The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1820-06-06

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so materially, that it may well be doubted,
whether all their provisions are calculated 10
promote the public good, and whether in
some instances the views Of individuals and
sections OF country have not been too much
consulted.
The lands belonging to the State will also
deserve your attention. Should system be
adopted for their management, calculated to
prevent speculation, at the same time giving
every encouragement TO the real settler, the
expectations of The best friends of Maine will
be fully realized in an extended cultivation
| and an increased number Of inhabitants. The
system, which has hitherto been pursued, you
will probably think has little TO recommend it
for further experiment. The inconveniencies
and embarrassments, which the settlement, as
well as the settlers themselves, have in many
instances experienced from the large proprie-
tors, will, it is presumed, long be remember
ed in order TO be guarded against by future
legislators. Apart of the public lands is GOV.
cred with timber, which hereafter will be
valuable at the same time the land itself is
moi generally well calculated for settlement.
The preservation Of the timber therefore will
be highly interesting to the State.
What progress has been made under The
fifth article OF the British Treaty in settling
The eastern boundary OF the State against the
Province Of New-Brunswick, and the northern
boundary against that Of lower Canada, am
not able to inform you. As This State and
Massachusetts have SO deep an interest in the
settlement OF these boundaries, there would
seem 10 have been propriety in the agent,
appointed on the part Of the United States, be.
ing taken from one Of these two States. But
under existing circumstances you will consider
whether the interest of the State does not re.
quire from you the adoption of such arrange
mens, as are best calculated 10 afford the
present agent such information in relation to
this important subject, as the people in this
State have it in their power to give.
revisal of the Militia Law is rendered
necessary with view Of conforming it to the
equitable provisions of The Constitution. OH
er Improvements also will no doubt suggest
bemselves.-The peculiar situation Of this
State renders the most particular attention to
The Militia necessary. Our future safety as
well as the honor Of the country requires it.
And now that the service is 10 be performed
equally by all, all will no doubt unite in rem.
dering il highly honorable.
The arms received by the Commonwealth
Of Massachusetts, from the United States, are
to be divided between the two States in pro-
portion to the returns OF the Militia, according
10 which the arms were received. AS an ear
ly application will be made for this States
proportion, your attention TO the subject, as
we'll as 10 the necessary provision for their
deposit and security at some convenient place,
is rendered necessary.
According TO the terms Of the act relating |
10 the Separation, one third Of all such sums,
as may be received from the United States on |
account OF the claim OF Massachusetts for ex.
penses incurred for the defence OF the State |
during the late war; is when received 70 be |
paid over TO the State OF Maine. Whatever
difference Of opinion may have existed in re.
iation TO the mode, there could be none as to |
the necessity ofIhe expenditure incurred with
in this portion of the Commonwealth, as the |
most valuable part Of this District was defen- |
ded in consequence of it. My situation du-
ring the late war gave me an opportunity to
be acquainted with the details Of the service |
OF most of the Militia within this section OF
the Commonwealth. They were ordered out
only on necessary and proper occasions !;
they were discharged Immediately on the en-
emy's retiring. To the allowance OF this |
claim the United States have in,erposed cer-
tain objections but although the subject has
been repeatedly presented to the consideIa-
ton oil Congress, no definite decision has
been passed upon its merits. II lie believed
to be interesting TO the United States, as well
as to Massachusetts and Maine, that you
should adopt such measures in relation to it,
as are best calculated TO bring this claim TO
speedy and equitable decision.
Having adseried to the defence Of this part |
Of the country during the late war, it would be
neglect of duty on my part not 20 remind
you, that, as there is no State in this Union,
whose inland frontier is more exposed, SO
there is none, which has so extensive and SO
exposed a maritime frontier, as Maine. Yet,
while military roads are making TO aid the de-
fence OF some portions of our country, and
bays, rivers and towns, are terrifying for the
defence OF others, most Of the garrisons and |
other works within this Stale erected at con.
siderable expense by the National Govern
ment, are now without single soldier 10 |
guard them, and for want Of necessary atten- |
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