ask a question touching a subject about which your Excellency's official opinion is entitled to the most distinguished consideration.

As the oath which the law providing for a Convention requires you to administer to delegates elect, before taking their seats, was evidently intended to exclude disloyal persons from participation in the deliberations of that body, I have thought it possible that it was also the legislative intention to provide a method for the rejection, at the polls, of the votes of disloyal men, and that the power, amounting to judicial authority (according to my interpretation of the act), with which the Judges of election are clothed, was really the mode adopted by the lawmakers for the accomplishment of that purpose.

Your Excellency would oblige me very much, therefore, by giving me your views as to the extent of authority possessed by the Judges of Election, and especially as to whether they have power to reject a vote on account of the disloyalty of the person offering it?

I will avail myself of the first opportunity to disclose to your Excellency the circumstances which, in my judgment, make it my duty to advise with you touching the subject.

Meantime I have the honor to remain, most respectfully, your friend and very obedient servant, (Signed) LEW. WALLACE, Maj. Gen. Com'dg Middle Department. Reply of Gov. Bradford.

STATE OF MARYLAND EXECUTIVE DEP'T, ANNAPOLIS, March 31, 1864. Maj. Gen. Lew. Wallace, Commanding Middle Dep't: DEAR SIR: I received your letter of 30th inst., in which, premising that persons disloyal to the Government of the United States are candidates for the Constitutional Convention, the election for which takes place in this State on the 6th of April next, and referring to the oath which by the law providing for that Convention its members are required to take before they are entitled to seats therein. You suggest that it was probably also the legislative intention to provide for the rejection of the votes of disloyal per

sons at that election, and that the Judges of Election are vested with an authority to that effect. You, therefore, request me to give you my views as to the extent of the authority possessed by the Judges on that subject.

It gives me pleasure to comply with this request, and to state as explicitly and as briefly as I can my views of the power possessed by our Judges of Election in the premises.

By a clause in our election laws as it has existed for many years, it is provided that "the Judges of Election may administer an oath in any inquiry they may deem necessary to be made touching the right of any person to vote; and if any person shall swear falsely in relation thereto, he shall, upon conviction thereof, suffer the pains and penalties of perjury." The effect of this provision was to authorize the administration of an oath by the judges in any inquiry touching the right of a person offering to vote; but whilst the oath was thereby legalized, and a party swearing falsely was subjected to the penalties of perjury, there was nothing in the law which required the judge to administer such oath. This omission, so far at least as the election of the 6th of April next is concerned, has been supplied by the act of the General Assembly under which that election is to be held.

By the terms of that act it is no longer a discretionary authority with the Judge to administer an oath or not, but it is made his duty to do so, and especially in the language of that act, "to every person offering to vote whose vote shall be challenged on the ground that such person has served in the rebel army, or has either directly or indirectly given aid, comfort, or encouragement to those in armed rebellion against the Government of the United States."

The fact to be ascertained is, whether the voter has served in the rebel armies, or directly or indirectly aided, comforted, or encouraged those engaged in the present rebellion; and whilst the Judge is required, wherever a voter is challenged on such ground, himself with the mere denial, in general terms, by the to administer an oath to him, he should not content one so challenged, that he has ever aided, comforted, and I think required, to test the recollection of the or encouraged the rebels, but would be authorized, party swearing by propounding to him particular interrogations, suggestive of different modes by which this aid, comfort, or encouragement may have been given-precisely as when a voter is challenged on the ground of a want of residence, the mere general affirmation upon oath of the party challenged would not be considered sufficient proof of his residence, but he would be required to state time, place, and circumstance, upon which a proper judgment as to the question of residence might be formed.

Neither is the Judge, in case of a challenge, on any account concluded by the answers of the party challenged, but he is fully authorized to administer an oath to any other who may be present and cognizant of facts having a relation to the question.

It will, of course, occur to you, from the acts which I have quoted, that the giving at any time since the commencement of the existing rebellion, either di. rectly or indirectly, of aid, comfort, or encouragement thereto, is, so far as the coming election is concerned, the disqualification of a voter; for the General Assembly would not have imposed upon the Judge of Election the duty of inquiring into these facts, if, when their existence was established, the voter could still exercise the right of suffrage. I know that it may be said that the General Assembly possessed no power to prescribe the qualifications of a voter, and that these are established by the Constitution; but without entering into any discussion upon this point, or as to the extent of the Judges' power to inquire into and determine the question of citizenship-one of the constitutional qualifications to be possessed by the voter-it is sufficient to know that the General Assembly has declared that certain acts shall disqualify the voter at this election.