The Portland daily press., 1878-03-15

were required to enter there All trading with
the INDIANS was to be at Pemaquid under strict
regulations. The ownership of the soil was
claimed for the Duke under the King's charter,
without regard to previous patents, and the
settlers were required to pay quit rent of one
shilling per annum for a hundred acres.
In 1853, when New York was divided into
counties, the territory between the st. Croix
county and became entitled to one represents
tive in the General Assembly of New York
The first use the Inhabitants made of their
privilege was to send petition asking relief
from the arbitrary rule Of the commandant at
Fort Charles and from tine above restrictions in
commerce and trade, and another asking for
the confirmation of certain land grants by Sir
Edmun Andres. They were referred until the
Governor go to Pemaquid, and he never went.
Inc taxes and imposts in the colony were very
onerous and were rigidly enforced to wiring
from the Inhabitants $500 a year, which the
nuity to the Earl of Smiling, whom he had
never paid Tor bis purchase. Trading vessels
were charged heavy fees and even transient
fishermen were Obliged to pay tribute.
These dues were often evaded. Smugglers
from Boston did lively business in furnishing
supplies to the settlers and to the Indians; and
fugitive fishermen often eluded the goternment
officers on the coast. The collectors and sub.
collectors in Cornwall county had no easy or
pleasant task. The people were beginning, lot
without reason, to share the fierce hatred of
the men of Massachusetts for the Stuarts and
their representatives. One of the most efficient
and obnoxious of these officers was John
Palmer, who was sent to Pemaquid in the
summer of 1886 with full power aud author
ity to treate with the Inhabitants for Taking
out Patents and paying the quit rents He is
sometimes called Judge Palmer, and s0me-
times Deputy Governor. The patents which
he granted were simply leases. At New Dart
mouth 140 of these leases were taken out.
Judge Palmer also had charge of the collec-
ton OF customs. One of his transactions in
this capacity was the seizure of a French ship
containing Boston cargo. A letter has
just come to light concerning this affair, writ
ten by his own hand. It was probably written
to one West, who was Palmers deputy. This
letter was dated Boston, Oct 6, 1856 He goes
on to say that though he was loudly threatened
before his arrival, when he got there, to use his
language. "all the clouds were dissipated.'
The vessel and cargo were left untouched,
although she was laid alongside the wharf, but
Brooks and Patishall, persons who. Palmer
mer directs his deputy to collect all the evil
dence regarding the seizure and then goes ON
to inform him of a rumor that Sir Edmund
Andres is coming to be governor of the place,
and that Pemaquid will be added to the
colony.
On the representation made by the French
envoy the vessel aud cargo were finally given
up. The political change foreshadowed in
Palmer's letter was accomplished BY a royal
order on the 18th of September, 1856. consOli-
dating the New England governments, rsvok-
ing the charters and appointing Sir Edmund
Andres Governor General. Palmer remained
at Pemaqud till 1859, when on hearing of the
revolution in England and the flight of James
H., he fastened to Boston with Governor
Andres, who happened to be at Pemaquid.
West went with them and all were thrown into
prison. After several months confinement
Palmer was released and went to England,
where he died.
The next manuscript is q petition of John
Sellman of Dambrel Cove to Palmer and
West to be protected against Richard Patisnall,
the same who is mentioned in the previous
manuscript, who was plotting to gobble up
estate. Patishall had bad reputa-
ton among his neighbors. for his name appears
10 another petition asking relief from an order
directing all the fishermen on 5agadahoc
Island to remove their houses within three
years, and alleging that the person who pro-
cured the order was Patshall. 1t seems that
Selman was finally ousted, for he was brought
into court for arresting the sheriff. The third
manuscript is copy of the record in this case
and the deposition of Job Tookie.
A vote of thanks was extended the city gov
eminent for the use of the council chambers,
and the meeting adjourned at 10 O'Clock