Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-02-07
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION,


Fox, the British Minister, in relation to
the late aggressions on the northeastern
frontier. 1t is too voluminous however,
for our columns, as it would nearly fill an
entire sheet, and on careful examination,
we are satisfied that its intrinsic impor-
lance does not require such an appropria-
ton. 1t is mere diplomacy-words, words,
words-without the energy and spirit that
ought to characterize our proceedings on
this subject. The following synopsis en-
braces the substance of the whole cores
pondencc
l. A letter from Mr.. Fox, the British
Minister, to Mr.. Forsyth, Secretary of
State, dated in November last, complaint
ing of the violation Of the agreement en-
tered into between the agents of the two
governments last winter, by the opening
of roads to the Aroostook, and the occu-
patton Of a part of the disputed territory
by a body of armed men employed by the
authorities of the State of Maine.
2. A letter from Mr.. Forsyth, written
some weeks afterwards, replying to the
complaints of Mr.. Fox, that the opening
OF the roads in question is not recent
measure, but merely carrying out a poll
cy adopted twelve or fourteen years ago
that the armed body spoken of is only a
posse employed to drive off intruders ;
and that nothing has been done on our
side Incompatible with the spirit of the
agreement between the agents of the two
countries whilst on the British side acts
have been done which may Justly be
complained of as infringing the agree
ment, such as erecting barracks for the
troops on the st. John, placing troops on
part of the disputed territory, &c.
3. A letter from Mr.. Fox, justifying
what the British authorities had done, on
the ground of the current report that the
lagiept',ro &c tho oto+o af NI~:.o bod 800
intention to abrogatc and nullfy the
agreement made between the two coun-
tries last spring, which rumor was too
strongly corroboratcd by the language of
Gov. Fairfield at the opening of the ses-
sion of that legislature, not to Justify pre-
cautionary measures, which have not been
resortcd to, however, with any design to
infringe the agreement, &c.
4. Another letter from Mr.. Forsyth to
Mr.. Fox, in which he says that there is
no reason to apprehend such an intention
as is imputed to the legislature of Maine ;
that the alleged precautionary measures
are therefore altogether gratutous on the
part of the British authorities in New
Brunswick, and must be considered "a
bold iniraclion" of the agreement of last
winter; and that, If the British govern
uphold this proceeding on the part of its
agents, such course on its part will be
regarded by this government as evidence
of want of that friendly disposition on
the part of Great Britain which has hitl..
crto been believed to exist, &c.
We cannot omit, however to copy tho
concluding paragraph of Mr.. Forsyth,
last letter, as indicative of the shirt tina
characterizcs the whole:
he unhers igned, having /, id Mr.. Fnx's MT,
hr'ore The President, Is instructed 10 state 10 I'm
thai no ieason Is perceived for do, b ing The disnn
s''mn Of he Governor Of Name scn,pulously 10 adj
here 10 he spirit Of The existing arrat gemen,s an,
!" "'"id al acs tending 10 render more difficult ant
distant The lina adjustment Of The main question o
boundary between the Two countries hot in re
p'"'ing assurances Of the readiness Of the Unite,
S'a'ts "o'ernmenI 10 contribute, by all means il
ns power TO an aniicabe terminal ion of the dii
''rnce, the undersigned is bound to declare hat :
It'-"'hnce ~. or aiepelion Of. such ac,s IN the
rar' OF her mnjes'y's agents those now compIain
'n "i. would, II avowcd by Great Britain be cons
dercd as but lle in accordance with ,bosa s',,,
hHrrs.
The undersigned a,ails himself Of This occasion
i"'rnew 10 Mr.. Fox the exp,e,.ion Of his d;.,in.
g",,h'd Consideration. JOHN FORSYTH.
HENKY .. Fox, Esq. &c. SC.
This must be very alarming to the Brit.
ish authorities. The President wishes
job Bull distinctly to understand, that il
he persists in keeping possession of our
territory, imprisoning our citizens, plum.
derlng their property, erecting barrack.
and stationing troops within our borders
Those acts" if avowed by the British
s. government, will be considered but Il,