Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1871-01-31
REPORTS OF TIE BOARD AND COM
MISSI0NERS or IMMIGRATION

MlSSICNERS OF IM4HIGfAIION.
The report of the Board and Commission
ers of immigration, giving an account of the
first attempt to add to our population from
foreign country, will be read with great deal
of interest. The chairman of the Board
Ex-Governor Chamberlain, gives an outline
in his report of the whole undertaking, and
speaks with praise of the manner in which it
has been accomplished, and with confidence
as to the result. He mentions in the highest
terms the services of the Commissioners,
Hon p Z. Burleigh, w. w. Thomas, Jr.,
and William Small, and particularly notices
the ability and fidelity of the first two gen.
tlemen, upon whom the greater part of the
labor Of the Commission fell. He pro-
nounces the movement ''sne of the most inn
portant achievements in the history of
Maine" In order to make it complete sue
cess he says something more must be done
by the State. The colonists must have seed
for next spring, and something must be done
in the way of preparing roads for them.
'Successful" he says, "beyond our hopes"
the enterprise ''has now assumed an impor-
lance which justifes the most liberal policy
on the part of the State, to support and foster
it. Well sustained and properly managed,
there is no doubt that this little colony will
prove the forerunner of the most valuable
immigration, and the speedy settlement of
our great wilderness domain"
The report of the Commissioner, w. w.
Thomas, Jr., gives full and interesting par
ticulars of the settlement. He sailed from
the United States April 30th, and arrived at
Gothenburg, Sweden, on the 10th of May
He at once established an office at that place,
from which he distributed circulars and ad-
vertisements of his mission and the induce
ments offered to settlers by our State. AS he
had opportunity he went out into the country
himself and talked with the people. Soon
recruits began to appear, but none were ac-
cepted unless they had certificates of good
moral character from the pastor of their dis
trict, and were physically adapted to pioneer
life and proficient in farming or some trade.
On the 18th of June a colony of fifty-one
souls-twenty-two men, eleven women, and
"All the men," says the Commissioner, ''are
farmers; in addition, some are skilled in
trades and professions; there being among
them a pastor, civil engineer, blacksmith,
two carpenters, basket maker, a wheel
wright, baker, tailor, and wooden shoe
maker. The women are neat and industri-
Gus, tidy housewives, and dligent workers at
the spinning wheel and loom. All are tall
and stalwart, with blue eyes, light hair, and
cheerful, honest faces; there is not physi-
cal defect or blemish among them" On July
18th the company arrived at Halifax, and on
the 22nd reached our soil, where they were
received with enthusiastic demonstrations of
qualification at their coming. On the 23d,
just four months from the passage of the act
by the legislature authorizing the enterprise,
and four weeks from the time they left
Sweden, the immigrants were set down at
their new home in the wilds of Maine, which
is called New Sweden" In anticipation and
preparation for their arrival road had been
cut to the township, one hundred and twenty
five acres of trees had been felled, and six
log houses were nearly finished for their re-
ception, one of which was taken for store
house and the others were occupied by the
Swedes. Lots were apportioned to them by
drawing, and all were satisfied with their
share, each receiving hundred acres. They
were Immediately set to work telling trees,
cutting out roads, and building houses. They
were allowed one dollar day each for their
labor, and were to be paid in provision,
tools, &c. Thus they did the work which the
State would have been obliged to hire others
10 do and the State got its pay in labor for
what 1t would otherwise have been compelled
TO furnish the settlers for nothing A chop
ping OF hve acres was made on each LOT by
the State. The houses are all of uniform
pattern, and are convenient and comfortable
structures, and are full of contentmert and