Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1839-03-07
PROCEEDINGS UPON THE MESSAGE IN THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.

PROCEEDINGS UPON THE MESSAGE in THE
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.
We take from the Washington correspon-
dence ofthe New York Courier and Enqui-
rer the proceedings of the House of Rep
resontatves upon the Message:-
WASHINGTON, Feb. 26, 1889
The Message of the President on the
subject four North Eastern troubles was
received this day in the House, aud refer
red to the Committee on Foreign affairs.
It communicated several official documents
transmitted by the Governor of Maine, with
the correspondence between Mr.. Fox and
Mr.. Forsyth, which you will find in the
\ atonal Intelligencer. The message was
Of rather non-commital tenor, containing
little or nothing at which any party could
take strong exception. The letter OF the
British Minister took the ground Of Sir
John Harvey in relation to the e9cfusioe ju-
risdiction of Great Britain in the disputed
territory, by virtue ofan alleged agreement
with the Government OF the United States.
This alleged agreement was promptly
disavowed by the Secretary, who desired
Mr. Fox to furnish the evidence of its eXis-
tencc, with a view TO prevent any further
misunderstanding in the premises. Mr..
Fox forthwith re-asserted the right of
Great Britain, as originally claimed, but
did not furnish the information desired by
Mr.. Forsyth.
When the message and portion OF the
documents had been read, Mr. Waddy
Thompson obtainedIhe floor. He applaud
cd the general spirit of the message, and
conceded in It's general views. He con-
sdered the subject one, on the discussion
of which no party spirit should be permit
ted to erter; for, however gentlemen might
differ on questions Of Internal policy, when
ever a case was presented between the
country md foreign nation, lie was al
ways prepared to go for the county. He
should move Tor the printing of 10000
copies of the Report.
Mr.. Evans Of Maine followed in speech
marked by the sagacity, good sense, aud
eloquence and craftsmanship which einl-
nantly Distinguish all of that gonilemans
efforts on the floor He presented a sue
cinct and clear abstract of the whole ques-
ton. reviewing the whole course Of the
Federal Government towards Maine in a
manner that demonstrated that 1t was the
negec, al least if not the pusilanimity Of
the administration which had brought on the
present crisis. lie thought that the Presi-
dent, however, had undenated the eXigen
ries of the times He was not surprised
that the administration should profess con-
fidence in the forbearance" of Maine; ioI
that lorbearance has been exercised through
many years OF aggression on the part Of
Great Britain and Of neglect on the part
OF the federal gonernmcn. il this quos-
ton had received the attention its impor-
tance dcserged-ihe present eXigcncy
would never have occurred; bat Main,
had forehorne, ill she conid fofhear no
longer. The question Of right in the pren.-
lscs could no longer be considered Il qacs-
ton; it was n settled point in the House,
and with the nation; for Congress had a.
ready passed upon it unanimously.
There was enc point, however, in tie
eX pcutiee communication Of infinite M
portance; as il defined distiaeily the ro-
sition Of The Government on tie most i'm
portant matters involved in the present con
troversy. This was the distinct di>ayou al
on tie part Of HE administration o. 'hc as
suned rich, Of Great Britain to the excu-
siye Jurisdiction Of the disputed territory.
The Right had been advanced before, and
il had not been repealed with the distinct
ness and determination which were requi-
ste to place the tights Of the two nations
on their proper basis. In the present COM
municaton, and this he considernd its most
important feature, this assumption OF Great
Britain so long silently submitted to is pos
itiyeIy denied, and by this denial The Gov
erntment must abide. lie vas DESTROYS Of
preserving peace, but peace could not be
preserved by idle tampering and inefficient
action. 1t was this alone whlch now me-
naced the peace of The two countries. Sir
John Harvey claims and threatens no more
than he claimed and threatened two years
ago-but he (Mr Evans) had in vain be-
sought, intreated, impored Congress and
The Executrefto give due consideration to
the North Eastern relations.
The executive mad been negotiating for
a year-during which no negotiation had
taken place ;and had it not been for this UNI
fortunate occurrence, the Federal Govern
ment would have gone on negotiating, and
the British Government would have contin-
ued its aggressions and usurpations, until
the mere right of occupancy should ripen
into actual possession, and possession eX-
tend and fortfy itself by the lapse of time.
The general tenure of Mr. Evans re-
marks evinced deep sense of the injustice
done to Maine by the General Govern