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VIII

templated by these laudable associations. The Act requires that annually in January, each society which receives this gratuity shall transmit to the Secretary of State an official statement of its expenditures, specifying the objects for which premiums have been awarded and to whom paid, with such general observations as may be deemed useful, which statement is to be communicated to the Legislature. The subject of the Public lands of the State is becoming daily more interesting, and their value and the demand for them is increasing. By the Report of the Land Agent, it appeals that he has sold during the past year One Hundred Twenty Four Thousand, One Hundred and Fifty Four acres of land for the consideration of Ninety Nine Thousand, One Hundred and Ninety Nine Dollars, being an average of about Eighty cents an acre. A great proportion of this land was sold in small lots intended for actual settlement. The Aroostock road had been opened for the distance of thirty miles by the Land Agents of this State and of Massachusetts, at the joint expense of the two States and it is in contemplation to continue this road, which will soon become an important avenue to the interior of the State. The importance of providing for the internal improvement of our State, will undoubtedly suggest itself to your consideration. The immense benefits which other States have derived from roads and canals, constructed at the public expense, or by private enterprise, affords encouragement to us, so far as our means and situation will permit, to imitate their example, and by facilitating the intercourse and transportation between the interior and Seaboard, to promote the prosperity of both, raise the value of our wild lands, and rapidly advance the improvement and settlement of the remote parts of the State. During the past season, the amount