Vermont telegraph. [volume] (Brandon [Vt.]) 1828-1843, 1839-03-13


note, will show the ground taken by the
Government Of the United States upon
this point. 1t is believed that all the cor
respondence which has passed between
the two Governments upon this subject
has already been communicated TO Con-
gress, and is now on their files An ab-
stract of il, however. hastily prepared, ac-
companies this communication. 1t is pos
slbIe that In thus abridging voluminous
correspondence, commencing in 1926, and
continuing to a very recent period, por
ton may have been accidentally overlook
ed; but it is believed that nothing has
taken place which would materiall Y change
the aspect of the question as therein pre-
scented. Instead of sustaining the assump-
ton of the British functionaries, that cor
respondence disproves the existence of any
such agreement. 1t shows that the two
Governments have differed not on|v in
regard 10 the main question of title TO the
territory 10 dispute, but with reference al
SO TO the right of jurisdiction, and the tact
OF the actual exercise Of it In different
portions thereof. Always aiming at an
amicab'e adjustment of the dispute, both
parties have entertained and repeatedly
urged upon each other desire that each
should exerc Sc its rights, whatever i: con-
sidered them to be, in such manner as
to avoid collision, and allav, to the great
est practicable extent, the excitement like
w 10 grow out OF the controversy. 1t
WAS in pursuance of such an understand
| ing that Maine and Massachusetts, upon
the remonstrance of Great Britain, des:st-
ed i:om making sales of lands, and the
! General Government from the construc-
ton Of a projected military road in por
ton Of the territory Of which they claim
ed to have enjoyed the exclusive possess
ion, and that Great Britain, on her part,
ia difference 10 similar remonstrance
from the United States, suspended the is
sue of licenses to cut timber on the terrific
~ in controversy, and also the survey and
location of rail road through a section
Of country over which she also claimed
to have exercised exclusive Jurisdiction.
The State of Maine had RICH: to ar
Fest the depredations complained Of; it be-
Ionged TO her 10 Judge OF the exigency OF
the occasion calling for her interference
and it is presumed that had the Leuten
ant Governor of New Brunswick been
= correctly advised of the nature of the
/ proceedings Of the State of Maine, ne
would not have regarded the transaction
, as requiring, on his part any resort &c
force. Each party claiming a right 10
e the territory, and hence to the exclusive
f jurisdiction over it, it is manifest that, tc
[ a., 4 IF bor h,yt
e passers, acting against the authority O
: both, and at the same time avoid fOrclbl'
e collision between the contiguous govern
mems during the penlency of negocia
= lions concernlng the title, resort must bt
: had to the mutual exercise of jurisdiction
J. in such extreme cases, or 10 an amicabl,
( and temporary arrangement as to the lin
} its within which it should be exercised b,
d each party. The understanding suppos
a ed &c exist between the United States anl
II Great Britain has been found heretofore
( sufficient for that purpose, and be!iev
II will prove so hereafter, if the parties OF
: the frontier, directly interested in the ques
d ton, are respectively governed by u jas
d spirit of Cancellation and forbearance.
n, 1t should be found, as there is now rea
n son to apprehend, that there is, in tn
g modes OF constituting that understandings
by the two governments, a difference &c
If to be reconciled, shall not hesitate t
at propose to her Britannia Majesty's Go,
Of ernmen: distinct arrangement for III
e temporary and mutual exercise of juri
IS, diclion, by means Of which similar diff
E. cullies may in future be prevented.
If But between an effort on the part
Id Maine 10 preserve the property in dispu
g from destruction by intfuders, and a mil
lg tary occupation by tn It State of the terri
ID tory, with view to hold itby force, viii
lie the settlement is subject OF negoiatio
of between the two governments, there is q
ad essential difference as we'll in respect
e. The position Of the State, as to the duli
IS of the General Government.
nd In letter addressed by the Secretary
Safe to the Governor of Maine, on Il
be first Of March last, giving detailed stat
ar ment of the steps which had been TAXI
W. by the Federal Government 10 bring Il
las controversy to termination, and desig
is ed to apprise the Governor of that Sta
he of the views of the Federal Executive,
led respect to the future, it was stated, tt
TO- while the obligations Of the Federal Go
md ernment 10 do all in its power to effect
rit- settlement OF the boun larry question WE
to fully recognized, ii had, IN the event
mi beng able to do SO specifically, by mutt
rri- consent, no osher means to accompIi
TO- that object amicabIy, than by another
de- bAation, or by commission with
up umpire in the nature of an arbitration ;
the and that in the event of all other me
me ures failing, the President would lee