Presumpscot River
1853 Petition of Jonathan Morgan of Portland, Maine
State of Maine. In the year of our Lord, one thousand, eight hundred and fifty three. To the Honorable Senate and House of Representatives in Legislature assembled.
The petition of Jonathan Morgan of Portland in the County of Cumberland respectfully represents that the periodical fish in the Presumpscot river, in said County, Salmon, Shad, alewives etc. are now wholly excluded from said river and the ponds from which it flows by the several dams on said river, and that those fish can again be restored to said waters by opening proper fishways over the dams and also that said fish only run in freshets where a great surplus is. That it would be no damage to the several owners of these dams to let the fish have a part of the surplus of the waters. He also represents that it would be a great public benefit to have these fish restored.
He therefore prays that an act of incorporation may be granted to him, his heirs, assigns, executors, administrators & associates authorizing him and them to construct the proper and necessary fishways for that purpose.
Portland, January 10, 1853.
Source: Maine State Archives.
Dam Owners Response to Petition of Jonathan Morgan
To the Hon. Senate & House of Representatives of the State of Maine, in Legislature assembled:
The undersigned, owners of an interested in the several mills and the dams on Presumpscot River in the County of Cumberland respectfully represent that they have been notified through the public newspapers of the petition of Jonathan Morgan to your honourable bodies to be incorporated for the purpose of constructing fish-ways in the dams on said river.
Your petitioners, remonstrating against the granting of the application of said Morgan, would respectfully represent that there have been no fish-ways in the dams on Presumpscot River for many years past, and it has not been considered a matter of public interest or importance that there should be any: -- that the Cumberland and Oxford Canal as well as said Presumpscot River connects the waters of Sebago Lake with the waters of the ocean, and furnishes at all times a free passage for all kinds of fish and fish-ways in the dams on said Presumpscot River are wholly unnecessary.
Your petitioners would further represent that the water power created by the several dams on said river would be liable to be impaired, and the interests of the many dams and various mills and factories located thereon seriously affected by the making of fish-ways in said dams to be controlled by an individual or corporation. And further that by the general laws of the state the regulation of fish-ways and the construction thereof when required by the public interests are placed under the jurisdiction of the County Commissioners of the several counties.
Wherefore the undersigned respectfully remonstrate against the granting of the petition of said Jonathan Morgan.
February 15, 1853.
Portland Manufacturing Co.
by Joshua Richardson, Treas.
Casco Manufacturing Co.
by John Rand, Treas.
Saccarappa Manufacturing Co.
by Dan. Carpenter, Agent
Geo. Warren
L.P. Warren
J.R. Andrews
Samuel Clements
Source: Maine State Archives
1857 Petition of Jonathan Morgan of Portland, Maine
To the Hon. Senate & House of Representatives of the State of Maine, in Legislature assembled:
The petition of Jonathan Morgan of Portland, in the County of Cumberland, respectfully represents that it would be of great public utility to have fish-ways opened over the Mill-Dams and natural obstructions, in Presumpscot River & tributaries, & that such fishways, if properly made, will not injure any mill, nor mill owners. He therefore prays that due notice may be given to mill owners & other persons & corporations interested in the water-power privileges of said River & tributaries to appear and show cause if any they have, at the next sitting of this Legislature, why the said Morgan, his heirs, assigns, associate, executors & administrators should not have the right granted to them of building, repairing and keeping fishways open in the waters of said, in said Rivers & tributaries, in such manner, as to to do damage to any person or corporation.
Portland, May 26, 1857.
Source: Maine State Archives
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