Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-03-14
DOM ESTAC.
OFFICIAL Paper
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,

on THE MAINE BORDER SUBJECT.
Letter iron. tie Secretary Of State TO The Governor q
Maine
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, February %, 1880
Sir: 10 acknowledging, by direction of the Pes.
dent, ycur communications 10 him of the 18th and mn
instant the subject Of recent IN The dis
pued territory and the proceedings OF the authorizes oil
Maine and New Brunswick, growing out ofthem, have
the honor communicate to your Excelency copies oil
Message this day transmitted by the President TO Con
gress and Of from The British Minister, win my
q,
From the last mentioned paper il will be perceived
that the President entirely with yoor EXoeHehcy
in denying The existence Of any such agreement
the a. S. and Great BRIAN that appealed 70 on pe"
of the latter and supposed give her, pending Inc ooc
dairy question: exclusive jurisdiction over Inc !etOy
in dispute II is hoped that in consequence % '"e &c
presentations upon this head conveyed through my 'e
to Mr. Fox, the authorities OF Ne" o'"ns"icH' any
further advance of British troops towards or mo inc "
rto.y will be suspendeL that this Will be lhe s'gnal fo
the cessation Of all military array ana ho'ees U" o'
sides of the line and for the Simultaneous release OF e
agents Of the respective parties now IN CUSTODY ana 'a
the rene wed Efforts making to effect an amcaole
adjustment o, the P'InciPa' u'"e'e"ee wax ~ " WY
day be successful "
ed in this expectation, your Exceency may rest assur
ed of the disposition and readiness OF the Executive
branch of the Government OF the United States to per
form such further duties may be imposed upon him
by circumstances.
Looking, in the mean time, to satisfactory efH'ha
ton of present difficulties the President lnslrncis me 10
suggest to your Exccsncy the expectancy Of mutual
understanding between the authorities of Maine ana
those of New Brunswick, for the prevention OF urtheI
depredalions upon The territory IN dispute ouch an uh'
Outstanding dictated in proper spirit oil ofoearahce,
and the mutual desire for the preservation OF peace
which is supposed to prevail, on both sides OF me ne'
might il believed be easily effected with an express
reservation that it should not be construed as 10 impair
the right Of the parties whether TO the actual Poprea
ry title The temporary jurisdiction OF eher over 'ne
disputed territory, any portion oil 1t NO ouJeclon Is
perceived 10 this course.
Should the Governor Of New Brunswick be disposed
cson of the British Government 10 the matter can be
obtained and it, for reasons which cannot be aPPTe
hended an arrangement of the character referred to
should prove impraclicablc with the local Authorities
the President, On being informed thereof VIII use en-
deayors 10 make such an arrangement with the 20
yernment of Great Britain. II would be amenaole,
indeed and presents singular spectacle, it wh'ie the
parties whom it belongs TO ADJUST The main point IN
controversy engaged in discussions with sincere
desire bring them TO satisfactory result the peace oil
the country and the real and best interests OF The PEG
pie more directly concerned 10 be involved by dis
agreements between the local authorities upon points OF
secondary nportance and susceptible as II Is oeered
of being easily reconciIed. 1t would produce conse
ouences which the nion large could not but depore
and which The President believes the Government and
people Of Maine anxious as he is 10 use every ei
fort 10 avert,
huyelhc honor to be- Sir your obt servt.
JOHN FORSYTH.
His Excellsncy joins FAIRFIELD,
Governor OF Maine, Augusta.