The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1839-09-07
ANOTHER BOUNDARY QUESTION.

~ AlIh OOC tN IA w lOlNs
We regret to learn that there is great
Of serious dist urbances between
the State of Missouri and the Territory Of
Iowa, on account of dispute arising out of
some misunderstanding, connected with the
boundary line of the respective parties.
Missouri lays claim TO a certain portion of
land, lying between that State and Iowa,
and hes authorised her public officers to as
sess the people residing thereon. This
course of procedure the people of Iowa
deem to be unjust, and are determind TO
resist at every hazard We hope that the
question in dispute may be amicablv settled
between the contending parties; yet from
present appearances, which were strong in
dications of hostile feelings, we can scarce
ly indulge in the belief that an adjustment
of existing difficulties will be affected with.
out an unhappy resort to violence. The
land IN question has heretofore been under
tre il risdic!ion of Wisconsin and Iowa; and
although we do not understand the precise
nature of the dispute, we cannot see why
Missouri should, at this late day, seek to
exercise an authority which she has never
before claimed, and thus engender embilter-
ed feelings with her neighbors which may
perhaps result in loodshed-when by wal
ting until the assembling Of the next Con-
gress, decision will be given by that body
which will put the matter at rest. The
claims Of Missouri, for aught we know,
may be just, and she may be entitled to the
disputed tract of land: but the present posi-
ton and the one she has heretofore assum-
ed, ought TO make her satisfied to await
the decision of Congress, an event which
she, as well as Iowa, will in the end be
compelled to submit TO.
The last Burlington, Uowa) Gazette, calls
the attention of lis readers TO the existing
state of affairs, by the following remarks
The determ ned stand that Territory has
taken, indicated any thing but continuation
Of peace between the parties. The Ga
zetle says: " We are not ararmsts, but it
must be acknowledge that the controversy
between this Territory and the state of Mis-
souri, is beginning TO wear a serious aspect
The assessment being now made, the next
move by Missouri will be TO enforce the
payment of taxes, and thus will have arrl-
we'd the crisis. The duties Of the authori-
ties of Iowa, in such an event, are plain,
and must be fulfilled. The first officer of
Missouri who is found engaged in exerci-
sing the functions of his office in Van Buren,
county, in this FeIitory, Tor in the territory
in dispute. will be arrested and imprisoned.
To do this, the sheriff of the county, if we
mistake not, is clothed with power 10 call TO
his aid the militia of the county; and should
that prove 10 be inadequate, TO call upon the
Commando r-n-chief for aid from the militia
Of the Territory. Should these occurren-
ces, which TO us seem inevitable, transpre,
what course is il expected of Gov. Lucas
to pursue TO us it seems he has no dis
crellon in the mauer-he is bound to see
that the laws are faithfully executed, and to
give, so far as in his Npower, protection to
the citizens. 1t may therefore be reasonably
supposed, hat any and every attempt by
foreign power 10 exercise jurisdiction over
any part Of Iowa, will be resisted by him
vigorously and dctermnedly, This is the
only conclusion which the slightest acquain-
talnce with the character of the man will
warrant; aud we may here add, that in this
course the people Iowa, with unexamplcd
unaninrity, will sustain him.
To Iowa, we say, let your conduct be
firm, but teniperate--use no threats or va
poring menaces--be strict in enforcing your
laws--and the general government, we doubt
noI' will in time, give you ample protec-
tion."-State Capitol Gag