Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-03-08
Report of the Land Agent.

The report of Hon. Edwin G. Buileish, Land
Agent of the State, Tor the past year presents the
transactions in that important department, more
in detail than any report that has preceded it,
Valuable tables Of statistics are given presenting
facts that the people of the State ought to know.
During the past year there have been conveyed
CT the public lands for cash, AIS 10 acres for the
sum OF Sf07 %; under resolves of the legislature
S292 IS acres; TO actual settlers the surrender
OF outstanding land certificates % 30i 3S acres; to
actual settlers by conditional deeds, for road labor
notes, 4,0oi.2l acres; to Swedish Immigrants, $50.
II acres under the treaty Of Washington, 273.l9
acres. There have also been contracted 10 actual
settlers by land certificates for road labor notes,
1904 80 acres for 81 7S5l4. According to the
last report there remained about 3f,7Sl acres for
sale under the settling acts. Besides these, there
were l12,O67 acres, which had been taken up by
settlers, to whom certificates had been granted,
and who were then at work performing the duties
required to receive their deeds, the title of which
still renamed in the State. OF these lands there
are now remaining unsod &c, 1889 acres besides
III ,665.91 acres already certifcated, to be con-
yeyed when settling duties shall have been per-
formed.
Under act of the legislature Of 1876, all the
Islands OF the State have been sold, with the ex
ccptlon OF some small unimportant islands lying
in front Of the county Of Washington.
The colony of Swedes continues to be success
IN the truest sense of the term Considering the
disadvantages under which the colony was planted
six years, in the midst of the forests of the
Aroostook, its prosperous condition is worthy of
especial congrauaton. That part of the colony
settled in the township of New Sweden, has dur
ing the past season been organized into panta-
ton by that name under the general statutes of
the State. Fiity-two men have been naturalized
and thus become voters, and at the late election
took advantage Of their elective privileges. The
plantation has been divided into school districts,
proper school houses have been erected and
schools established. -Four schools are in opera
ton, two Of them taught by young ladies of their
own nationality, who have acquired a competent
knowledge OF our language since their mmigra-
ton. Seventeen new houses have been erected
during the year, not including log houses called,
and about 81 400 have been expended by them in
labor upon their roads, so that nearly every part
Of the township can be reached by them in car
riages.
The crops during the year have been very good,
enough having been raised for their own use leav-
ing surplus in many cases for sale. The crops
OF grain and potatoes in some cases are estimated
to reach as much as one thousand bushels. Cases
of want or poverty among them are rare, only
Tour families having received any assistance and
then only by reason of the death of the fathers in
two cases, and sickness in the others. Nearly all
OF the land in the township suitable for cuva.
ton has been taken up by the Immigrants and
considerable other land also in the adjoining town
ships The plantation contains population of be
tween 600 and 700 all of whom are of class very
industrious, temperate and intelligent. In add
ton TO the colonists already mentioned in New
Sweden and the adjoining townships, a large pop
ulation OF Swedes have also followed them into
eur State, and settled in various other places
as they have had opportunity TO find employment
or homes.
The amount of cash paid into the State Treas.
ury during the past year is forty-two thousand
three hundred ninety-nne dollars and eighty-sev-
en- ceuts.