Lincoln telegraph., 1838-06-07

strongly feels, that it is the Intention o.
that Government to relieve her from the
necessity ofthrowing herself upon her own
resources, TO assert and defend her most
unquestionable right. The wish OF this
State is, that the first act should be to run
the line of the treaty of 1888, to ascertain
the facts in relation to the topography OF
the country, and the exact spot where the
northwest angle of Nova Scotia may be
found, according to our construction OF the
treaty language, and to place suitable mon
uments along the whole line. Such sur
vey would not settle or determine any
rights but it would express and declare
our views aud intentions. Such survey
IS not warlike or offensive movement, and
cannot Justly give offence to the other par
ty in the controversy. 1t is the unquestion-
able right Of litigants,i in a court OF justice,
TO make explorations Of land in dispute, and
if either party declines Joint survey, 1t
may be made en- pGrte. And surely the
United States have never so far yielded
the actual possession to Great Britain as to
preclude the right, on our part, TO ascor-
tain for ourselves the absolute facts, and to
mark out the limits of our claim and our
alledged right. This act Maine asks, and
asks earnestly, the General Government to
perform without delay. Such an assumption
of the controversy, OH the part of the Uni
ted States, would be to Maine an assur-
ance that her rights were duly regarded,
and would be steadily and perseyeringly
maintained. We want the name and the
authority of the United States; and there
can be no doubt that an act, emarating
from that source, would be regarded by
those interested on both sides, as OF more
importance than any act of an individual
State. So far, then, from any indlfer-
ence on the part of Maine, as to the action
of the General Government, or any desire
to be driven TO assume the performance of
the duty alluded to, she looks with intense
anxiety and confident hope to be relieved
from this position. She believes it is alike
due to the honor of the United States and
the rights of Maine that the General Gov
ernment should go forward IN the work,
and that there is less to apprehend in the
result from such course than any y-other.
But Maine feels that the time for decisive
action has come; that she cannot be satis-
fed to have tho claim TO absolute and eX-
elusive jurisdiction of large part OF her
territory longer tolerated and acquesced in
She knows that it rightfully belongs to her
jurisdiction; that it is hers by clear per-
feet, and honest title; as clear, as perfect,
and as rlghtful as her title to any portion of
the State; and she cannot consent to have
this title impaired or weakened by bold
encroachments and unscrupulous demands.
She cannot consent that title, transmitted
by the fathers of the Revolution, shall be
destroyed or defeated by acquiescenee in
the adverse occupation Of foreign state
and that what was once fairly yielded shall
be reclaimed in utter defiance of solemn
deed of cession | am confident am not
mistaken in stating that the Legislature Of
Maine considered the question as fairly
and plainly before the National Govern
ment, and that if the present session of
Congress should close with denial or
postponement of the proposed survey, and
no comssion should be erected by the Ex-
ecutlve, as contemplated in the resolution
referred to. we should have a right, and be
bound, to regard such delay or refusal as
evidence of an indispostion OH the part Of
the General Government to accede to our
expressed views and wishes, and denial
of Justice and that Maine in that event,
owed it to herself to cause the survey to be
made under her own authority. The duty
of the Executive of Maine is plainly point
ed out, and made imperative and absolute
by the resolves of the Legislature F.; and l
certainly cannot hesitate, so far as have
the means aud power, to execute their de-
clared will.
We are obliged to omit the remainder
this week.