Newspaper Page Text
—Cold gander, and no jut., toes ; bread,
Eeav v aud dry ; had the head-ache and could’ut I
°at, Peggy much concerned; had a fire bu;h in !
th* squ ire room, and thought, the said, i had ;
better si.J there out of the noise; went to bed
early. Peggy thougLt too much sleep had lor
the head-ache.
Saturday. — Breakfast, cold gander and hot
Jndiiu Johnny-cake: did very well; glad to eouie
o!i so. Dinner —Cold gander again; did’nt keep
school this afternoon; weighed, and found I had
lost six '.minds the pistweei.; grew alarmed; had
alalk v. i;L Mr. 3. who coueladcd I had boarded
out his share.
Front the Nat. Intelligencer.
THE MAINE BOUNDARY TROUBLES.
The circumstances which led to the Jate ar
te.;; of Mr. Uliitire, “Land Agcn*” of* the State
of Maine, as stated in’ the Boston are brief
ly these ;
On tiie 23d of Jancart last, Governor Fair
held addressed a confidential iprssage to the
Legislature ol Maine, recommending the | ;.s
--sare oi a resolution empowering she Land Agent
t » proceed to the Aroostook river, w ith a suffi
< ietii three, and disperse the trespassers from
the British province of New Brunswick, who
'•••ere extensively engaged iu the work of devas
t ,t.o» aud plunder upon the lands belonging to
Maine. The following resolution was acroiilir.g
iv passed by both Houses on the following day:
STATE OF MAINE.
Jlzij.cc relating to trespassers upon the pullic
lands.
Hrrj\ed. That the Land Agent l;c, and he is
*nc:eby, authorized and required to employ forth
w,th i. ufT.cicnt force to arrest, detain, and unpris-
Persons found trespassing on the territory
oi this State, as bounded and established by the
treaty of 2783, aud that the Land Agent be, and
:s hereby, empowered to dispose of all the teams
lumber, and other materials in the hands and
possession of said trespassers, in such way and
manner as he may deem necessary aud expedient
ot the time, bv destroying the same or otherwise.
And that the sum of ten thousand dollars be, and
heieby is, appropriated, for Ihe purpose of rarrv
tng this resolve into effect, and that the Gorcrn
or with the advice of the council, be, aud is
hereby, aatliorized to draw his warrant from time
to time, for such sums as may be required for the
pu rposcs aforesaid.
January 21, 1339. - A amoved:
JOHN FAIRFIELD.
I hits at Terized Hi {.c i.the and Agent made
his preparations, aud heft Bangor tor the Aroos
took river, with a company of one hundred aud
J’t'v men. a force which he deemed sufficient to
drive off the trespassers, and prevent further pil
lage.
What has followed this proceeding, tuns for
( it readers are already in part informed, a::d'viU
learn more particularly from the fallowing Me -
rage from tho Governor of Maine to the House
of Representatives if that State :
'Tore House of Jlepresenlatite: :
In compliance with the request of the House
o' Representatives, 1 herewith communicate such
information as I have in relation to “the report
ed abduction, of the land agent.”
Under the resolve 8f the 24th of .human last,
c rustled “lies five n lati.ig to trespassers upon the
public lands,” tin? lan 1 agent (.-paired with about
huadrctl chosen men to the scene of opera
tion. ou the Aroostook river. Prior to his reach
ing there, it is understood that the trespassers,
ani mating to about three hundred in number, all
well armed, had combined, and were determined
to resist every effort to break thaul up. Finding
however, tiiat the land agent had prepared him
self with n sivpounder, they chose to retire from
the gtound, passing down the river.
The land agent with his company aUo passed
down the Aroostook to near its mouth, finding
the several places of operation abandoned by ihe
trespassers. On Monday last, they captured a
gang of about twenty, who had been operating
further up the river, and sent several who wine
considered the ringleaders to Bangor, where it is
supposed they are now in jail. On Monday, tVie
land agent sent a letter to Mr. McLaughlin, the
land agent of the Province of New Brunswick
inviting a meeting with him at the house of a Mr.
Fitzhsrbert, about four miles from where the
company were then stationed, and on the same
evening, with four others, Mclutiro repaired to
the house of Mr. Fitzherbert, iatea Bo $ t > pass
the night there. The trespassers, h > waver, in
some way became possessed of the facts, and
detached a company of,about fifty, who seized
the agent aud those accompanying him. and tran
sported them, it is believed, beyond the bounds of
the S’ate.
Our company is now at No. 10, on the Aroos
took, fortified and anticipating an attack, in case
any attempt should be made on our part to exe
cute the resolve of the 24th of January, by des
troying the timber which has aIY“-udy been cut.
1 have advised the sending of a r,'*3iorccment
of three hundred men, as it is probable tltv* num
ber ol trespassers will be constantly augmen.** r, 2!
—and, if a resolve to that effect be passed, shall
appoiul an agent to supply temporarily the place
ot Mr. Mclutire, aud lead ou the expedition.—
I h ive also despatched a special messenger to
Sir John Harvey, Lieutenant Governor of New
Brunswick, for the purpose,among other things,
ol ascertaining whether these high handed pro
ceedings ol the trespassers are authorized or in
any way countenanced by the Provincial Govern
ment, and to procure the release ofthe agent and
those taken with him. The agent was al o char
ged with other matters pertaining to this most
extraordinary and outrageous proceeding.
The facts above related, except in relation to my
ownduiqgs, hive been communicated to in" ver
bally by tbaSheiffofPenobscot, who funned one
of the company of the laud agent.
i uis u tb ; only com nu lioafion from th > land
agenf or his comp my w iieh I hive hod, verb illy
o* otherivue, tiiat cotiiJ in relied u ioti.
JOHN FAIRFIELD.
Cavwjr.n Fee. 15, 1333.
Vrrtm. t\e A’ '!i York ll.raid.
‘IWK BOUNDARY TROUBLES.
Mi. *l»t ntire. the a.'eat. h is b ;e.i r dea’sed ; «o
tiive Messrs.-I3ush.it itt, Rogers uti l Piidisbu
t ■ Mclutire his release I on parole,
accentin' wh ch toe Jtnople of Vs li i ■ idame
eastern breathe notwi; ii it
Tit tli'usan) »“M;>s-are o.' l rel to iho
<r i itier by G j.\ K tirfidd; tha ilrift of ui.litia
.oO ts.sfof 74 civslr/, lil artillery 7H2 m
-T-lrry, ani Sf*A ri uia-.-in ail l'j'jlt. Toe
y i irfe-ntat »*. every 4o*a in ftiund is tramen
d» it; tlulndian airs nhT with the grsat?Jtahc*
htf dide: rr xiu >4 fjr i fig e i
Despatches have been received by Gov. Fair- i
field from Sir John Harvey, in which he makes j
these propositions:—
1-t. That the Provincial Land Agent, Mr.
McLaughlin, >e released ou the same terms that
Mr. Mclutire veas released.
lid. That the trespassers be given up to be
tried by the British laws.
3d. That the force on the disputed territory be
immediately withdrawn.
Sir John has sent 200 soldiers to the Aroostook,
and says he intends to send large reinforcements
instantly, and that his orders aic to defend the
disputed territory, which he will do to the death.
These are words to Gov. Fairfield :
It is proper that 1 should acquaint your Excel
lency, that I have directed a strong iuiee of Her
Majesty's neons to be in readiness to support
Her Majesty’s authority, and protect Her Ma
je.-ty's-übji ets iu the disputed territory, in the
event of tuts request not being taiinediatelv com
plied with.
The greatest alarm and consternation prevails
throughout the State—men leaving their families
--women taking leave of their friends.—
T hr'." are no horses to be had. One officer paid
$lO for a hi. -jto go as many miles. Mclutyre
says that Sir John is getiing together all the forces
tar and near, and only wants delay to prepare him
sv’t fur an engagement, w hich he is determined
on.
iue Utter of Gov. Fairfield to Sir John is
t.i n and re.-pectful, Imt determined. He tells
hi.n he will not, nor will Maine, withdraw their
troops from the territory. After reiterating the
fact that Maine and Massachusetts have long
exercised jurisdiction over the disputed territory,
he thus concludes:—
1 he patty ol the Land Agent is now on the
territory engaged in executing the trust with
which it was eliarjed-—and with my consent will
never leave it. while the protection of the pro
perty of the State from plunderers renders it ne
cessary for them to remain. If vour Excellency
chooses to send an armed force to attempt their
expulsion I can only say ih.it this State will en
deavor to meet such au attempt as it will de
serve.
\Vp have only room to day for the two following
documents
Copy of the Parole of Honor signed by ATr. Ylc-
In tire.
FnRBKRtcKTOit, N. B. Feb. 28, 1839.
Whereas the offence wherewith you stand
charged has been pronounced by the law officers
of this Province, as one lather against the law of
nations and of treaties than against the Municipal
laws of this country, and as such must he referred
lor the decision of Her Majesty’s Government,
vou are hereby required to pledge your Parole of
Honor, to present yourselves at Frederickton in
this Province of New Brunswick, whenever such
decision shall be communicated or shall be other
wise required by or on the part of this Govern
m *iit, aud'for this purpose you shall make known
* tli * p’ace or places to which such requsition
shah be sent. J. HARVJCi.
To the Hon. Rufus Mclntire, Gustavus G. Cush
man, Thomas Bartlett and Ebenezcr Webster,
Esq is.
1 have no hesitation in giving, and hereby do
give the Parole of Honor above referred to.
Horernor Fairfield's Reply to Sir John Han ey.
Six, 1 have the honor to acknowledge the re
ceipt of your Excellency’s communication of the
litli instant, by the hand of Col. J. P. Rogers.
To your demand for the discharge of the per
sons arrested by the authorities of this state for
being engaged in acts of trespass upon the public
lands of this state. 1 have to say, that the persons
named are now in the custody of the law. With
that custody 1 have neither the disposition northe
authority to interfere.
In regard to Janies M'L»nghlin, Esq., Provin
cial Land Agent, and Mr. Tibbets, his assistant,
I have advised, that they be released upon the
same terms upon which the Hon. Rufus Mclntire,
and his assistants were released, to wit, upon their
parole of honor, to return to Bangor whenever
they should be thereto required by the Executive
Government of this state, to answer to any char
ges that may be brought against them for their
acts and proceedings upon what your Excellency
is pleased to call “the disputed Territory,”
For a reply to the remainder of your Excel
lency’s ciumhutiiration, I must refer you to my
letter of tli ■ 1 3ih instant, which you will receive
by the hand of K. English, Esq.
1 have the honor, (i. c.
JOHN FAIRFIELD.
From'the same paver.
We have received no news, of a fight vet, but
except to hear of one by every mail. There was
a rumor in the city last night that 74 of the Brit
ish had been killed, and a colonel of the regulars
and several militia taken prisoners, but if wants
confirm tion. Certain it is that on both sides
“Their soul’s in arms and eager for the fray.”
At St. Johns, N. B. orders had been received
from Sir John Harvey to send up all the dispo
sable troops aud artillery to Frederickton, the
garrison of that place having marched for the
Aroostook country. Governor Fairfield has sent
r. Yose, of the Maine Legislature, to confer
with viovernor Everett, and ask for assistance in
the shape of money and troops. The following
extracts from lei>us give all the authentic infor
mation that has yet reached ust—
Augusta, Feb. 23, 183§.
On Monday .norulrt£ one thousand men
will muster at the capital, and march forthwith.
Major General Foster, of the eastern division,
with his command, is ordered forthwith to lloul
tou —otic thousand tnen will be ready to march
so early as Wednesday uexti From the deter
mined character of Sit John Harvey, and the na
ture of this instructions, we anticipate a conflict,
and ere this reaches you, 1 greatly fear the blood
of our citizens will he shed. Mr. English, the
messenger from Sir John Harvey, informed me
that he had no doubt that on his return with the
letter of Governor Fairfield, Sir John would in
stantly order the troops to advance. Mr. Eng
lish must have reached Frederickton last Tues
day night —We are anxiously awaiting the re
sult.
The “Bangor Whig” of Friday says:—The
Fire Depaitinent of this city, embracing about
three hundred young men had.a meeting yester
day afternoon, voted to organize themselves as a
battalion of Riflemen, and petitioned the Legis
lature fora sup;>ly of arms. There seems to be no
doubt tiiat their request will be granted.”
The breastwork thrown tip by our forces at the
junction of the St. Croix and the Aroostook, is
12 feet in thickness, and mounted by a brass field
piece. Before this time, says the “Whig,” of the
2Qtii, the force has three pieces of artillery.
BaSu'u, M**. Fel). 23, 1830.
The excitement of the last few days has subsi-
THE OEOKCiIA MIUItOH.
ded, and little has been doing. As for news, we
have none ot importance. Many rumors have
been abroad during the tiav, but nou< of them
cau be relied upon as true.* 1700 of Hall’s best
rides have at rived, and a very large supply of
blankets, which have been sent up. It is repor
ted, but with how much truth l am unable to
say, that 600 British troops had arrived at the
mouth of the Aroostook, about 80 miles from our
encampment. I should he rather disposed to
doubt the correctness of this rumor, though 1
have it Irom stood authority.
In my yesterday’s letter I remarked that Col.
McLaughlin has been released ou his parole. In
tiiis 1 was mistaken—-he refuses to accept any
terms short of an unconditional, release, and*,
therefore, refusing to pledge his honor, lie is still
in custody.
C apt. limes, we learn has strongly fortified his
position, having thrown up a breastwork of tim
ber twelve feet in thickness, which is also sur
mounted by ordinance. About? ortliO hundred
men are now probably there, and wlieu onr [ire
sent army arrives, the member will not tali much
short o! 2,000. The present position of Capt.
Lines, is the point of laud torined bv tiie junc
tion pt the St. Croix with the Aroostook, near
the centre of township No. 10, in ihe s;ii range.
Those who ha'e the map of Maine can ascertain
the place. This is about 135 miles from the city,
and is approachable from the city by tin* means
oi the State road, which L cut up to ;hat place.
1 Ins road leaves the military road about seven
miles above the juncture of Matiuwanikcag w ith
the Penobscot, and runs almost a due north
course, along and through the 6th range of town
ships, it varying from the range only a tew miles
near No. 4. To tlie junction of the Aroostook
road as above, the distance from the city is about
67 miles.
i he military road above mentioned continues
on to Houlton, which place is about 120 miles
trom the city. The present location of our thr
ees is approachable from the British side only by
way of the St. John aud Aroostook rivers on the
ice. f rorn Woodstook, (which is S. Ys r . from
Houlton about 12 miles,) the distance of the St.
John to the mouth of the Aro 'took is about G 5
miles. Near this is the Tobique settlement, al
ready a place of" some note in this w ar. From
this place up the Aroostook to the St. Croix, where
our men are stationed, is about 30 miles. The
British claim to hold all the lands bordering
on the Aroostook and St. Croix waters, which
leaves our present position about 15 miles north
of their line. The distance from Frederickton
to Woodstock being about 60 miles, the whole
distaucefrom the seat of government to the seat
of war will be about 200 miles. The Governor
has o-dered expresses to be stationed all along
the Aroostook arid Houlton roads to this city and
hence to Augusta, so that the earliest informa
tion will be transmitted.
We conclude our resume for the present, with
;m extract from a letter dated Fr< deri( kfet, !\b.
15th, by which it appears that Sir Jon Harvey is
bjstiring himself also:
Two companies of the 3Gth left here yesterday
tor the Aroostoogh. Troops arc dailv expected
from Halifax, and drafting for the militia hie ta
ken place. One out of every four i the order of
the ballot. Those who plundered the arias ttoin
Woodstock have surrendered them to the Sheriff
of the county, but much against their will. It
the Sheriff* had been one hour longer, an action
would have taken place.
Correspondence of the Charleston Courier.
Washington, Feburary 26.
MAINF. AND NE W HRUNS W 1 (*K.
The President, after recapitulating the circum
stances which had led to the present difficulties,
adverts to the amicable negociation now | ending
between this country and Great Britain, which
in his opinion, will, if suffered to proceed, ter
minate satisfactorily. He also expresses bis in
tention. in case such should not be the c isc, of
making a proposition to Great Britain to settle
the dispute by the arbitrament of a third power.
Under these circumstances he disapproves the
Hasty conduct of Maine in assembling a a armed
force, etc., as calculated to interfere w ith and re
tard the pending negociation. He cannot con
sent to aid the State of Maine, by assistance from
the General Government ns requested, but say/
that m case the State of Maine should he unlaw
fully invaded in any way by an armed force from
New Brunswick, be would then consider ihe con- j
tingeney referred to in the Constiution bad arri- I
ved, and that the General Government would
then be bound to afford immediate aid. He hopes
that the Land Agent will be immediately released
and that both parties will come to a proper un
derstanding. In conclusion, he adverts to the
short period now remaining of this session, and
asks Congress to take such measures as shall pro
vide against any contingency during the recess, ;
and obviate the necessity of calling an extra sess- '
ion. The n engage is accompanied bv volumi
nous documents, correspondence, &c. The
message was well received by all parties, and was '
considered as a moderate, pacific, and dignified
state paper.
The documents and correspondence accompa
nying the message were then read, after which
Mr. Howard moved the reference of the mes
sage and documents to the Committee on For
eign Affairs.
Mr. Waddy Thompson moved tho printing of
20,000 extra copies, and made some remarks I
warmly approving of the tone of* the message. '
Laying aside all party feelings, lie felt liimself, lie j
remarked, bound to say that the course of the Ex
ecutive was wise, manly and patriotic on this sub
ject, and he should give him his hearty support
Our title to the territory in dispute was Ir, ■* ,
subject of discussion; for the solemn and unan
imous decision of both Houses of Congress had,
settled this point. The only question now was, !
whether we would tamely submit to the a per css- .
ions of the British Colonial authorities. We had
passed the rubicon, and must cither sustain our
rights or forever relinquish them. The letters of
Sir John Harvey wer*», lie said, written in a spirit
of insolence that was not to be bori>“. lie depre
cated war and its disasters as much ns any one,
but let it begin where it would, he was for main
tabling the honor of the country.
Mr. Evans, of Maine, went into a view of the ;
controversy and of the position taken by the State
ot Maine, which he said she would occupy and
maintain at all hazards, even ifunfiroteeted by the
General Government, or a simile sister State.
He gave but a qualified support to the message,
which he thought did not go far enough. He cast
much blame upon Congress and the late adminis
tration, for the pusillanimity of their course. lie
warned gentlemen that the matter had now gone
beyond the reach of negoeixtion, and earnestly j
pressed before them the necessity of speedily pi c
pitting for the worst.
Mr. J. Q. Adam* took views equally decided
and bfiong i»s to the necessity of supporting Maine.
In the Senate, the message was received with
much approbation. Mr. Clav gave it hi* support,
*«n sun that a the President had culled for men
anti luouej, ne might have h,nj them.
The re- :t i*j both Houses was, that the whole
sii.ipct was ieh red tothc t'mmnittcc on Foreign
A,taus, at.u it is tinders ood t.’jat they will make a
report wit Lour »»; ; ;y, recommending the course
proper to be pursued.
I lie piosj.ee: ;s, that thne n ill I>«* a breach be
twee , John Bull ami the Yankees, that the Geu
cral Government will become involved in it.
Washington February 28, 1639.
Mr. Howard, trom the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, to whom has been referred tiie President’s
message, in relation to he above reported a bill
giving to ti:e President additional Jiower iu case
<»! an invasion on the Northern frontier. The bill
authorizes the Presideut hi case of such eontin
geuoy to raise additional troops, and to equip the
puol.c vessel* oi war, and appropriate the sum
4,1 ~—millions of dollars for that purpose. The
blank to be fiiled up by the House.
It also appropriates 618.300 for the outfit of a
Special M mister to Great Dr.tain, iu case the Pres
ident shall deem.it necessary, :• co-operate vruh
Mr. Stevenson.
A report accompanied the bill, which was read.
The b.ll was then referred to a Committee of the
Who l* on the State of the Union, and made the
special order of the day for to-morrow at ileven
clock, to take precedence of all other business.
1 he rill and report were also ordered to fit- printed
under tut* supervision of the Committee oi For
eign Affairs. Subsequently mi motion of Mr. C.
! Johnson. 10*000 extra copies were ordered tub.
printed.
In the Senate, Mr. Buchanan made a report on
the Maine aud New Brunswick difficulties. H
denies that the British Government has any juris
diction over the disputed teirifory, and maintains
that it was expressly stipulated that neithei part'
should exercise jurist*refine. r t iic report run
eludes with resolutions asserting the rights of th*>
United Slates and the State of Marne; but d.**
dares that in case tho Governor of New Brims
wick withdraws his troops, and Maine persists in
keeping hers their, then Maine is not entitled to
the protection ot this Government.
From the National Intelligencer. February
l NU ED STA'I ES MAINE, A NDGREAT
BRITAIN.
The following is a copy of ihe Message trails
mined by the President of tiie United .States to
bol l l Houses of Congress'; on Tuesday .*
1 lay before Congress several letters Horn his Ex
cellency the Governor of Maine, with enclosures,
communicating certain proceedings ofthe Legis
lature of that tsiate,. ami a copy ol the n-piy of*
the Secretary of Smie, made by my direction, to
gether with a no e from 11. S. Fo’x, Knvov Ex
traordinary and Munster Tt miputentiarv of Great
i Britain, with the answt-V of the Secretary ol Stat e
to the same. " >
It will appear from those docur. ents. that a
numerous baud of lawless and desperate men,
chiefly from she adjoining British provinces, but
without the authority or sanction ul the Provinci
al Government had trespassed on that portion ol
the territory iu dispute between she United States
end Great Britain, which is watered by the rivet
Aroostook and claimed io belong to rise State of
Maine ; and that they had committed extensive
depredations there by cutting and destroying a
ven large quantity ot timber. It will further ap
pear, that the Governor of Maine, having beeu of
ficially apprized ofthe. circ.im-tauce, had com
municated if to the Legisl.i me with a recoin
mendation of such provisions, in addition to those
already existing bylaw, as would eusbife him to
arrest tiie course of saM depredations, disperse
the trespassers, and secure tlit* timber with h thev
weie about carrying away; tiiat in compliance
with a resolve of the Legislature, passed in pur
suance of his recommendations, his Excellency
despatched the land agent ol th.e State, with "a
force denned adequate (o that puppoae, to the
scene of the alledged depredations, who, atter
accomplishing a part of iris duty, was seized by a
baud oi the trespassers, at a house claimed to't.r
within the jurisdiction of Maine, whither hr had
repaired for the j uij ose of meeting and consul
ting with tiie End agent of the Province of Now
Brill.svve-k. and convey td as a prisoner to Fi'd
erickton, iu that I iinincc, together with two
other citizens ot the State, who were assistin''
him in the discharge of his duiv.
It will appear, that the Governor and Legis
lature of Maine, satisfied tiiat the trespassers L ,and
acted in defiance ot the laws ol both countries,
learning th t they were in posseseion of arms,
and nntiripa’Uig (correctly, as the result has
proved) that persons of their reekless and des
perate charterer would set at nought tho author
ity ol the.magistrates, without the aid of a strong
force, h.xi ai. in,;au and the sheriff*, and the officer
appointed in ti.t place ot ihe land agent, to em
i lot, at t iic expense ol the ciotc, au nnued posse,
who had proceeded io the scene of these depre
dations, with a view to the n iire dispersion or
arrest of (he trespass* is and the j rotcctionofthe
public property.
In ihe correspondence between the Governor
of Maine aud Fir John Harvey, Lieutanant Gov
ernor ot the Province ol New Brunswick, which
has grown out of these on i.neui cs, ai d is like
wise herewith conunuukan and, tie former is re -
quested to iecail iho at nu n arty, advanced into
the dispute termoty to* rise arrest of trespas
and ismloimed that a strong body ot British
;;oops is to be held in itadmess to support and
protect the authority and subjects cl Great Bri
tton in saiu ten itoiy. Jn autwei to that request
the Provincial Governor is informed of the de
termination ol the fetate ot Maine to support the
land agent and his party, in the performance of
their duty, and the same determination, for the
execution oi which provision is made bv a reso
lution ot the State Legislature, is communicated
by the Governor to the General Government.
The Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick,
in calling «I’°>i lli e Governor of Maine for the
recall of ihe land agent and his party from the
disputed territory, and the British Mini ter in
making a similar demand upon the Government
of the United States, proceed upon the assump
tion that an agreement exists be ween the two na
tions conceding to Great Britaiu, until the final
settlement of the boundary question, exclusive
possession 01, and jurisdiction over, tlie t.’iritory
iu dispute. The important bearing which such
an agreement, if if existed; would have it) on the
condition and interests ol the parties, and the in
fluence it might have upon the adjustment of*the
dispute, are too obvious to allow the error upon
which this assumption seems to rest to pass for a
rnp.mcn* trithomf correction. The answer of the
Secretary of Stale to Mr. Fox’s note, will show
:he rround taocn by the Government of the Uni
ted r-iate* upon this point. It is believed that
all lac tcrrespctideut e which has passed be tween
the tv o governments upon tins subject has alrea
dy been columnmented to f ortress, an abstract
ot it. iiowevi i. hastily prep are • . acori panics ihts
conniiir.icatioi:. ii is possible- that in thus
abridging a voluminous coircspoudtuce, com
mencing in ls2b, anti < m.turning to a very recent
period, u portion may have been aecuietniv over
looked; but it i* believe u that i oil mg has uik<n
place which wonlo n aterisliy change ihe aspect
of the question as therein presented. Instead
of sustaining the assumption of the British func
tionaries, that coirespoudeuce disproves the ex
istence of any such agreement. It shows that
the two Governu rnfs have differed not on y in
regard to the main question of title to the terri
ion iu dispute, but with reference also to the
right oi jurisdiction, and she fact ofthe actual
exercise ol it in different portions thereof- Ah
v.ays aiming at an amicable adjustment of the
dispute, both parties have t ntertained and re
pt .itee.ly urged upoueach other a desire, that cacli
should exe'eise us rights, whatever it consideied
them to be. in such a manlier as to avoid coi
bsii.n, and allay, to the greatest practicable ex
tei.t, the < xciti n.eut iikely to gr. v. cut ot (he
controversy. Jt.va# . prMi.o it Mich mb üb
tterstauding that Mail and Ma-*.,< husetts, upon
the remonstrance ol G.eat Britain, d.sistod troni
m iliin_ .aie* oi lauds and the General Goveni
uicnt in.m the construction of a projected iinii
,H|.V t■<i . artion ol the territory ol* which
they eluui- j to have enjoyed the exclusive pos
session; ;i:;d that Great Britain on her part, iu
deleience to a similar iTmen.strnnce from the
111 ted filiates, suspended the issue ot licenses to
cut timber in tiie territory in controversy, and al
so the suivey and location el a rail road thiou'. h
a section ot ihe country, our which she also
claimed, to have exercised exclusive jurisdiction.
Ihe State of Maine had a light to arrest tiie
depremitii i's complained of; it belonged to her to
judge of the exigency of the occasion calling for
her interior nee ; and it is presumed tiiat had the
Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick been
cuirecily advised of the nature of the proceedings
<h the .State ot Maine, he would not have regard
ed (lie transi ction as requiring, on his part, any
resort to torce. Each party claiming a light to
the territory, and hence to the exclusive jurisdic
tion over it, it is manifest that, to prevent the des
truction ol the timber by trespassers, acting
against the authority ol both, and at the same
time avoid forcible collision between the contig
uous Governments during the pendeney ol ne
gotiations concerning the title, resort must he had
to toe mutual exercise o! jurisdiction in such
extreme cases, or to an amicable and temporary
arrangement a* to the limits within which it
should be exercised by each party. The under
standing supposes, and 1 believe will prove so
hereafter, (hat the panics on the frontier, dirert
iy interested ir. the question, are respectively
governed by a just spirit of conciliation and for
bearance. it it shall be found, as there is no
leason to apprehend, that there is. in (lie mode
ot construing that understanding by the gw o Gov
ernments, a difference not to be reconciled, 1 shall
not hesitate to propose to her Britanie Majesty's
Government a distinct arrangement for (he tem
porary a..J mutual exercise of jurisdiction, by
means ol which similar difficulties may in fu
ture be prevented.
But between an effort ou the part of Maine to
preserve the property in dispute from des
truction by intruders, and a military
occupation by thai Stile ot ihe territory, with a
view to hold it by force, while the settlement i*
a subject of negotiation heiwt et, the tw< Govern
ments, there is an essential difference, as well in
respect to the po.-itmi < t »I * Smte as to the
(iijtiPnOl the General Government. In a letter
addressed by the {Secretary ot State to the Gov
ernor ot Maine, on the lasi o M ach last, giv
ing a detailed statement ol ihe steps which had
been taken by the Federal Government to bring
the eountroversy to a termination, and designed
to apprise ibe Governor of that St ite ofthe views
ot the Federal Executive, in respect *o the fu
ture, it wasstatejt, thai v bile tie obligations ol the
Federal Gbvoti.it. tnt to <!o all in its power to ef
fect lln set i lenient of the boundary question
were fully recognised, it had, in the event of be
ing unable to do so specifically, by mutual con
sent, no other means to accomplish that object
amicably, than by another ni bitration, or by a
coimi itsion with an utnpiie in the nature of au
at bittatici .ml simile event ol all other mea
smes tailing (lie I'residt nt would feel ’t his du
ty io submit another proposition to the Govein
t," l i of Great firman, to refer the decision of the
question to a thiru Power. These are still my
view upon the subject, arid until this step shall
have bet. taken, 1 cannot think it ■proper to invoke
Ihe attention of Congress to other than amicable
mean' tor the settlement ol the controversy, or
to cause the military power ol the Federal Gov
ernment to be brought in aid ol the State of
Maine, in at y ; not to (fleet that object by a
resort to torce.
(-tithe <.t,lier I.and, if the antlo ritics of New
Erunswirkslui.h atmi pt to iifone tl ( claim
of exchnivi jurismction sitiip by them, by means
of a military on up. tion on their pnit of the dis
puted territory, shall leel mysell bound to con
sider the contingency provided by the Constitu
tion as having ot cm red ,oi. the happening ol which
a State has the ri. lit locall for the aid o! the Fed
eral Government to repel invasion.
1 have expressed to the British Miuister near
tlii* Government a confident expectation that the
agents ofthe State of Maine, who have been ar
rested under an obvious inisnpprt heDston ot the
object of their mission, will he promptly released;
and to the Gcvni oi ol Maine that a similar
course will be pursued in regard to the agents
ol tlie Provo c<* of New Brunswick. 1 have al
so recommended that any militia that may have
been bn tight loptiirr i,y it e St ic ot Maine
from an apprehension cl a collision with the
Gove 11. inert or people of the British Province, will
be voluntarily’ and peaceably disbanded
! cannot allow u y -tilldo doubt, that the results
autiepated from these representations " ill be sea
sonably realized. The parties more immediate
intei ested cannot but perceive that an appeal to
arms, under ( Misting circumstances, will not only
prove fatal tu their present interests, but would
postpone, if not defeat, the attainment of the
iain objects which they have in view.—The ve
ry incidents which have recently occured will ne
cessarily awaken the Governments to the imp r
tauce of promptly adjusting a dispute by which it
is now made manifest that the peace ofthe two
nations is daily and imminently endangered.—
This expectation is further waijranled by the gen
eral forbearance which has hitherto characterized
the conduct of the Goveruujcut uud people W>