THE HISTORY OF THE STATE OF MAINE; FROM ITS FIRST DISCOVERY, A. D. 1602, TO THE SEPARATION, A. D. 1820, INCLUSIVE BY WILLIAM D. WILLIAMSON. 2 IN TWO VOLUMES. VOL. I. Hallowell: GLAZIER, MASTERS & CO. 1832. A HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY ENTERED according to Act of Congress, in the year 1832, by WILLIAM D. WILLIAMSON, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Maine. PREFACE. An authentic History of this State has been long and much desired. Maine is a corner-pillar in the American Republic. Its territory equals one half of New-England,—its natural resources are great and various-its climate is good-its population now considerably exceeds 400,000,-and only two individual States have a greater extent of seaboard or more shipping. Several settlements have existed within its limits, more than two centuries; through which period, as plantations have spread and multiplied, it has been the destiny of successive generations to struggle with wars and difficulties reiterated and uncommon, and to wade through sufferings deep and indescribable. The last age, however, particularly since the American Revolution, has been a period of remarkable prosperity, apparent in the improvements, wealth and numbers of the people. To present, in a general historic view of such a State, the circumstantial details of facts and events, so as to meet with universal acceptance, cannot be anticipated. Approbation, or censure, often springs from the motive of perusal; nay, what affords entertainment to one, may be more than toil to another. All are never equally pleased with the same repast, for men as often differ in taste and opinion, as in feature and character. As to parts and arrangement, it is presumed the Introductory Sections need no apology for their length, as they give a history of nature, little less entertaining than that of culture and society. Should any one raise objections to the long Narratives of Indian Wars interspersed, it is believed, he must, on reflection and review, be fully convinced, that any considerable abridgement of them would occasion an unsatisfying void;-so much have the fortune and fate of the country, depended upon the amity or hostilities of the natives. Nor by any means could the early history of this State possess the attribute of perspicuity, without frequent allusions to the annals of Nova Scotia; as the political affairs and current events in that Province, and in the eastern parts of Sagadahock, were for a century, blended too entirely and perpetually, to be kept separate and distinct. The topographi cal notes upon Towns contain facts which could not with propriety be incorporated with the text, and yet were thought too valuable to |