The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-09
I'D o 21l e St6c.
e . N G. Il f S S.

TUESDAY, Feb. &C.
sENArE.-The following Message received from
the President
To the Senate ofthe United States:
lay before Congress several dispatches from his Excel
ency the Governor of Mane with enclosures, commun-
eating certain proceedings of the Legislature of that Sate
and copy Of the reply of the Secretary of Sate made by
my direction together with note from II. S. Fox, Esq
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of
Great Britain, with the of the Secretary of State
to the
1t will appear from these documents that numerous
band of awless and desperate men, chiefly from the adj
joining British Provinces but without the authority
sanction of the Provincial Government had trespassed
upon that portion of the territory in dispute between the
United States and Great Britain, which by the
river Aroostook and claimed belong the State of
Maine; and that they had committed extensive depredaons
there by cutting and destroying very large quantity of
timber. 1t will further appear that the Governor
Maine, having been officially appraised of the crcumsan-
CO. had communicated it to the Legislature, with
mendaton of such provisions in addition those already
existing by law, would enable him the course
of said depredaons dispense the trespassers and
the timber which they about carrying away; that in
compliance with resolve of the Legislature passed in
of his recommendation his Excelency has des
patched land of the State with force deemed a
equae to that purpose, to the Of the alleged depre
dations, who, after accomplishing part of his duty
seized by band of the trespassers house claimed
be within the jurisdiction of Mainc whittier he had
paired for the purpose of meeting and consulting with the
land agent of the Province of New Brunswick and
gethe with two other citizens of the State who
sstng him in the discharge of his duty
Ii will also appear that the Governor and Legislature Of
ane satisfied that the respassers had acted in defiance
of the laws of both countries learning that they in
possession of arms, and anticipating Correctly the
suit has Proved that persons of their reckless and desper
ate character would set nought the authority of the
magistrates without the aid of strong force had authorize
ed the sheriff. and the officer appointed in the place of the
land agent employ, at the expense Of the state
ed IN of
daons, with view to the entire dispersion of
the respasser and the protection of the public property
In the correspondence between the Governor of Maine
and Sir John Harvey Lieutenant Governor of the Province
of New Brunswick which has grown out of the occur
rences, and is likewise herewith communicated, the former
is requested to recall the armed force advanced into the
disputed territory for the arrest of trespassers and is in
formed that strong body of British troops is TO be held
in readiness support and protect the authority and sub
ects of Great Britain in said territory In to that
request the Provincial Governor informed of the deter
mnaon of the State of Maine support the land agent
and his party in the performance of their Duty and the
same determination, for the execution of which provision
is made by resolution of the State Legislature,
municaed by the Governor to the General Government
The Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick, in calling
upon the Governor of Maine for the recall of the land
agent and his party from the disputed territory, and
the British Minister in making similar demand upon the
Government of the United States, proceed upon the
sumption that agreement exists between the two nations
conceding to Great Britain, until the final settlement of the
boundary question: exclusive possession Of and Jursdic-
ton the territory in dispute. The important bearing
which such agreement if it existed, would have upon
the condition and interests of the pares and the influence
might have upon the adjustment of the dispute too
obvious to allow the upon which this assumption
to rest to pass for moment without correcion-I
The of the Secretary of State to Mr. Foxs note
will show the ground taken by the Government of the
United States upon this point 1t is believed that all cor
respondence which has passed between the two Govern
mens upon this has already been communicated to
Congress, and is their files. An abstract of it,
however, hastily prepared accompanies this communca-
ton. II is possible that in thus abrdging voumnous
correspondence, commencing in 1925, and continuing
very recent PERIOD portion may have been accdenta
everooked but is believed that nothing has taken place
which would materially change the aspect of the question
therein presented Instead of sustaining the assump-
ton of the British unctonaes that correspondence dis
proves the existence of any such agreement. 1t shows
that the Governments have differed not only in reg
to the main question of title the territory in dispute
but with reference also to the right of Jurisdiction and
fact of the actual exercise OF in different portions thereof
Always aiming amicable adjustment of the dispute
both parties have entertained and repeatedly urged upon
each other desire that each should exercise its rights
whatever it considered them to be- in such manner TO
avoid collision and aay the grentest practicable extent
the excitement likely to grow of the controversy
in pursuance Of such understanding that Maine and
Massachusetts, upon the remonstrance of Great Britain
desisted from making sales of lands and the General Gov
eminent from tho construction of projected military road
portion of the territory of which they claimed to have
enjoyed the exclusive possession, and that Grea Britain
on her part in Difference similar remonsrance from
the United States suspended the of licenses to cut
timber in the territory in controversy and also the survey
and location Of railroad through section of country
over which she also claimed have exercised exclusive
jurisdiction.
The State Of Mune had right arrest the deprcd4