Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-01-31
MAINE BOUNDARY.

This question was brought before the
Senate on the Nth inst, on a resolution
introduced by Mr.. Williams, calling for
certain correspondence between our own
Government and that Of Great Britain.
The resolution, with an amendment res
pecting the British troops now in possess
sion Of the disputed territory, was passed
after debate. We have only room for
the remarks of Mr.. Buchanan and Mr..
Davis.
MI. BUCHANAN. who is chairman of the Con-
mltee on loIeIgn Relations, SAID he aad no OBJ.
Ject'on TO the passage OF the amendment If it was
pressed. Bu he thought it implied some censu,e
on the President and he,eiore would prefer that
the mover would Withdraw IT,. The President had
already stated in his annual Message tha, he had
done nothing that case had arisen which made,
il proper ior him to nae The means which had been
entrusted to HIM. Every Senator, he added must
know what answer The President would give. Il
could be nothing more than what he had already
said
With regard 10 the general question, Mr.. Bucha.
nan said he 1cGs oppreh'nsire of hGring serious
diMtuities iciM Gl eat Britain before his con.
II OrerSy is ended. lie had, however, entire con.
ideuce N he energy aud prudence Of the President.
The question, he added, was at a crisis at the
opening Of the present Congress. The President
had not thought IL prudent 10 communicate ALL
the circumstances Of the case, and, for his part,
he would have beer better pleased, if the President
had been trusted with The entire conduct OF the
negotiation. without being called upon 10 produce
papers ~ TIL. stage Of The business
Mr. DAVIS c0nlended that The Object OF the ca |
was most proper one. In the Senate there was
an entire uuanimy of opinion in favor Of maintain
ing the rights of Maine, lie agreed with the Presi
deaf that the question had been too long delayed
and ought to be settled. lie referred TO lie agree
men which had been entered into, through the
mediation Of General Scott, that neither Grea
Britain nor the United States should take posses
sion Of the disputed territory.
The correspondence between the Governor o
| Maine and the Governor Of Nova Scotia, now
given to the public, shows that the ,iiory is oc
| cupie1 by Btiri-h lrOops: and the Governor o
| Nova Scotia admits thar the occupancy is IN dIrec
violation OF The agreenIenl and explains thai il Il
no, under lis authority, but under some hishe
authority.
Mr.. Davis said that under these Circumstance.
he could MOI iii sill he could no, fail 10 ,aI,e HI
voice Of inquiry al least, AS TO what had been don't
for the honor Of the country. II ought TO be made
manifest 10 the world that this Senate A. awake anl
,isilant on this sub ecr and is determined 10 man
tain the rights Of Maine
On "Wednesday (22) the Presidcn
communicated the correspondence be.
tween Mr.. Forsyth, Secretary of State
and Mr.. Fox, the British minister, in re.
laton to the disputed tcrritory-the point,
in which are thus stated by the Washing.
ton correspondent Of the n. Y. Herald:
Mr.. FORSYTH calls on Mr.. Fox to know if an,
British troops are on The disputed Territory. and
SO, why they are there
Mr. Fox replies, that troops belonging TO he
majes'y's government, are on the territory ia ques
ton, but, not with the design Of assuming ~ belle
gerent attitude, aud that they are stationed there
10 protect vessels passing between New Brunsw icl
and Lower Canada.
Mr., Fors, III replies. that the response of Mr. Eos
is not satisfactory TO the President, and he is in
stIucIed 10 say, that the Executive considers the
the placing of British troops on The territory il
question, bold Infringement of the compact made
between Gen. Scott and Sin John Harvey
| Five thousand extra copies of the correspon.
dence were ordered 10 be printed, and the CORES
pondeoce TO be referred 10 The committee on oreipl
affairs.