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

stumpage and the sale of timber lands. added
but little to the wealth OF the state. The
pine is becoming exhausted, and ii has, up
TO The present time, gone mostly to The
British market, in the form of ton timber and
round logs, 10 encourage British industry
aud add to British capital.
The doctrine of free trade is undoubtedly
the correct one, when il can be made recip-
rocal. Between us and our provincial neigh
bors, there exists the utmost good feeling
they have been in most respects, liberal in
their policy towards US, and we should cor.
daily reciprocate such policy.
The northeastern section of this state is
indeed truly agricultural as whole. Our
permanent interest looks that way the TIM
Der should he used us auxiliary to this OBJ
ject. and all due legislative facilities offered
to effect it.
We should endeavor to make it an attract
ing and desirable point for the settlement of
our children. They are now emigrating
under the impulses of ianced advantages to
distant regions; their place is being sup
piled, and the number of our population
kept up by foreigners.
TO effect this desirable object it becomes
your imperative duty TO exercise the protec-
tive and encouraging influences oi the power
with which you are clolhcd.
Thoroughtares are wanted, and they must
he supplied by the state-exterior channels,
for communication and conveyance are de-
manded-the blessings of the free school
system must be extended to The inhabitants,
and the advantages of political and corpo.
rate organization, so far us is consistent with
new settlements, must be presented to them.
am aware that some jealously has exist
ed IN the minds of our older counties in Ie>
lation to the expenditure Of money upon new
settlements. Such jealousy is not well
founded. 1t is for the true interests Of the
state that just and generous policy, towards
all new settlements should be pursued. Do
we wish 10 keep our children at home and
around us : To what purpose then can we
apply our surplus means better than in pre-
paring home and making it a desirable aud
attractive place .or residence. Simple JUS
tice would seem 10 demand that the proceeds
of our public lands 1.-THE rghtful heritage oi
our chlIdren) so abundanty flowing into our
treasury, should be Appropriated, al least in
part TO their improvement.
The Aroostook Road along the Fish River
waters, and road from the mouth of this
river down along the ST. John, through the
Madawaska settlements, are presented 10
you in the Report Of The Land Agent as OBJ
Jects OF Immediate and pressing necessity
In this opinion | fully concur The NADIA
waska settlements occupy the river low
grounds, from Fort Kent down along the
St. John, for distance o. about sixty miles,
IN continuous and nearly uninterrupted
line. These low grounds are OF the first
quality in the state. The whole body Of up
land contiguous to them is but little inferior
ior farming purposes and it wants but the
facilities of thoroughfire and the protect
ing and fostering influence OF legislation to
cover them with thrifty and valuable pops
ulation.
The settlers are sober and industrious, a
lively and intelligent people, paraklng Of the
characteristics of their French origin. They
are strongly attached TO our gove rnment, and
are capable of becoming some of our best
citizens. Ii is derogaIory 10 the character OF
our government, that such n people should
he dependent, as they now are, upon our pro-
vIncial neighbors, for road 10 travel upon,
and 10 transport their produce TO market.
They are also deslrous, as expressed to
me personally, Of being so far organized in
to plantations, as TO enable them, in addition
to school taxes, to levy tax for the support
OF roads. This people have, heretofore, un-
der British rule, been unaccustorned TO direct
taxes, insensIbe TO their necessity, and they
are still ignorant of the benefits which flow
from them under our system of government.
Sound policy wnuII therefore dictate, that
they should be INDUCED in this partial and
somewhat exceptionable mode of incorpara-
ton, unli they shall he made acquainted with
The necessity of a more perfect one.
have alluded TO the importance of rail-
road from the Penobscot 10 the Aroosiook
waters. 1t is my settled conviction, that
such road would now, in the transportation
oi the forest growth, be profitable one TO
the owners. Its influence upon the settle
ment OF the country aud upon the lands
would lie immense.
The citizens OF Penobscot county and vi
cinlly are moving in good earnest for such
road to Mattawamkeag Point, about one.I,alf
the distance to the Aroostook river, and the
direct route; should they succeed in accom-
pIshng thus object, il may become matter
oil serious CONSIDER alton whether the Treas
ury oil the State, even, would not be bene-
htted: oy approprialing 10 this purpose por-
tion OF those lands which she is now en-
deavoring 10 give away.
In this connection, would call your at
.entlon TO the necessity Of having a new map
OF this stale, and the importance of comple;-
ing the Geological survey.
A peculiar fatality has attended our pnb-
lie Institutions within the past year and dur
ing the recess OF the Legislature. We have
been called upon TO witness The partial de-
slrucion of the Stale Prison, aud the almont
entire loss of the Insane Hospital by fire
two establishments of the most pressing and
indispensable necessity to the state. The
pecuniary loss in the Hospital, that noble
monument of individual munticence, and of
the philanthropy and hberality Of your legis-
latlve predecessors, has been accumulated
with the still greater calamity Of the destruc-
tiOn OF twenty-seven human beings. The
appalling character OF this disaster, rendered
II necessary, in the judgment of the Execu-
tive, 10 Inquire risidly into its causes. A
Jury, composed of distinguished ndivi Iuals
in the vicinity and from a distance, was or
dered, and a very careful and strict inquiry
into the whole matter was had. The result
of the investigation is before the public, and
it is presented to you in the Report of the
Trustees. II may be proper for me to say
that i fully concur in the conclusions to
which they have arrived.
To doubt the readiness and determination
OF this Legislature 10 reconstruct this noble
edifce, and TO put il upon the basis originally
contemplated, would be to call into question
their intelligence aud philanthropy.
The path Of duty here, to ourselves and to
our poslerity, is clear. The means of per-
forming this duty is equally clear. 1t can be
accomplished without any additional tax, or
embarrassment 10 our fiscal concerns, and
all other desirable objects Of public utility at
The same tiu,e effrcipd Snme hi v,rsitv If