The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-03-12
Important from Washington.
ANOTHER MESSAGE
WAsHINGToN, Feb. q

|
AT eight o'clock, this evening, the Presiden
transmitted to both houses message, commu
ncating protocol signed by the Secretary O
State and the British minister, proposing an ar
rangement for the temporary adjustment of the
difficulties on The Maine border.
| SENATE. Mr. Williams of Maine made
some remarks with indicated no favor for the
protocol and conviction that il would not do
any good. He ntimatcd that Maine should not
and probably would not, comply with the re.
commentator.
MIR Preston expressed his appreciation of the
| arrangement, as being evidently dictated by q
sincere desire TO preserve the peace with the two
countries, and as calculated to lead TO u satisiac-
tory termination of the present difficulties. IL
was proposed only temporary arrangement,
and he expressed his hope that the people of
Maine would he disposed TO comply with the
recommendations made by the official represen-
tatives of the two Governments.
MIR Davis in short speech reminded the SelI-
ate that Great Britain had distinctly declared
that she would not consent to negotiate for the
line prescribed by the treaty of 1888.
Sir Charles Vaughan, in behalf ofhis govern
ment, had in the most explicit manner stated
this to he their determination. Great Britain
would negotiate for n conventional line, but not
for the treaty line. The answer of the Ameri
can Government on that occasion was, that the
United States could not negotiate for couven-
tional line without the consent of Maine. The
matter was referred 10 tnut STATE ana Ivy her
Legislature, Maine positively refused her assent
to any negotiation for conventional lne and
took her stand on the treaty line.
Now Mr. Davis commended that after sleeping
ever since that period OH this question, without
any thing being done,it was the time matter was
settled. But it never could be settled without
using bold and decisive tone at once. 1t would
he perfectly idle now TO go back to the system
that has been followed for the years past. Great
Britain must be told without delay, and in the
most explicit terms, that this question must be
settled and settled soon.
He offered no opinion as to the protocol, but
if its design was TO continue the mode of pro-
ceeding in which have been slumbering so
long he felt convinced that it would only lead
to additional embarrassment and difficulty, and
tarth er postpone the time of a complete and sat
isfactory settlement.
MIR Webster then took the floor, and spoke
with the greatest earnestness. He said very lit
tie about the protocol but he very plainly de-
clared that nothing was to be hoped from nego-
citation. He thought those who had the lead of
onr public affairs had not used Efficiently high
and energetic tone and in proof of this, without
going farther back than the last year, ne referred
to the fact that nothing had been done since the
last session of Congress, TO bring the matter to
Notwithstanding the unanimous ex-
preston of sentiment in Congress as to the rights
OF Maine, and of the United States. He en-
declared his opinion, that it was the
duty of this Government run the line,and that
it ought to be done without delay and for his
part he was ready to take measures this night
for causing il to be done. He was ready at once