112 FOREST commissioner's REPORT. 



a growing feeling of dissatisfaction with the policy of Massa- 

 chusetts in the management of its public lands, especially in the 

 building of roads and bridges and making such improvement as 

 would open the lands to settlement. This culminated in a 

 resolve of the Legislature April 3, 1852, directing the Governor 

 to lay before the authorities of Massachusetts the grievances of 

 which Maine complained. The final result was an offer by 

 Massachusetts to sell to Maine all her lands in this state, and 

 the same were purchased by Maine's Executive. This purchase 

 was ratified by the Legislature by resolve of September 23, 



1853- 



Pursuant to this agreement a deed was given by Massachusetts 



to Maine under date of October 5, 1853. Although a full sched- 

 ule of the lands conveyed by this deed was incorporated in it, 

 no mention whatever was made of islands. A copy of this deed 

 is contained in House Document No. 14 of the Public Docu- 

 ments of 1854. 



Whatever interest Massachusetts retained in the islands along 

 the coast of Maine, v/ould, however, pass by the following 

 clause of the deed : 



"Together with all the right, title and interest of said Com- 

 monwealth to and in any other lands within the said State of 

 Maine, whether described or not described in this deed, not 

 heretofore granted or conveyed by said Commonwealth." 



So that by this deed Maine became sole owner of all islands, 

 title to which was in Massachusetts at that time. 



Maine — 1820 to 1876. 



A resolve of June 26, 1820, authorized the appointment of a 

 Land Agent. 



An act entitled "An Act to promote the sale and settlement 

 of public lands" approved February 25, 1824, provided that the 

 islands which had fallen to Maine in the division of lands with 

 Massachusetts claimed by settlers might be sold and conveyed 

 to them upon such terms and conditions as the agent deemed 

 just and equitable. "And all other said islands and parts of 

 said islands as may not be held or claimed as aforesaid, shall 

 be sold by said agent in such manner as to him may seem fit." 



