Newspaper Page Text
THE STANDARD OF UNION,
BY P. L. ItOBINSON,
rUßi.isiiKK (by authority) OF THE I.WVS OF THE UNITED STATES.
KT TERMS.—Thre.i Dollsra prr iviinun. No »iil>wii|>ti<n> taken
for less than a yen*, and no paper discontinued,Jiut nt the option ol
the publisher, until ail arrearages are paid.
CHANGE OF DIRECTION.—We desire stieh of our subscribers
as inav nt any ime wish the direction of tl.eir papers changed from one
Post Office to another, to inform us, m all cases, of the place to which
they hail been previously sent; as the mere order to forward them to a
different office, places it almost out of our power to comply, because
we have no means of ascertaining the office from which they are or
slcre.l to bo changed, but by a search through our whole subscription
book, containing several thousand names.
Al»\ ERTISEMENTSinserted at the usual rates«S-.les of LAND,
bv Administrate! >, Executors, or Guardians, arc re ptired by law tube
held on the first Tuesday in the inoulli, between the hours often in
the forenoon and three in the afternoon, nt the Court House in the coun
ty in which the property is situate. Notice of heso sales must be gi
ven in a public gazette SIX TY DAYS previous to the dav of sale.
Sales of NEGROES must beat public auction, mt the first Tuesday
of the month between the usual hours of sale, at the place of public
sales iu the county where the letters testimentary, of Administrationor
Guardianship,may have been granted, fust giving SIX TY DAYS no
tice thereof, inane of the publie gazettes of this State, and at the door
of the Court House where such sales are to be held.
Notice torthe sale of Personal Propertv must be given in like man
ner, FORTTDAYS previous to the dav of sale.
Notice to the Debtors and Creditors of an Estate must be published
FORTY DAVS.
Notice that application will be made to the Court of Ordinary for
leaveto sell LAND, must be published for FOUR MONTHS. '
Notice for leave to sell NEGROES, must be published for FOUR
MONTHS before any order absolute shall be made by the Court
Notice of Application for Letters of Administration must be publish
ed THIRTY DAYS.
Noticeol Application for Letters of Dismission from the Administra
tion of an Estate, are required to be published monthly for SIX
MONTHS.
1 I nil .1 ■■
From the Lowell, Muss. Patriot.
PRESIDENCY AND VICE PRESIDENCY.
We publish below another well written communica
tion on the question of the Vice Presidency. We
need not say that we fully agree with the writer, in
regard to the proper person to he selected by the De
mocratic party, to be run lor the second office, with
Martin Van Buren for the first, in the eiftofthe peo
ple of the twenty-six United St ites. We therefore
place the name of Martin Van Buren, of New
York, for President; and of John Forsyth, ofGa.,
for Vice President, in our columns to-day, subject lo
the ultimate decision of the Baltimore Convention, or
a Democratic Convention of this Commonwealth.
As to the nomination of Mr. Van Buren, there can
be no question. On the question of the Vice Presi
dency there is some, difference of opinion among the
Democracy of Massachusetts, and of the Union. We
need not say that should Mr. Polk prove to be the
choice of our political friends in this State and the
Union, we will as cheerfully support him as we will
Mr. Forsyth. But duty and truth compel us to sav
that in no contingency ca>>. Richard M. Johnson ob
tain the nomination and full support of the Democ
racy of Massachusetts and other New England States.
There is no prejudice against him, as a Democrat
■or a patriot, but a general feeling that as Virginia
and several Democratic Slates cannot vote for him,
his friends ought not to press his claims. He was not
elected by the people, to the seat he occupies. His
failure to obtain the full strength of the Democratic
vote, was exceedingly mortifying to him and to those
who gave him their support for the nomination at the
National Convention. It proved that his name, in
stead of being a tower of strength, carried nothing
with it beyond the vote of the party, in those States
which gave him their support. But he was elected
by the Senate, as he doubtless might be again should
he be nominated and supported by a majority of the
Democratic States; but an election by the Senate,
neither he nor his true friends ought to desire.
We are among the last who would detract an iota j
from the well earned reputation of Richard M. John
son, either as Soldier or as Statesman. His name
and his fame make a part of the history of his conn- ;
try; but neither can be increased by a re-election to
liis present place, nor diminished by a withdrawal
from further political strife.
Circumstances beyond the control of his political
friends render it expedient that Mr. Forsyth or Mr.
Polk should be selected to be run on the ticket with
Mr. Van Buren. Mr. Forsyth is our first choice, be
cause, all things considered, we think his name will
add the most strength to the ticki t. Mr. Polk is our
second choice, because, all things considered, after
Mr.Forsyth, we think be would give the most strength
to the party. Situated as we are, knowing none of
these gentlemen personally, we have andean have no
personal preference.—With these remarks we submit
the following communication to out; readers:—
IHE VICE PRESIDENC Y.—l was much grat
ified, Mr. Editor, to find in your paper a communica
tion which appettrs to me to embody sound principles
•of policy as to the selection of a candidate for the
Vice Presidency. At the time ofthc last Democratic I
National Convention, I was in favor of Col. Johnson, |
because in common with many better politicians, I I
thought it advisable to select a man who had an he- \
roic reputation, to place upon the ticket with an emi
nent civilian. The admirable Sunday mail report,
put forth in his name, gave him also much reputation
as a man of ability; and the pretensions of a verv able
man, then standing high with the Democracy’ were
set aside in his favqt. It was represented by his per
sonal friends that his popularity was boundless in the
West, and that Kentucky particularly would unques
tionably be conciliated lo the support of the rcpubli
■ can candidates. These considerations, together with
a general understanding that he would run but once,
secured liis nomination. But was there a man of us
•who supported Col. Johnson in the Convention, who
was not disappointed in the result ? Instead of im
parting nopularity to the ticket, he himself was carri
ed forward only by the superior popularity of the
Presidential candidate, and was finally indebted for
his elevation, to the Senate and not the people. Have
any of the obstacles which then barred his way to suc
cess been removed, and if not will the party place
themselves in a position to bring about at best, a re
sult so mortifying to him and to them ?
There can be but one answer. Political wisdom
• dictates that some one should he brought forward
who, like Mr. Forsyth, will combine new elements of
strength, ami insure success in wavering States.—Let
the personal friends of Col. Johnson, who admit that
he is not popular in this or that State, and yet urge
his re-election, reflect on their position, and say how
many States can we afford to 10. e ? With all tnc ad
vantages of incumbency and the zealous efforts of bis
friends, he yet falls (ar short of obtaining the unanim
ous support of the party even in the Conventions no
minating him. In Pennsylvania for instance, where
the friends of Mr. I 1 ’orsyth voted for Col. J to avoid
any new subject of division in that Stale, great ob
jections existed to the nomin: tion—twenty-two votes
being given for another candidate; and by the differ
ence between the vote for him and that for the Presi
dent, we can estimate the weight which our principal
. candidate will have to carry over the course in case
Col. Johnson is selected. There are several States
somewhat critically poised, and it is the most absurd
policy to run any unnecessary risk. Under all the
s ircimislaiices and seeing the objections to him from
various quarters, it is th': highest duty of (Joi. John-
son magnanimously to withdraw, and save the party
from possible division and himself from the personal
assaults, which it is well known the opposition arc
prepared to point upon him, and which the Demo
cratic press may not always be able adequately to re
pel. The country and the party have not been un
grateful for his services in war and legislation; for he
has shared largely of public honors, and very largely
of the public treasure. A re-election to the Vice
Presidency would confer no new distinction upon him,
even if it could be attained.
The reasons given, why Mr. Forsyth should be
preferred to Col. Polk, Col. King and others, arc
sufficient to influence a decision. Mr. Forsyth is an
older soldier, and there cannot be a better. Col.
Polk is certainly a most promising Statesman, and
for that very reason should be kept awhile where he
is or placed in the Cabinet. He bids fair in time for
high advancement; but from all I can learn of his
character, he would consider no injustice done to him
or his claims by the selection of Mr. Forsyth. He is
young and has already reached the Chief Magistracy
of his State, where he can exert more influence than
the Vice Presidency can bestow. No other candi
date is so well known as Mr. Forsyth, and with bis
name on the ticket with Martin Van Buren’s, we
should stand a good chance to carry the whole of
New England. RIGHT.
Boston, March 23, 1840.
STATE RIGHTS AND UNITED STATES RIGHTS.
Tf5E Titl t ISSUE.
Shall ours be a GOVERNMENT Ob'
or a GOV ER NME NT O F THE fE G if. E ? Shall we
have a CONSTITUTIONAL TREASURY. or an UN
UONS TITUTIONA LN A TION I L HA NX ? Shall we
have a CONSTITUTIONAL CU RRENCY of cold and
silver. 6r 0;i0 O s IRREDEEMABLE PATER! Shall
wfivt under the despotism of a MONIED A RISTOCRACY,
iirunderthe safeguards of a FREE CONSTITUTION !
[Washington Chronicle.
wnas jT/wo ah.d
~ MILLEDGS-ll
TUESDAY MORNING, APRIL 21, 1840.
DEMOCRATIC TICKET.
FOR PRESIDENT,
MARTIN VAN WUX
FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
.1 O fa A F O R S Y T IS.
NOMINATION FOR CONGRESS.
THOMAS GLASCOCK, of Richmond.
A. IVERSON, of M uscogee.
ROBERT W. POOLER, of Chatham.
JUNIUS HILLYER, of Clarke.
D. C. CAMPBELL, of Bibb.
JOSIAH S. PATTERSON, of Early.
HOPKINS HOLSEY, of Clarke.
JOHN 11. LUMPKIN, of Floyd.
F. H. CONE, of Greene.
Nomination for Electors of President anl Vice
President of the United States.
Valentine Walker, of Richmond.
Wm. B. Wofford, of Habersham.
Wm. B. Bulloch, of Chatham.
John Robinson, of Jasper.
John Bates, of Murray.
Tiros. F. Anderson, of Franklin.
Milner Echols, of Walton.
Samuel Groves, of Madison.
Samuel Beall, of Wilkerson.
William A. Tennille, Baldwin.
Thomas Wooton, of Wilkes.
THE CENTRAL BANK.
As we were the first to urge a liberal distribution
by the Central Bank, and to awaken the people to
the importance of the measure, we are gratified to
find that some of the other presses are beginning to
respond to our suggestions upon the subject, and that
the people, almost en masse, are evincing their ap
probation of our efforts in their behalf, at this moment
of extraordinary embarrassment.
The presentments of two successive Grand Juries,
in our own county, and the proceedings of a great
meeting in Randolph, which we publish to-day, to
gether with the many letters we receive, and from in
formation derived from other sources, assure us, that
in taking our course in this matter, we have but spo
ken the voice of two-thirds of the people of Georgia;
on whose side, we have always been found, upon all
questions involving their interests.
There is now no doubt, that the distribution will
commence by the first of June, or before, and that in
a short time thereafter, its good effects will be visible
throughout the State.
POST OFFICES IN GEORGIA.
A post office has been established at Rising Fawn,
Dade county —Covington C. Gwinn, postmaster.
Two post offices have been discontinued ; the one
at Tocoa Falls, Habersham county, and the other at
Puckeltsville, Heard county.
The following postmasters have been appointed :
Asia M. Jackson, Watkinsville, Clark county.
Wm. O. Sharpe, West Point, 'l’roup county.
William N. Latimer, Carlisle, Troup county.
Capel A. Barrett, Barrettsville, Lumpkin county.
Richard Pollard, Poindexter, Marion county.
THE HAMBURG (S. C.) JOURNAL.—We
have received the first number of this paper. To the
ranks of the corps editorial we welcome it, and wish
it much success. The editorial matter is very credit
able, tint! we know the editors wield pens that will
exert a happy influence. The Journal is published
semi-weekly, at five dollars per annum, by Messrs.
Yarborough &. Mullay.
Good friend Journal, give us “the grip,” and may
your days be long, and happy, and prosperous in the
land.
THE HARRISON HUMBUG.
The curtain is up —the actors are upon the stage,
i and the farce i$ began.
Harrison, a name once odious to Slate Rights, has
all of a sudden, found favor with many who bold out
that flag, and is now in a process of renovation, by
which his old garments of Federalism and Abolition
ism, are to be transformed into the garb of Democ
racy, and he is to be showed out as the disciple of
Jefl'erson, the pure and spotless Republican; and al
though we have lived the larger half of an hundred
years, and devoted much of that time to public af
fairs, and the study of men and parties, we are puz
zled to understand the policy ofthc Georgia Whigs,
in taking up a man for the Presidency, whose whole
life comprises a tissue of blundering imbecility, and
whose political principles and associations have stamp
ed the brand of Federalism upon him; and moreover,
whose avowed opinions upon a question of vital im
portance to Southern interest, have long since placed
him without the pale of Southern respect, or even
Southern charity.
Yes, —the man who would tax us with an odious
tariff, to swindle from the honest labor of the South,
a fund to emancipate our own property, deserves no
thing fromTTs, btfl sCOrn and indignation. Has Gen
eral Harrison done this ? We answer aye. He has
declared that the surplus revenue, which was unjustly
wrung from the South, ought to be applied to (he pur
chase of our slaves, with a view to their emancipa
tion, and has emphatically avowed the wish that the
day was not distant, when a North American sun
should not gc down upon a Slave ; and with all
these dumnhigHus upon his head, a struggle is now
mt’.king in Geoigia, to palm him oil’upon the people,
as a man entitled to their confidence and support.
What principle does he hold in common with south
ern Democracy? Notone. What has be done for his
country, to recommend him to the public considera
tion? Nothing. His civil career has not reached me
diocrity, and wespeak of his Military achievements
with mortification and regret; nor could we have be
lieved, until oursenses were convinced to the contra
ry, that the disasters and defeats which mark his mili
tary history, vvoild ever have been dug up from their
graves, and vamped out as victories and triumphs.
When and where we ask, did he win glory in a
field of arms? At Tippecanoe? No—it was not there,
and wc marvel that his friends should awaken public
recollection to tltat tragic and lamentable catastrophe
—to the rememberance of a scene, when savage sa
gacity outwitted the civilized commander, and carried
havoc and death to the centre of his ranks. O Tip
pecanoe ! thou field of blood—where the flower of
Kentucky was led to slaughter, and the flag of our
country was trailed in the dust —soon may thy name
be forgotten.
If such are the exploits which are claimed for Gen
eral Harrison, it is time to expunge the sentence
against Hull, for the surrender of Detroit, and hail
him as a veteran and a conqueror. Nor has he been
more fortunate upon other occasions, where he en
countered the enemies of his country, with a single j
exception. We admit that he was in command of the
North Western Army, when Shelly and Johnson won
the victory of the Thames; but they would have
fought as they did, and conquered as they did, if he
had, on that selfsame day, been drinking hard cider
in his log house, in the north bend.
But how does it happen, that Governor Troup has
been so unceremoniously laid aside, to make room ;
for this ghost of a military chieftain ? Is he imprac
ticable? Does he still oppose a National Bank ? Docs
he still believe that the Government should be sepa
rated from all Banks? Will he not consent to plunge
blindfold into the arms ofwhiggery ? Or what is the
matter, that it is all at once discovered to be bad pol
icy, to run him ? There seems to be mystery in this,
but we think we comprehend it, and one of these days,
every body will understand it. But in any view of
the case, we should say, the Whigs had made a bad
strap, when they exchanged George M. Troup, for
William Henry Harrison: when they abandoned one,
who has stood all his life, in the front rank of State
Rights men, and who has in their defence, displayed
the energies of a giant intellect, for another, who has
been from youth up, one of the most uniform, unal
loyed, and unmitigated John Adams Federalists, and
who manifested long ago, his abolition principles as
well as his abhorence of republicanism, by declaring
soon after he became a citizen of Ohio, that he “thank
ed God, he had gotten rid of Virginia Negroes.
and Virginia politics;” and who has never exhib
ited upon any occasion, the powers of a mind ade
quate to the exalted and responsible station to which
he aspires. But so it is, that the Whigs of Georgia
(not all of them, by thousands,) have cast off an old
Democrat of distinguished ability, for an old rust ea
ten, dull headed Federalist, whose chief recommend
ations are his defeats and disasters as a military com
mander, and that he lives in a log house, and drinks
hard cider — which fairly entitles him, in the lan
guage of the turf, to the appellation ofthc CIDERNAG.
What stuff! Indeed, we were inclined to think that
the little blow which some of the Whig papers were
making, was a mere ruse to alarm the Democratic
party, until we saw the proceedings of the Harrison
meeting held at Macon, some ten days since, which
satisfied us at once, that an effort would be made to
procure his nomination at the June Convention.
The meeting, to which we allude, resolved that Ge
neral Harrison was the man of their choice ; and have
given to the public, a btief biography of his life and
character, in which they have traced his blood through
an illustrious line of ancestry, from the days of Oliver
Cromwell ; and in which his signal defeat at Tippe
canoe is blazoned as “ a victory, second to none in
the annals of our Indian warfare, save that in which
he had himself participated on the banks of the
Miami, under the veteran Wayne, in 1701.”
They speak largely of his military triumphs upon
other fields, and other occasions ; but to those who
are acquainted with the history of the calamitous
affair of Tippecanoe, the above quotation will be
taken as a fair specimen of the whole.
If pen, ink, and paper could actually manufacture a
great man, and a distinguished warrior, the names ol
Alexander and Ctesar—of Charlemagne' and Bona
parte—of Washington and Jackson—might stand in
the shade to make way for the superlative glory of the
Hero of Tippecanoe.
Go on, gentlemen—'you may plaster and white
wash—you may vamp up, and dress your effigy ; but
in spite of all you can do, the old woman cannot be
concealed, and it will come out “ granny Harrison”
at last. There is too much of good old Jefl’erson re
publicanism in Georgia, and too much sound sense
and intelligence, to be gulled into the support of a man
so obnoxious as General Harrison. Federalism and
Abolitionism will not be swallowed by them at one
dose ; and whoever supports him, supports a Federal
ist and an Abolitionist. He has avowed it himself—
the stain, foul and indelible, is upon him, of a die so
deep, that the whole waters of Lethe cannot wash it
out.
An Anti-Van Buren meeting of State Rights men,
was held in Milledgeville, Geo., on the 7th inst., and
resolutions adopted, to support an electoral ticket for
Harrison and Tyler, as President and Vice Presi
dent of the United States.
0“ The above paragraph appeared in the
Charleston Courier, of 13th inst. under the head of
“signs of the times,” and favorable omens of the suc
cess of Harrison. We do not know how the editor
obtained the news—if such a meeting was held, it
took place in such an obscure place, and at such an
unseasonable hour, in our metropolis that our citizens
know nothing of it, and are indebted to the Charles
ton Courier for the first intimation of the meeting.
Among the many humbugs of the Harrisonians, al
low us to say, that that is a small one, and can of
course help to fill up the columns of gullification rig
marole that teems from the whig presses of the coun
try-
For the Standard of Union.
PUBLIC MEETING.
On the 7th of April, 1840, a large and respectable
meeting was had of the citizens of Randolph county,
at Cuthbert, for the purpose of recommending some
measure for the relief of the people’s finances ; and
to express their opinion in regard to the duty of the
Central Bank to the citizens of Georgia.
The meeting was organised by calling Colonel
Allen Moye to the chair ; and appointing Dr. John
G. Gilbert Secretary.
The object of the meeting having been briefly ex
plained by the Chairman, accompanied by a few re
marks from the Secretary, the business of the meeting
proceeded with a motion from Jefferson M. Graybill,
Esq., for the Chairman to appoint a Committee of
Five, to draft a preamble and resolutions, expressive
of the sentiments of said meeting; which motion be
ing carried, the following gentlemen were appointed :
Jefl’erson M. Graybill, William B. Graves, John
N. Martin. David Rumph, and Zachariah Bailey,
Esqrs.
And after retiring for a few moments, returned,
and, by their Chairman, Jefl'erson M. Graybill, Esq.,
reported the following preamble and resolutions, which
were unanimously adopted :
“ Your Committee have the honor to report:—
“ That, whereas, the monetary allairs of the public
at large in this State, are in a depressed and ruinous
situation ; and feeling it to be our imperative duty to
express our deep solicitude for the precarious state of
a burdened people.
And, whereas, we, as a portion of the citizens of
this State, have thought it to be our prerogative to
express our opinion in regard to the means necessary,
for affording sufficient and speedy relief to the people.
“ And, whereas, also, the Legislature of this State,
at its last session, amended the charter of the Central
Bank, with augmented powers and immunities to the
people, from which, as yet, they have derived no be
nefits.
And, whereas, also, the Directors of said Bank are
only now waiting an expression of public opinion in
regard to the course necessary and proper for them to
pursue, as to the facilities to be afforded to the citizens
of Georgia, before such relief can be advisedly ex
tended by the said Bank.
“ Be it, therefore, resolved, That we recommend to
his Excellency Charles J. McDonald, and the Direc
tors of the Central Bank of Georgia, to make suffi
cient, speedy, and cogent arrangements for extending
to the citizens of Georgia, a loan equal to the char
tered powers of said Bank.
“ Be it further resolved, That we confide in the
powers of the Central Bank, with due economy oh the
part ofthc people, to relieve them from their present
depressed and unenviable situation.
“ Resolved, further, That we witness the present
crisis as one fraught with fear, and stupendous conse
quences ; and that another step, without due caution
and aid, may irretrievably fix this country’s ruin.
“ Resolved, further, That it is the duty of the
people of this State, independent of chartered aristo
cracies, to give credit and stability to the Central
Bank of Georgia, by keeping its bills in circulation
among themselves, in preference to the bills of other
Banks.
“ Be it further resolved, That we. earnestly re
commend to the citizens of this State, to work more
and spend less, as being the only means of effecting
permanent relief; and that our domestic peace and
general prosperity depend much upon raising our
own corn, pork, and horses, and relying less forthose
necessaries upon the citizens of our sister States.
“ And resolved, further, That we recommend to
the citizens of every county in the State, to make an
expression of their opinion upon these momentous
questions, through the medium of public meetings.”
On motion of A. M. Hughes, Esq.:—
“ Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting
be signed by the Chairman, and countersigned by the
Secretary, and published in the Milledgeville and
Columbus papers.”
ALLEN MOYE, Chairman.
JOHN G. GILBERT, Secretary.
(tZ'’ The papers friendly to the people’s interest,
and the Central Bank extending a loan to them, are
respectfully requested to give the foregoing tn inser
tion, and oblige MANY CITIZENS.
OT-NEVV YORK CITY ELECTION! !—All
j hail, democrats of New York !
The administration party have carried the City
elections by an increased majority over last year’s
results. A democratic Mayot, {Varian,) and a de
mocratic Council.
Stop that ball. Harrisonians, your prospects are
truly Jlal-erhig.
RUMORED BANK DEFALCATION.—The
'Norfolk Beacon, of Thursday, says-“ Rumors
reached town by the Richmond boat yesterday, that
there had been an overdrawing of an account by some
thirty thousand dollars in the Bank of Virginia, and
that the officer, through whose oversight it had been
committed, had disappeared.”
We notice that the Governor of Virginia has of
fered a reward of two hundred, and the Bank of Vir
ginia a reward of three thousand dollars, for the ap
prehension of William Beverly Dabney, late first tel
ler of that Bank, who has become deficit to the Bank
to the amount of four or five hundred thousand dol
lars.
DEATH OF GOVERNOR NOBLE.—His Ex
cellency Patrick Noble, Governor of South Carolina,
died at his residence in Abbeville, on Tuesday the 7th
inst., after a short but severe illness.
KENTUCKY.—It is expected that the Governor
of Kentucky will have to call an extra session of the
Legislature to provide for the election of Electors of
President and Vice President —the late law for that
purpose having been inadvertently permitted to ex
pire without renewal.
ANOTHER POINT OF DlSPUTE.—Reso
lutionshave been adopted by the Legislature of Ohio,
setting forth that Great Britain is making encroach
ments upon our territory, beyond the Rocky Moun
tains, and calling upon the General Government to
interpose for the protection of the interests of the U,
States in that quarter.
In the House of Representatives of the Pennsylva
nia Legislature, April 7, Colonel McElwee, a mem
ber, was expelled by vote of 58 against 26, for an as
sault upon another, (Mr. Hegins,) while the House
was in session.
From the Boston Daily Advertiser.
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION.
The point on which, if on any, the parties to the
boundary controversy, are about to come to an imme
diate collision, is the violation by one or the other, of
the agreement made last winter between Gen. Scott
and Sir John Harvey, and the informal agreement
subsisting long before, that both parties would abstain
from any occupancy of the disputed territory for per
manent purposes, or by military force. Each party
now charges the other with a violation of these agree
ments, and there is perhaps danger that both will lose
sight ofthc principal matter in controversy, and come
lo blows on the incidental question of temporary oc
cupation.
Gov. Fairfield in a letter to the President written
early in the winter, after representing to him the fact,
that British troops were posted on the waters of the
Madawaska river, within the disputed territory, ap
pealed to him to decide “whether the contingency
contemplated by the act of Congress of March 3,
1839, has not occurred—whether the facts do not
clearly show an invasion of the State of Maine, which
the Executive Government of the United States, un
der the directions of the act aforesaid, as well as un
der the obligations of the Constitution, is bound to
repel.”
It appears from the report of Mr. Wiggin, the
agent of Gov. Fairfield, subsequently appointed to
ascertain the actual British force in the disputed terri
tory, that at the time when this appeal was made to
the President, the only British force within the terri
tory, consisted of one company of the 11th regiment
of grenadier guards, numbering 85 men; but that
subsequently about the Ist of January, another com
pany of about 90 men, arrived there, making 175
men, exclusive of the commissioned officers.
How many men are posted by Governor Fairfield,
within the disputed territory, on this side of the St.
John, we are not informed. We apprehend it may
be such a number, as at least to afford a very plausi
ble pretext if not a justification to the British Govern
ment, for sending two companies there. In the very
same column of the preceding of the Maine Legisla
ture, which contains their resolutions applauding the
United States Executive, for his “decision in demand
ing the removal of the British troops now quartered
upon the disputed territory,” we find the following
announcement:
The Committee on Military Accounts reported that
the whole amount of expenditures in the Quarter-
Master’s Department, as appears by said accounts,
up to Dec. 20, 1839—is $136,682 03
Deduct pajments 24,739 13
Nett disbursement in this Department 111,942 90
Whole expenditures in pay Depart-
ment - - - 90,071 32
Total disbursements to that time $202,024 22
The report was accepted.
Where could all this military expenditure have been
incurred, but in the disputed territory ? Besides this
amount,there was a very large expenditure under the
direction of -theland agent, in supporting a civil force,
well-armed and provided. Whatever may be the ex
tent or the character of the force by which the disputed
territory is occupied under the authority of the State
of Maine—however insignificant it may be in actual
numbers, it is sufficient to afford a pretext for a simi
lar occupancy by the British authorities, and it is on
this ground that they justify their own course,and com
plain of that pursued by the State of Maine.
It is incumbent, therefore, on Governor Fairfield,
iu calling upon the President to demand the removal
of the British troops from the disputed territory, to
show that Maine has not maintained a force there,and
carried on operations there, in violation of the spirit
of the agreement between the two governments. On
this subject the public want information. If the forctf
does not amount to 175 men, the number of British
troops reported by Mr. Wiggin-—or to 90 men, the
number there when Governor Fairfield made his de
mand on the President to eject them, what does it
amount to, or is there any ?