Lexington union. (Lexington, Miss.) 1838-18??, 1839-03-23

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exercise 81 jurisdiction in such extreme
cases, or TO an amicable and temporary
as TO the limits within which
il should be exercised by each party.
The understanding supposed to exist be-
tween the United States and Great Britain
has been found heretofore sufficient lor
that purpose, and l believe will prove SO
hereafter, II the parties on the frontier,
directly interested in the qu' s.ion, arc res
pectfully governed by a just spirit or con-
citation and forbearance. Ii it shall DC
found, as there is now reason to apprehend,
that there is, in the modes OF constituting
that understanding by the two Go' ern.
ments, adherence not TO be rcconclled,
shall not hesitateto propose to her Britain
mic Majesty's Government distinct ar.
for the temporary and mutual
exercise Of jurisdiction, by means OF which
similar difficulties may in future be pre-
vented.
But between an effort on the part OF
Maine to preserve the property in dispute
from destruction by intruders, and mill
tary occupation by the that State Of the
territory, with view to hold it by force,
while the settlement is subject of nego.
tation between the two Governments,
there is an essential difference, as well in
respect to the sition of the State, as to
the duties Of the General Government. In
letter address the Secretary Of State
to the Goyernof0F Maine, Oh the first Of
March last, giving a detailed statement of
the steps Which had been taken by the
Federal Government to bring the coDtro-
versy to termination, and designed to
apprise the Governor of that State of
The Federal Executive, in respect to the
future, was stated that while the obligtions
Of the Federal Government to do all in its
power to effect the settlement Of the boun-
Diary question were fully recognised, it had
in the event of being unable TO do so spe.
officially, by mutual consent, no other
means to accomplish that object amicably,
than by another arbitration, or by a COM
mission with an umpire in the nature Of
an arbitration; and that in the event Of all
other measureslailing,the President would
deem il his duty to submit another PROPOSE.
ton to the Government Of GreatBritain,t to
refer the decision of the question 10 third
power. These are still my views upon the
subject, and until this step shall have been
taken, cannot think it proper to invoke
the attention of Congress, to other than
amicable mears for the settlement Of the
controversy, or to cause military power Of
the Federal Government TO be brought in
aid Of the State Of Maine, in any attempt
to effect that object by ar ort to force
On the other hand, if The authorities o.
New Brunswick should attempt to enforce
claim exclusive jurisdiction setup by them
by means Of military occupation or
their part ofthe disputed territory. Ishal
feel myself bound to consider the coniin.
gency provided by the constitutions hav.
ing occurred, on the happening Of which a
State has the right to call for the aid of the
Federal Government to repel invasion.
l have EXPRESSED TO the British Minister
near this Government confident cxpcc-
tation that the agents the State Of Maine.
who have been arrested under an obvious
misapprhension of the object of their mis-
sion, will be promptly released; and TO the
Governor of Maine that similar course
will be pursued in regard to the agents Of
the Province Of New Brunswick. have
also recommended that,any militia that may
have been brought together by the State
of Maine, from an apprehension Of col
ltion with the government or people ofthe
British Province, will be voluntary and
pcacebly disbanded.
! cannot allow myself 10 doubt that the
results anticipated from these repreienla-
tons will be seasonably realized. The
parties more Immediately interested cam
not but perceive that an appeal to arms
under existing circumstances, will moi only
prove fatal TO their present interest, but
would postpone, if not defeat, the attain
ment of the main objects which they have
in view. The very incidents which have
recently occurred will necessarily awaken
the Governments to the importance of
promptly adjusting a dispute, by which it
is now made manifest that the peace of the
two nations is daily and imminenily en-
dangered. This expectation is further
warranted by the general forbearance
which has hitherto Characterized the con.
duct Of the Government and people on both
sides Of the line. In the uniform patriot
ism Of Maine, her attachment to the Union,
her respect for the wishes of the people Of
her sister States, Of whose interest in her
welfare she cannot be Unconscious, and in
the solicitudc felt by the country at large
for the preservation Of peace with our
we have strong guarantee
that she will not disregard the request that
has been made of her.