The native American., 1839-03-09

|
i The difficulty between this Government and
that of Great Britain in regard to the disputed
! territory claimed BY the State Of Maine, has as
sumed more threatening aspect, if indeed the
blow, has not before this hour, been struck be-
tween Maine and New Brunswick, from Which
war may become inevitable.
| We must content onrself at present with as
concise history Of the circumstances Of The case
as viii enable our readers to judge as 10, the
claims of the respective parties, oa Of which the
present highly excited state Of feeling on both
sides has originated, and which, within few
days past, has assumed begerant character.
! The State of Maine has always asserted ler
right 10 the territory in dispute; but pending ne
question Of establishing the true line, had only
suspended any action eon,rayeaing, This nego.a-
ton; which she yielded 10, as it would seem, only
in compliance with international lorna!iiics with
out any intention Of compromuing her claim, but
on the contrary a!!along asserting her right and
declaring her determination 10 maintain it.
The delay on the par, Of oar Government, in
listening to diplomatic quibbies, thereby giving
conntenance to the pretended claims Of the oppo-
site party, has evidently had the effect to increase
the Perliaaci,y Of the British Government, and Of
virtually Strengthening her claim; if il has not CO.
lorably sanctioned her claim to excusive juris,ic
ton" over hesoi'. itappoars tina: SO far from
having brought this important question to close,
1.nScs ,boya aI artT,,I
and evasive DIPLOMACY on the part of Great Dri-
tain, have augmented the difficulty. What we
have lost in irmness, she has gained in arrogance.
Instead Of having long since planted our feet upon
that ground, and vindcaling our right Of soil by
charta s.ipulations, or il necessary maintaining
our foot|lold behind breast-work Four citizens,
we have tempered with the subject, and now we
see, perhaps too late for remedy, the probable
fruit of this temp orizng polcy--a war.
The force sent by Maine to disperse the lumbes
|depredators, was measure which, under the
circumstances, ought not to have been locke
upon by the British authorities of New Bruins
wick as hostile. The only thing that could by
possibility bring censure upon Maine is her not
apprising the Governor of New Brunswick of
the intention Of this movement touching the dis
puted territory, while the operations bore the face
Of military expedition, which, from the existing
state Of things, might be construed into delermi-
nation OH the part ofthe former to effect armed
occupation of said territory. However this may
not denied, as far as we know, the sanction ofhs
authority to the Imprisonment, in. Fredericton
Jail, ofthe land agent and several of his men from
Maine, captured and committed by band of the
|pillagsrs, but justi6es it by his acts. y.
He has issued his proclamation, claiming, in
unqualified manner, Iledispued territory apor-
ton of the province of New Brunswick-brings
question the object OF the authorities of Maine
makes false Issue of exclusive jurisdiction-eal!s
up the military strength Of his province. and
threatens the men from Maine with expulsion Gin
the event Of his request"-that the Governor Of
Maine recall these men--"not being Immediately
complied with
Nobody believes that Maine will withdraw her
men or relax in her attempt; the less SO, as Sir
John Harvey has put Mr.. Fairfield in the delicate
attitude Of holding on, or seem.n, to cover I'M
der his frown and menace, which is not in Yam
kee taste. l..
It must be gratifying to every individual of the
United States who has confidence in the justice of
our Government to witness the unanimily mani
Tested on this subject in both branches of Con-
gress.