without deceiving you, that I (in my present retired secluded situation in this country) was capable of doing you the service which you flatter yourselves I am.

Alas! You little know how people in this old world feel about those distant matters, distant in time and place. The retaliated severities of civil war, of a war of brethren, are always cruelties, which those who have a disposition to relieve the distresses of fellow-creatures know not how to interfere in, by their charity; while the general clamor of their fellow-subjects, and the sentiments of their government, are calling for relief on the other hand for those of a different description, who are supposed to have suffered under like severities, yet cannot obtain that redress, which negotiation stipulated for them. I beg that I may be rightly understood, not to enter here on the grounds of policy or justice in the subject matter, but simply into the grounds of the reasoning and feeling of people here on the fact. Those, who from a general benevolence, have pity for their fellow-creatures (be they whom they may) that actually suffer distress, and may feel willing to administer relief, will, under these circumstances be puzzled. And to those who have no feeling or disposition this way, these circumstances will be excuses under which they will justify themselves to the world and to themselves. This view of the matter makes mo doubt of the success of your application, in this country at this time; and makes it appear peculiarly and personally difficult in me to become a principal in it.

Under these circumstances, as I never did and never will promise more than I can perform, all that I can promise is, that I will make enquiry what can be done and what I may venture to do safely and with propriety; and that I will do. As far as I have been able to lay this matter before those who are the best judges, as well as the best disposed to promote any business which can serve the citizens of America, they soo it exactly in the form in which I do, and in which I have stated it to you. I have also ou application to a person, the most converBant in the publications in our newspapers, and who has been a great sharer in them, and I have no great hope that the printers of our present papers will be willing to publish the case gratis as you imagined. This however shall make no difference. I shall go to London the day after to-morrow, I will then enquire what can be done, and will do every thing in my power to the purport of your letter. Besides the matters and reasons stated above which make it very difficult for a person, circumstanced as I am, for a person retired as I am, from the business of this old world, and from its connections, to undertake this business. The resolution which I have taken and am putting in execution of quitting England in spring, renders it impracticable after my departure. As amongst other views, I have it in contemplation to come to America. You may easily conceive how pleasant a thing it would be to me to come with the desired relief in my hand.

I will at all events endeavor to find out some person more and better calculated in efficiency, though not in inclination, to your purpose than I am or can be; and if I can meet with such, as I can be satisfied will be really willing and able to serve you in this matter, I will put your affairs into his hands and do as an individual, what I feel, duty calls upon me to do.

I am as of old, so at present, in zeal and affection to the citizens of the Massachusetts State, Gentlemen, your friend and faithful serv't,

To the Hon. Enoch Freeman, Esq., and others,

a committee of the sufferers in Falmouth, Cusco Bay.

}

T. POWNAL.

NO. E-ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF IRELAND.

To all friends of humanity and charitable persons in Ireland.

The following address of the distressed and much injured inhabitants of Falmouth, in Casco Bay, in New England, is respectfully presented by the subscribers, their committee.

We hereby make known to you, that in the month of October, A. D. 1775, soon after the beginning of the late unhappy contest between Great Britain and this country, a number of armed vessels, under the command of one Henry Mowatt, entered our harbour and drew up in line of battle. As no naval hostilities had then commenced, we viewed them with surprise, and wondered what should be the cause of their manwuvers. But how great was our astonishment, when by a flag, we were informed that he had orders from Mr. Graves, a British

admiral, to burn our town. We in vain remonstrated against such crnel conduct; nor could all our entreaties, or the soft persuasions of the gentler sex, avail with him to avert his cruel purpose; notwithstanding the obligations he was under to us for having, a little while before, rescued him from the hands of a number of incensed men. But with unparalleled barbarity, whilst we were in a defenceless and inactive situation, he suddenly began the attack, and in a dity, reduced to ashes more than three-fourths of our once fair and flourishing town, giving us scarcely time to escape with our wives and children from the devouring flames, which, with horror, we now beheld consuming our delightful habitations.

St. Paul's church, a large new building, a very elegant and costly new court-house, the town-house, and the public library; one hundred and thirty dwelling-houses, with a great number of out houses, shops, stores, and most of the wharves, with all the vessels in the harbour (except two that were carried off ) were entirely consumed-together with large quantities of merchandize, household furniture and other goods.

Thus were we at once reduced to unspeakable distress. The sick, the aged, and infirm, among the rest, were obliged to seek for shelter to the new back settlements, and wander to and fro in quest of the necessaries of life; depending on the hospitality of those, who could but poorly support themselves.

The whole loss occasioned by this horrid conflagration, as estimated by order of government, amounted to fifty-four thousand six hundred pounds. And this loss has been exceedingly increased by means of the total stagnation thereby put to our trade and navigation, by the impracticability of following those trades, whereby many of us were supported, and by the dispersed condition we have been in ever since.

We are therefore constrained to ask relief from our compassionate friends, whose property has not to a degree like this, been made a prey to the ravages of fire and sword. Let your imaginations paint to you, the state of men reduced from affluence and case to poverty and distress, and we cannot but flatter ourselves you will let your munificence be employed to cheer our hearts and relieve us from our pressing wants. We greatly need help in rebuilding our waste places--and to you as brethren we repair, who are children of the same great Parent of the world, on whom we all depend for whatever we enjoy, who is ever well pleased with the sacrifices of a charitable heart, and who will not fail to reward the cheerful giver.

As we are rejoicing in the returning blessings of peace, you will greatly contribute to our happiness, by lightening the evils which bring a damp upon our joy—and enabling us gladly to return to our former situations, which have been so long abandoned. So shall we have fresh occasion to pray for your prosperity, and glory in your friendship.

Even the smallest gratuities will be thankfully received-and faithfully applied by the subscribers to the general relief of the unhappy sufferers. And they may be delivered to the care of our worthy friend

appoint to receive them to transmit to us for that purpose,

or such persons as he may

A grant of two townships of land, each six miles square, to the sufferers of Falmouth, was made by the General Court of Massachusetts, March 9, 1791, on petition of Enoch Ilsley, Nathaniel Deering, Samuel Freeman, and Thomas Sandford. One condition of the grant was,

906

HISTORY OF PORTLAND.

that the grantees should settle a certain number of families within three years on the town ships. Those were incorporated by the name of Freeman and New Portland in 1808. In 1830, New Portland contained 1,215 inhabitants, and Freeman 724.

The sufferers formed a propriety and held regular meetings; in 1793, the towns were surveyed and divided into lots of one hundred acres each, and after ineffectual attempts to sell the whole tracts, first at one dollar an acre and afterwards at fifty cents, and even a much less sum, they were distributed among the sufferers by lot. In the grant there were reserved six hundred and forty acres for the support of schools, five hundred and sixty for the ministry, eight hundred for the first settled minister, and four hundred and seventy-four for the future appropriation of government. Beside these, the proprietors reserved for sale to defray expenses six thousand seven hundred and twenty acros. The grant on the whole was productive of little or no benefit to the sufferers. the expenses and taxes having consumed the capital. The town petitioned for a future grant a year or two after, but were not successful.

No. XXI.

The amount of Registered and Enrolled tonuage at different periods in the port of Portland, has been as follows. I have added the licensed, being that which was employed in the fishery, for some years.

Licensed. 1808, 3,458. 1820, 2,005. 1821, 1,825. 1824, 2,903. 1825, 4,288. 1826, 4,640. 1827, 3,870.

*This included sixteen ships, eight barks, one hundred and seven brigs; in 1832 they had increased to twenty-eight ships, one hundred and two brigs, two hundred and fifteen schooners thirty-three sloops, and three steamboats. In January, 1863, the number of ships was forty-six, barks fifty-three, brigs thirty-eight, schooners one hundred and sixty-one, sloops five, steamers twelve.

I have omitted the fractional parts of the tonnage, which minutely affects the total.

Amount of duties received at the custom house in Portland, on merchandise imported into

The receipts of 1861 is the largest amount ever collected in any year at this port.

A table showing tonnage of vessels built in each District of Maine in 1863, and the amount of the tonnage of Maine sold to foreigners or captured by the rebels during the war.

*Including 575 67 tons bought by government for stone fleet sunk in Charleston harbor.

The number of tons of new vessels built in this District in 1820 was two thousand three hundred and seventy-eight; 1821, two thousand three hundred and sixty-six; 1822, two thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven; 1823, three thousand seven hundred and eleven; 1824, six thousand and serenty-six; 1825, eight thousand six hundred and eleven; 1826, six thousand one hundred and eighty-nine; 1827, seven thousand five hundred and eighty-one; 1828, five thousand five hundred and seventy-six; 1848, twelve thousand two hundred and fifty-two, in forty-five vessels; 1850, twelve thousand four hundred and forty-nine, in twenty-seven vessels; 1860, five thousand three hundred and eight, in seventeen vessels; 1862, seven thousand five hundred and nineteen, in seventeen vessels; 1863, seven thousand nine hundred and eight, in nine barks, five brigs, six schooners, one sloop, and four steamers.

The principal exports from this port to foreign ports in 1826, were specie two thousand three hundred and sixty-one dollars; eighteen thousand seven hundred and ninety quintals of dried fish; six thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine bbls. pickled fish; twenty-five thousand and four lbs. sperm candles; two thousand four hundred and ten M shingles; thirty-two million two hundred and twelve thousand six hundred and seventy-six feet of boards; three hundred and three barrels tar, pitch, etc.; two thousand four hundred and eighty-one barrels of beef; sixteen thousand six hundred and sixty pounds of butter; three thousand five hundred and twenty-five pounds of cheese; one thousand nine hundred and fifty-five pounds of bacon; seventy-four thousand two hundred and eighty pounds of lard; five thousand three hundred and thirty-three barrels of flour; four thousand seven hundred and eighty-nine bushels of corn; one thousand five hundred and ninety barrels of bread; four thousand three hundred and

sixteen bushels of potatoes; two hundred and ninety-three tierces of rice; three hundred and three hogsheads of tobacco; ninety-four thousand nine hundred and eighty-seven pounds tallow candles; one hundred and fifty-seven thousand three hundred and seven pounds of soap; four thousand eight hundred and eighty-four gallons domestic spirits; twenty-five thousand three hundred and eight pounds of nails; twenty-one thousand seven hundred and ninety-eight pounds of powder; besides household furniture, castings, and other manufactures of irou and other articles, lumber, raw products, etc., not enumerated, all to the amount of one hundred thousand dollars. In 1848 the total value of foreign exports was six hundred and twenty-three thousand two hundred and thirty-nine dollars; in 1849, six hundred and forty-three thousand five hundred and twenty-nine dollars; in 1863, five million eighteen thousand three hundred and sixty-five dollars.

The principal imports into this port in 1831, were molasses, thirty-six thousand four hundred and sixty hhds, three hundred and seventy-tierces, one thousand one hundred and twenty-one barrels; salt, two hundred and twenty-two thousand three hundred and eighty bushels; coffee, two thousand six hundred and thirty-three bags; flour, thirty-eight thousand two hundred and ninety-nine barrels; corn, forty-five thousand two hundred and fifty bushels. In 1850, sugar, one milliou fifty-nine thousand seven hundred and fifty-nine pounds; molasses, three million eight hundred and twenty-four thousand one hundred and forty-three gallons; flour, one hundred and sixty-nine thousand eight hundred and seventy-nine barrels; corn, two hundred and twenty-two thousand six hundred and forty-one bushels. In 1851, sugar, two million fifty-seven thousand six hundred and sixty-three pounds; molasses, six million five hundred and fifty-thre ́ thousand two hundred and thirty-three gallons. In 1852, molasses, one hundred and fifty-nine cargoes, fifty-one thousand two hundred and ninety-two hogshends, four thousand three hundred and five tierces and barrels; sugar, two million four hundred and thirty-eight thousand six hundred and nineteen pounds; flour, one hundred and sixty-six thousand three hundred and forty barrels; corn, two hundred and forty-three thousand four hundred and two bushels. The value of imports in 1849 was four hundred and ninety-eight thousand three hundred and forty-six dollars In 1863 it was three million five hundred and fifteen thousand three hundred and fifty-three dollars. Foreign arrivals in 1848, three hundred and fifteen; in 1863, five hundred and fifty-three. In 1863, there came to the city over the Grand Trunk railway from the Western States and Canada five hundred and twenty-three thousand barrels of flour; of which ninety-three thousand and fifteen were exported to foreign countries, and two hundred and sixty thousand three hundred barrels to domestic ports. The principal exports in 1863 were ashes, butter, meats, lumber of various kinds, molasses hhds, flour, hams, fish, salt, sugar box shooks, starch, soap, tallow. Of the single article of sugar made from molasses in the sugar establishment of J. B. Brown & Sons, the aggregate sales, mostly exported, were thirteen million six hundred and eleven thousand eight hundred and fifty-five pounds.

No. XXII.

PETITION FOR THE INCORPORATION OF PORTLAND.

To the Hon. Senate and House of Representatives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General Court assembled.

The petition of the subscribers, inhabitants of that part of the town of Falmouth, in the county of Cumberland, commonly called the Neck, humbly shows, that in their present situation, they are destitute of many advantages which the inhabitants of maritime towns receive, and which as such they might enjoy, if they were incorporated into a distinct town.