Portland gazette and Maine advertiser., 1816-03-12
SEPARATION OF MAINE.
No. y.
No. y.
10 the People Of tie District Of Maine.

o He feope q uie OaStT7ctof Name.
Nothing Is more easy than to appeal to
prejudice and passion and nothing is more
| ungenerous and unlusthabe--bu the impor-
tant question, whether Maine shall be separa-
ted from Massachusetts,, ought not TO decided
5y ourfeeilsgs ana cur sciSses much less by
our passscq7s---reason, and that only should sit
as Judge ON this occasion and truth and can
dour should argue he cause. An argument
IN favour OF our separation has been drawn
IRON the principle of taxation as applied to
The Unsettled lands in this district Ills well
known thai such lands are now and for a long
series Of years have been taxed at tgyo per
cent on their value while the settled and an
proved lands are taxed at SIR per cent on their
value. II is asserted and urged that this is
unjust and unequal and It's iatimated that as
seven millions of these spitd lands are owned
either in England, the Southern States or the
western part of Massachusetts, there is a want
OF 'mpdr'atty in the principle as thus applied
We are told that a Legislature of our own
would pursue different course and do more
justice 10 the people of Maine. Now, If the
present course be correct, a nev government
would act very unwisely, and unjustly should
they adopt different principles Permit me
my friends, TO ask you why this mode Of tax
ing the lands in Maine is more unjust and un-
equal now than it was formerly? and why is
the complaint made at this moment, but with
view OF diyerting the public attention from the
merits OF the question But what is there
improper in this mode of taxation Why
should ssqld lands, which are totally w,produc-
tsue, pay as much per cent on their value, as
those lands which are settled and yielding an
nual profits ? What reason, but a sense of right
and justice and duty should have induced
successive Legislatures to make the above dis
tinction Were we ali independent State, il
Is not easy to conceive on what principles of
fairness and equality, new Legislature of
our own could abolish the distinction and tax
Ocald lands, and cultiuated lands, at the same
rate. This certainly would not be doing g e.
quail and exact Justice to ALL"
The principle Of taxation so long known and
sanctioned, has operated essentially to the adj
vantage OF this district, inasmuch as the great
majority Of the wild and unsettled lands are
situated IN It, Besides, a large portion of the
great tracts, owned by foreigners, or others,
are not liable to taxation, not being included
within the bounds OF any town or plantation.
Let me now ask, how would Legislature of
our own proceed Would they assess such
lands on the same principle and at the same
rate as the settled and productive lands ia the
older and richer parts OF the District ?--If so,
hey would do manifest injustice, and essen
tally check The settlement Of Tie back country
The poorer class of people who now move
into the new plantations to make new settle
ments, thereby to support themselves, and
their families, would be discouraged at the
thought ofpaying as heavy taxes as are as
sessed on cultivated and profitable farms in
other parts OF the country-nothng could be
more unwise or injurious in its consequences,
than such measure. Instead of this every
possible encouragement should be given to
bring forward the settlement of new count
ry, and hghlen The burthen Of those, whose
lot II rs TO subdue the wilderness and make il
fruitful field