FOREST COMMISSIOXER S REPORT. 75 



VALUE OF LANDS NOT APPRECL'VTED. 



From the date of the Act of Separation in 1820 the pubHc 

 domain was regarded of importance, althovtgh it is evident that 

 by many the vakie of this great heritage was not fully appre- 

 ciated. One of the early governors expressed it as his opinion 

 that the territory which belonged to the State should be used as 

 a means of public revenue, and "to supply ample endowments 

 to many of those benevolent institutions for relieving the infirmi- 

 ties, or alleviating the sorrows of the unfortunate and for 

 advancing the interests of religion, science and literature more 

 than commercial wealth or martial conquest evince the true 

 elevation of a community." 



In his first message to the legislature in 1820 Gov. King wisely 

 suggested that a system should be adopted by the State which 

 would prevent speculation, but which would also encourage the 

 settlement of the lands by a hardy and reliable class of men who 

 would help to build the commonwealth. 



Evidently Gov. King's knowledge of the wild lands, so-called, 

 was not extensive. In referring to those owned by the State 

 •he said : "A part of the land is covered with timber, which here- 

 after will be valuable ; at the same time the land itself is not 

 generally well calculated for settlement. The preservation of 

 the timber wherefore will be highly interesting to the State." 



M.\SSACHUSETTS PROPOSE TO SELL. 

 In 1 82 1 Gov. King under date of January 29 presented to the 

 legislature a communication from the Governor of Massachu- 

 setts in which it was proposed that Maine should purchase the 

 lands owned by Massachusetts within the territory of Maine. 

 In conformity with this resolve was passed, "That James Bridge, 

 Benjamin J. Porter, and Lothrop Lewis, together with one 

 member to be appointed by the Senate, and one member to be 



