STATE OF MAINE.

RESOLVE in relation to the settlement of stumpage of ton timber cut on the public lands upon the Aroostook and Saint John waters, under permits granted in the year 1845.

Resolved, That the land agent is hereby empowered 2 and authorized, in conjunction with such person as 3 the governor with the advice and consent of council 4 shall appoint, to settle upon fair and equitable terms 5 for stumpage due the state for timber cut on the 6 Aroostook and Saint John waters, for the Saint John 7 market, under permit given in A. D. 1845, on lands 8 owned by Maine, and also with the co-operation of 9 the land agent of Massachusetts, to settle in like 10 manner where the lands are owned jointly by Maine 11 and Massachusetts.

Provided however, no settlement shall be made for 2 a less sum than one dollar and fifty cents per ton for 3 any timber cut under any one permit, which shall

average twenty inches square, nor less than one dol 5 lar and twenty-five cents per ton for any timber cu 6 under any one permit, which shall average seventeer 7 and one half inches square, and less than twenty 8 inches square.

(A.)

HON. LEVI BRADLEY,

AUGUSTA, June 12, 1847.

DEAR SIR-I am exceedingly sorry of the fact, that little has yet been paid for the timber cut on the public lands on the St. John river and its tributaries, in the winter of 1845-6; and the prospect is rather dubious of our ever receiving the full amount due from that source, and that you are not yet authorized to co-operate with me in liquidating the accounts.

I was very much astonished at the time the permits were sold at auction in July, 1845, at the extravagant rates for which they were sold, and it was my belief at the time, that very few would pretend to operate. It however appears, that notwithstanding the high price given, they did make large operations, and have become indebted to the states for a large sum.

The spring and summer of the year 1846, there was a severe drought, and there was very small freshet to enable them to drive. the timber, consequently a part only arrived at St. John late in the autumn; freights to England were excessively high, and there was no prospect of obtaining remunerating prices, and a part of the timber still remains afloat. It is very obvious, that the lumbermen can never meet their payments from the proceeds of the timber, nor pay so high stumpage, without ruin to themselves. The question then arises, what is best to be done. It appears to me the states will be obliged to make a considerable deduction from the auction prices, and unless we agree to receive of them a fair stumpage, say, such as has been exacted in previous years, (which is probably as much as can with any prospect of success, be equitably demanded,) we shall be in danger of losing much more. hope, therefore, under these considerations, you will be authorized

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to settle with the several permittees, at a fair and equitable price and such as under all former considerations, we should have been willing to have granted permits, taking into view the places where cut, whether easy of access or otherwise, and the quality and site of the timber.

Very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

GEO. W. COFFIN.