The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1819-07-13

tax. have to pay fifteen, this cannot be pretended,
but from the manner in which it has been stated
some have understood it. single observa-
ton will set this in its true light. By an exam
nation of the assessors books for the town of Port
land for the present year, it will be found that
the state tax is only about eight per cent of the
amount of state, county and town tax together.
So that man who is taxed five dollars, pays but
forty cents oft as his state tax which if increas-
ed one half, he would then pay twenty cents
more, which would increase his tax from five
dollars to five dollars twenty cents, and as an
ofsett TO this, the whole Of the tax, in case Of
separation will be expended and circulated a.
mong our own citizens in Maine.a Whereas it is
now paid into :ne Treasury in Boston, and the
circulation is found to be extremely fanguid
that it reaches this extremity Of the Common
wealth, but in very diminished degree. 1t is
principally absorbed in that great reservoir the
town of Boston, where for obvious reasons, such a
feeling interest and excitement was got up dur
ing the debates before the Legislature, on the
passage Of the bill authorizing the Separation OF
Maine.
| will now consider the subject of our College,
and herelet me ask what great patronage and
support is to be expected from the government Of
Massachusetts,, if we continue united have they
ever discovered any great solicitude respecting
this institution, beyond what might be thought
necessary in order to save appearances. consider
ing what has been done for Cambridge. In one
instance out of many, and one only need be no
ticpd to shew the disposition and course of things
Cambridge at scertain time as well as Bruins
wick was solicitious for assistance from the gov
eminent, and sixteen thousand dollars annually
out of the Bank tax, was granted to the three
Colleges in the Commonwealth. Three thousand
dollars only to Brunswick, and thirteen to Cam
Ir,J ,.,I I'll, uaI fho
been given to the college in Maine, which would
seem in justice to be right considering she pays a
bout one fourth of the state tax, she would have
received four thousand dollars and If the proper
ton had been given, as the personal property and
money is now to be divided, her share would
have been five thousand three hundred and thir-
ty three dollars. 1t is true the government have
the power to apportion her favours among her
children as she sees fit rbut still it is natural they
should look up for equal support and patronage,
even though one should happen to be a squatter
in Maine. Our college is poor. and her apPlica-
lions have been frequent and her cries for assis-
lance unceasng, but oflate they have availed
nothing, formerly they were quietted with now
and then snail grant of land, which by the
government at the time were considered OF little
value. The above aud instances of similar
nature, afford good evidence OF what may be
expected In future. On the other hand what
reason have to distrust ourselves, and fear that
the government which we may establish, will not
patronize and support the only college established
in Maine. had ever supposed that one OF the
greatest ornaments to state, were her literary
institutions literally endowed. These nurseries
Of science and literature, at the present age un-
der an enlightened government, where her sons
are to be nurtered and reared up to usefulness
and eminence both in church and state most
surely cann5t be placed by that government,
without the pales OF her protection and patron
age.
Factions have some times arisen, and party
rancour has been indalged even among those ad-
ministering government, but seldom indeed
even in less Enlightened times has whole gov
erument INDUCED the unnatural disposition OF
strangling her own literary establishments, her
legitimate offspring. True, suchan anomaly has
happened in adjoining stale bat it il not to
be expected or supposed tn tit will again occur
the pres mt generation if for centuries.
The next subject presenting itselfis the diTi-
sion Of property. Maine. prys Of the state tax,
about one fourth, upon that principle she would
be entitled to one fourth ofthe property. BY the
bill in case of separation, Maine 10 to hare one
third OF all the personal property and debts-to
this no objection can be made by any citizen of
Maine. But in respect to the real estate il is said
we are to give up all our interest in thst part
lying within Massachusetts, proper. without re-
ceiying IN equivalent ii this were rue, there