The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1828-01-09


would be heard of hostile acts, alleged to
have been committed by the authority of a
government, which had first proposed mutual
forbearance in the exercise of jurisdiction and
the rights of property, upon the disputed ter
ritory Whatever may hereafter prove to be
the true character of the late proceedings, by
Officers of the Province of New Brunswick,
there is doubtless much occasion for alarm
and anxiety on the subject Collisions often
repeated, even between private individuals, IN
habitants of border country, who claim justi-
fcation and protection from different sover-
eighties, must necessarily lead to the most
serious public results. Upon the first distinct
intimation of the aggressions which are COM
planned of, letter was addressed to the Gov
ernor of Maine, requesting information of the
nature and extent of the wrongs which had
been suffered, and expressing the sympathy OF
this Government with the people and Govern
ment of the State over which he presides,
under any injuries which had been inflicted,
and readiness to cooperate in all lustlilable
and constitutional means to obtain redress
was informed in reply, that special agent
had been appointed to ascertain the facts, the
issue of whose inquiries has not yet been COM
municated. 1t is satisfactory to know, that
the subject is also in course of investigation
by the General Government, and there Is rea-
son to hope, that by discreet and faithful coun-
sells, as by firm resolve, the present threatnings
of evil may be averted. But the excitement
which has been created in the neighborhood OF
the events, should be admonitory to a speedy
removal of the cause, which otherwise may
again at any time produce it. Not only the in
terests of the States owning the property, but
the peace of the nation demands, that this
boundary should be distinctly designated, upon
! the face Of the country. 1t is but matter OF
the strictest right The sovereignty of States
is not to be abridged, nor the claims of citizens
to protection and the enjoyment of the prIvIle-
geS of freemen, to be sacrificed, by unreasona-
bic delays, or compromising negotiations.
| Where the land marks were defined to be, on
J the recognition of our National Independence,
there they are to remain established. The oc-
casion to rGRep, furnishes no authority to re-
! more them.
That object of ceaseiess concern, the Massa-
chusetts Claim, has not failed to receive due
attention from the Executive. 1t must be we'll
rene nlbered, that early in the second session
OF the last Congress, on the motion of an hon
orable member of the House of Representa-
hves from a neighboring State, it was suddenly
sent back to the Secretary of War, with in
structions to report upon the supposed appllca-
/ ton OF certain discriminating principles to the
different items of the service. Although this
measure, however intended, cannot bat be re-
garded as an act of great injustice to the rights
OF the State, inasmuch as it could not fan to
produce further delay in the settlement OF the
accounts, yet so decidedly and summarily was 1t
adopted, as scarce to afford opportunity for re-
monstrance or objection The reference was in
deed actually made, before it could be known
here, that it had even been proposed. 1t
might have been shown, as it is believed, that
every fact important to a dispassionate discus
sion OF the question of allowance, was within
the control Of the House The auditing OF
| the accounts had already once been had, and
the general evidence upon which the merits OF
the case rested, was to be found in 4 mass o.
published documents, in the possession OF eve
~ member. The subject having, however,
been impe.atively disposed of by the House of
Representatives, there remained nothing but a
| necessity for acquiescence, until the Report OF
| the Secretary could be made The pressure
OF business in his Department, precluded the
expectation of this, during the residue OF a
short session of Congress.
In the execution of the duty required of the
| Secretary, he has deemed it essential to a COM
pllance with the order OF the House, that an
entire revisal of the accounts should be had,
and this preliminary service was Immediately
assigned 10 the third Auditor of the Treasury
This Officer, as | am informed, has since, and
to this time, been principally occupied, with
the assistance of two clerks, in a minute scru-
tiny OF all the charges, and in preparing ex-
hlbils, referring each particular item to its APP
proprate voucher. The work is now under
stood to be nearly accomplished, and the Re-
port OF the Secretary may reasonably be soon
looked tor.-When obtained, it may furnish
occasion for further communications to you on
the subject.
From the passing of the resolve of the Goth
of June, 1926, empowering the Governor, with
the advice of the Council, to appoint an agent
to prosecute the claim, and to perform 8 all
requisite services in respect to it, under in
siructions from the executive, whenever a bill
Tor It's payment in whole or in part may be
passed by Congress or such other circumstan-
ces may occur as to make the appointment of
such agent expedient," | have not been adj
Vised, that there was occasion, at any time, to
execute the authority The Delegations from
Massachusetts and Maine, have been repeated
" consulted on the subject and such nforma-
lion as have been enabled to obtain by dill
gent application to the best source OF inteli-
gence, has been faithfully submitted to the
consideration of the Executive Council, who
have unanimously concurred in the opinion,
that such appointment under existing circum-
,SS' "oS hob ioquiISu. L u0t P0Cuildl
character of the investigation directed by the
Secretary, excluded any aid from anagent of
the State. The service was in charge of an
able Accountant who had before gone over an
examination of the papers with the former
Agent, and was familiar with their general
import, and arrangement. Two gentlemen of
the Delegation have been more particularly
requested to give their attention to those in
quires which the interests of the Common
wealth might suggest and upon consultation
with their colleagues, and the Delegation from
Maine, to favor me with such communications,
from time to time, as the state of the business
should render proper Ii is believed, that IN
this manner, all valuable INFORMATION has been
obtained, and the expenses of a special agency,
which must have been in a great degree use
less, are altogether saved =.
II is in he discharge of duty no less pain
ful than imperative, that presen to your no.