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262

[See page 79.]

To the Senate and House of Representatives.

I lay before you a Copy of the report of the Commissioners of Massachusetts and this State shewing their progress in dividing the public lands, together with copies of the Documents and plan therein referred to. As a portion of these lands are now held in severally by this State, the Legislature will perhaps deem it advisable to adopt some plan for their management and sale, as well as for the better preservation of the timber. many of the reserved lots, which have fallen to the share of this State, being in towns already settled with an enterprising population may probably be sold to actual settlers at an advantageous rate. Indeed it is desirable that all our public lands should be disposed of to those who will settle on, and improve them, rather than to the speculator.