North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-04-08
APRIL :.

rfBGrF04MAa - 49,
not fail ~ sgfrogad a.
a. A, Fox must admit, The objects
.,,semrnts were the removal
=, ~ ~ - farce and the preservation
AZ abe ofopctty from further spohauohS,
le.y,ng ,he possession and laiiSo'cIion a.
- .soo4 before the State oil MAINE 'ounu
s...,f somorlled to act against the tfespaSs
r,..,1snt cannot but consider that the
aae =, N the American local authorities
o.@a,ir and most fayorably contrasts WIN
49, The colonial authorities Of her Ma
US Goyernment. While the one,
Ea1n,lv Withdrawing its military force
r.. eankned itself 10 the use OF the smaH
,,osse. armed as agreed upon, and mas zone
:, act mot necessary To the accomplish
80, nj the conventional objects every
,r.sspre taken or indicated by the olneE
att il essentially military in It's eharac-
r., and can be justified only BY wen iouhd-
"A apnrehension that hostlltIes must ehsue'
With such feelings and convictions, lne
President could not see, without painiui
,nrnrise the attempt Of Dir. Fox undef
,nsi,uctions from his government to give
>, Inc existiug state OF things character
~, warranted By the friendly disposition
I'm. limited States or the conduct OF the
authorities and people of Maine-much
more is he surprised 10 tihd 1t alleged as a
ground for strengthening military iotce
and preparing for hostile COLLISION WIN
,he nnarmed inhabitants OF friendly otate
nn,.n,nq within their own borders, thelf
ne,c-fnI occupations, or exertlng them IN
romnl;ance with their agreements to pro-
,ect the property in dispute from nnau'hof-
lied spoliaton. IL H.
The President wishes that he could DIS
mel the fears that these dark foreoodings
can he realized. Unless her Malesty's
Covernm,nt shall forthwith arrest oil mil
;,ary interference in the question-uhiess
!, shall annIy 10 the subject more deter
mined efforts than have hitherto been
made To bring the dispute to certain and
naeifc adjustment the misfortunes predic-
,sl nv Mr., Fox in the name OF his Gov
eminent NAV most unfortunately happen.
RI, M annrehension Of the consequences
alluded to by Mr.. Fox can be permitted 10
divert the Government and people oil the
Halted States from the performance OF
their du,v to the State of Maine. That
duty is as simple as il is imperative. The
construction which was given by her 10
the treaty OF 1888 has been again and a.
gain. and in the most solemn manner as
serted also hy the Federal Government,
anil must be maintained. unless Maine
freely consents TO new boundary or un-
le2. that construction Of the treaty Is
loond to be erroneous by the decision oil a
disipteres,ed and independent tribunal Sc
lsc,e3 nv the parties Tor its final adjust
ment. The President on assuming the
6u,ies Of his station avowed his deternllna
ton all other means Of negotiation lalline
"a submit a proposition TO the Government
of great Britain to refer the decision OF thu
question once more TO third party.
In all the subsequent steps which have
been taken upon the subject by his insunc
ten, he has been actuated by the sam'
spirit. Neither his disposition in the mat
ter, nor his opinion as to the proprety
that course, has undergone any change
Should the fuIfIment OF his wishes D.
defended either by an unwillingness OF
the part of her Maesty's Government L
meet the offer of the United States in III
spirit in which it is made, or from al
verse circumstances OF any description
the President WILL in any event derlv
great satisfaction from the conrclousnes
ihs, no effort on his part has been spare
10 bring the question to an amlcable con
eusion and that there has been nothin
ia the conduct either Of the Government
anj people of the United States, or OF IN
Stale OF Maine to justify the employment
of her MaleSty's forces as Indicated by MI
F0xs letter. The President cannot IN
dsr such circumstances, apprehend tina
The responsibility for any consequence
which may unhappily ensue, will by tn
jaa Judgment Of an impartial world b
imputed to the United States.
Ths undersig ned avails himself, &c. &e
JOHN FORSYTH.
To The Hon 6 II Fox. SC.