Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1840-05-07
UNITED STATES AND GREAT
BRITAIN.

In the British House of Commons, on the
9th of March, on n motion for a production
of papers relating to the foreign policy of
England, among others to the Boundary
Question, Lord J. Russell, in adverting to the
Inconvenience which sometimes attends it.
said:
He would give another instance of a sim
lar kind with respect to the boundary ques-
ton. A year or two ago some papers were
produced before the Senate of the United
States, on which much discussion had ari-
sen, and in the course of which much angry
defamation had been directed against Eng
land. When the accounts OF these TRANSACT
tons reached this country no demand was
made for the production OF papers, and when
the Intelligence was conveyed back to Amer
lea that there had been no discussion in the
House OF Commons on the subject, that in
telllgence relieved, as he had been informed,
the minds OF many that the discussions in
the American Senate would have led to re-
elimination In the House of Commons, and
that the peace of the two countries would in
consequence have been endangered. (Hear.
hear.) This much as to the general rule ap-
plIcable to the production of papers. AS he
had said on former occasion, there was no
objection to lay before the House the papers
which had been produced before the Ameri-
can Senate with regard to the boundary cues.
ton; but he felt that it was necessary to add
some other documents, in order to explain
certain statements which had appeared in
the American papers. He would Illustrate
his object in laying those additional docu-
ments before the House by a single circum-
stance. A statement had been made that a
haI lyol
headed by an officer of militia, and much eX-
element had been created in America by that
statement. Now the facts were, that a mob
OF persons had gone to attack the blockhouse,
and an officer of militia went with them
Sir John Harvey had disapproved highly of
the conduct of that officer, but as he had eX-
pressed his regret III the part he had acted in
The affair, the Governor had written a des-
patch to him (Lord ]. RusselD in which he
expressed his opinion that severe reprimand
would be sufficient punishment for the of
fence. In his answer to that despatch he
had stated that in his opinion reprimand
was not sufficient, and in order to prevent O.
Tiers from engaging in such enterprises
whether on the side of the Americans or on
the side cf the British, and in order to set an
example, he had advised the dismissal of the
officer, and conveyed the Queens commands
to that effect. He alluded to this transact
ton for the purpose of showing that he
would do justice to all parties if he did not
add other documents to those which had al
ready been ordered. There were two sepa.
rate and distinct questions involved in these
discussions with the United States. The
first had reference to the boundary, and the
other to the agreement which had been en-.
tered into pending the negotiations; and he
did not think that either on the general ques
'lon, or on the question of agreement, seri
GUS quarrel would take place; nor did he in
the asst degree anticipate that the harmony
OF the two countries was likely to be inter.
rupted. The Governments of both countries
We're too sensible Of the advantages OF peace
TO wish for It's termination, and both were
perfectly convinced that there was nothing in
the boundary question which could not be
arnicably arranged if both parties were dc.
'ermlncd to abide by the principles of justice