The third great patent was a grant made by the Council for New England, in June, 1630, for a tract extending from Cape Porpoise to Cape Elizabeth, and hence taking in Gorges’ settlement at Saco.[30] This patent was known as the Lygonian, or “Plough patent,” the latter commemorating the name of the vessel which brought over the first settlers, who after a short time gave up the settlement and went to Boston in July, 1631.  For twelve years the patent was neglected, but in 1643 the rights of the original patentees were purchased by Alexander Rigby, a prominent member of Parliament.[31] He sent over as his agent George Cleves, but when he arrived in America in 1644 his assumption of authority under the Plough patent was naturally resisted by the government of Sir Ferdinando Gorges.

Cleves set up his government at Casco, and Vines, his rival, organized his at Saco.  When Cleves sent his friend Tucker to Vines with a proposal to settle the controversy, Vines arrested the envoy and threw him into prison.  Both parties appealed to the government of Massachusetts, who gave them advice to remain quiet.  The contention continued, however, and at last the Massachusetts court of assistants, in June, 1646, consented to refer the case to a jury.  Then it appeared that there were six or eight patentees in the original Plough patent, and Mr. Rigby’s agent could only show an assignment from two.  On the other hand, Vines could not produce the royal patent of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, which was in England, and had only a copy attested by witnesses.  On account of these defects the jury declined to bring in a verdict.

Cleves had better fortune with the parliamentary commissioners for foreign plantations, to whom he carried the dispute, since before this tribunal the veteran Gorges, who had taken the king’s side, had little chance to be heard.  In March, 1646, they decided in favor of Rigby, and made the Kennebunk River the boundary-line between the two rival proprietors, thus reducing Gorges’ dominions in Maine to only three towns—­Gorgeana, Welles, and Kittery, which had grown up at the mouth of the Piscataqua opposite to Strawberry Bank.[32]

The year following this decision Gorges died, and the province of Maine was left practically without a head.  The settlers wrote to his heirs for instruction, but owing to the confusion of the times received no reply.[33] In this state of doubt and suspense the general court was, in 1649, convoked at Welles, when Edward Godfrey was elected governor.  Then another address was prepared and transmitted to England, but it met with no better fortune than the first.  Accordingly, in July, 1649, the settlers of the three townships met at Gorgeana and declared themselves a body politic.  Edward Godfrey was re-elected governor, and a council of five members were chosen to assist him in the discharge of his duties.[34]