The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-31


between New Brunswick and the Upper Provinces
The agreement could oniv have reference the MEDIA
waska settlements conned within their actual limits
al the time il subscribed The undersigned. in
his note OF the e4h Of December last stated The
Why the mouth OF Fish River and the portion OF
the valley Of the ST. John through which passes could
IN no proper sense be considered embraced ia the
Msdawaska settlements, Were the United States to
admit the prctenson set up the part Of Great Br-
tam give TO the Msda~aska settlements degree of
constructive extension that might, al this ne the
purposes Of Her Msjestys colonial authorities those
dement's might soon be made, win like justice. TO EN-
brace any portions Of the disputed territory aud the
right gwen 10 the Province OF New Brunswick 10 oc
cupy them temporarily and for special purpose might by
inference quite plausible. give the jurisdiction exer
cised by her Majesty authorizes extent which would
render the prescott state Of the question. so long
could be maintained, equivalent To decision on The
rs oil the whole controversy IN favor oil Grea, Britain
II The small settlement at Madawaska the north side
Of the ST. Johns the whole valley Of that rlverf
boom across the Fish river. aud station OF small
posse the north side o the ST Johns the mouth Of
Fish river disturbance OF that settlement which
twenty-five miles below, within the meaning Of the
agreement, IL is difficult that there any
Limitations TO the preensions Of Her Msesly's Govern
ment urder how the State Of Name could exercise
the preventive power with regard TO the lrespsssers
which her part, the great object OF the tempo
rary arrangement The movements OF Blush troops
lately witnessed in the disputed territory and the
uon OF mltaTy WORKS Tor thelt protection anu accom-
mediation, OF which authentic Intormatlon recently re-
ceved at the Department Of State, has been commun
Gated to Mr.. Fox, inpan still graver aspect the
matter Immediately under consideration. The fact Of
those military operations established beyond doubt,
left uncx planned unsatisfactory accounted for, by
Mr. Fox's note Of the 7th instant, continues abiding
cause Of complaint the part Of the United States
agsins. Her Majesys colonial agents. inconsistent
with arrangements whose main object was TO dvest q
question, already sufficiently Peplexed and complicated
from such embauassmenrs as those with which the pro-
ceedings Of the British authorities cannot fail 10 sur
round IT,
IT, as MIR. Fox must admit, the objects Of the late
agreements were the removal OF ali military force
and the preservation OF The properly from further
spoialions, leaving the possession and jurisdiction
as they stood before the ate OF Maine found itself
compelled 10 act against the tespassers, The Pres-
dent cannot bal consider that The conduct Of The
American local authorities strongly and most ia
vorably contrasts with that Of the colonial author
ties of her Majesty's Government While the one,
promptly Withdrawing its military force, has CON
fined itself 10 the Of The small posse armed as
agreed upon, and has done ACT necessary 10 the
accomplishment of The conventional objects, every
measure taken or indicated by the other party, is es
sentaiy military in It's character; and can be lnst
hrd only by we'll founded apprehension that hosli-
tiles must ensue.
With such feelings and convictions the President
could not see, without painful surprise, the attempt
Of Mr.. Fox, under instructions iom his Govern
ment, 10 give TO the existing state of things a char
acter not warranted by the friendly disposition OF the
United States or the conduct of the authorities and
people OF Maine-much more is he surprised TO find
il alleged ground Tor strengthening military
force, and preparing for hostile collision with the
unarmed inhabitants Of friendly Slate, pursuing
within their own borders, their peaceful occupations
or exerting themselves in compliance with their
agreements TO protect the properly in dispute from
Unauthorized spoliatlon.
The President, wishes that he could dspel The
fear that these dark iorebodings can be realized
Unless her Majesty's Government shall forthwith
arrest all military interference in The ques,ion-un
less il shall apply 10 the subject more determined eff
forts than have hitherto been made 10 bring The dis
pue 10 certain and pacific adjustment, the misfor-
tunes predicted by Mr. Fox in the name Of his Go
vernnent, may most unfortunately happen. Blu, no
apprehension Of the consequences alluded to BY Mr.
Fox can be permitted 10 divert the Government and
people of The United States from the performance of
their duty 10 the State of Maine. That duty is as
simple il is imperative. The construction which
is gwen by her 10 The treaty OF 1888 has been again
and again, and in The most solemn manner asserted
also by the Federal Government, and must be nam
tanned, unless Maine freely consents to wv bound
airy, or unless that construction Of the treaty is
found To be erroneous by the decision OF disiner
ested and independent tribunal, selected by the par
ties for its final adjustment. The President, on as
Stunning the dulies ot his station, avowed his deter
minaon, all other means OF negotiation failing, 10
submit proposition TO the Government oil Great
Britain 10 refer the decision OF The question once
more 10 a third party.
In all the subsequent steps Wnlcn nave been taken
upon the subject by his direction. he has been
ted by the same spirit. Neither his disposition In
the nater hisupnon as TO the proprlety OF that
course has undergone any change. Should The fG-
fimeul OF his wishes be defeated either by an I'M
Willingness ON the part of her Majesly's Govern
menl to meet the offer of the United States IN the
spirit in which il is made, or from adverse cireum-
stances of any description, the President will, in
any event. derive great satisfaction from The con-
seriousness that effort on his part has beenspared TO
bring The question 10 an amcabe CONCLUSION, and
that there mas been nothing in The conduct either vi
the Governments and people OF the United States,
or OF the State of Maine, TO justify the employment
Of her MaJestyS forces indicated by Mr.. FoxS
letter. The President canDuI, unuer such circum-
stances, apprenend that the responsibility Tor any
consequences which may unhappy ensue, WILL by
the just judgment of an impartial would, be impu-
ted to The United States
The undersigned avails himself, &c. &c. &c.
JOHN FORSYTH
To the Hon. II. S. Fox, sc.