The Yazoo City Whig and political register. (Yazoo City, Miss.) 183?-1840, 1840-05-01
From the Evening Star.
MAINE BOUNDARY QUESTION.


The correspondence between Mr.. Fox,
the British Minister at Washington, and Mr..
Forsyth, Secretary of State, relative to the
North Eastern Boundary question assumes a
very serious aspect. and confirms all the APP
prehensions Of difficulties to which we refer
red few days ago, 1t is now avowed by
the British authorities that they occupy what
is called "the disputed territory," and call
upon us to withdraw from it on pain of con-
sequences. The language of Mr.. Fox is by
no means equivocal:
a Her Majesty's Government claim and ex-
pect from the good faith of the Government
of the United States, that the people of
Maine shall replace themselves in the situa-
ton in which they stood before the agree
ments of last year were signed-ttat they
shall therefore RETIRE FROM THE VAL
LEY OF THE ST. JOHN, AND CON-
FINE THEMSELVES TO THE VALLEY
OF THE AROOSTOOK; THAT THEY
SHALL OCCUPY THAT VALLEY IN A
TEMPORARY MANNER ONLY, for the
purpose, as agreed upon of preventing de-
predations; and that they shall not construct
Notifications, nor make roads, or permanent
settlements.
Until this be done by the people of the
State of Maine, and SO long as that people
shall persist in the presant system of aggres-
sion. her Majesty's Government will feel it
their duty TO MAKE SUCH MILITARY
ARRANGEMENTS AS MAY BE RE-
CURED FOR THE PROTECTION OF
HER MAJESTY'S RIGHTS. And her
Majesty's Government deem it right to de-
clare that if the result of the uniusti6able
proceedings of the State of Maine should
be collision between her Maiesty's troops
and the people of that State, the response
bilitv of all the consequences that may en-
sue thereffom, be they what they may, will
rest with the people and Government of the
United States.
This is plain language, Invested of all di-
plomancy. The territory claimed by Maine
as her own, under the treaty of 1898, is nc
longer in dispute-it is no longer a m9oted
question, Great Britain in effect says, this
is my aand-retire from 1t, or I 'ViU driUe
you off.
The debate on this correspondence in the
Senate is equally grave and portentious.
Mr.. Webster of Massachusetts,, expressed
his deep regret shat the tUo countries mere
likely to come int collision" Mr.. Davis
said, sit was evident that we could tempo
rise no longer-lUe must assert our rights OF
abandon them" Mr.. Williams of Maine
said that Great Britain had for % years ex.
pressed the most pacific views on that ques
ton, yet the moment it was apparent thai
the question must be settled, she theaten:
us with the consequences. Hewas glad tC
find that the issue must now be made up
We are not, it is true, in condition to 90 tC
war with England, and she has great advan
tage in the present large armies col
lected in the Canadas. Our naVa
force is distributed all over the world, ant
our commerce is afioat in every sea, bu
whenever such difficulties arise we must be
found in the same position. Beyond on
Notifications being in sound condition
our arsenals supplied. our militia organized
we never can be fully prepared for wa
with powerful nation, and for some time
we must labour serious disadvantages, blu
finally there can be no doubt as to the re
suit. It is incumbent, therefore, on Con
gress to take prompt and vigilant steps in th'
matter, and see that the country is places
in an immediate and secure state Of defence
and every preparation made for war, as tn,
only means in all probability to avert th'
calamity-nor must we for moment in
dulge in the belief that Great Britain IS de
cidedly averes TO such an issue We haV
reason to know the contrary. In recen
conversation between Lord Palmerston an
Mr.. Stevenson on the subject of the burn
ing of the Caroline, Lord Palmerston dis
tinctly justified that act, and indicated in
manner not TO be misunderstood, that n
reparation would be offered for that affair
and if Canada was ever invaded from on
lines hereafter by any portion of our citizens
they would forthwith cross and invade thi
country, and that war was preferable to thl