Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1816-05-14

would be the inevitable consequence, would
vex and disgust them with their new govern
ment.
The further we progress in this subject OF
separation, the more weighty and important
it appears. We consider the strength, power
and influence of great state as frequently oil
high importance. Official documents prove,
that during the late war, very large sum
was expended for military services in Maine
more than the proportion which we have 10
contribute. In case of future wars with Great
Britain, the people OF Maine would lind II
great burihen, from their own resources, 10
defend our extensive frontier, adjoining TO The
British provinces, as well as our sea coast {;
and the general government is too remote to
defend US, at least, in the first stages OF war.
Our attention is equally excited to the subject
OF public property, If the states properly
should be divided now our proportion, accord
ing TO the valuation would be less than one
fourth part. That which is in Massachusetts
proper would be of little value to Maine and
indeed, it is difficult TO conceive how the pub
lie buildings could be of any value at all Tor
they were erected on large scale, with all
express view 10 our accommodation, aud are
much larger than would he necessary for Mas
sachusetts Proper. Our proportion could be
OF no essential value TO them. We do not
therefore perceive, on what principles OF JUS
tice we could claim an indemnity, as the sep
aration would take place at cur eva request;
whereas more than three fourths OF the unap-
propfiated lands, amounting by calculation to
not less than twelve millions Of acres in the
whole, would remain the property. OF Massa-
chusetts, and might be left uncutivated Tor
long time, to our great detriment. II has been
said that this land might be unequally taxed,
SO as to compel the owners to sell or sacrlhce
ii. TO sag nothing Of The morality q this doc
trine, as state land is not now taxed, there is
no doubt that Massachusetts, would insist on
the same exemption. In settling all questions
between the Two parts Of the state, Massachu-
sets proper willhaye great majority OF votes,
and although we have had uniform, and album
dant proofs, ofthe spirit Of justice which gov
ems her councils, the people Of Maine ought
not to be flattered with the idea that we can
either coerce her by power, or circumyent
her by negotiation. And we think It impor-
tant TO suggest to the public, that the law
passed at the last session Of the Legislature
:" for promoting the sale and settlement Of
the public lands in the District Of Maine" is
so ample in its provisions for surveying the
whole land providing for actual settlers on
the most liberal terms, and making roads, that
It cannot fail 10 turn the current Of population
into Name, and to settle that part Of the dis
lrict as rapidly as the state Of the country will
admit 1t has been suggested that Maine might
purchase this land OF Massachusetts. II this
should be done, it would involve Us in debt,
the bare interest Of which would be heavy
tax. The part which would belong to Massa-
ch.isetts cannot be valued at less than two
millions OF dollars, from which an annual inter-
est would accrue, TO- be paid by Maine, OF
ONE HUNDRED. AND TWENTY THOU
SAND DOLLARS. as %
We pass over the pubic buildings TO be e.
rected for the new stale, the pubic debt OF
the old, and the expense of a convention to
form new Observation-Disclosures that viii for
chilly obirude themselves, II ever the period
iof discussing ways aud means should arrive /;
seays ana means tor hundreds oil thousands oi
dollars which will be necessary to Tree us
from embarrassment, and to ornament some ell
Igibie situation destined to be the seat vi gov
eminent. The mere mention OF this subject
is sufficient TO excite due reflection upon it.
But the subject Of the coasting trade has
strong claims to particular attention, not only
from this fneeting but from the community.
1t is one OF the creates. privileges with our
extent OF seacoast, and peculiar vicinity to
other states, that is enjoyed by any state or
district in the union, anu must ever continue
so, in our present connection, while the forests
on our seaboard and nayigable rivers remain
unexhausted. The losses which would be
occasioned by the embarrassment Of attrade,
could in no manner Ike compensated; and
would be very gleat diminut!on, If not an
entire extinction OF Tie net gains of that trade
on the present terms OF freight. The coaster
would therefore be compelled to rise in his
demands OF freight, beng unable to sustain the
LOSSES occasioned by the separation. The
husbandman aud the labourer, as well as the
trader, and all classes OF consumers, must
submit to their respective proportions OF this
additional tax. This would be an evil, and
a very extensive one, whici, would admit Of
no remedy. For, the idea that has been sug-
sested and circulated, that Congress may place
our coasting trade Upon It's present footing,
when Maine shall be clothed with the high