84 FOREST commissioner's report. 



complaints. Gov. Kent in his message of 1838 wrote: "It has 

 long been a source of regret that the time of the separation from 

 our parent Commonwealth, we did not acquire a title to all the 

 lands within our limits. But we may congratulate ourselves 

 and the people, that Massachusetts, in her legislation and in her 

 acts in relation to her lands in Maine, has exhibited the same 

 high minded, honorable and liberal policy, which has always 

 characterized her, and gives her the high distinction and enviable 

 reputation which she enjoys. If the past is a guarantee for the 

 future, we may confidently trust that Massachusetts will concur 

 and aid in all reasonable and feasible schemes of improvement 

 in relation to the public domain." 



This spirit of fair play on the part of the mother state was 

 not destined to continue. Probably from a desire to secure as 

 much as possible from her lands in Maine with the least possible 

 outlay a far different course was adopted. Complaints were 

 made that Massachusetts was not doing her part in the building 

 and repairing of roads and bridges and in making such improve- 

 ments as were demanded by the settlers, and to open up new 

 country for settlement. In 1850 the Hon. Anson P. Morrill, 

 who was then Land Agent, in his report under date of December 

 31, called the attention of the legislature to the evident intention 

 of Massachusetts not to expend any money for making improve- 

 ments in Maine. Mr. Morrill said : 



"By reference to the map which presents a view of the lands 

 divided with Massachusetts, it will be seen that the territory, or 

 much of it which we can rely on as our best settling lands, has 

 been so divided with the state, as to leave through all the ranges 

 of townships, up to the seventh inclusive, alternate towns belong- 

 ing to her. 



"The policy and interests of the two states are widely and 

 entirely different in regard to these lands." 



Mr. Morrill then shows that, while it was the policy of Maine 

 to have the lands settled by people who would prove to be valu- 

 able citizens, it was the plan of Massachusetts to expend no 

 money unless it was to be returned with usury. This is a redi- 

 cal change from her former liberal policy. As the lands of 

 Massachusetts were located in the midst of |liose owned by 

 Maine it followed that what was expended by the latter benefited 

 the former. 



