The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1839-04-12 00:00:00

powers for the public defence against invasion and for other
purpolies, By this act the president is authorised to resist any
attempt on the part of Great Britain to enforce by arms her
claim to exclusive jurisdiction over that part df the state of
Maine which is •in dispute between the United States and
Great Britain, and for that purpose to employ the naval and
military forces of the United .States and such portion of the
militia as he-:may deem advisable to call into service, and to
increase the military and. naval forces of the union in the
event of invasion, or imminent danger of invasion. 'Prosi-
Sion is also made for sending a special minister to Great
Britain, to treat with the government of that country upon
an amicable adjustment of matters in' difference between the
. two nations.
While the several state governments should carefully ab-
stain From any act that might in any degree interfere with the
constitutional duties of the federal government, it is obvious
that occasions may arise in which they ought to make known
to that governnient, to foreign nations, and to any aggrieved
sister state, that we are an united people, jealous of our sove-
reignty, and determined to resist aggression upon the rights
or territory of the union. The passage of the act of congress
to which I havereferred,• provisionally contemplates that the
country may, -during the recess of that body, be compelled to
assume an attitude of defence against a foreign power, and
seem'', therefore, to present one of those occasions which call
for such an expression on the part of several states.
The measures adopted by congress seem to me to have been
wisely designed to preserve the existing inestimable relations
Of peace between this country and Great Britain, as well as
to vindiCate the rights of the state of Maine, and to maintain
the honour and dignity of the nation. It can scarcely be be-
lieved that enligntened Christian nations, bound to each other
'in peculiar relations of feeling and of interest, will unneces-
sarily; suffer the harmony existing between them to be inter-
rupted. The governments of both, as well as their individual
citizens, are under the strongest obligations to cultivate every
disposition to amity, and to repress all tendencies to• hostile
action. At the same time, peace is seldom the lot of any
nation which does not on all proper occasions manifest that
it knows its rights, and will at all hazards maintain them.
I respectfully call your attention to the subject, under the
expectation that an expression on our part of concurrency in
the policy of the general government, will contribute to avert
the calamities of war, and:secure the speedy and honourable
adjustment of the existing differences between this country
and Great Britain. WILLIAM H. SEWARD.
(From the Courier and Enquirer, March 14.)
The message of Governor Seward relating to the north-
eastern boundary affair was referred to a select committee,
as moved by Mr. Tallmadge yesterday. The committee was
-then chosen by bellot, and consists of Mr. Dickinson, chair-
man, and Messrs. Tallmadge and Powers.
• Letters from Bangor to the 9th instant, state that by-an
express just arrived from Houlton, information had been re-
ceived that Governor Harvey was making preparations to
have poSsession of Mars Hill, and had sent out men to cut
out a road to that place. Eight companies had been detached
on this service, two of which had already marched from Fre-
derickton. It is further stated that the proposed lodgment
is to be made on territory that is indisputably our own. Ver-
bal advices of a contradictory tenour are brought by passen-
gers from the east. It is altogether improbable that the re-
port is true to its full extent. Sir John Harvey will be likely
to goVern himself by a more discreet regard to the agreement
of Mr. Fox and Mr. Forsyth than Governor Fairfield seems
disposed to exhibit.
We have intelligence from Augusta to Sunday last. The , correspondent of -the Boston Atlas states that a message to , the legislature would probably be communicated by the go- vernor7the following day. General Scott was to leave on
•Tuesday for Houlton. He expected to have a personal in-
terview. With Sir John Harvey. He had much and free in-
tercourse with. the citizens of Augusta, and the universal
confidence was reposed in him that naturally attaches to
energy and spirit of character, when united with the good
sense and discretion which so eminently distinguish that gal-
lant soldier. We consider it peculiarly fortunate that the
country- can avail itself of his services at this critical juncture.
Mr.. Bottsford passed through Augusta- on the 9th, with
despatches from Washington to Sir-John Harvey. He spoke
in a• desponding tone as to the peaceful termination of the
diffleulties'between the two countries.
With regard to the menaced occupation of Mars Hill, there
was thought to 'be some foundation for the story, as it is
stated, beside the verbal communication of the express, in a
letter from the: secretary of Gen. Hodson. A letter from
Houlton of the 7th, states that four companies of General
Hodgson's detachment were to march that day, and the re-
niaining five companies on the Monday following. Their
destination was the mouth of the Presque Isle, a stream that
flows into the Aroostook, about ten miles higher up than the
lowest position taken up by Mr. Jarvis. Several companies
have already reached there, and huts for the accommodation
of the troops had been erected at that point, beyond which
they will not proceed for the present. The forces had been
detained longer at Houlton than was expected, in conse-
quence of the difficulties and delay necessarily attendant upon
procuring clothing and other munitions of war.
. an March 9, 1839.
I have just conversed with a gentlß
emango r,
direct from Houl-
ton, who has had good opportunity for judging—who gives it
as his opinion that there will beno blood shed, notwithstand-
ing all the preparations on both sides—and that the men on
the other side of the line are decidedly averse to war. Go-
vernor Harvey, it is thought, issued his proclamation unad-
visedly, and would gladly escape the effects and results of it,
and that it was produced upon a great misapprehension of the
state of things at that time.
• - The only -road leading into the disputed territory from the
British side has been stopped up by Mr. Jarvis, for some five
or six miles, by trees felled across it ; while the British have
been equally vigilant and active, by filling it up on their side
of the line-by similar obstructions. Thus ingress by either
party into the enemy's country by this way is entirely pre-
vented ; and when the Aroostook River breaks up, there will
remain no opening through which the army could march into
the valley of that river. The -people over the line 'are evi-
dently continually in fear of an invasion from our state ; and
this, it is thought by many, is the great object of their keep-
ing their soldiers in a state of military preparation. The
militia of the province cannot learn who have been called out, ,
nor does it appear to be the intention of the government to
call them into service. - In fact, little reliance can be placed
upon them.
Our troops at Houlton continue to keep up a good flow of : :
animal spirits, and appear ready, at any time, to meet an
enemy. On account of the nature of the season, and the,
great change which most are obliged to undergo in their diet,,' -
much sickness begins to prevail amongst them. •
Orders haVe been received here to furnish a supply of pro-
visions
• for 5,000 men, for three months ; so that it, seems.: al
our government does not think of any sudden, disbandmenk 04
of her troops. The transportation of provisions furnishea.t:m
lucrative employment for a very large number 'of eanire,'..i)al
which are continually engaged in the business. The wanT
thus far, is certainly an expensive one; and will cost a vdatbdil
sum of money if much longer protracted. • siT
In great haste, Pe alga;
Augusta, March 10, 1839. , -7 10
Our troops that are now on the disputed territory will not,' ,
lam satisfied, be withdrawn. Facts are daily brought to )'
light that justify the authorities of this state in continuing a ,':'7
strong force on that territory to protect the public property-nail
It is now ascertained that timber to the value of more than, ' sii-
a million of dollars has been cut on the public lands in thes
disputed territory during the past season. As that timber
•6,
is scattered over a wide extent of territory, it will require a -'-':SI
large force to protect it. Stopping the timber where it now -
is will have a good effect, independent of the value of the . '
property. The people of New Brunswick are nearly all of
them in some way connected with, and interested in, these
trespasses.
So long as they can be permitted to cut at random the
valuable timber on these lands, they will oppose the settle-
ment in any way of this question; but as almost the whole
business of the- province depends on the timber cut on these
lands, let their lawless marauding be effectually, stopped, and
they will be as anxious to have the question settled as the
people of this state. There can be no doubt that these ope-
rations are not only known to the province, but that they
are countenanced and aided by them. Maine must, there-
fore, rely on her own agents to put a stop to this business.
We can expect no aid from the provincial government.
Our forces now on the territory are not sufficient to pro- . ~,, ,
teet the timber, independent of any other considerations ; '
and to protecting that there certainly can be no objecticins. st
Maine now occupies a position in this question that entitlesn lam
her to the aid ,and support of her sister states. I trust abeashan .
will not abandon it, or be recreant to her own duty. .. at, mans,
There can lie no doubt that Sir John Harvey is colles ,
sit eb-
a military force at Madawaska. -
....
. The Commercial Advertiser of yesterday evening ackna-,. •i'v .
ledges the receipt by a special, messenger from Frederick-ton; nW
of the Royal Gazette, extra, puslished at that place sonthqentua ,
6th instant 'containing a report of some interest from. M.e. 1e,51 -
M`Laughlin, the warden, dated 27th February, inusicilidayeee,
after his release and return from Maine. rz",7-"J"'
The report commences with an explicit denial thal4P7 as
trespassers have in any way been encouraged or counterullidectth 02
by the British government or the provincial anthciritiesnanslilifsq
then sets forth-,- •
- a eatt sn'T
That since 1829 the Warden has been employed chiefly Jam •-•- . e, • - . s WM.
preventing depredations whether by British or Americans : • .
That as the most effectual means of pnei-etifidit he liiiii""
every year seized all the timber which could be ascertained
or even suspected to have wine from the t'd,sputed territory; an '
and either condcinhion it or levying heay,y prohibitory duties, e
the proceeds of Which° have been paid over to the receiver .• .
general, on special deposits, to be hereafter p'aid over to the :
government in whose favour the final adjaginent of the dis-
pute shall be made
That for the better prevention of depredations, in July, '
1837, a proclamation was issued by Sir John Harvey, forbid- '
ding all persons to cut timber on the disputed territory, which
was extensively circulated'; and more effectual measures were
sanctioned by the lieut.-governor for seizing and condemning
such timber as should come down, either to Fredericton or St. •- ..._ .
John, Which was done :
... 14. W.
.... .
That notwithstanding these measures, great numbers +mall
trespassers, both Americans and BritiSh, have entered upon, fj.ji ,4
the territory during the present year, the former pretending;,, eel,
to have. and many of them actually having, authority fronin '''".
Maine pude Massachusetts, by which many British subjeCtso UT/
Were iaa' duced to join them, under the idea that the lumberAisa
WdlultillO4rotected from confiscation under the permits.salasl os
g ranteelf--41ileh keep ants for the unusual number of trespassipm,
liit
clirected to' 'fibal 4/4
Ulrthattalukit sinirigit;(tiiirye- di,isuicintrealtihtehie,rewscairidt
eandnyt,e.asr , s
ill pi-111aq camil faum•the disputed territory down the- !”4‘lo
Jblin, t- .whiy.lb 4,arratigemeuts were made for placing4tatstrati
egorilie Aroostook; to secure all timbierstealsai
boom ifh6"
that minalif ' "
in
,(e-ii in the spring of 1839,; and finally,, e , ee,,,,,
nA.Pivas directed by Sir John Harvey to snaia;4,R,;4,
itepsaesnste rw's. i, 'lane rd; de.'r°e ';.:4;nr
it jToiltiraitiellsrithr‘
0. oettill4ethoevettoirorgittohrye-
resortsduring tohret
the puepose
visinn means tobminareala,up their operations ;in the fulfilment .
(f• w'Lich„l„ty he aVasanade prisoner and taken to 'Bangor;,otq
where he was&tallied until released on his parole of honour.ni 4111
Ti4e report is accompanied by the proclamation of July,
1837; forbidding trespassers and threatening depredators with " ...
the severest measures of punishment. .1111 Wlt is current in the city that there is more truth than wasitiff
at first supposed in the rumour of Mr. Woodbury's appoint-41
meat to the special mission to England. It is said that Cam- s.,
breleng will succeed him in the department, and that Eli ' , .et
Moore is to -receive a berth in some subordinate office at " "
Washington. • -It is not impossible, if the objections to Mrne
Calhoun's appointment should be insurmountable, that suchl #l' '
will be the arrangement.. The nine thousand dollars outfit, trOtiW
and nine thousand dollars salary, will be quite an object to ai , An
mercenary like Woodburv—there will be "so little to do, -
and so much to get for it.'' Then, again, the opportunity of n
getting rid of him would not be willingly lost by Mx.. Van-4_,
Bruce. The appointment of . CambAdeng and Moore to iIsIA.F
office, insulting as it would be to the city and people of .News „figlir
York,. would be but of a piece'with the whole policy of the nisqua
administration, in elevating to distinguished office all those ena-a':,,,
members of congress, who have been most sii•nallycondeinned ''''
by the people. A few weeks since, Gholson of MississippFFslm•
was rewarded with the offiCe ofjudge ' • and-Cambreleng doubt- -
less is as fit for the Treasury as Gholson is for the bench.:-, di a•rik

•
:•Ir ?.1)M1•93 •
DEMOCRATIC ECONOMY.—The proprietor of the C,hesney'4lC
Assembly-rooms, Foley-place, London, which have recently ill
been brought into notoriety by the number of democratic {slit",
meetings held therein, has publicly atmounced that lie m;i11
i snob
grant them no more for such a purpose, the last cli4Frr Rot fi yj
having been paid for.
WARNING TO CONSERVATIVE REPRESENTATIVES.— kiwi°ll)(fW
Morning Post assures the conservative members of the flouge
of Commons, that their attendance on the 15th instant is"
dispensable,;" and that whoever holds language tending to
produce the opinion that they may safely absent themselves,
acts the part of an enemy, if not of a traitor, to the conserva-
tive cause for the "fight upon that occasion is not to be,"
as some newspapers, " affecting to understand and act upon
the views of the conservative party," wish their readers to
believe, " a sham fight."