The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1821-01-15
Gentlemen u he Senate and u Ae
House NJ representatives.

having 90 lately, and in a manner so salts
factory detailed to our national Legi- La
ture the posture OF our national concerns,
Ihayc not thought necessary particularly
70 invite your attention to subjects of that
nature. Yet a comparison If our situation
as thus developed, with that of any other
people, cannot tail TO inspire Us with love
OF country-tO stimulate US with renewed
efforts to promote the best interests Of our
infant, but rising republic, and to excite
in US lively gratitude TO the preme Ru-
Ter of the universe tor the fINa privileges
and unnnmbored blessings, n has been
pleased to best0w on us
The rapid increase Of the United States
in power and resources, since the adoption
OF the Federal Constitution, may Justly be
ascribed to the wisdom with which the gov
eminent has been administered; lnstitu-
ted for national objects il has properly d.
rected its attention to the general interests,
and lett the local policy of the States to the
care OF the local Legislatures. This course,
dictated by the genius of our institutions,
has been justified by its happy results !;
while each government has thus confined
its Legislation within its appropriate sphere,
the harmony of the union has been pre-
served. 1t is not to be presumed that the
United States Government will depart from
this system of policy, as the local interests
OF the particular States can no where be 80
safely trusted as with their own Legisla-
lures.
The affairs ofour own State possess apecu-
liar interest, arising out of the new & untried
situation ola government, which has but Just
commenceditsp political existence. Great re-
sponsibility and important duties were inn
posed by the Constitution upon the first
Legislature. In relation to the subjects
specially confided to them much still re-
mains requiring their attention. The diff
ficulties inseparably connected with the
performance OF their respective duties in
every department of new government,
cannot fail to be justly appreciated by an
intelligent people. But whatever difficult
ties we might have reasonably apprehended,
our government, | have much pleasure in
stating to you, has progressed in its organi-
cation IN as satisfactory manner, ii is be-
lleved, as could reasonably have been ex-
pected,
public lands being so highly interesting
not only to this State, but to Massachusetts,
| lost no time in communicating your re-
solve on this subject to the Executive of
that Commonwealth from whom, howev-
er, no reply has yet been received. As ex-
tensive depredations were committing on
the Schoodiac by foreigners, an Agent re-
siding there has been appointed; and am
assured the depredations have ceased An
Agent has also been appointed on the Pc
nobscot, whose character will authorize the
expectation that any further trespasses are
not to be apprehended on that river. Be
ing unable TO obtain such information as
was deemed necessary in order to give the
proper instructions to an Agent or Agents
on the ST. Johns river and its branches,
person suitably qualified was despatched to
that quarter, for that purpose. From his
report it appears that the trespasses there,
within our acknowledged territory, particu-
larly on the rivers Aroostook, De Chute
Presquille, and Meduxnekeag, committed
by persons residing in the British Provin-
ces, have for many years past been very
great. Accordingly arrangements have
lately beer adopted with the view to pre-
vent the recurrence OF such predatory in
cursiOns in future. But the extensive de-
predations which have been and still are
committed on the disputed territory by
laWiess trespassers encouraged and embol-
dened, as they are, by the protracted delay
in the settlement OF the boundary lines by
the Commissioners under the fifth article
Of tho treaty. of Chent will iosarva 4ba
consideration Of the Legislature for whlch
purpose the necessary documents Will be
laid before you.
Considering the State as deeply interest
ed in the settlement, as speedily as possible,
of those boundaries, Immediately forward |
ed copy Of the resolve passed at the last
session OF the Legislature, on that subject
to the President OF the United States. The |
Secretary OF State of the United States,
copy of the same to the A.
merican Commissioner who in reply, " gave |
reasonable ground of expectation, in the |
opinion Of that officer, that final decision |
1T all points IN controversy respecting those
lines ,oould be made an October last" As the |
Commissioners we're to have met at that
time In New York, and Our Senators in |
Congress would pass through that place,
they were requested TO make such inquiries |
as the interests Of this State seemed 10 re-
quire. Not finding the Commissioners in |
session, but accidentally meeting the A. |
merican Agent, they were informed by him, |
that he l0as ready to bring the discussions 10 q
close, Jut the british agent 1Could not attend |
All reasonable hope of a speedy adjustment |