The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-26


postpone thai step until the return OF Colonel Rod
gers from his special mission 20 Fredericton or al
least, until some Information shall be received from
him, which will probably be as early as the 2Oh or
2lst instant IL, however, you should think other-
WISE and that no delay should be allowed for this
purpose an inlimaon 10 that effect will be promptly
obeyed.
III have not entirely misconceived the crcum-
stances OF the ease presented for your
IL Is one calculated TO excite the deepest feeling in
the breasts OF citizens and calls for the most
prompt and determined action on the part OF this
Government. What Is that easel You were in
formed that a large number OF armed and desperate
men from neighboring Province forced themselves
into the territory Of this State with fixed purpose
Of cutting vast amount Of timber, and OF resisting,
even unto blood, any attempt to arrest them In me
prosecution OF their unhallowed object. Deeming
II duty 10 make an effort TO protect The Interests
Of those who had confded them to your care, you
instructed the Land Agent 10 proceed TO the scene OF
devastation and plumber with sufficient force TO ar
rest those who were engaged In IT, and 10 break up
their daring and wicked enterprise. While In the
act Of executing this order, the Land Agent was
seized transported beyond the bounds Of The Stale
and finally carried upon sled, like felon, and I'M
der the guard Of Provincial troops TO the capital Of
New Brunswick, for trial Could a greater indie-
sensibiy TO its rights and its honor or to the sa-
credness OF the personal liberty OF Its cizens1 II
Is true that the Lieutenant Governor denies that the
original seizure was by authority But at Wood
sanctioned the proceedings by issuing warrant,
(acting, undoubtedly, under the authority OF the
Procamaton,) and sending our citizens, under an
gnominions escort TO Fredericton. Really, II there
be any apology or justification for this treatment OF
citizens isnot TO be found in code Of inter
national honor or comfy with which ] have been
acquainted. Not only this, but il seems that mill
iary force is sent into part Of the territory OF this
State expel from ii civil force sent there by this
Government for the protection OF its property
How long are we thus 10 be irampled upon--our
rights and claims derided our power contemned
and the State degraded! Ii there ever was time
when the spirit of independence and selfrespect
should arouse itself, that time is the present. We
cannot tamely submit to be driven from territory
while engaged in the civil employment OF looking
after and protecting our property without mourning
large measure Of gnominy and disgrace.
No palating circumstances for this outrage can
be found in even pretence that the place where II
committed Is within the concurrent jurisdiction
OF the two Governments much less that the BRUSH
Government have had exclusive jurisdiction. Lands
even higher up and beyond this, were surveyed and
granted by the State Of Massachusetts more Than 30
years ago. And Massachusetts and Maine have long
been in the habit of granting permits TO cut timber
upon the Aroostook lands without beingto my know.
ledge, molesed from any quarter Ia say nothing Of
the sales and actual occupation OF the land itself
II must be gratifying to all who have true sense
of the honor and interest OF the state to perceive that
upon this subject the din Of party warfare Is hushed
and that unanimity has prevailed alike honorable
and patriotic. No interruption to this commendable
spirit trust will be suffered. Union and good feel
ing, less than prudence and energy are absolutely
necessary in this extraordinary 1G s%eEgsney
COUNCIL CHAMBER, Feb. 49, 1889.
Since writing the foregoing, have received COM
munication from the Lieutenant Governor Of the Pro-
vince Of New Brunswick in which he sets up an alleg
ed agreement that the British Government should have
exclusive jurisdiction and possession Of the disputed
territory until the question be settled and informs
thath he Ia ted In
that possession and jurisdiction. He entreats US to
withdraw the land agents party; and adds, that he has
directed strong force of her majestys troops to DO
in readiness TO support her majesty authority, and pro-
ect her majesty's subjects in the disputed territory in
the event oflhis request not being Immediately complied
with"
In regard to all this have only to say that there is
to doubt the entire correctness Of the
we have thus far pursued; and that with the blessings
OF God trust shall persevere. No such agree
that alluded to by the Lieutenant Governor can
be recognised by Us and it is entire msapprehen-
sion say the least Of it. that such agreement has
been made. The letter having been written before
Mr. Mcintyre reached Fredericton official commu-
nication made the intended to be pursued
in regard 10 him. and those arrested with him. learn,
however. indirectly, that they to be retained
am informed that the land agents party have sta
toned themselves for the present. at the termination OF
the Aroostook road While there, Mr. Mclaughlin,
the provincial land agent, presented HIMSELF and the
name Of her majesty, warned party to dispense Mr.
Mclaughlin and his two assistants were therefore taken
into custody and the agent, with one assistant mme-
distey sent TO Bangor, where they are now detained.
Copies Of the proclamation and letter Of the Leute-
nant Governor of New Brunswick are herewith commu-
nicated JOHN FAIRFIELD.
After the message had been read, Mr. Allen, of Ban
gor, offered the following resolve
STATE OF MAINE
F" Resolpe for the protection Of the Public Lands.
A. ...l II &.
State demand that sufficient military force be forth
with stationed the Aroos,ook river, west of the
boundary line Of this State established by the treaty
Of l7S3 and the river st. john If found practical
ble at such points may be best adapted to their OBJ
ec prevent further depredalons the public lands
and protect and preserve the timber and other lumber
already there by trespassers and to prevent its
mova without the limits Of the State"
Mr.. Delesderner moved to amend by adding the fol-
lowing resolve, which was adopted
Resolved That the sum Of eight hundred thousand
dollars be- and hereby is appropriated, for the purpose
OF enabling the Executive to carry out the purposes Of
the foregoing resolve and the resolve passed January
"a 1885, that the Governor be, and hereby is, author
lied, with the advice of Council, to draw his warrant
for the same, from time to tme il may be needed for
that purpose"
The question ION the passage of the resolution to DO
engrossed) taken by yeas and nays, and dec ded
unanimously in the affirmative: yeas $50, nays none
On motion Of Mr.. Vose, Of Augusta,
Ordered, That the Governor be requested to COM
municate forthwith to the Executive OF Massachusetts
any information in his possession in relation to tres
passes committed the disputed territory, and TO re-
quest the cooperation Of that State in the measures
taken by this State.
This order unanimously adopted.
Mr.. Sheldon, Of Gardiner, introduced the following
resolve
Additional rcsoloe respecting tespdsscs on the Public
Lands.
sResolped, That the Governor be requested forth
with to communicate to the President OF the United
States the measures recently adopted by the State Of
Maine in relation tresspasses the public lands Of
tho State. and also copies Of the correspondence be-
tween the Governor OF New Brunswick and the Execu-