If any proprietor neglects to pay his assessment to the treasurer, collector or committee for 6 months, if he resides in the State, otherwise for 12 months, then the committee may, from time to time, sell at auction so much of his right in the common lands as is sufficient to pay his tax and the reasonable charges of sale, after notice thereof posted as provided and published in 2 of the newspapers before named, 5 weeks successively next before the time of sale; and may give deeds thereof in fee to the purchaser.