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The Following Extract Of The Charge Of The Hon. Chief Justice Mellen, Delivered On The Late Circuit, Is Communicated To The Public At The Request Of The Grand Juries, For The Counties Of York, Cumberland, And Oxford, Prentiss Mellen

Maine Bicentennial

Extract of the charge issued by Honorable Chief Justice Prentiss Mellen to the first grand jury seated in Maine followed the establishment of statehood. Chief Justice Mellen of Portland, was appointed to the court by Maine's first Governor, William King. His service began July 1, 1820 and concluded October 11, 1834.

“It is believed that a charge of this nature, from the Court to a Grand Jury, is calculated to make good impressions : to diffuse in no small degree a knowledge of our criminal code, enacted for the prevention and punishment of offences : to give information to the …

Constitution For The State Of Maine: Formed In Convention At Portland, 29th Of October, A.D. 1819, Maine Constitutional Convention

Maine Bicentennial

The Maine Constitution was unanimously approved by the 210 delegates to the Maine Constitutional Convention in October 1819. On February 25, 1820, the General Court passed a follow-up measure officially accepting the fact of Maine’s imminent statehood.

An Appeal To The People Of Maine On The Question Of Separation, Unidentified

Maine Bicentennial

Shall the Legislature be required to give its consent to the separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts proper and to the erection of said District into a separate state. — Mass. Resolves.

Printed by Request.

Commonwealth Of Massachusetts. The Committee Of Both Houses To Whom Were Referred The Petitions Concerning The Separation Of The District Of Maine From Massachusetts, General Court Of Massachusetts

Maine Bicentennial

The Committee of both Houses, to whom were referred the Petitions concerning the Separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts Proper, and forming the same into a separate and Independent State, and also sundry memorials against that measure, beg leave respectfully to report that they have considered the subject committed to them, with that deliberation which so momentous a question deserves. A question, whether this great Commonwealth shall be divided, and the connexion [sic] which has so long, and so happily existed, shall be forever dissolved. They are sensible that nothing should be done to hasten an event, so …

To The Honorable The Senate And House Of Representatives Of The Commonwealth Of Massachusetts, In General Court Assembled, At Boston, January, 1803 : Humbly Represent, The Subscribers, Inhabitants Of The Town Of Pittston In The District Of Maine, Town Of Pittston, David Cobb

Maine Bicentennial

Broadside signed by residents of Pittston, Maine, arguing for the separation of the District of Maine from Massachusetts and suggesting that the legislature authorize a convention of delegates from all towns in the district “to declare the sense of their constituents, to frame a constitution ... and to do and transact all things ... necessary to the ... establishment of a separate and independent state.”