Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-03-28
From the Boston Patriot
FROM MAINE.

The proceedings Of the Maine Legislature
are Of very serious import. The papers
throughout the country have been announc-
ing, from day to day, for some weeks past,
TINT the news from the North Eastern from
tier is pacific. 1t is trnc there is no great
apprehension Of immediate hostiliiies. But
are not the Executive and Legislature Of
Maine doing all in their power to prevent a
peaceful adjustment of the original matter in
il appears to Us that they are.
and that they are shifting The ground Of con-
troversy from question in which the whole
merits are in their favor to one in which, if
they are not clearly ia the wrong, their po
sition is sure TO be contested. They are
literally abandoning the strong ground Of
their claim, as II rests on the construction Of
the treaty, which they have uniformly main
tanned was incontestible, and in which nine.
teen.twenticths Of the public agreed with
them, and have joined issue, as question OF
peace or war, on the right of present posses
sion, not only in opposition to the allegations
Of continued possession and exclusive juris.
diction on the part of Great Britain, but in
violation of the express agreement entered
into with Mr.. Fox by the President Of the
United States, and signed by the Secretary
of State, that Maino shall withdraw her
armed force from the disputed territory, and
that If any armed force shall in future be
necessary for protecting the public property,
it should be conducted by concert, between
the governments Of Maine and New Bruins
wick. The reader will Judge, how far the
following resolutions, adopted by the Maine
House Of Representatives., in the session Of
Wednesday afternoon last, ure consisten,
with any expectation of a decision Of the
question on its original merits, or with the
agreement signed bs Mr.. Forsyth and MIR.
Fox. The resolutions passed by vote Of
l65 to I.
Resolved, That the right Of this State IA
exclusive jurisdiction over all that territory
claimed by Grent Britain, which lies west OF
line due north from the monument to the
north west angle of Novn Scotia, (ususlly
denominated the disputed territory, has been
constant and indie feasible since her existence
as an independent State; and no agreement
which has or Inay bo entered into by the Go.
OF tho Union, can impair her pre-.
rogativ0 To be the sole judge of the time
when, and the manner in which, that right
s hall be enforced.
Resolved, That this State, in view Of the
measures recently adopted by tho Govern.
ment Of the Union in relation TO this question.
and particularly the provision made for
Special Minister to the Court Of st. James /:
and actuated by an earnest desire to come
to an aInicable adjustment Of the whole con-
trovcrsy, will forbear TO enforce her jurisdic
ton in that part Of her territory, the posses.
session Of which is now nsurped by the Pro.
vince Of New Brunswick, so far as she can
do So consistently with the maintenance Of
the resolve Of the Oath January las, but she
has seen nothing in recent events to cause
her to doubt that il is her imperative duty, us
well as her invarinblc right, to protect her
public domain from depr edation and plunder
up 10 the EXTREMIST limits Of her territory,
and that no power shall drive her from an act
Of jurisdiction SO proper in itself, and to which
her honor is SO irrevocably committed.
Resolved, That the public measures OF
the Government: Of this State, in relation to
the disputed territory, meet the cordial ap.
probation Of this Legislature, that they con
cur in the doctrines and sentiments contained
IN his recent nessage-that they will sustain
him in carrying into effect the resolve OF the
24lb JAN, aforesaid, and TINT whenever he
shall be fully satisfied by the declarations OF
the Lieutenant Governor Of New Brunswick k
or otherwise, that the latter has abandoned
all intentions Of occupying the disputed ter.
ritory with military iorce, and of attempt.
ing the expulsion Of our party. that the ex.
igency which called for the military having
ceased. the Governor be, and bo hereby is,
authorized to withdraw The same, leaving the
Land Agent with a sufficient posse. armed or
unarned, as the case may require, to carry
said resolve into effect.
Resolved, That as tho practicabiliiy OF
running aud marking the North Eastern
boundary line, in accordance with the pro.
visions Of the treaty Of 1853, is indubiiable--
to consent 10 another arbitration in pursu.
snce Of the recommendation Of the Presiden nj
OF the United States, would bo a virtual
abandonment Of the rights and interests Of
Maine.
Resolved, That a crisis has arrived when
II becomes tho dutv of tha Cenaral G.varn