The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1840-04-01
THE BOUNDARY.

The BOUNDARY.
A correspondence was eommu Dicafed to the
Senate on Thursday last between Mr.. Fox, the
British Minister. and Mr.. Forsyth. the Secrs-
tary Of State, in relation 10 the North East
Boundary.
On the 9Th Of March, Mr.. Fox addressed
note to Mr.. Forsyth, 10 which he charged upon
the people or Maine an extensive system of ag
erosion within the disputed territory. to the
preludice Of the rights of Great Britain, and 10
manifest violation Of existing agreements; and
that these acts Of encroachment instead OF be-
ing dscountenanced or explained, are persisted
in and publicly avowed by Maine. He re-
quires in behalf Of her Majesiy's Government
that the posse OF Maine shall retire from the
valley OF the St. John and eonfne them
selves TO the valley Of the Restook, and there
remain only temporarily. to prevent depreda-
iions. and that they shall not eonstruc, forfli-
cations. or make roads, or permanent settle
ments-ihot until this shall be done the British
will strengthen their military force 10 tn, terri
tory, and the people and Government Of the
United States be held responsible by the Brit
ish Government for any collision between their
troop, and the people Of Maine.
Mr.. Forsyth, under date Of the 25th uh., re-
plies in firm but eonciIiatory manner-neites
the stipuaIions and agreements betwsen the
parties-dissen,s from the views taken BY Mr.
encroac chments alleged have been committed
BY the people Of Maine-contrasts iawrably
the conduct Of the authorities Of Name in
promptly Withdrawing her military force, as
agreed upon. with thar of the British Govern
inent. which has been strengthening its military
force in the neutrality-suspicious. that unless the
British Government shall arrest forthwith all
military interfere nee in the question. and exert
herself more dccisvely than she has hitherto
done to bring the dispute to a certain, pacific
adjustment. consequences 10 be avoided il pos
sible mus, inevitably ensuc-ihat the Federal
Government has solemnly given the same con-
strueton with Maine to the Treaty OF 1873,
and that this construction must be maintained.
unless Maine consents TO new boundary,
or an arbitrator chosen by the parties de.
cidcs that this construction is erroneous
that were the United States to admit the pre-
tension set up on the part Of Great Britain, to
give to the Msdawaska settlements degree OF
constructive extension that might, at this time.
suit the purposes Of her Majesty's colonial au-
thorites. those settlements might soon be
made. with like Ustce, TO embrace any portions
~ al a1I ha riohf
to the Province Of New Brunswick TO occupy
them temporarily and for special purpose
might, by inference quite as plausible, give the
jurisdiction exercised by her Msjesty', authori-
ties an extent which would render the present
state OF the question. SO long as it could be
maintained, equivalent TO a decision on the
merit, OF the whole controversy in favor OF
Great Britain--thai the movements Of the Brit.
ish troops and the erection OF military bsrrack,
in the disputed territory. are inconsistent with
existing agreements, and which being uncxpau
ed aud unaccoun,ed for satisfactorily by The
British Government, furnish Just grounds o.
complaint on the part Of The United States
Mr. Forsyth concludes rs follows -
The President cannot, under such cir
cumstsnces. appreheud that the responsibit,
for any consequences which may unhappil,
eusue. will by the jus, judgement OF an i'm
partial world, be imputed to the u. States
The correspondence was closed by Mr.. Fox
who, under dais Of the Goth of March, siate'
, that ho should transmit Tho note. OF Mr.. For
syth TO his Government, and make no furthe
reply on the subject in controversy, until h
received further Instructions. But he refers 4
the resolutions of his Government, mad
: known in his former communication, aud state
{ tina, they will be implicitly adhered to-