North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-02-05
coSCRE ssIoNAL.
~ SENATE.
Friday. Jan. ~, 1910,
THg MafSw BorxpARr.

On nosion Of Mr.. Bachansn. in second.
snee with The promise OF yesterday, The
Sensle tona up the resolutions offered by
Mr.. Williams, calling ga the President oi
the uniied States lnf the CORES pondrnce
not already communicated, with the Bal.
iish Government, on tie subject II the
Maine Boundary, and with the British
Minister and the Governor of Mainr reia-
tive to the invasion OF the State of Maine,
and the exercise Of jurisdiction in the dis
puied territory.
The question being m the following ad-
ditiunal resolution, offered by Mr.. Rug
gles.
Resolved further, That the President
be requested 10 communicate IL the Sc
nate. 81 far as IL may not be Incompatible
with the public interest, whether any, and,
u sny, what measures have been taken,
under the act ol Congress 81 March, 1889,
az otherwise, In cause the removal or ex-
pnslan oi tie British troops which have
taken possession of a portion oi the terri
tory Of Maine claimed BY Great Britain;
and especially whether, since the last SEES
sion ol Congress, any military posts have
been established in Maine, or any other
military measure, adopted. preparatory To
a Just vindicaii0n III the honoI aud rights
oi the nation OF & Maine. as connected with
the pcfsrvefing claim made by Great Bri. |
tain 10 portion Of the territory OF that
State.
MIR. Buchanan said he scarcely knew
what 10 say of this restitution Ii would |
see n TO contain an implied censure upon
the President, which in his humble opin-
ion, was wholly uniounded. In regard to
the course pursued by that distinguished
officer in this very important and delicate
matter, there was bst one sentiment 10
tbs country, and all political parties had
evinced their appreciation III it. But the
resolution of The Senator tMr. Ruggles).
called upon him 10 communicate to the
Senate whether any and what measures
have been taken under the act Of March,
1889, or otherwise, to expr the British
troops from the disputed territory; and
since The last session, any militia
ry posts have been established in Maine
toa just vindieation Of the
nations honor Now, (said Mr.. d. every {
Senator knows perfectly well The only ans
wer which the President can give 10 these
Indeed, this answer had &
hccn substantially given in advance. In s
his annual message, dated on the second 1
Dec. last, he has informed Us that he has ,
not touched dollar of the 80 ,000, 900 con- :
ided 10 him by the act OF March, 1889, /,
md he then surrendered up'his trust Which a
rad been confded 10 him by Congress. b
And why did he pursue this course SIM e
Nv because the contingency had not hap. Il
'ened upon which he could have applied Il
his money. There bad heen no invasion 6
4 our territory, or any Imminent, danger h
'r such an invasion. There had been no
tiempt on the part OF Great Britain 10 h
nlorce by arms her claim 10 exclusive ju- u
isdIctinn over the disputed territory. So q
or far from il. that solemn agreement c
isd been entered into with the British au n
hor'tles for the express purpose Of prevent
ng any such attempt from being made hy ~
iiher nation. was not until about the J
rst OF January that the President conId n
ossibly have heard ihattw0 companies of d.
british troops had been stationed al the v,
'emiscouta lake, because the letter of d,
'overnor Fairfield, communicating this "
was not dated until the Esd n,
December. And yet the Senate are r
rayeiy called upon To adopt resolution, Y,
skiing the President whether he has taken n
nv measures, under the act of March: ra
sS9, 10 expel these troops-in the very M
&c of his message OF The 2I December ~
st, declaring that he had mol found il ne. u,
'ssary 10 use any of the powers conferred M
,on him hy this net. Nav, more. IfIhe W
resident had established military posts in nj
G disputed territory, his conduct wonld he
I'VE been justly censnrable, and would P,
I've afforded to the. British government WI
e same cause of offence as they have a. of
rded US, unless il should be satisfactorily ha
planned, in recently staii,ning troops at lar
e Temiseouta lake. The Presidents en-
swer 10 these inquiries, we oil know. cr
ist be in the negative; and il would, Br
,reforc seem the object was 10 cast an ca,
p;ied censure upon him for having done pr,
thing. ,yo
Mr.. d. said he did no, know what course IN,
|. President had pursued since the receipt sur
Gov. Fairheld's lriier.-He presumed. ex,
vever, that, asa matter of course. hr op,
J protested against this military occu- the
ion Of The disputed territory nv the nm,
lish authorities as violation Of the q
'>isilng agreement and OF The rights nj ha,,
me, and had asked an explanation FINN he
British Minisier.-B efIre he aiirmn,. a,;r
la expcl these troops hy force, he mas, Ian
upon Congress TO furnish him the in ,