The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1874-09-25
TERMS $500 PER ANNUM IN ADVANCE

could have done in the same time and unde
the same circumstances, and the other,
farmer and manufacturer said, 81 will not
admit that our owh people could not have
done as mnch. but am free to say that they
would not" l was informed that some had
located on bad lots, and they win be longer
in becoming self sustaining, but that their
courage is evidenced by the fact that we
met man, barefoot, and his son, backing
two punches of shingles each, to the capital,
distance of about four miles, where they
received eighty-fve cents per bunch.
1t will not do for any penny-a-liner, who
"never earned the salt in his porridge" by
hard labor, to disparage these colonists; such
creatures would faint at the idea Of telling
one Of the huge trees, where they have ielled
and cleared forests, and he shows himself
sadly deficient in historic knowledge of a
race, made world renowned at Leipzig, Lech,
Lutzen and Narva. 1t was an enterprise
requiring courage and endurance TO emgrate
to foreign and distant county, ignorant of
the language Of its people, go into dark
and unbroken forest remote from civilization.
miles away from medical aid in case of sick
ness or accident and make new homes and
firesides. Though some of them bear a
worr and sad look they are not despondent,
but are hopeful of the future. l did not
hear one express desire to return to their
Fatherland. Neither did see an idler or
lounger in the settlement and those did
see were busy in some kind of labor. Sab.
bath day, very many went by the house 1
was in, 10 meeting and they were neatly
and cleanly clad and cheerful; on their return
they came into the house to rest and sing
sacred music; they were refreshed with some
milk and water. 1 became much interested
in them and their welfare as did my two COM
panions, and we were glad to see there were
those who have their interest, comfort and
prosperity at heart. Among these are our
worthy and kind-hearted land agent. and his
appointees to look into their condition, Messrs.
Jacob Hardison and Nathan S. Lufkin of
Caribou. Mr.. Hardison went with us, and
we were gratited to see with how mueh
pleasure, in every instance, the settlers, men,
women and children, greeted him, and the
satisfaction he manifested at their prosperity
and any kindness shown them, the best proof
we could have OF his care and good offices for
them, and we feel assured that this gentle
man will not be Indifferent to suffering among
Swedes or elsewhere. We also heard much
of the kindness to, and interest in, the cole
nists by people OF Caribou and Fort Fair
field.
Mr.. johnson, too, the enterprising and in
telligent merchant and stage proprietor of
Presque Isle, made an effort to help their con-
dition by establishing branch of his store in
the settlement, but his agent, Swede, did
not understand the business and the enter
prise was unfortunate for Mr.. j., but he told
me he did not impugn the honesty of his
agent. Since writing the above, see in to-
days PRESS, the report of the condition of
the people of New Sweden, by Messrs. Hardi-
son and Luflin to Mr.. Burlegh aud from
what we know personally OF the first,- and
| have heard of the other, are satisfied the
| land agent could not have committed this du-
| ty to more reliable, judicious and impartial
| hands. l ought not to omit to say that many
| of the Swedes inquired after Mr.. Thomas ap-
| parently with much interest, and seemed dis
| appointed not to see him with us.
In fine we were agreeably disappointed in
| the Swedes; we found them as far as we saw
| them indefarigable workers, honest and very
| intelligent, the children having made wonder
| full progress in the study of our language. As
| an instance, boy, perhaps ten years of age
| spoke the English language readily and cor
| rectly and at Mr.. Hardson's request read to
us at some length from an English book readi-
| ly and with only one mistake in pronuncia-
| tion.
trust that the Legislature next TO meet,
will make appropriations to build and i'm
| prove their principal roads and leave them to
| improve their farms. Common humanity
demands that the facility of ingress and
egress should enable them to procure medical
| attendance in case of disease or accident, and
especially at times of severest trial, peril and
suffering entailed on the female sex. hope
also, that our'new legislators, will no longer
| suffer the inhabitants of Aroostook to speak
of US as outside, but examine the subject
earnestly and see the advantage to them and
us of immediate and direct railroad inter-
communication. Success to the Swedes and
Commissioner Thomas, in a new Importation.
| FRYEBURG.