OF THE LAND AGENT OF THE STATE OF MAINE, DECEMBER 31, 1842. Published agreeably to Resolve of March 22, 1836. AUGUSTA: W. R. SMITH & Co., PRINTERS TO THE STATE. STATE OF MAINE. Land Office, December 31, 1842. To the Governor and Executive Council of the State: DURING the past year there has been three townships of timber land, surveyed and examined. They were offered for sale at public auction in mile sections, at what was believed to be a fair minimum price. The townships were Nos. 8 in the 7th, 2 in the 11th, and 1 in the 13th ranges west from the east line of the State. Considerable timber has been cut in former years from each of these townships, under permits from the State, which remark is applicable to all the timber lands on the Penobscot and Kennebec waters, held by Maine in severalty, which have ever been considered of much value. They are believed to be as valuable as any other three townships belonging to this State on the Penobscot waters. The quantity of pine timber on No. 8 in the 7th range was estimated at 3,939,000 ft. board measure, and of first, second and third qualities in about equal proportions. The spruce timber 4,876,000 and all of second quality. The average minimum price was forty nine cents per acre. No offer was made for any part of this township; it therefore remains unsold. The pine timber in No. 2 in the 11th range was estimated at 6,512,000, about one fifth part, first, two fifths, second, and the remainder, third quality: of spruce timber there was 3,515,000, nearly all of second quality. The average minimum price was fifty eight cents per acre. Of this township five sections only were sold, containing 3,163 acres for $2,164 49. Township No. 1, range 13, was estimated to contain of first quality of pine timber 485,000, of second quality 740,000, and of third quality 570,000; of second quality of spruce timber 357,000. The average minimum price of this township was thirty eight and a half cents per acre. Of this township twenty three sections were sold for $5,600 42. The remaining 13 sections are unsold. As all sales are required to be made for cash, the depression in the lumber business, and unusual scarcity of money, prevented many individuals, who under other circumstances might have purchased these lands, from even examining them. When money is scarce and cash payments required, the sales may be expected to be very limited, and whoever chooses to buy at such times, will find very little competition. Of settling land, but few lots have been sold, yet the country bordering on the Aroostook river is steadily improving. The increase of population is probably greater than during any former year. Since the settlement of the boundary, many persons have examined the State lands in the county of Aroostook, and express a determination to locate themselves there as soon as circumstances will permit. If the same liberal policy, which has been pursued towards the settlers for the last four years, shall be continued a few years longer, we shall see a thriving population in the northeastern part of the State, spread over a territory larger in extent than the three western counties of the State. |