Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1855-05-24
Morrill's Land Operations.

II will be recollected with what surprise
the people of the State received the informa-
ton soon after the Inauguration of Gov. Cros-
by, Of the sale by the Land Agent, Arson P.
Morrill,, of FORTY HALF TOWNSHIPS of public
lands. Much censure was heaped upon the
Laad Agent and the State administration by
the wing presses, and it was broadly limited,
nay asserted, by the Portland Advertiser, tina,
there could not be a doubt the poicer of the
Lard Agent had been grossly and shamefully
abused! The Kennebec Journal said the spec
uiatOrs had made good bargains. The Adver-
tser continued, (bear in mind that the editors
of these papers are now putting Morrill, to the
skies,) that "with the developments now made
of what was then during the session of the
Legislatu-e) and has since been going on in
the land office, he felt compelled tie say that
Gov. Hubbard had permitted himself TO be
most grossly dipped, or he had played most
dishonest part in relation 10 these public lands. "
Carter went on in his paper 10 speak of "steal-
ings" of the land office, said that-'sthe land
Office had been regarded as sink of corrup-
ton, an Augean stable, which must be
cleansed," and that 'the experiment of in
PRODUCING new land agent "had been tried"
and it reminded him "of the fable of the fox
and the flies ~
In order that the RESPONSE ility Of the sud-
den and unexpected sale may rest where it be-
longs, it will be proper to state the facts in
the case. We say it rests upon Anson P.
Morrill,, who sold the land TO the spectators
against the ddrice Of the Governor and Council.
for purposes best known to himself. The fact
that the largest purchasers are now his warm
est political friends, may serve as key to I'M
lock the mystery of his purposes.
The facts are these: The Legislature
passed resolve April Sd, 1852, directing the
Land Agent, under certain conditions, by the
advice of the Governor and Council, 10 sell
the interest of Maine in such portions Of the
undivided lands as the interest of the State
should require. Those conditions not having
been complied with on the part Of Massachu-
sets, and Maine having been for two years
cut off from all sales of her public lands by the
refusal of Massachusetts to comply with an
agreement entered into by the two States I'M
der resolves passed in 1852, and her treasury
beginning to suffer, the Land Agent was ad-
vised late in the summer of 1852, by the Gov
ernor and Council, to ma Ike sales of such of
the lands as would command fair price.
Finding fault with this, as violation on
our part of the agreement of 80, though she
had continually for upwards Of two years re-
fused to comply. and urged by spectators,
Massachusetts about the first of December,
commenced negotiations with certain individ-
uals for the sale of all her lands in Maine, al
though at that time this State had actually
sold none of hers. Gov. Hubbard immediate
ly demonstrated with the authorities of Massa-
chusetts against this course, made a definite
proposal for the purchase of all Massachu-
sets interest by Maine, and authorizing the
Land Agent in conjunction with John A. Poor,
Esq, of Portland, to proceed forthwith to
Boston TO treat for the purchase
Meanwhile, feeling that the sale Of lands on
our part might interfere with amicable nego-
'iasions, the Land Agent pas directed by The
Governor to make no further sales. He rep
resented to the Governor early in December
that ne had made none, but had agree to sell
to some Gerry fe,c indiciduals. and asked If bs
should comply with such agreements. He
was directed to comply with such posit;ve
verbal agreements as he might have made. bu,
to go not ono step beyond ht,s in has sales.
Thus the matter rested until after the imam.
gsration Of Governor Crosby, when on call O.
the Legislature, the Land Agent reported tina
he had sold SOME FORTY HALF TOWNSHIPS, ant
that too when negotiations were in progress.
Ely himself and Mr.. Poor for the purchase o
Massachusetts These are the sober, sterI
facts in the case, and the whole responsibility
Of jeopardizing the interests Of the State in tn
:. accomplishment Of an advantageous bargain
with Massachusetts,, and throwing the pubi
ands at vastly less than their worth into til