In their present state they suffer much for want of some regular method of employing and supporting the poor, who are principally resident in this part of the town; and of repairing and regulating their streets; the establishment of proper order and by-laws, for conducting their internal police, such especially as more immediately relate to sea-port towns; some permanent and effectual provision for the support of schools, so necessary to the happiness of individuals and the well-being of society; and of power to raise money for these and other purposes; particularly incident to our compact situation. They therefore pray, that your honours would pass an act, whereby they and all who live within the following bounds, viz., to begin at the middle of the creek that runs into Round Marsh, thence north-east to Back Cove creek; thence down the middle of that creek to Back Cove; thence across said cove to Sandy Point; thence round by Casco Bay to the Fore river; thence up said river to the first bounds, as well as the islands in said town, may, together with their estates, be incorporated into a separate and distinct town; and that by said act your honors would be pleased to constitute us the shire town of the county, and indulge us with all the privileges incident thereto, and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray. Jos. H. Ingraham, Wm. Frost, Samuel Freeman, Richard Cod- COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS. In the House of Representatives, March 4, 1786. On the petition of Enoch Freeman and other inhabitants of that part of the town of Falmouth, in the county of Cumberland, called the Neck, praying to be incorporated into a separate town, for reasons set forth in their petition. Ordered, That the petitioners notify the town of Falmouth, by leaving an attested copy of the petition and this order with the clerk of said town, thirty days at least, before the third Wednesday of the next session of the General Court, that they may show cause on said day, if any they have, why the prayer thereof should not be granted. Letter from Josiah Thatcher, Senator from Cumberland, enclosing the above to John Frothingham, Esq., Town Clerk. SIR,-The court had passed the order of notification enclosed before the vote of the town came to hand. Endeavors were used at both ends of the house to have the order reconsidered and the Neck incorporated; but it was answered in the Senate, that the state of the town might be greatly altered since that vote passǝd-so the matter must rest till May next. The vote of the town above referred to is probably the one passed May 26, 1783, assenting to the separation, which is noticed on page 189. Cleeves, George, 30, 43, 68, 74, 81, 83, 86, 89, 90, |