Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1851-05-29

while extending to others all the rights of
property which they can claim under fair
and liberal construction of our stipulations with
them. to guard sedulously and defend sternlv
our own rights.
Iregret to inform you, that Massachusetts,
reaplng, as she is, rich harvest from our soil.
under conventional rights, is not in my judg-
ment, pursuing that just and liberal policy to-
wards US In respect to her claims upon lands
within our jurisdiction, which is due from one
state to sister state. The terms OF the com
pact are, that lands owned by Massachusetts in
this state, shall not be taxed by US so long as
the fee simple is in her, .
The spirit of this compact would seem ia
imply that exemption from taxation should not
continue, after she shall have availed herself
of all the benefits of usufruct. d.
NO other construction can be put upon this
compact, which shall be consistent with the
right of sovereign domain, and the indefeasible
interests that appertain to every state in its
soil. Nevertheless, Massachusetts has parted
by long leases with all that is valuable in many
OF her lands, thus procuring higher price
than the fee simple would bring, and yet she
claims for them exemption from taxes.
Other tracts she sells under conditional deeds
and permits the purchaser to claim the like
exemption, till the last dollar of the last pay
ment is made and the title perfected.
The result is, that inconsiderabe sums on
the last payments are purposey withheld, and
the real owners are thereby relieved from the
just burdens, while they are enjoying all the
benefits OF the protection of our government.
The practical injustice of such procedure,
may be illustrated by single case.
Forty miles of the Aroostook road, along
the Fish river waters, remain to be built a
road of the most pressing necessity to this
state, and of the utmost importance to all the
owners of TIE soil-it traverses six townships,
two and half of which belong to Maine, the
other three and half to Massachusetts and
proprietors holding under her, and they all re-
fuse any aid in the construction of this road
For further information upon this subject, |
refer you to the very clear and satisfactory re-
port of our land agent. These abuses and griev-
ances have been presented by the land agent
to the constituted authorities of Massachusetts,
the business of our complaints by them admit
ted but as yet no means of redress have been
provided by them. 1t would seem, that two
millions of money actually received into her
treasury, and near one million more in lands,
set apart for public institutions and other pur-
PpSNS, ilo" "HiSu SiiC WOulu NIlllUpIy
have sold at the time of our separation, for one
hundred thousand dollars, should incline Mas
sachusetts TO a more just if not liberal policy
towards us. Should she continue to adhere
TO her present course, it will become subject
of serious import what means of redress we
have in our own hands, and what measures
shall be adopted to protect ourselves.
We may assess a tax on recusant lands, and
| frut tba 10 IN ,oJ
we may levy tax upon the timber, as person.
al property after it is separated from the soil.
would in an especial manner direct your
attention to the agricultural resources of the
A roostook county. In latitude and climate, it
corresponds TO the most populous portion of
bread growing Enrope-in fertility of soil and
facility of cultivation, it will compare favora-
bly, with any section of our Atlantic states
and il only wants the fostering care of govern
ment and the toll of hardy yeomanry to make
ii one of the most desirable of the union.
The whole northeastern section of this state
abounds in agricultural lands of the first quail
ty. The Aroostook country proper, however,
embracing tract of about one hundred miles
north and south, by thirty miles east and west.
commencing in the nelghborhood of Houlton,
on the south and extending 10 Fish river on the
north, bounded by the ST. Johns river on the
east, and reaching the Penobscot waters ON the
west, may safely challenge New England or
the middle states TO produce a like continuous
extent of fine soil.
Brought up to the full capacity of its produc-
tiveness, this section alone is capable OF SUD-
| plying with bread-stuff and the other necessa-
ries of life population larger than that of the
whole state at present.
The branches of tho pennhScot rivor oo,o
trate its very centre, and interlock with the
sources of the Aroostook and Fish rivers.-
These three rivers permeate and intersect the
whole OF this region, thus affording an abnn-
dant supply of wafer and water-power for all
the uses of life. The Fish river, indeed, with
lis numerous wide spread lakes, is hardly
equalled in this state for the abundance and
constancy of supply, and the extent and cheap
ness of application Of its water TO all motive
powers.
Roads for intercommuncation, and for ia
cihtating the transportation of the products OF
the soil TO the best markets, are what is want
ed to people this county.
1t is a mistaken idea to suppose that lum-
bering operations do now, or ever can, supply
a sufficient market for the agricultural pro-
ducts of this region. The fine timber oi
Aroostook proper, is mostly gone to British
markets, and what remains, should, so far as
this state can control it, be devoted to the in
terests of the settlement of the country. There
is at this very time surplus of grain lumber
ing their granaries, needing only market to
stimulate the people to future agricultural en-
terprlse.
| The natural market for the whole Aroostook
is on the Penobscot waters. ltrequires but a
glance of the eye over it and its connections to
become satisfied of this fact Its entire face,
with surface undulating but almost unbroken
looks with gentle declivity towards the Pc
nobscot, and points TO Bangor as its emporium.
The St. John river, though encompassing
the whole OF this country, labors uuder many
natural disadvantages as channel for its COM
merce. This noble river is extremely circuit
ons. The distance from the heart of the
Aroostook country down the ST. John river to
the city of St. John, is about 100 miles greater
than ii is from the same point to Bangor, and
when arrived at St. John city, our own mar
kets instead of being approached, are farther
distant. The navigation Is interrupted by falls,
rapids and shoals, is impracticab!e even for
RATS, through large portion of the distance
except in seasons of high water, and at all
times difficult and expensive. Added to this,
there is an onerous, illiberal and unjust tariff
on all our lumber and products passing down
this river, imposed by the cupidity Of British
legislation, contrary to the spirit, if not the let
ter, Of the treaty of Washington and it is
likely to continue SO long as the mouth Of the
river is within the exclusive jurisdiction of a
foreign government. ....