How the Town of Alfred Disposed of Its Share of the U. S. Revenue Surplus, 1836-7 Sprague's Journal of Maine History Vol. 6 August September October 1918 No. 2 page 72-73 How the Town of Alfred Disposed of Its Share of the U. S. Revenue Surplus, 1836-7 By LUCIUS M. PERKINS At the close of the war of 1812 with England the United States had a debt of upwards of 127,000,000 dollars. After the return of peace the debt was rapidly reduced, and in 1836 it had all been paid. It had been computed January 1st, 1836, that there would remain in the United States treasury a surplus revenue of 27,000, 000 dollars. In 1836 Congress passed an act for the distribution of the sur- plus; loaning it to the several states in proportion to their popula- tion without interest; and " to be called for by the government ht an emergency," reserving 5,000,000 dollars. This was to be paid in four quarterly installments. Three of the payments were made, the fourth not made. September fourth, 1836, Congress passed an act postponing the payment of the fourth installment to January, 1839. The financial panic of 1837 (no doubt) so, affected the revenue, that in 1839 the United States found itself with a debt of about 12,000,000. The change in tariff and the Seminole war apparently rendered it impracticable to meet this fourth quarter's payment. It has never been paid. So much for the origin of the surplus. The State of Maine in 1837, by its Legislature passed three sep- arate acts regarding the receiving and disposition of the same. See Laws of 1837, chapters 252-265-287. The substance of which is to loan it to the several towns " to be by them accounted for," as the state was to account for it to the United States. Alfred, in anticipation of this distribution of money, took action and called, a town meeting December 10th, 1836, to petition the Legislature that " the money to be received from the United States, or a part thereof, may be appropriated for railroads or other inter- nal improvements." Also to petition the Legislature " for a por- tion of said money for the railroad from Portland through this place to the New Hampshire line." This meeting was called on petition of N. D. Appleton, J. Holmes, D. Goodenow, John Conant, Lyman Littlefield and John Hayward, and was held at the court house. Wm, C. Allen, Nathan D. Apple- ton and Archabald Smith were chosen a committee to prepare " said petition." The act of the Legislature of 1837, made necessary the calling of a town" meeting, which was done March 20, 1837. Geo. W. Came was moderator. The town voted " to accept the town's apportionment of the money which is or may be deposited with the state by the United States. John Holmes, Esq., be' appointed to act as agent of the town to demand, receive, and receipt for this town's share of the money. Also voted Jeremiah Bradbury, Wm. C. Allen, Nathan D. Appleton, act as a committee to report at next meeting the best method of investing said money." The committee chosen at the former meeting reported, but their report was - rejected " and it was voted " That the whole of the money be apportioned by the treasurer of the town among all the inhabitants thereof, residing therein, etc., on loan until payment thereof shall be demanded by the state treasurer." The town treasurer, Lyman Littlefield, was to have one-half of one per cent for handling the money. The two installments already in possession of the treasurer, lie cashed and paid out. Paul Web- ber received $15, for taking the census of town and making a return to the Secretary of State, and a copy to the town treasurer. Lyman Littlefield was paid $10 for his expense for a journey to Portland, $3.00 for printing receipts, and a commission of one- half of one percent on $1856.80-$9.28. Geo. W. Came and John L. Grant were allowed two dollars for their trouble in April, T837. In October, 1837, Lyman Littlefield was paid for distribution, of the third installment of $863.20-$5 for " Procuring" $4.32 com- mission, the selectmen $2.00, and John Holmes $537.50 for services and postage. The receipts are two to the page of six by eight and one-half inches, with stub attached showing that it was $1.33 each for the first payment and $.62 1-2 each for the 2nd payment. The receipts were kept in the old chest with lots of other papers, but now are bound in a book and are in the Parsons Memorial Library. They furnish a reliable list of the heads of families in 1837, and also an insight of the times and the different way we look at millions now. I think most towns handled this matter in a similar way. If other towns have their receipts, they should be carefully preserved. We have been too careless in these matters. (c) 1998 Courtesy of the Androscoggin Historical Society ************************************************* * * * * NOTICE: Printing the files within by non-commercial individuals and libraries is encouraged, as long as all notices and submitter information is included. Any other use, including copying files to other sites requires permission from the submitters PRIOR to uploading to any other sites. We encourage links to the state and county table of contents. * * * * The USGenWeb Project makes no claims or estimates of the validity of the information submitted and reminds you that each new piece of information must be researched and proved or disproved by weight of evidence. It is always best to consult the original material for verification.