Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1839-03-08
MEMORANDUM.

Her Majes;y's authorities consider il TO
have been understood and agreed upon by
the two Governments that the territory in
dispute between Great Britain and the Uni
ted States, on the Northeastern frontier,
should remain exclusively under British iu-
risdiclon until the final settlement Of the
boundary question
The United States Government have not
understood the above agreement ia the same
sense. but consider, on the contrary. that
there has been no agreement Whatever Ior
the exercise. by Great Britain. OF exclusive
jurisdiction over the disputed territory, or
any portion thereof. bu, a mutual understan
ding that pending the negotiation. the jnris-
diction then exercised by either party, over
small portions Of the territory in dispute,
should not be enlarged. but be continued
merely for the preservation oflocal tranquil
~ and the public properly. both forbearine
as far as practicable to exert any authority,
and. when any should be exercised by either,
placing upon the conduct Of each other the
most favorable construction
A complete understanding upon the ques-
ton. thus placed al issue. of present jurisdic-
ton, can only be arrived at by friendly dis.
cussion between the Governments OF the u.
States aud Great Britain and as il is con.
fidenily hoped that there will be an early
settlement OF the question. this subordinate
point Of distinction can be Of but little mo.
ment.
| In the mean time the Governor of the
Province Of New Brunswick and the Gov
eminent Of the State Of Maine will act as
follows Her Majesiy's officers wiIlno, seek
to expel BY military force the armed party
which has been sent by Maine into the dis
trict bordering on the Aroostook river; buI
the Government Of Maine will voluntarily
yond the bounds OF The disputed terri tess,,Jhrss
any armed force now within them; and 4
future necessity should arise for dispersino
notorious trespassers, or protecting oubl;c
property from depreciation by armed force
the operation shall be conducted by con.
cert. jointly or separately according 10
agreements between the Governments Of
Maine and New Brunswick.
The civil officers in the service, respect.
lveiy. OF New Brunswick and Maine. who
have been taken into custody BY the oppos.
tie parties. shall be released.
Nothing in this memorandum shall be
construed 10 forify or TO weaken in anv
respect whatever the claim Of either party
TO the ultimate possession of the disputed Ter.
ritory.
The Minister Plenipoicnliary Of Her Brit.
anIc Majesty having no specific authority 20
make any arrangement on the subject. The
undersigned can only recommend, as they
now earnestly do TO the Governments Of
New brunswick and Maine, TO regulate
their future proceedings according TO ill.,.
terms herein before set FORTH until the final
settlement OF the territorial dispute. or until
the Governments Of the United States and
Great Britain shall come 10 some definite
conclusion on the subordinate point upon
which they are now a, issue.
JOHN FORSYTH. Secretary Of State
oithe United States OF North America
II. s. FOX, II 3. NJ Envoy Ex.
traordinary and Minister Plenipoientiarv.
Washington, Feb. 81, 1885,