The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1855-02-09
Abstract Of the Land Agents Report
The following schedule shows:
Receipts q cash during the year ending Dec.

s'o,55l 90
In addition to tbs above" says Tie Land
Agent, 81 have received from the sale Of
timber and grass upon the lands reserved
for public uses, and from securities in the
office, heretofore taken for timber and grass
upon such lots, The sum Of eleven thousand
seven hundred and ,hirty-four dollars and
eighteen cents.
have since the first day of March last,
sold the timber and grass upon eleven thou.
sand seven hundred and forty acres Of The
reserved lands, for the sum Of five thousand
one hundred and sixiy-eight dollars and
twenty-five cents. These lands were sit.
uated in townships which were conveyed
long ago, and most Of the timber had been
taken off by lrespassers or proprietors, who
have paid little regard 10 the rights of others.
II is believed, however, that the prices ]
have received do not, at least, fall below
the prices received by my predecessors.
Numerous other applications have been
made for similar lots, but tho sums offered
were so low that have not deemed il my
duty 10 SELL"
He suggests that the policy of construct.
ing roads in the now and scarcely settled
parts OF the Stale should be discontinued,
and recommends that attention should be
given only TO the large thorough!ares. In
this way, permanent and really useful roads
would be secured, instead Ji the mere tenn
porary paths now constructed. In The
bearing OF this matter upon the settlement
Of the new parts Of the State, the Land
Agent says:
T" 1t is believed that nothing can contrib.
ule more 10 this object than The speedy and
permanent construction of the necessary
leading roads. The present seems 10 be a
propiiious time for the State TO move ener.
geiically in this matter. The lumbcrmen
afford the settlers ready and valuable
home market for their produce, whereby
the usual hardships and privaiions OF early
settlements are avoided. The lpmbermen
in turn are materially benefited by The SET.
tiers: and the State will also receive share
oflhe benefit in the price ofihe timber lands,
increased by the facilities thus offered 10
the operators"
He also earnestly recopmends the French
settlements, acquired by The treaty of Wash
inglon, TO the fostering care OF the Legisla.
ture. He refers 10 the severe drouih which
has seriousl ly embarrassed the operations o
lumbermen and reduced the receipts Of the
land department. There has been less
trespassing than usual in most cases o
which settlements have been made with
the trespassers, who have given satisfacto
ry notes.-the timber being held till pay
ment is made.
Ofihe cash receipts above, S44 900 have
been paid into the treasury of State, S17,.
900 expended in roads and bridges, and
the balance paid 10 sundry accounts.
The Land Agent concludes as follows:
"Wihout veniuring an opinion rs 10 the
policy iha, should be adopted, in relation
10 the lands belonging 10 the State, demon.
mated timber lands, ! may perhaps be
pardoned for recommending that certain
portions OF these lands (under proper regu'
la,ions) should be sold as soon as adequate
prices can be obtained therefor.
Some Of these lands are now owned in
common by the State and individuals. The
States interest should be sold, or immedi.
atc measures adopted for partition.
There are other small tracts isolated and
detached from the lands of the State. and
surrounded by lands owned by individuals.
These lands cannot be protected, except at
an expense, which IN few years will ex.
ceed their value.
| Whenever the Legislature may deem il
advisable 10 offer the timber lands for sale,
| advise that provision be made TO prevent,
sales TO persons who have notes overdue in
the office at the time OF sale. Fair and
honorable competition seems 10 require
this, and no jus, cause of complaint is per-
cevcd in the S,ale's refusal 10 add 10 the
Indebtedness OF those who have dishonored
paper lying in The Office.
GEORGE c. GETCHELL, Land agent.