Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1839-03-08
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT,

win enclosures. communicating CcT,aIf
proceedings OF the legislature of that state
and a copy of The reply Of the secretary o
state, made by my direction, together will
a note from II. S. Fox. Esq. Envoy extra
ordinary, and minister pleDipotcntiary o
Great Britain. with the answer Of the sec
rotary of state to the same.
II will appear from those documents ,ha
a numerous band of awless and dcspera,,
men, chiefly from the adjoining Bri,lst
provinces, but without the authority OF
sanction of the Provincial government, has
uespassed upon that part Of the territory
IN dispute between the United States and
Great Britain which ia watered by the
river Aroostook, and claimed to belong tc
the state of Maine; and that they had com
United extensive depredations there by
cutting and destroying a very large guam
,iiy Of timber. I, will further appear that
the Governor Of Maine, having been off
cialy apprised Of the circumstance, had
commun Gated il to the legislature, with u
recommendation of such provisions. 10 adj
dition to those already existing BY law, ns
would enable him TO arrest the course oil
said depreda'ions. dispense the trespassers
and secure the timber which they were
about carrying away; that in compliance
with resolve Of The legislature, passed in
pursuance Of his recommendation, his FIX
cellcncy had despatched the land agen, Of
the stale with n force deemed adequate to
that purpose. to The scene Of the allcdge6
depredalions. who, after accomplishing q
part OF his duty, was seized by baud Of
the tresspassers. al house claimed TO be
within the jurisdiction Of Maine, whittier
he had repaired for the purpose Of meeting
ord consulting with The land agent Of the
province Of New Brunswick, and conveyed
as prisoner 10 Fredericton. together with
two other citizens Of the state, who were
assisting him in the discharge of his duty.
1t will also appear that the Governor
and legislature Of Maine, satisfied tina, the
trespassers had acted in defiance of the
laws of both countries, learning that they
were in possession of arms. and anicips.
ting-correc,ly. as the result has proved
that persons Of their reckless and desperate
character would set at nounht The authority
OF the magistrates, without the aid Of
strong force, had authorized the sheriff
and the officer appointed in the place Of
the land agent, 10 employ ct the expense
of the state. 81 armed posse, who had pro
ceeded to the scene OF these depredations,
with view TO the entire dispersion or ar.
rest of the trespassers, and the protection
Of the public property.
In the correspondence between the Co.
vernon Of Maine and Sir John Harvey,
Lieut.. 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 re
call the armed party advanced into the
disputed territory for the arrest Of trespas
sere. and is informed that a s,roog body OF
British troops is to be held in readiness to
support and protect the authority and sub.
jects of Great Britain in said territory. In
answer TO that request the Provincial Gov.
ernor is informed Of the determination of
the State of Maine to support the land
agent and his party. in the performance of
their duty. and the same determination, for
the execution Of which provision is made
by a resolution Of the State Legislature. is
communicated by the Governor to the Gen
eral Government.
The Lieutenant Governor OF New Bruins
wick, in calling upon the Governor Of
Maine for the recall Of the land agent and
his party from the disputed territory, and
the British Minister in making n similar
demand upon the Government Of the Uni.
ted States, proceed npon tho assumption
that an agreement exists between the two
nations, concedng TO Great Britain. until
the final settlement Of the boundary oues-
ton, exclusive possession of, and iursdc-
ton over. the territory in dispute. The
important bearing which such an agree.
ment. if it existed, would have upon the
condition and interests OF the parties. and
the influence it might have upon the Jus,
ment Of the dispute. are too obvious TO
allow the error upon which this assump.
ton seems TO rest. 10 mass for moment
without correction. The answer of the
Secretary Of State to Mr.. Fox's note. will
show the ground taken bv the Government,
fthe United States uron this point. II is
believed that all the correspondence which
has passed between the two Governments
upon this snbjec, has already been commm
nicated TO Congress, and is now on their
files. An abstract il. however. hastily
prepared ACCOMPANIES THE communication
1t is possible that in thus nbridging q volu.
mnous correspondence. commanding in
1925 and continuing until n very recent
period, portion may have been accident
ally overlooked, but it is beloved TINT no
thing has taken place which would mate
tally change the aspect Of the question as
therein presented. Instead of sustaining
the assumption Of the British functionaries,
that correspondence disprovcs the existence
ofany such agreement. l. shows TINT the
two governments hive differed not Only in
regard to the main question of title to the
territory in dispute, but with reference
also to the right Of jurisdiction, and the
fact ofthe actual exercise of it in dlf1'eren,
portions thereof. Always aiming at an
amlcable adjustment of the dispute, both
parties have entertained and repeatedly
urged upon each other desire hat each
should exercise its rights. whatever il con.
sdered them to be, so as to avoid collision,