Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1853-02-17
VOL. VII.
es prior to 1882, must probably have been

made with view 10 the fact, that In 1885,
the two States in pursuance OF the genera
obligations resting upon them as joint anC
equal owners, entered into definite ar
rangement, through their Legislatures, ioI
the management of this property-auo
amongst other things, Massachusetts then
stipulated to pay 10 the extent of ten per cent
of the proceeds to her, towards improve
ments in roads, bridges, &c. There is nc
pretence that the stipulations then entered in
10 were ever abrogaled or suspended prior
to 1850, or that they should not have been in
full force and operation and il is believed
that when all the facts in the case are fully
weighed, there is as little ground for pre-.
tence that they are now entirely obligatory
upon the parties. The foregoing statements
will show you how far Massachusetts has
complied with them, in whole. | would
simply add, that since 1S4S, she has refused
to contribute anything 10 these purposes,
while she has been enjoying all the benefits,
that her whole policy from that time, and
even tor longer period, has tended TO re-
tard aud obslruct settlements. In pursuance
of the resolves of our Legislature, april Sd,
1852 Anson P. Morrill,, Esq, Land Agent,
was duly commissioned by me to communi.
cate with the authorities of Massachusetts.
concerning certain complaints relating to The
public lands held by her and Maine in com
mon aud in seyerality.
For particulars of these complaints, |
would respec fully refer you to my annual
message of 1851, aud to the several reports
OF the Land Agent. This commission was
most faithfully and ably executed 10y Mr..
Morrill,. The result of his Oegociation will
be seen in his report herewith presented,
Doc. No. ~ | have only to add, in this
connection, thar the Legislature of Massa-
chuseIts, whether from the facts which were
made known to their committee by Mr..
Morrill,, not having by them been presented
10 the Legislature, or for other reasons un-
known to tie, did not think proper to meet
US on The basis rendered in the resolves
above referred to, or even to listen to our
complaints; but passed resolves themselves
providing lot the sale of their lands This
committee, it is true, after having given 10
Mr.. Morrill, a full hearing. made report TO
the Legislature, not very complimentary at
least, 10 Maine. Whether they furnished
the Legislature with such other facts, as
were then surely IN their possession, to
guide the Legislature TO correct and Just &C.
lion in the premises, is not certainly known
10 me. the commissioners employed by
resolves Of Massachusetts to make sale OF
her lands, did on the 30Ih of November last.
advertise for proposals; and were about TO
make sale to individuals. No tender for
their purchase had been previously made BY
the proper authorities of Massachusetts 10
the proper authorities Of Maine. Believing
that great injury would be inflicted upon
Maine by sale 10 speculalors-thath her best
interests demanded that such sale should be
deieated-that Maine should herself own the
lands aud thus be able TO control The whole
policy of their management, | assumed the
responsibility, with The advice Of such men,
bers of the Council as were assembled, OF
making definite proposal TO the commits
sioners for their purchase. A; the same
tins a memorial was by me addressed 10 the
Executive authorities of Massachusetts, re-
guessing them TO withhold their approval TO
any sale other than TO Maine. Messrs.
Morrill, Land Agent, and John A. Poor,
Esq, were duly commissioned TO present
this memorial and to confer with them upon
the subject (See Doc. No. 2.) Our request
has been complied with, the TWO States are
now placed in proper attldude, and the
whole subject is respectfully submitted to
your care and discretion.
Gentlemen and fellow citizens, have as
sumed responsibility in this matter not
warranted by any power conferred upon me
by you the representatives of the people
The crisis seemed TO the, TO demand 1.-THE
best interests of our constitution TO require it.
You are no further implicated 10 these acts
of mine, than your sense of duty shall seem
10 you to demand.
The whole subject matter is now at your
disposal. The question of purchase by.
Maine is not one of mere dollars and cents,
though II is believed that by prudent man
agement she can realize from the lands, in
ready cash. the amount offered bY me and al
the time greatly promote the interests of her
citizens in other respects. il is one which
deeply involves the rights OF our laboring
men in The privileges of the soil, which con-
Germs the application Of their industry in lum-
bering operations; but more especially does
il concern their right 10 own the soil and cul-
Iivate il, for their own benefit, without i'm
pediment or embarrassment. The increase
Of population, the wealth and power OF this
State are deeply involved in The result Of
your action.
Our true policy in connection with the
public domain has, heretofore, been over
ruled, aud diverted 10 wrong purposes by
the unIoward influence of The claims of
Massachusetts, and those holding titles un-
der her and us.
Do YOU believe, should the remaining
claims of Massachusetts 60 into the hands OF
private SPECTATORS, that this evil will be
miligeted? Do you believe that the persons
who have offered 10 Massachusetts the enor-
nous price proffered in those proposals,
could have expected TO realize their wishes
and hopes by any fair business process Is
il moi certain that they expected, and is it
not equally certain that they would control
the policy of this Stale IN her own lands
appropriate them to their own emolument,
or compel the State to sell out 10 them?
The very terms Of sale, also, offered by
Massachusetts in her advertisement for pro-
posals, Indicate an intention on her part, 10
secure to the purchaser the advantage of an
exemption from taxation by US for twenty
one years 10 come. JOHN HUBBARD.
Jan. 18th, 1923.
AFFECTED DIGNITY. The best truth of
vulgar man is 10 be found in the quantity of
dignity that he wraps himself up in. In the
opinion of such men, the only WaV to set