Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-04-02

protection and accommodation, of which
authentic information recently received at
the Department. of State, has been COM
municated to Mr.. Fox, impart still gra-
yer aspect TO the matter Immediately IN
der consideration. The fact Of those mill
tary operations established beyond doubt,
left unexplained, or enthusiastically account
tedfor, by Mr. Fox's fote of the 9Th in-
slant continues an abiding cause OF COM
plant on the part Of the U'lted States
against Her Majesty's colonial agents, as
inconsistent with arrangement whose main
object was to divest a question, already
sufficiently perpexed and complicated, from
such embarrassments as those with which
the proceeding Of the British authorities
cannot fail to surround it.
II, as Mr. Fox must admit, the objects
of the late agreements were the removal
Of all military force aud the preservation
of the property from farther spoliations,
leaving the possession and jurisdiction as
they stood before the State of Maine
found itself compelled to act against the
trespassers, the President cannot but con-
slider that the conduct of the American
local authorities strongly and most favora-
bly, contrasts with that of the colonial au-
thorities of Her Majesty's Government.
While the one, promptly Withdrawing Its
military force, has confined itself to the
use of the small posse, armed as agreed
upon, and has done no act not necessary
to the accomplishment of the conventional
objects, every measure taken or INDICATED
by the other party, is essentially military
in its character, and can be justified on
ly by we'll founded apprehension that
hostilities must ensue.
With such feelings and convictions, the
President could not see, without painful
surprise, the attempt of Mr. Fox, under
instructions from his Government, to give
to the existing state of things character
not warranted by the friendly disposition
Of the United States or the conduct of
the authorities and people OF Maine-much
more is he surprised to find it alleged as
ground for strengthening military
force and preparing Sor hostile collision
with the unarmed inhabitants of friend
ly state, pursuing within their own Dor
ders, their peaceful occupations, or exert
ing themselves in compliance with their
agreements to protect the property in
dispute from unauthorized spoilation.
The President wishes that he could dis
pei the fear that those forebodings can be
realised. Unless her Majesty's Govern
ment shall forthwith arrest all military in
reference in the question-unless it shall
apply to the subject more determined efforts
than have hitherto been made to bring the
disputes to certain and pacific adjustment,
the misfortunes predicted by Mr.. Fox in
the name Of his Government, may most
unfortunately happen. But no appre-
hension Of the consequences alluded 10
by Mr. Fox can be permitted to diverted
the Government and people Of the United
States from the performance of their duty
to the State Of Maine. That duty is as
simple as i. IS imperative. The construc-
ton which is given by her to the treaty
of 1888 has been, again and again, and
in the most solemn manner, asserted also
by the Federal Government, and must be
maintained, unes Maine freely consents
to new boundary, or unless that con-
struction ofthe treaty is found to be eron-
eous by the decision Of disinterested
and independent tribunal, selected by the
parties for its final adjustment. The Pres
ident, on assuming the duties of his station,
avowed his determination, all other means
of negotiation failing to submit n PROPOSE
ton to the Government of Great Britain to
refer the decision ofthe question once more
to third party.
In all the subsequent steps which have been ia
ken upon the subject by his direction, he has been
actuated by the same spirit Neither his disposition
in the matter, his opinion to the propriety of
that course, has undergone any change. Should
the fulflment of his wishes be defeated either by
an unwilingness on the part of her Majesty's Gov
eminent to meet the offer Of the United States in
the spirit in which it IS made, or from adverse cir
cumstances of any description, the President will,
in any event. derive great satisfaction from the
consciousness that no effort on his part has been
spared to bring the question to an amicable concu-
sion, and that there has been nothing in the conduct
either of the Government and the people of the
United States, Of the State OF Maine. to Justify
the employment Of her Mnjesty's forces as indca-
Gated by Mr.. Foxs letter. The President cannot,
under such circumstances. apprehend that the re-
sponsblty for any consequ ences which may un-
happily ensue, will, by the just judg ement of an
impartial world, be imputed to the Uuited States
The undersigned ayals himself, sc. &c.
JOHN FORSYTH.
Mr. Fox to MI, Forsyth.
WAsHINGroN, March 90, 1S40