The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-28


Lieutenant Governor Harvey writes 10 the Go
vernon Of Maine thai he claims exclusive Jufisde-
ton asks that the force be Withdrawn, and says II
not done, he shall expel them.
Governor Fairfield replies denies exclusive jursdic-
iion, and says be shall nCt Withdraw the force so
long as he can maintain II.
Mr. WALKER said il was 10 him no matter Of
surprise that the comments had been made 10 which
The Senator from Maine had objected, as the paper
containing them had for several years past, and In
various Instances taken The part OF foreign nations
in our International difficulties, such as those with
France. Mexico, and Great Britain.
Mr. DAVIS said he was about 10 ask The Sena-
tor from Maine what journal IL was 10 which ne
alluded.
Mr.. WILLIAMS said Il was the National lntelli-
gencer Of this morning He had seen no Other
Mr.. DAVIS said he regretted that The senator
from Maine had considered II matter OF snincient
importance 10 make formal reply in the Senate TO
the editorial remarks OF a newspaper. An impor-
lance would be given them, whether designed or
not by bringing them before this body, to which
they might not be entitled and Mr. ID. therefore
regretted that the Senator had considered them OF
SO much importance as 10 present them gravey Tor
the consideration Of the Senate In the present ati-
tude of affairs
In regard TO this controversy, Mr.. d. had, on
former occasion, fully expressed his opinion that
there was mol shadow OF doubt as to our title to the
disputed territory and that any gentleman who
would calmly and fairly examine the evidence
could not doubt that the title OF Maine was perfectly
clear and conclusive. Mr.. ID. still thought there
was and could be no doubt as TO this question OF
right; and II the question should arse, whether
that right should be maintained by the Government,
MIR. ID. would promptly 60 for the right OF Maine TO
this territory, according TO the treaty OF l7S3 and
In MIR. DIS opinion. Maine now claimed nothing Dut
what that treaty gave. But Il seemed that we mad
now come suddenly and Unexpectedly to the very
verge OF war with one of the most powerful nations
Of the world. Mr.. ID. would say this was unexpect-
ed because no could have anticipated The events
III ~ linda haCG
stances so very important as well critical, II be-
hooved all TO act with prudence and considerable
calmness, and to obtain thorough knowledge oith
circumstances, before attempting 10 make any inn
preston on the public mind. The considerations
connected with this subject were Of most momen-
ous character. Our ships and property were abroad
every where, in every sea and ocean, and The coun-
try in condition to meet such crisis as might
be now impending. The utmost calmness and deli
beration we're therefore demanded on every account
and, for one, Mr.. d. was willing 10 wait and hear
what Maine would have TO say, with M disposition
mpugn her course, and with the hope that she had
done nothing prematurely or Inconsistent with her
own honor.
The journal to whichthe Senator from Maine had
alluded, had represented the late proceedings in
Maine on this subject as matter OF party strife, to
see which party would go the lurhest: and Mr.. ID.
had himself sometimes thought that under the deep
and unanimous sense of wrong 10 which the people
Of Maine had been goaded there had been struggle
10 who would be foremost. But Senator'S were
not TO be influenced by that in their proceedings, but
by the consideration of what the interest and honor
of the country required Mr. ID. had hoped that
this subject would up in any form till the
Senate had received communication from the Pres
ident Of the United States; for rumor at least ind-
Gated that statements would probably be presented
By him to Congress, which, doubtless, could be re-
lied on for their accuracy; and the subject would
then be more clearly understood and better compre-
hended. Till then, Mr.. D. hoped gentlemen would
remain tranquil and il II should then or afierward
by resort to arms Mr.. d. was not one Of those who
would be for faltering on that question. Mr.. D. had
hoped from the results Of the last session. when this
body We're nearly unanimous in favor of further ne
goation for resurvey, that II would have resulted
in an amicablc adjustment of this whole matter He
feared nothing important had grown out OF it but
he desired better information as to the purposes OF
Great Britain on this head. Till all these matters
and the relations TO this respect are thoroughly un-
derslood, il behooved the Senate 10 look upon this
subject with the calm irmness which the crisis de-
manded and TO preserve the peace of the country If
consistent with its integrity and honor.
The Senate having taken up the bill providing for the
protection Of citizens Of the United States residing in
the Oregon Territory, trading the Columbia river
or its trbutarcs- -....
Mr. LINN said that he had some days since given
his views, at large, the merits Of this BILL TO which
he had little add In the Of that debate
he had ventured to prophecy that our difficulties with
Great Britain would only be adjusted by war, as the
for hostilities were rapidly accumuating and
old sores were in state Of irritation.
Great Britain, said Mr.. L., does not hesitate to lay
her hands on portion Of the State Of Maine, because
suits her convenience, and to which she has
right in point Of fact, than would have to my friends
(Mr Pre.tons) property in South Carolina In truth,
she has not shadow Of claim to any portion Of
Maine.
But when did Great Britain refrain from taking pos
session Of any country position she deemed necessa
ny to the advancement Of her commercial interests,
k.rn ,I. If
the Northeast do not relish British dominion
jurisdiction. They do not appear ,ril,ng to permit
their noble forests of pine and other timber to be cut
down and carried TO market by the Brunswickians-
They know the value of their trees they calculate the
value Of each to cent they know the value Of their
SOIL of their property, and of their Government, too
well, not TO be willing to fight for them. England has
just little claim the Territory Of Oregon she
has to Maine. BY the convention of 1918 and 1928,
it agreed that both countries should have
rent possession and jurisdictions but MIR. President,
this has been, and now, nullity to us for Great
Britain, through the medium Of the Hudson's Bay
Company, has built and armed several forts, equipped
ships, erected houses and improved farms and opened
trade with all the tribes Of Indians the western
slope Of the Rocky Mountains, far south as the Gulf
OF California Their hunters and trappers have pene-
tratcd all he-valeys and gens Of the Rocky Mountains
scattering arms, munitions of war; and fomening DIS
content against the United States in the bosoms OF those
distant Indian tribes. They have driven our people
from the Indian trade, which yielded 100000 or $780,,
600 per annum. and pushed their operations east
of the Rocky Mountains into the Great Mississippi
Valley. To all these aggressions tamely submit.
They have ruined far trade, and seem disposed to
appropriate the forests Of Maine to their own use. l
mistaken when said we qniety submitted TO their
injuries Our yankee friends to the Northeast are nop
showing proper degree Of indignation at British in
science and outrage and manifcstng proper degree OF
war spirit This is right for believe, with the
Der OF tho Irish Parliament (when she had one,) that
the best way dpod danger IS to meet plump in tho
face The English no1 claim exclusive possession and
jurisdiction over part Of the State OF Name have en-
lire possession and Of the Oregon Territory, and
have extended their laws it, and epen to the con-
fines Of Missouri and Arkansas Not satisfied with
these aggressons they liberated the slaves Of Southern
gentlemen when the ship that contained them was
wrecked the reefs Of the Bahama isles Mr. Presi-
dent. all our complaints aud causes for collision with