Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-04-03
From Mr. For 10 NJ Forsyth.
WAsnlNoroN. Ninrch l6ih. Is1


The undersigned, her Britanic Majesty s
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
poienIinry. has had the honor to receive the
him BY Mr. Forsyth, Secretary Of State ofthe
United States. in reply TO note dated the
18th instant. wherein the Undersigned. in
conformity with instructions received from
his government, had anew formally probes
ted against the acts of encroachment and ag.
gression which are still persisted in by arm
ed bands in the employment OF the State OF
Maine within certain portions OF The disputed
territory.
II will be the duty ofthe undersigned i'm
mediaiely TO transmit Mr. Forsylh's note TO
her Majesty's Government in England, and
until the statements and propositions which
IL contains shall have received the due con.
sderaiion OF her Majesty's Government, the
undersigned will not deem il right 10 add
any further reply thereto, excepting 10 refer
10. and 20 repeat, us he now formally aud
distinctly does. the several declarations
which j, has from time to time been his du-
ty TO make 10 the Government OF the United
States with reference 10 The existing posture
of affairs in the disputed territory. and TO re-
cord his opinion. that an innexible adherence
10 the resolutions that have been announced
by her Majestys Government, for the de-
fence Of her Majes,y's rights. pending the
negotiation of the boundary question. offers
10 her Majesty's Government the only means
Of protecting those rights from being in
continually aggravated manner encroached
upon and violated
The undersigned avails himself OF this oc-
casion TO renew TO the Secretary Of State OF
the United States the assurance OF his dis
tinguished consideration. II. S. FOX.
The Hon. John Forsyth. &C. &c. &c.
A discussion then ensned, in which
Messrs. Darts, Webster and Williams par
licipated.
Mr. Williams of Maine, said he was glad
the question was thus brought, TO an issue.
Mr. Darts, of Mass said il was now evi-
dent that we could temporize no longer We
must assert our rights. or abandon ihem.-
We should no longer admit that any part
OF our territory was in dispute" He re.
GREETED that we had ever allowed the use of
the phrase. "disputed territory" There was
no dispute about it; there was an intrusion
upon it by the British authorities.
Mr. Webster expressed his deep regret that
the two countries were likely TO come into
collision, moi on the main question, but on
Intermediate and collateral matters. Il was
unfortunate that however pacific might be
The disposition of England or OF this Gov.
eminent the question was one that was like
~ TO lester and become q matter OF collision
between the inhabitants OF the TWO sides Of
the lines. He had, therefore. endeavored,
formerly TO impress our Government with
the necessity Of settling the question There
was no reason 10 doubt the sincerity OF the
Oft repeated professions on the part of the
British Government of desire 10 settle the
question amcaby and justly. But so long
as the question was open, il would be irrita-
ting 10 the nhabita:ts on both sides of the
line. and would become more and more dan
gerous every day.
This correspondence, earnest as was the
tone that it assumed, turned not upon the
main question, but on the manner in which
the agreement respecting the Occupation oil
the territory ad iaterim had been fulfilled
These questions would be multiplied, and
become more and more exasperating, the
longer they were left open. Ii was impor-
iant to both countries to settle the ullerior
question. II was necessary that the adjust
ment Of the question should be urged, as far
as the power Of national intercourse would
permit
Mr. Williams, Of Maine, said, for twenty
FIVE years, we have heard OF the pacific dis
position of the British Government ON this
subject and she would be Of the same dis
81. MI L.. L.. 4