Lincoln telegraph., 1838-06-07
GOV. KENT TO THE PRESIDENT.
STATE OF MAINE.

tnlS Otatc, In faVOr OF EDeneZeT ~ NGetlY
also copy of resolve in favor of John
Baker and others; and in compliance with
the request of the Legislature, ask Of the
Government of the United States reim-
bursement of the several sums allowed
thereby, which several sums have been
paid by this State to the individuals named
in the resolves.
The justice and propriety of granting
this request, can have no doubt, will be
apparent to you and TO Congress, when
the circumstances under which the allow
ances were made are called to mind.
Mr. Greely, acting as agent under law
of this State authorizing and directing a
census to be taken in unncorporated pa-
ces, was forcibly seized and imprisoned for
several months, and then without trial re-
leased.
John Baker and his associates, named
in the other resolve, suffered by imprison-
ment and otherwise for acting under a
law of this State, Incorporating the town of
Madawaska, in 1881. The State of
Maine has acknowledged by these and
other resolves in sense of obligation to re-
munerate in the first instance these suffer-
ers in its cause and to satisfy as far as it is
able their claims upon its justice. But the
wrongs by which they suffered were COM
mitted by foreign Power with whom we
are now at peace. The State of Maine
has no power to make war, or authorize
feprisa!s. She can only look to the Gen
eral Government to assume the payment
as an act of justice to a member of the I'm
ion under the provisions of the constltu-
ton, and to demand redress and remuner-
alton from the authors of the wrong in the
name ofthe United States.
A minute recapitulation of:he facts upon
which these resolves are founded, is deem
ed entirely unnecessary and super huous,
as they have heretofore been colnmunica-
ted and are well known to the Executive
and to Congress.
Maine has suffered too many repetitions
of simiar attempts to prevent her from ell
joying her rightful possessions, and en(or-
cling her just claims, to feel Indifferent to
the subject and we look with confidence
to the General Government for protection
and support. The amount of money, al.
though considerable, is of comparatively
small importance when contrasted with the
principles involved, and the effect which
must result from an immediate and ready
assumption of the liability on the part of
the United States Such an act would be
higly gratifying to the people of this State,
as evidence that their just claims and rights
are fully recognised by the United States,
and that the strong arm Of the Union will
be stretched out for their protection in eve
ry lawful effort to maintain and enforce
their claims, which they know and feel to
be just and unimpeachable. land which they
are determined to maintain. l trust shall
be pardoned for earnestly urging immedi-
ate action on the subject
had the honor to enclose to you, under
date of the 28th of March last, copy of
my message to the Legislature, and of the
Resolves of the Legislature of Maine, IN
relation to the Northeastern boundary,
which have no doubt, have received and
will receive all the attention the Importance
of the subjects therein discussed and acted
on demands. You will perceive that, in
accordance with your wishes, commune
Gated the proposition in relation to con-
ventional line of boundary with the letter
of Mr. Forsyth addressed to the Executive
of Maine The views and wishes, and de-
Termination Of the Executive and Leglsla-
ture of Maine, and, think l may safely
add of the people of Maine, are fully and
freely set forth in the documents referred
to, communicated to you heretofore by me.
The proposition was distinct and definite,
and the answer is equally SO and con-
slider that it may be regarded as the fixed
determination of Maine to consent TO no
proposition on our part to vary the treaty
line, but to stand by that line as definite
practicable, and fair one, until its i'm
practicabilty is demonstrated. 1t is need
less for me to recapitulate the reasons upon
which this determination is founded re-
fer you to the docume nts before alluded to
for my own views on this topic. sanctioned
fully by the Legislature. Tho duty de-
volving upon me, by your request, l have
endeavored to discharge in a spirit of pro-
found respect for the constituted officers Of
the General Government, and with single
eye to the interest and honor of the United
States and of the State Of Maine. The at
ttude assumed by Maine, in relation to
the survey of the line ofthe treaty of 1898
has, doubtless, attracted your attention.
feel it due to the State to say to you, frank
ly and unequivocally, that this position wa.
taken deliberately, and with full consid
Grafton Of all the circumstances of tho
case. But it was assumed in no spirit o
defiance or resistance, and with no design
10 embarrass the action Of the Genera
Goyerrnment Maine feels no desire tt