The Portland gazette. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1818-1824, 1824-02-03


pointed 10 pekorm this service, and Instructed 70
lrDon~ruta viii the agent oi Massachusetts,, " On
inch nanner a. would be most likely 10 effect
AZ object equally desirable and interesting %
both states
These circumstances took place and this
teorrexpondence passed Between the latter part
~ January, and the early part or February
last. George Sullivan and Joseph III. Pierce.
Esauires. were appointed by the executive Of
Nassachusefts, to conduct tie business Al
Washington. And we hear nothing further
on the subject until the middle OF July. when
we Learn by letter from Cor. King, 20 Mr..
sullivan. that he was informed BY Mr.. Craw-
ford, that Mr.. Sullivan considered him As bsv-
ling nothing 70 do with the business, and that II
belonged entirely to himself and Mr.. Pierce,
by virtue Of the act Of separation. Gov. King
being designated By the government Of Aaise
to attend 10 this duty, aud experimenting that
similar expectation was entertained on the
part Of the executive of Massachusetts Of bis
exertiens 10 this behalf, addressed letter to
Mr. Sullivan requesting him 70 suspend pro
lceedings until he should have an opportunity 81
being correctly advised upon the subject.
| In reply to this letter, Mr.. Sullivan writes
TO Gov. King, from Brooklyn, Long Island,
under date or July Esd, criticising the terms
of the resolve Of the legislature Of Maine, and
questioning his authority to act undcrit The
argument Of Mr.. Sullivan 90 this particular is
so remarkable that We should be under some
Temptation TO transcribe il, If our limits adj
United. II seems that the legislature, in the
Language Of their resolve, speaking of the sub
liectso faras il concerned their constituents.
had referred to the Just claims Of this State, up
on the United States, for reimbursement OF
Iexpenses incurred by the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts during the late war" Mr..
Sullivan saws, that the duty Of the agent sp-
pointed under this resolve is confined TO the
adjustment of the claims Of the State Of
Maine; that be does not know what these
claims are, nor what expenses are alluded to
by the resolve, Sc whether military or civil, and
incurred for defence against the enemy or
lotherwise'' That Maine could give Gov
King no commission to act for Mass chusetts
and that whatever authority he might have
under the government of bis own state, il
Icould not control theirs as agents of Massa-
lchusetls. Mr.. Sullivan therefore refuses to
recognise what he considers Gov. Kings
|" pretensions to coequal and independent pow
lers," and declines giving his consent to the
ton Of claim Of so much magnitude, amount
ing 70 100000 dollars, requiring to be sustain
ed by the production of 1000 documents, ac-
Icompanied by multifsrous Illustrations of the
Occasions and expediency Of the services and
expenditures out Of which the claims had arls-
en-.
/ No further correspondence appears TO have
taken place until the month Of November. 1t
is stated in a note 10 the documents that Mr.
sullivan did not return to Washington, not
understanding the urgency Of expedition, until
some time in October. On the 22d of Nov
the agents of Massachusetts addresseda polite
letter to Gen. King, informing him that as
soon as the auditor had Enished the examina-
ton Of the accounts before him from the State
of Massachusetts, they intended to present for
auditing that portion of the claim which was
\ founded on the services Of the 18th division
of Massachusetts Militia, under the organiz-
alton that existed before the separation OF
Maine; and that, as that division was under
his command at that time, they should be glad
TO converse with him on that subject and in
relation to the claims Of Maine in general
1 In compliance with this invitation, Gov
King met these gentlemen according 70 ap-
lpointment, but finding, as he states, that Mr..
Sullivan was disposed to conduct the business
lof the claim in his own way, and in a manner
not authorizing IN his Judgment the expecta-
ton Of successful result, he withdrew, with
the expression of hope that the President
would not be called upon to decide the consti-
ltutional question inyolved.in this controversy.
until such an argument should be prepared on
the subject as the senators of both states then
expected in the city, upon being advised with
might concur in presenting.
l In measures Of a practical nature, the legal
lqlestion is sometimes about the least half And
SO il happens, we think, in the controversy of
Mr. George Sullivan with Gen. King, respecting
the authority Of the latter TO aid him in the pros
lecution of the Massachusetts, claim. Admitting
the control Of the subject to be entirely with
Massachusetts, and the whole Of the authority
lof the State for this particular purpose to be
concentrated in his single person, we cannot
but think his objections TO the cooperation OF
Gen. King, TO be extremely idle and futile
Granting all he contends for, still we consider
THAT in a claim Of so much magnitude, entrusted
Imainly TO his management, and in the issue Of
which there was so much al stake il was his du-
lty to avail himself OF every proper aid without
questioning the right Of any person 10 impart IL
4 Surprising the protfered assistance OF Gen
King to be perfectly gratuitous still il might be
useful and even supposng his commission to
lbe informal, courtesy to a coordinate state
having even , remote interest in the claim, res
lpect for the recommendation Of the executive
under which be derived his own appointment
labove all paramount devotion TO the object of
that appointment ITSELF ought, we appreheud, 10
have deferred him from entering into coRtro-
lversy with Governor King, concerning the ex-
tent OF bis authority. But Il is evident that the
interference Of the latter was not purely OH
cious The request OF the supreme executive
Of Massachusetts,, gave right 70 the govern
ment Of Maine 20 move in this matter The
very considerable interest of this State in the
result, authorized il to interpose with effect -
and independent Of the deep interest which