98 



A. In Albany. 



Q. You asked for the proposition and the clerk sent it to you ? 



A. I made the explanation that a copy of the offer of Marsh was 

 sent to*me from our office at my request so that I could look at it. 



Q. A proposition from Marsh was filed in your office, and you 

 requested your clerk to send you a copy of it ? 



A. Yes, sir; the proposition to us was to sell about 1,100 acres at 

 one dollar and fifty cents an acre; it was made November twentieth; 

 they were in a good many different lots, and could not be examined. 



Q. That was an offer of about 1,100 acres? 



A. Yes, sir. 



Q. None of these has been considered or acted upon or negotiations- 

 opened ? 



A. No, sir; there has been no official action in the matter; they are 

 on file in the office for subsequent action. 



By. Mr. Cohnelly: 



Q. Now, Mr. Basselin, your commission asked for $25,000 for the 

 purpose of purchasing land at one dollar and fifty cents an acre; it was 

 a wise suggestion upon the part of the commission; what is the reason 

 you didn't go to work and carry into effect the suggestion you made 

 voluntarily yourself; those parcels you intended to purchase for one 

 dollar and fifty cents; you knew the location of them, you knew all 

 about them and the value of each part, and what is the reason you 

 couldn't get help to go and value those lands; why should you get 

 anybody when you could go there, as you knew the value of the land 

 yourself; the people demanded of you to purchase the land ? 



A Up to the seventh of November, as near as I can recollect, there 

 were not to exceed 500 acres of land offered that would come within 

 the proposed park or within the scope of the resolution; we, through 

 our agent, asked at that time Mr. Peck and Mr. Marsh to offer to the 

 commission- any lands that they had; those lands were offered 

 November seventh and November twentieth; the only answer I can 

 give you is to say that as a prudent business man, as I have a knowl- 

 edge of the woods, I should not recommend the purchase nor would 

 I,myself purchase any piece of land without first sending' my agent 

 up there to see it. 



Q. Why should you send anybody to see about that which you 

 could see about better yourself ? 



A. It is something I have not done; I do not consider myself expert 

 enough, nor have I the physical ability to tramp there; I have 

 pursued that course in my private business; I prefer to take the. 



