Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1874-04-23
New Sweden.
r sport ofthe Commissioner TO Investigate
the Cond.ttun of the Colonjsts.

r port OF the Commits sioner TO Investigate
the Cond!tt,lii of the Colonjsts.
\ few weeks since, Hon. John S. Arnold
of Lyndon, was appointed by the Governor,
commissioner to proceed TO the Swedish col
ony in Aroos.ool; county, ard ascertain the
true condition Of the colonists, as reports had
been circulated that some of them were IN e
distressed ard suffering condition.
Mr. Arnold has attended to his drty, and
yesterday submitted his report to the Cover.
nor and Council. OF the 100 families in the
colony, he finds that l2j are doing well, and
all making comfortable living while i'm
proving their farms. They will need seeds
for the spring planting and sowing, and the
Commissioner recommends that some 500
bushels be provided by the State, as follows ::
% bushels of barley, - ofrye, 100 ofoats, and
$50 Of potatoes. Mr.. Arnold continues:
The early and severe frost Of last season
was particularly hard on this new colony on
| account of their small clearines, and the 20
remaining families who have from three to
| five acres each ready for the seed, will be un-
| able to put in even this small amount without
| assistance, as in many cases their crop of
| last year was entirely cut off. If they could
! be furnished with seed sufficient fer the few
acres they have prepared, say to the amount
| Of 800 Bushels in all of rye, barley, oats, and
potatoes, and some cases little assistance
about puttng it into the ground, they will be
| able to sustain themselves with their lumber
until their crops come off. The town of Lyn-
! don is furnishing aid to five of these families,
| with the expectation of being reimbursed by
| the State.
| To my mind there is Il peculiar hardship in
| the case Of these few families of the colony,
who have through sickness in some cases and
deaths in others fallen in distress. Coming
here as they have by solicitation of the State,
; they should not, ii seems to ne, be reduced
I to paupers, at the first misfortune that over
takes them, when by furnishing the small
amount necessary, the State would save in
money, save in the gratitude of these poor
people, as well as the damaging effect on their
| friends at home who think OF joining the col
ony here.
In the matter between Woodland and the
Swedish settlers on that plantation, in regard
to their taxes the inhabitants of Woodland
feel considerably embarrassed. They know
!, all the hardships Of new settlements. from the
| first clearing up to thrifty and independent
farming, and naturally feel kindly interest
in these new settlers. The Swedes claim they
virtue of a certain document circulated in
Old Sweden, containing that promise, which
should apply to them as well as to the settlers
of New Sweden, as they were never notified
to the contrary until called upon to pay
After careful inquiry l am inclined to the
opinion that this claim is good so far as il APP
plies 10 those of the first colonists that were
settled on Woodland, but those settled later
think must have understood they were LA
BE TO pay plantation tax. As discriminating
will make matters worse if the State in It's
generosity should decide to pay their taxes
which would be $50 or $50 Il year, it would
relieve all parties.
The report was committed to the committee
ca public lands and buildings, who reported
that Mr.. Arnold be instructed to supply tbs
colonists with the seeds asked for, and super
intend the planting of tho same. No actor
was taken in regard to the matter OF taxes.