Therefore, in order to obtain some tribute (for it is, indeed, a trait quite prominent in the character of John Bull to expect and demand tribute), a duty was levied upon all timber running down the St. John's, whether from the crown lands or the territory ceded to Maine. And the crown, in order to satisfy its loyal subjects for this new requisition, made a corresponding discount on the stumpage charged those hauling timber from the crown lands, while the Yankees were left without indemnification.
But Brother Jonathan was not to be outgeneraled by this maneuver, but characteristically "guessed" out a way of escape; and not only thwarted the cunning of his crafty neighbor in this matter, but actually laid his dominions under tribute, nolens volens, by diverting a portion of the waters of St. John's River, bringing it into the channel of the Penobscot, where it probably runs "duty free." While, therefore, the Yankees thus resisted the attempted encroachment, we doubt not but they secretly render a "tribute" of thanks for the provocation.
The Penobscot is not so likely to be affected by destructive freshets as are most large rivers; for instance, the Kennebeck, whose accumulating waters rush through its deeply-cut channel with tremendous power, carrying all before it; and for this reason the former runs through immense tracts of low intervale lands, which, in time of abundant rains, act as vast reservoirs, receiving and scattering the surplus water over thousands of acres. Nothing is likely to produce disastrous freshets, except such as arise from unusual causes; and as such a combination is not likely to occur once in a century, an event of this nature is not often expected nor dreaded.
Godfrey's Falls on the Seboois River. Banks 200 Feet High.
The Penobscot has two principal and many minor branches; among the latter, mention may be made of "Mattawamkeag," which "means a stream running over a gravelly bed;" and the "Piscataquis," which is about one hundred miles in length, and forms a junction with the main river some thirty or forty miles above Bangor; its waters are clear as crystal, and the current rapid. Also the "Seboois," several days' journey from the mouth of the Matawamkeag. Some of the wildest and most interesting scenery in the state occurs on this river and on the lofty mountains in its vicinity. Godfrey's Falls, as seen in the opposite cut, plunge around the base of high mountainous banks hundreds of feet above the wild torrent which rushes between them. These falls are impassable, and when boatmen arrive here they are compelled to carry their effects and boats up a ledge on the left side of the falls, at an angle of 45°, and then through the burned forest for the distance of four miles before again attempting to navigate the river.
Not less than fifty mountains and seventeen lakes may be seen from the summit of Sugar-loaf Mountain, which stands a little removed from the shores of the Seboois, as represented in the cut at the end of this chapter; and among the interesting objects viewed from this point is Chase's Mountain, on the west side of the Seboois, very peaked, which rises like a vast pyramid from the dense forest country around it, a representation of which may be seen on page 211.
There are many important islands in the Penobscot; several of them contain many hundred acres of land. Among them mention may be made of "Olemon," which contains some three hundred acres; likewise "Sugar Island," of corresponding magnitude; "Orson Island," twelve hundred acres; "Marsh Island," five thousand acres; "Oldtown," the present site of an Indian village, three hundred acres; Orono, one hundred and fifty acres. On these islands are several flourishing villages, Oldtown, Orono, and Stillwater, in the vicinity of which are the principal mill sites, which are from seven to fourteen miles above Bangor.
The overwhelming catastrophe which occurred on this river in the spring of 1846 will long be remembered by those who witnessed it. The following graphic account of this occurrence, from the pen of Dr. West, was published in the Bangor Courier, and will be read with deep interest:
"To the Rev. Dr. Tyng, New York.