The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1839-03-06
Es s AG T..
To he Senate of the United Stdfes

certain proceedings Of the Legislature q
tat State, and copy ofthe reply OF tn
Secretary Of State, made by my dTec
ton,t n,together with u note from II. >. Fox
ESQ. Envoy Extraordinary AID Ministe
Pienipotentiary from Great Britain, will
the answer Of the Secretary of State L
the same.
1t will appear from those document
that numerous band Of lawloss ant
desperate men, chiefly from the adjoining
British Provinces, but without the authori
~ or sanction ofthe Provincial Govern
nent, has ,respassed upon that portion
of the territory in dispute between the U.
States aud Great Britain, which is wa
tered by the river Aroostook, ,and clalmcd
{, belong to the Sac Of Maine !; and that
they hav. committed extensive depreda.
tons by cutting and destroying very
large quantity of timber. 1t will further
appear that the Governor Of Maine, hav-
i,g been officially apprsed Of the circum-
STAGE, had communicated II 10 the Le-
gIslai,Irc, with IA recommendation o.. such
provisions, in addition To those already
existing by law, as would enable him TO
ar, est the course of said dcprodalions,
dispersc the trospasscrs, and secure the
timber which thoy wero about carrying
away tina, in compliance with resolve
of the Legislature, passed in pursuance
of his recommendation, his Excellency
had despatched the Land agent Of the
State, with force deemed adequate for
that purpose, TO the scene OF the alledged
deprcduiJns, who after accomplishing u
part o,' his duty, was seized By a band OF
the trespassors, alta house claimed to be-
within the jurisdiction Of Maine, whittier
he had repaired for the purpose of meet
ing and consulting with tho land agent Of
tho Province of New Brunswick, and
conveyed as prisoner to Fredericton,
in that province, together with two other
citizens of the State, who were assisting
him in the discharge ofhis duty.
II will also appear that the Governor
and Legislature Of Maine, satisfied that
the trespassers had acted in defiance OF
the laws OF both countries, learning that
they were in the possession Of arms, and
anticipating (cofrocty, as the result has
prove,D that persons oftheir reckless and
desperate character would set at nought
the authority Of the magistrates, without
the aid Ola s,r3ng force, had authorised
the-sherih, and The officer appointed in
the place ofthe land agent, to employ. at
the expense olthe State,an crmed possec,
who had proceeded to the scene of these
depreda,ioas, with view to the catirc
dispersion or arrest OF the etrespassers,and
projection of the public property.
In the correspondence between the Go.
vernor Of Maine and Sir John Harvey,
Lieut.. Governor of the Province Of New
Brunswick, which has grown out of these
occurrences, and is likewise herewith
communicated, the former is requested to
recall the armed party advanced into the
disputed territory for the arrest of the.
,respassors, and is informed that II strong
body of Brit sh troops is TO be held in
readiness to support aud protect the au.
thority and subjects of Great Britain IN
said territory. In answer to that request
the Provincial Governor is informed of
the determination of the State of Maine
to support tho 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 Legislatures communicated
by the Governor to the General Govern.
ment.
The Lieut.. Governor Of New Bruins
wick in calling upon the Governor o
Maine for the recall otthe land agent ant
his party, from the disputed territory ,ane
the British minister in making similar
demand upon the government Of the u
States. proceedWon the assumption tha
an agreement exists between tho two ma
tons, conceoiug TO Great Britain, unit
the fihal settlement Of the boundary
question, exclusive possession OF, and ju
rlsdicuon over, the territory in dispute
The important bearing which such al
agreement, Il it sxistcd, would have upoI
the condition and interests of the parties
and the influence il nigh, have upon til,
adjustment Of The dispute, are too obvious
10 allow the error upon which this as
sumption seems t) rest, 10 pass for mo
ment without correction. The answe
of the Secretary Of State to Mr.. Fox
note, will show the ground taken by tn,
government of the u. 5. upon this point
IT is believed that all the correspondence,
which has passed between the two 90
yernments upon this subject, has alread,
been communicated TO Congress, and i
now on their files. An abstract of it
however, hastily prepared. accompanies
this communication.
Ii Is possible that in thus abrdgiug
voluminous correspondence. commencing
IN 1928 and continuing to a very recent
period, portion may have been accident.
ally overlooked : but il is believed Ina,
nothing has taken place which would ma.
terially change the aspec, oflhe quest; On
as therein presented. Instead of sustain.
ing the assumption Of the British func.
tionaries, that correspondence disproye.
the existence of any such agreement
Ii shows iiai the two government {,
have differed not only in regard 10 the
main question Of title to the territory ~