USA > Maine > The history of the state of Maine; from its first discovery, A. D. 1602, to the separation, A. D. 1820, inclusive, Vol. II > Part 68
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the showers and sunshines gave renovated freshness to the fields and face of nature; and the autumn was crowned with the bounties of Divine goodness. In consequence of this favorable change in the seasons, preceded and followed by statements of facts, which the returning visitants of the western country published, and which served to correct the elysian stories reported ; many, Emigration half-prepared, delayed their removals till another year ; and it is checked. believed, that subsequently, more returned than emigrated. Yet it has been supposed, that Maine in fact lost between ten and fif- VOL. II. 84
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[VOL. II.
A. D. 1817. teen thousand inhabitants by this strange infatuation ; besides those who had means and courage sufficient to accomplish a return.
Moose, Dudley, and In discharge of the trust, to which Thomas Barclay and John Frederick Islands ours, Holmes, the English and American commissioners, were appoint- by Commis- ed in 1816, under the 4th Article in the treaty of Ghent, they cer- sioners' de- termination, tified, under their signatures and seals, Nov. 24, their determina- tion, which was, " that Moose Island, Dudley Island, and Fred- " erick Island,* in the bay of Passamaquoddy, do belong to tlie " United States ;" and that ' all the other Islands in that bay and ' the Island of Grand Menan in the bay of Fundy, belong to his ' Britanic Majesty, in conformity with the true intent of the 2d ' article in the treaty of 1783.' Therefore, Col. Sargent and Gen. Miller, the one on behalf of this Commonwealth, and the other of the United States, received at Eastport, in July, 1818, from the British, a formal surrender of those Islands ; which till this time had continued in their possession since the war ;- and immediately the event was announced by a proclamation from Gov. Brooks.
The North- eastern and northern Boundary of Maine.
To determine " the point of the Highlands lying due north from the source of the river St. Croix," designated in the treaty of peace, (1783,) as the 'north-west angle of Nova Scotia,' and to ascertain ' the boundary between the head of the St. Croix ' and that angle, and along the highlands which divide the rivers 'emptying into the St. Lawrence, from those which fall into the At- ' lantic, to the north-westernmost head of Connecticut river ; and ' down it, to the 45thº of northern latitude ;'-the 5th Article in the treaty of Ghent, made provision for a joint commission, to be filled, by one from each of the governments ; and therefore, the king appointed Thomas Barclay, and the President, Cornelius Van Ness. Their first meeting was at St. Andrews, Sept. 23, 1816, and their last at New-York, April 13, 1822; when they
* Moose Island is Eastport ; Dudley's Island is now Allen's Island ; and Frederick Island is now Rice's Island. Dudley's Island, which lies north of Frederick Island, is the larger of the two and contains about 70 acres, originally granted to Col. Allen, the commanding officer at Machias dur- ing the war of the Revolution. The family of his son's widow is now the only one on the Island. Frederick, or Rice's Island, of 15 acres, is owned by Mr. Thayer of Lubec, and is inhabited. These two Islands lie between Eastport and Lubec, directly east of Seward's neck, which stretches up N. W. into Cobscook bay .- MS. Let. of Mr. L. Subin and plan. See In- troduction, ante, p. 86.
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CHAP. XXVII.]
being unable to agree upon a boundary, reported their proceed- A. D. 1817. ings and points of disagreement, to their respective governments. It was subsequently referred to William, King of the Netherlands ; and he recommended a line from the source of the St. Croix to the thread of the river St. John,-thence in the middle of that river through the St. Francois to its source : and thence along the highlands south-westwardly to 'mile tree' and the head of Connecticut river .*
Since the establishment of the land-office, the attention of the The nine public had been again drawn to the consideration of the value and importance of the extensive territories in Maine, yet unappropri- ated. The nine townshipst upon Penobscot river, released, August 8, 1796, by the Indians, and specially reserved in all sub- sequent grants, on account of their superior value, were ordered, June 13, by the Legislature into market, under the direction of the Land Commissioners ; who were now invested with additional powers, to prevent the destruction of the timber, becoming more exposed as the inhabitants increased, and more valuable as it grew more scarce. They were directed to seize all found cut by tres- passers, cause it to be libelled in the Court of Common Pleas, and condemned as forfeit. But the total amount of sales of lands made by the Commissioners, between their appointment and the Separation, was so inconsiderable, as probably not to exceed 10,000 acres.
There had been uncommon efforts made since the war, to pro- Agriculture mote agricultural enterprize and improvement ; to multiply fruit- promoted. trees and render them flourishing ; and to improve the breed of horses and cattle, as well as sheep. Besides the able essays that were published,-the qualities of different soils were analyzed, and their adaptation to different grains explained ; and at length, to interest the whole community in those important objects, an Ag- ricultural Society was incorporated, Feb. 16, 1818, exclusively
* The reference was, Jan. 12, 1829 ; and the determination was, Jan. 10, 1831 ;- not yet ratified by the two governments. The umpire's award is highly dissatisfactory to the United States and State of Maine. For as stated in the protest of our minister, Mr. Preble, the Umpire has under- taken to decide what was not submitted to him.
t The nine townships surveyed in 1797, by S. Towne .- Resolve, 1817. See Introduction, sec. I, ante.
eastern townships ; timber, and sales of land.
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A. D. 1817. for this District; embracing men of the most influence and most skilfulness in agriculture.
Brooksville incorporat- ed. There was only one town incorporated in 1817, namely BROOKSVILLE*, June 13th ; being formed from parts of Castine, A. D. 1818. Penobscot and Sedgwick. But in 1818, there were seven estab- lished ; these were CHINA, t incorporated the 5th, MONROE,} and PERRY, § the 12th, MEXICO, | and DENNYSVILLE, T the 13th, and SWANVILLE, ** the 19th of February ; and JACKSON,tt the 12th of June.
Seven towns incorporat- ed.
* Brooksville, (222d town,) is bounded by the water on all sides except at the south-east corner, it adjoins Sedgwick. It has Cape Rozier south, and is bounded southerly on Edgemarrogan-reach, and easterly on one branch of Castine river. It took from Sedgwick an eighth, and from Castine and Penobscot each a fifth of their taxable property. The same year Brooks- ville was established, about one fourth of Penobscot was annexed to Cas- tine. See Penobscot, A. D. 1787,-and Castine, 1796.
t China, (223d town,) was formed of Halifax, Albion and Winslow. It embraces about 11,550 acres of good soil, both for wheat and orchards. Here are two meeting-houses, one for baptists and one for quakers; also an Academy. It was first represented in the G. Court in 1819, by J. C. Washburn, Esq. ; a Post-Office was established in 1818. It is situate on " 12 mile pond."-MS. Letter of J. C. Washburn, Esq.
# Monroe, (224th town,) is a part of the Waldo patent, and was the plan- tation of Lee.
§ Perry, (the 225th town,) was township "No. one," bounding easterly and southerly on the waters of Passamaquoddy-bay. It was so named in memory of Commodore O. H. Perry. At Pleasant Point in this town, is the village of the Indians at Passamaquoddy. The township was conveyed, March 7. 1786, to Benjamin Lincoln and others.
Il Mexico, (226th town,) was the plantation of Holmanstown on the north side of the Androscoggin.
T Dennysville, (227th town,) was granted by the State, at the same time Perry was, to Benjamin Lincoln and others. It was numbered two in the eastern division of the Lottery townships. It is bounded westerly by Denny's river, and southerly by Cobscook bay and river.
** Swanville, (223th town,) called " Swan's tract," is a part of the Waldo patent :- A small town, lying on both sides of Goose river.
H Jackson, (229th town.) is also a part of the Waldo patent, and adjoins its north line. It was the plantation of Jackson. It was so nained in com- pliment to General Jackson of the Revolution. The first beginning in the town was by Mr. Cates in 1800; contained in 1810, 276 souls ; and was or- ganized into a plantation in 1812. The title to the settlers is from Thorn- dike, Sears and Prescott. In this town, south of the centre, is " the pro- prietors' farm," of 1,200 acres and expensive buildings, owned now by I. Thorndike, jr. Esq., Boston. Rev. Silas Warren, was ordained over the congregationalists in Jackson and Brooks, in Sept. 1812. A Post-Office was established here in 1815 .- MS. Letter of B. Johnson, Esq., 1819.
CHAP. XXVII.]
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669
Of the Indian Tribes, the only remnants in Maine, were those A. D. 1818. at Penobscot and at Passamaquoddy. The former consisted of The Indian about '250 or 300 souls, in 1816 ; more than two-thirds of whom Tribes.
' were women and children ;' and the latter were about equally numerous. Both had become the objects of public charity and protection. Nay, such was the scarcity of provisions particularly The Tarra- among the Tarratines, in the winter 1816-17, that the General ties. Court, December 14, gave them 300 bushels of corn and sent it to them .* They were, however, the possessors or claimants of a large territorial tract, six miles in width on both sides of Penob- scot river, to an indefinite extent above the north line of the nine townships-an estate of sufficient value, had they known how to estimate and manage it, to have afforded the tribe an ample sup- port. The Legislature intended, that their acts of ownership should be restricted to hunting, fishing, and cultivation ; whereas the Chiefs presumed to sell the timber, and would even convey their lands to speculators, if. the transfers could be sanctioned by gov- ernment ; so improvident was their conduct or great their ne- cessity. Nor did they appear in fact to have any taste for the arts of husbandry,-not even the culture of "the fertile Islands they own." "Poor and destitute, they manifested a desire to release " to the State their rights in ten townships more ;" and the Legis- ture, February 13, authorized the appointment of three Commis- sioners to meet the tribe at Bangor, examine into their circum- stances, and treat with them upon the subject of relinquishing all claim to their lands. The agency and trust were given by the Executive to Edward H. Robbins, Daniel Davis, and Mark L. Commis- sioners ap- Hill ; whom Aitteon, Neptune, Francis and others, the Chiefs of pointed to treat with them. the Tribe, met at the place appointed.
After discussion, ten of the principals, June 29th, executed to The treaty. the Commonwealth a quit-claim of all the lands on both sides of the Penobscot river, above the tracts of thirty miles in extent here- tofore resigned ; excepting four townships, six miles square, viz. : one at the mouth of the Metawamkeag ; one on the western shore of the Penobscot, directly opposite ; two to be surveyed contiguous to the ninth range of townships-all which and the Islands in Pe- nobscot river, above Old-town Island inclusive, were to be enjoyed by the tribe without limitation of time. In consideration of this
* Resolves, 1816, p. 361.
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A. D. 1818. assignment, the Commissioners engaged to procure for the use of the tribe two acres of land on the bank of Penobscot river in Brewer, fronting Kenduskeag-point ;*- to employ a suitable man to instruct the Indians in the arts of husbandry,-to repair their church at Old-town,-to deliver at that place in October of every year, 500 bushels of corn, 15 barrels of wheat flour, and 7 of clear pork ; 1 hogshead of molasses; 100 yards of broadcloth alternately red and blue ; 50 Indian blankets, 100 pounds of gun- powder, 400 of shot, and 150 of tobacco; 6 boxes of choco- late, and 50 dollars in silver. At the execution and acknowledg- ment of the treaty before a magistrate, the Commissioners made the tribe a present of one 6 pound canon, one swivel, 1 box of pipes, 50 knives, 6 brass kettles, 200 yards of calico, 2 drums, 4 fifes, and 300 yards of ribbon.+ Afterwards $350 were ap- propriated by the government, as an annual stipend, to their re- ligious teachert.
The last no- tice taken of We here take leave of the Indians, who have commanded so the Indians. many pages in this History. Two centuries past, they were the sole possessors of the country-numerous and powerful; now one tribe is driven to the Islands of a river, once wholly theirs from its sources to the ocean ; and the other restricted to a spot on the banks of the Passamaquoddy, who could once call the whole Bay and all the contiguous lands their own. Strangely inclined to the bigotry of Catholics, they fell early under the influence of the French, who have alternately assisted or deserted them, ac- cording to the dictates of interest. Adversity or ruin, is too often the fate of blind servility to another's will; and the history of their decline and extinction, may teach lessons of wisdom even to the boasting sons of civilization. Were the natives guilty of cruelties and breaches of faith ?- remember, they were barba- rians, untutored-entire strangers to the refinements of sensi- bility,-they themselves esteeming it greatness and glory to smile on torture. Their love of country was a flame unextinguisha- ble ;- and their love of liberty, ardent, uncompromising, univer- sal ; so that philosophers have been induced to believe them innate
* This plat of ground was designed as a resting-place for the Indians when they came to Bangor to trade. Here the tribe have since several wigwams .- N. B .- The articles are to be delivered every year, so long as the tribe exists.
t This treaty was ratified by the government Feb. 20, 1819.
# See Resolve, January 22, 1819.
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OF MAINE.
CHAP. XXVII.]
principles of man's nature. But at this period, they rather linger A. D. 1818. than live upon the earth-rendered despicable in the eyes of an Englishman, not only by the tincture of the skin, the features of the face, and the costume of their fathers, unchanged both in dress and the habits of life,-but on account of their ignorance, without desire for improvement, and of their savage manners, without a disposition to reform. In future ages, a Native will be viewed as a curiosity by civilized man ; and all the historic facts collectable about so peculiar a people, will hold a conspicuous place in the cabinet of literature.
The summer season of the present year, was uncommonly The season. fine-rendered more exhilarating, as contrasted with others so unpropitious, which it succeeded. The fields yielded abundance ; the fishermen, who had encountered many perplexities since the war, found all difficulties removed by treaty, and had also, their captured cargoes restored to them before winter ; and moreover, emigration to the western country had nearly ceased. There were also three statute laws passed this year, which ought to be no- ticed,-these were, one revising the Probate Code, one regulating the practice of Physic, and one to prevent the killing of musical birds .*
The present is the third year, a monster of the deep called a Sea-ser- Sea-Serpent, has been oftentimes seen along our eastern coasts. pent. He has been represented to be from 60 to 80 feet in length, and larger in circumference than a barrel ; having protuberances on his back, and moving with his head out of water six feet. It is supposed his skin, which appears to be crustaceous, cannot be perforated by a musket ball; and it is universally attested, that his fleetness through the water when alarmed, is incredible.
Subsequently to the late trial for a Separation, it was fully as- The Separ- certained, that ship-owners, masters and seamen were opposed to vived. ation re- the measure, principally because by a law of Congress, every State was a District ; and therefore if Maine were erected into a State, each coasting vessel must enter and clear, every trip made to and from Boston. To obviate this objection, the law was modified, March 2d, 1819, so that " the seacoast and
* Its object was to preserve partridges, quails, woodcocks, snipes, larks and robins. But the Act was repealed by the General Repealing Act of Maine, March 21, 1821, and not revived.
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Newspapers take sides
A D. 1819. navigable rivers of the United States," were divided into two great Districts ; and the southern limits of Georgia made the partition line. In anticipation of this legislative provision, the ad- vocates for a separate State, had meetings in the senate-chamber during the winter session of the General Court, and appointed a Committee of fifteen gentlemen, dwelling in the several Counties of Maine, to take measures for effectuating the object. Accord- ingly they addressed the people, April 8, with a pamphlet of facts and arguments, in favor of a separation, properly expressed to attract the public attention. The subject was presently a topic of conversation in every circle, and in many instances it was warmly discussed. The opposition with renovated vigor again put itself in array, and encountered the movements with all its strength. It consisted essentially of Federalists ;- and the same three news- papers, published in the District, namely, the Portland Gazette, the Hallowell Gazette, and the Kennebunk Visitor, espousing Federal politics, threw their weight into the scale against a separa- tion, as in the former trial ; which were counteracted by the Eas- tern Argus, the American Advocate and Bangor Register,* known supporters of Democratic principles. In this way, a po- litical cast of character was in some degree given to the discus- sion ; though there were found a considerable number of men in the Federal ranks, who were desirous to see Maine an inde- pendent State. This circumstance helped to render the dispu- tants more forbearing and respectful towards each other ; yet the Democrats, in their zeal for the measure, were charged with an inordinate ambition to rise into power,-there being a majority of Democratic politicians, or partizans in Maine ; while the resist- ance of the Federalists was said to arise entirely from their un- willingness to have the reins of administration shifted from the hands of their party ; the government of the Commonwealth, at large being of Federal politics.
Petitious to the General Court.
But the exertions of adversaries were wholly without success. For the Legislature, convening in May, was presented with peti- tions for a separation, from about 70 towns; and the Committee to whom they were referred, reported a Bill in favor of the ap- plicants, which, though resolutely resisted, passed the two Houses by handsome majorities, and became a law on the 19th of June,
* The Register, however, was not devoted exclusively to either party.
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CHAP. XXVII.]
1819. The provisions were in substance the same, as in the A. D. 1819. former act. In the division of the property, all the real estate in Massachusetts was to be forever hers ; all that in Maine to be equally divided between the two, share and share alike. Maine was to have one third part of all monies reimbursed by the United States for war expenses; or collected on bonds for settling duties ; also a due proportion of the military arms and ammunition, according to the last militia returns. Massachusetts and Maine were authorized severally to appoint two Commissioners, who were to choose two more ; and this Board was vested with au- thority, to determine all questions about the Indian subsidies, and about the actual division of the public lands and other property.
All the voters in the towns and plantations of Maine, were di- ration act. rected to meet on the fourth Monday of July, and give in their yeas and nays upon this question-" Is it expedient that the Dis- trict shall become a separate and Independent State, upon the terms and conditions provided in-An act relating to the Sepa- ration of the District of Maine from Massachusetts proper, and forming the same into a Separate and Independent State." The returns were to be made to the Governor and Council; and if they found the yeas to exceed the nays, by 1,500, he was to make proclamation of the result, on or after the 4th Monday of August ; and each corporate town on the 3d Monday of Septem- ber, was to choose one delegate and as many more as it could choose Representatives to the General Court ; who were to con- vene at the Court-house in Portland on the 2d Monday of Octo- ber, form a Constitution, and apply to Congress for the admis- sion of Maine into the National Union. Should a Constitution be formed, it was to embrace the nine articles in the first section of the Act, which prescribed the terms of separation.
As the votes when, taken were found to be in all, 17,091, and A Conven- against it only 7,132 ;- the Governor issued his proclamation, August 24, announcing the result ; and delegates being chosen, assembled, Oct. 11, to the number of 269, at the place appointed ; and elected WILLIAM KING, President, and Robert C. Vose, Secretary. A Committee of thirty-three, selected from each county, was then raised to prepare and report a constitution -- John Holmes being chairman. Retiring to a commodious room, they laid before them that of the Commonwealth, marked the VOL. II. 85
A 2d Sepa=
tion formed.
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A. D. 1819. acceptable parts, and reported a new one to the Convention, by portions, as they proceeded with a finished draft. It differed in several particulars from that of the parent State. For instance, there was a more equal representation provided by way of a sectional classification of towns and plantations, though the Rep- resentatives were never to exceed 200, nor the Senators 31, in all. Possession of property was not a prerequisite, necessary to an elector's qualification to vote. It was believed, every citizen, though poor, ought to have the privilege of voting for his rulers. The executive was to consist of a Governor and a Council of seven members ;- without any Lieutenant-Governor. All taxes upon real estate, improved or unimproved, were to be apportion- ed and assessed equally, according to its just value. Wild lands and unimproved real estate, had been taxed under the Common- wealth, at only one third of its true value ;- a practice prevalent since the early settlement of the country. In other respects the constitution, accepted by the Convention and signed by the Pres- ident, essentially coincided with that of the Commonwealth. The Convention adjourned, Oct. 29th, to meet at the same place on the first Wednesday of the ensuing January ; having appointed the first Monday of December, for taking, in town meetings, the yeas and nays upon the adoption of the constitution reported to the people.
A constitu- tion sent to the people.
Five towns incorporat- ed.
A. D. 1820.
Hartland and Etna incorporat- ed.
The towns incorporated in 1819, were five, viz. ATKINSON, and KNox, the 12th ; NEWBURGH, the 13th ; and THORNDIKE, the 15th of February ; and WARSAW, the 19th of June. The two last towns incorporated in Maine, prior to the Separation, were HARTLAND, the 7th, and ETNA, the 15th of February, 1820 ; making in all 236 corporate towns established, before Maine be- came an Independent State .*
Constitution ratified.
A quorum of the members belonging to the Convention, re-as- sembled at the stipulated time in January, when they found, by the returns, that the Constitution had been ratified by a large Remarks of majority of votes in its favor. Gov. Brooks took notice of the
Brooks.
Gov. event, in his message to the General Court the same month, stat-
* Atkinson was the 230th ; Knox, the 231st ; Newburgh, 232d; Thorn- dike, 233d ; Warsaw, 234th ; Hartland, 235th ; and Etna, 236th town in the State ; all of which were previously plantations. Atkinson was settled in 1804; Knox, in 1800; Newburgh, in 1794; Thorndike, in 1799; War- saw, in 1796; Hartland, in 1804; and Etna, about the same time.
CHAP. XXVII.]
OF MAINE.
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ing, that the connexion between Massachusetts and Maine, had A. D. 1820. commenced at an early period of our History ; 'and though anomalous and interrupted, till the charter of William and Mary,' had since " been uninterruptedly maintained to mutual satisfac- tion and advantage." But " the time of Separation," added he, " is at hand. Conformably to the memorable Act of June " 19th last, the 15th of March next, will terminate forever, the " political unity of Massachusetts proper and the District of " Maine : and that District, which is bone of our bone, and flesh " of our flesh, will assume her rank as an Independent State, in " the American Confederacy."
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