Virginia statesman. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1828-1829, 1828-05-28
NORTH EAsTERN BOUNDARY.

IICE OF The UNITED STATES
-...e0s....
NORTH EASTERN BOUNDARY
Report of $. B. Barrel, ESQ. Agent of the United
States to inquire respecting the alleged aggres-
sons ON the rights of American Citizens, by the
Authorities of New Brunswick, on the Terrific
ny m dispute between Great Britain and the
United States.
The undersigned has the honor TO report, that
n pursuance of the instructions he received from
the department of state, on the 18th day of No
yember last, he proceeded to Portland in the State
of Nune. and explained 20 his ExceIlenty Enoch
Lincoln, the Governor of that State, the object of
his commission and requested of him such assist
ance and information IN the execution of it, as he
was able and might think proper to render. His
ENceilency expressed his ready compliance with
the request of the undersigned. and IN reply TO a
letter addressed 10 him, the undersigned received
the letter from his Excelency, with lis accompa-
nyng document, herewith presented, and marked
A and B.
From Portland, the undersigned proceeded to
Fredericton. the capitol of New Brunswick, and
the residence of Sir Howard Douglass, the Lieut.
Governor of that Province, TO whom he transmit
ted upon his arrival, letter of introduction from
the Minister of his BrItanic Majesty near the
United States, copy of which Is herewith pre-
sentcd marked e.
In consequence of severe bodily indspostion
Sir Howard Douglass was unable to give the un-
dersigned q personal interview; but he was with
out delay Informed by other members Of the gov.
cmment of New Brunswick, that he was fully ac-
credited. as the representative of his government
and that any information documentary or other
wise. relative to his mission, which he desired
should be promptly furnished.
Soon after his arrival 90 Fredericton the under
signed received a letter from the Attorney Gene
ral of the Province under date ofDecember 23d,
which together with copy ofhIs letter IN reply
are herewith presented, marked ID and L.
On the 23d of December, the Attorney General
transmitted 90 the undersigned the letter herewith
presented and marked +, together with sundry
documents which are also herewith presented.
and numbered from I to g, inclusive. And on the
25th of December, the undersigned received from
the Attorney General his letter otthat date marked
q. and which, with the accompanying documents,
numbered from TO 10 inclusive, are also herewith
presented
The undersigned, while at Fredericton, had re-
peatcd interviews with Mr.. John Baker whom
he found confined ina prison at that place. lu
conformity with his instructions, he applied for
permission to see Mr. Baker i'm prison, I'M order
that he might ascertain the circumstances Of his
situation and am opportunity was readily atTo,led
hum tor that purpose. The apartment otthe prison
IN which Mr.. Baker is confined, Is Ola description
that precudes the possibility of rendering Its ten
ants comfortable But the prison affords none
better and it is appropriated TO prisoners IN con
fuement for debt The undersigned found in the
sme apartment with Mr.. Baker, an individual
who was imprisoned at the suit of a creditor. Ii
IS but Justice To- add, that the undersigned was M
formed by Mr. Baker. that both the High Sheui'
of the county and the keeper OF the prison, had
done AN which, consistently with their duty, they
could do, 70 alleviate his situation and TO rende
him as comfortable as circumstances would autho-
rise. Themdersigned was informed at Frederic
ton. that the prison had been recently present
ed by the Grand jury OF the county as public
nuisance.
It win be found from an examination of the
document NO. . ) accompanying the letter from
tine Attorney General of New Brunswick. 10 the
undersigned. under the date of December 23d, tina.
the offences with which Mr.. Baker stands charged
and for which he is TO be tried at Fredericton are
FOR exciting sedition among the French settlers at
Madawaska, and endeavorng to obstruct the pass
age Of the British mail upon the River ST. John.
llr Baker Is also imprisoned ON civil process at
the suit of Robert Shear, residing IN Lower Cana
da He confessed judgement to Shear at Cue
bee. for about two hundred and thirty pounds, n
the wear 1921 and upon this judgement the pres
emit suit Is founded. On the criminal suit he was
required 20 find bail for his appearance, IN the sum
of one hundred pounds, which he informed the
undersigned he could readily obtain If he could be
discharged from the civil process.
The undersigned proceeded from Fredericton
to HoJlton Plantation, a settlement within the
acknowledged bounds OF the State of Maine, and
about u miles distant from Woodstock on the
River st. John. At this place he met with seye-
raj of the settlers upon the AroOstook river, from
whom he received all the information he sought
respecting the first settlements upon that river
and the cause of recent disturbances among the
settlers
The earliest settlement upon the Aroosuc was
made about six years since. The settlers about
forty inuumber-nine of whom are citizens of the
United States and the residue are British subjects
No one of them has a grant of land, either from
the government of the Province of New Bruins
wick, or that of the State of Massachusetts or
Maine: or any other title 10 the land, occupied,
than that which arises from possession. Lewis
Johnson and Charles Johnson, born IN the Brit lSh
Province of Nova Scotia. and VIM. MCrae. born
IN Ireland, Were the earliest settlers. The de
urbances which have taken place, have been son
fined. almost exclusively to what is termed the
Upper Settlement upon the Aroostic, about 30
miles from the mouth of the river. The settlers.
generally, are composed of individuals who have
fed from the British Provinces, involved IN debt,
and probably with view of avoiding their eredl-
Tors. and who settled themselves upon the ATOos-
took under an impression, as they state, taat they
we're going unpon American ground. an doubt
less under the expectation that they SD ,uld ind
themselves beyond the reach of the laws Of G.
Britain. Of this description, Is the u iderslgned