OF THE LAND AGENT OF THE STATE OF MAINE. DECEMBER 31, 1847. Published agreeably to Resolve of March 22, 1836. AUGUSTA: Wx. T. JOHNSON,................PRINTER TO THE STATE. REPORT. LAND OFFICE, December 31, 1847. To the Governor and Executive Council of the State of Maine: I have the honor herewith to submit this my annual report, which with the accompanying account and schedules exhibits the transactions of this department during the past year. Of the lands holden by this state in severalty, there have been sold thirty-two thousand eight hundred and twenty-six acres for the sum of thirteen thousand six hundred and thirty-nine dollars fortyfour cents. See schedule marked A. There have also been sold four thousand nine hundred and fifty acres, which had reverted to the state, for the non-performance of the conditions of previous sales, for the sum of two thousand eight hundred seventy-seven dollars nineteen cents. See schedule marked B. The quantity of land owned by this state in common with Massachusetts, which has been sold, is one hundred thirty-five thousand six hundred and ninety-four acres, the purchase money for the same amounting to one hundred fifty thousand three hundred twentytwo dollars and eighty-two cents, one half of which sum, viz. seventy-five thousand one hundred sixty-one dollars and forty-one cents is receivable by Maine. See schedule marked C. In obedience to the resolve in favor of the trustees of Thomaston Academy, I have conveyed to them the west half of township numbered seven in the fourth range of townships west from the east line of the state, satisfactory evidence having been adduced of their compliance with the conditions upon which the grant was made. The amount paid by this department into the state treasury during the past year is one hundred fifteen thousand one hundred seventy-one dollars and sixty-seven cents, which has been received upon notes, stumpage bonds, and from the sales of lands. The past year has been peculiarly prosperous for the lumbering in common with other business interests, and in consequence the receipts of this office have been larger than anticipated at its commence ment. The following townships of undivided lands have been surveyed, viz: townships numbered nine, ten, eleven, twelve and thirteen, in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth ranges west from the east line of the state. The timber upon territory equal to about five townships of this survey, may, by means of the improvements of the Lake Heron Dam Company, be brought down the Penobscot waters, although all of the above townships are located upon the Allagash river, one of the large tributaries of the St. John; this circumstance is regarded as giving large additional value to this portion of the survey over those townships the timber upon which must find its way to market down the river St. John. Mr. Jacob W. Stinchfield was employed to explore the above townships, at the same time for the purpose of estimating the timber thereon, and making examinations necessary to fix the value of the same. This duty he has thoroughly performed upon all excepting townships number thirteen, in the eleventh, twelfth and thirteenth ranges, which he had not time to examine, and by his report there is upon the twelve townships explored, ninety-one millions eight hundred thousand feet board measure of pine timber, suitable for board logs, nearly one-half of which, it is believed, may be floated down the Penobscot. Township letter E, in the first range of townships west from the east line of the state, has also been lotted for sale and settlement. The land agent of Massachusetts and the undersigned, contemplate making further surveys the ensuing season, in that portion of the public domain lying between the west line of the seventh range and the east line of the eleventh range, constituting an area of about twenty-five townships. Preparations will be made to start surveying parties as early in the spring as the business can be commenced with advantage. The legislature at its last session, authorized the land agent of this state to expend upon the Fish River Road, three thousand dollars, provided Massachusetts should expend a like amount for the same purpose. The agent of Massachusetts, with his usual liberality, concurring in the propriety of the expenditure, we have applied to that object nearly the amount allowed. Mr. Nathaniel Blake was appointed to superintend the outlay upon the road beyond township number eleven in the sixth range. Under his superintendence the road from that township to Portage Lake has been turnpiked, with the exception of about one mile through cultivated land. Beyond the Portage Lake he was directed to expend so much as should be indispensably necessary to render the road passable, the amount being unavoidably left to his discretion. In addition to the foregoing, the land agents of the two states, under an arrangement with Ira Fish, Esq., have caused a bridge to be erected across the Aroostook river, on the line of the Fish River Road, in township number eleven, range five, and an alteration to be made in the location of the road of about one mile and a half. The cost of the bridge will be twenty-eight hundred dollars, of which sum eighteen hundred dollars are to be paid by this state and the commonwealth of Massachusetts, and the residue by means of private subscriptions made for that purpose by the citizens of that township, whose liberality and enterprise are entitled to much commendation. The bridge is a valuable and permanent structure, the want of which heretofore has been much felt by the citizens of that portion of our state, and by those having occasion to travel in that quarter. The alteration in the road has not yet been completed, but will be |