LANSING, Jan. 25, 1855. To the Committee appointed by the Legislature, for the winter Cession of 1855.

GENTLEMEN:-You request of me, to write out what I know about the management of the Agent Mr. Peter Dox, and especially, as to that part of the discipline of the Prison forbidding the use of swearing and all kinds of profane language by the officers of the Prison, and also of all immoral conversation in the presence of convicts. I state unhesitatingly that I have heard Mr. P. Dox use profane language several times in presence of the convicts, and that some of his officers were in the habit of using profane language in the presence of the convicts, and with others in hearing of the many convicts, and of the Agent. And that when convicts reported themselves sick, and on examination found not sick and ordered back to the Shop by the Physician, the Agent has put them in a cell and allowed them books to read with their cell doors unbarred' to the great disadvantage of the Contractors. And to my certain knowledge, he has made confidentials of some of the most abandoned convicts, and I have heard him say when speaking of such, that he would take their word as quick as any man's living, and that under his management, the moral condition of the Prison could not improve, and that the discipline of the Prison has not been enforced by Dox and many of his officers. And that he has lent his credulity to convicts storys, to the told exclusion of statements made by his officers.

Yours, with great Respect,

G. W. GORHAM, M. D.

Sworn and Subscribed before me, this 25th day of January, A. D.

1855.

JNO. W. MILLS,

Chairman of the Committee on State Prison.

1

REPORT of Committee on Public Lands concerning the Grand Rapids Canal Lands.

The committee on the Public Lands, to whom was referred a House Resolution, adopted January 24th, directing them to inquire concerning the Canal and Locks around the Rapids of Grand River, at Grand Rapids; the proceedings had under the act relative thereto, approved April 7, 1851, and to recommend the most expedient disposition of the unexpended balance of lands orignally appropriated to the construction of said Canal and Locks, have had these matters under consideration; have examined John Almy, of Grand Rapids, who was, in May 1851, appointed by John S. Barry, a Commissioner under the provisions of the aforesaid act, and others acquainted with the subject-matters of their inquiry, and have instructed me to report: that the small amount of lands remaining unexpended, of the said original appropriation, and the depreciated value thereof, at the time of the said Almy's appointment, rendered it impossible for him to let a contract for the completion of the said Canal and Locks, according to the plan and specifications therefor previously adopted; and that, after an unsuccessful attempt to let said contract, the said Commissioner was prevented from the removal of the dam, which had been constructed as a part of the said plan, by good and sufficient reasons, and principally by the inevitability of inflicting great and irremediable injury upon the owners of water-power and machinery, in immediate connection therewith, without any compensating