Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1839-03-07
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESJ.
DENT
To the Senate ofthe United States.

10 me Senate Of the United STATES.
iiay before Congress several dispatches
from his Excellency the Governor OF Maine
win enclosures, communicating certai, nro.
ceedngs OF the Legislature of that State and
copy OF The reply ofthe Secretary of Slate.
made by my din ection, !og ether with a mole
from II. 5: Fox, Esq, Envoy Extraordina.
ry ana Minister Plenipoteniiary of Great
Britain, with the answer OF the Secretary ol
State 10 the same
1t will appear from those documents that
a numerous band of lawless and desperate
men, chiefly from the adjoining British
Prov inces, but without the aul6ori,v ~
sanction Of the Provincial Government had
!fesrassed upon that portion Of the territory
N dispute between The United States and
Ereat Britain which is watered by the rivor
Aroostook. and claimed TO belong 10 the
State OF Maine; and that they had commit.
ted extensive depredaiIons there by cuitino
and destroying very large quantity of tim,
DER. II viii further appear that the Cover
nor OF Maine, having been officially appris.
ell OF Inc circumstance, had commmunicai.
ed u 10 The Legislature, with recommen
da'ion OF such provisions, in addition 10 those
already existing by law, as would enable
MN , 10 arrest the course oil said depredations,
aispcrse The trespassers, and secure the tim,
Der which they were about CARRYING away :.
that 10 compliance with resolve of the le
gisiature, passed in pursuance OF his recon-.
incubation, his ExcelIepcy had despatched
The land agent OF the State, with force
deemed adequate TO that purpose, 10 the
scene OF The alleged depredalcns. who after
accomplishing part Of his duty, was seized
ny band of the trespassers. al aSshus.
claimed to be within the jurisdiction Of
Maine, whittier he bad rera,rcd for the bur-
pose OF meeting and consulting with the land
agent OF The Province Of New BruoswickN
ana conveyed as prisoner 10 Frederick,on
III That PROVINCE, together with two other
ci'iZens Of The State, Who were assisting him
IN The discharge OF his duty.
III will also appear that the Governor and
Legislature Of Maine, satisfied that The Tres.
passers bad acted in defiance OF The Laws oi
both countries, learning that they were in
possession arms, and anticipating (co,re
W, as The result has proved) that persons of
their reckless ADD desperate character would
set NJ nouSht the authority Of the magis.
fraies, without the aid Of u strong force. had
auihorIz ed the sheriff, and the officer an.
pointed ~ the place Of The laod agent 10
empi"y, al The expense Of The State, au arm.
Ell posse, who he'd proceeded To The scene OF
these depredaIioDs, wilh.a view 10 The entire
dispersion or arrest OF the trestassers and the
protection OF the public property.
IN Inc correspondence between The Gov.
ernor of Maine and Sir John Harvey. Lieu.
tenant Governor Of the Province of New
Brunswick, which has grown out Of these
occurrences, and is likewise herewith COM
municated, The former is requested To recall
The armed party advanced into The DISPUTED
territory Tor The arrest Of trespsssers, and is
informed that strong body of British roops
- 10 oe held in readiness iosupport and pro.
.ect me authority and subjects Of Great Bri-
IAN IN sa'd territory. fn answer TO that re-.
quest tho Provincial Government is inform.