The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-03-17
Mr.. Rox 10 Mr.. Forsyth.
WAsHlNr TON. March 7, 1910

The undersigned, Her Britannia Msjesty's Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotenlsry, has the
honor acknowledge the receipt OF the official note OF
yesterdays date. addressed to him by Mr. Forsyth.
Secretary of State Of the United States, TO which is
annexed the copy Of report from Mr. Benjamin Wig
GIN agent employed by the State Of Maine to visit
the British military post at Lake Temscouta, and in
which reference is made to other papers upon the
subject, which were informally communicated to the
undersigned by Mr. Forsyth few day before; and the
attention Of the undersigned is called by Mr.. Forsyth
TO different points upon which the information contained
IN the said papers considered to be materially at va
rance with that which conveyed TO the U. States
Government by the undersigned in his official note OF
| the 26lh OF last January
The undersigned had already been made acquainted
by the Lieutenant Governor Of New Brunswick with
the circumstances Of Mr. Virgins visit the military
post at Lake Temiscouta where the officer in command
| very properly furnished to Mr. Wisgn the requisite
information upon all matters connected with the British
station which he appeared DESTROYS inquire about.
The alleged points OF varisnce after deductlng what
is fsncl and conjectura in the reports produced,
and after comparing what is there stated in contradiction
TO other reports before produced from the quarters,
do not appear 10 the undersigned to be by any means
so material they TO have been considered by the
Government Of the United States The British military
detachment stationed Lake Temiscouta, which the
agents employed by the State Of Maine, had, in the
first instance, with singular exaggeraton, represented
as amounting TO two regiments Is now discovered by
five men, which, instead Of two regiments something
less than two companies. II is indeed true. should
such point be considered worth discussing that the
undersigned might have used more technically correct
expression his OF the Goth Of January, he had
stated the detachment IN question to consist OF from
to two companies instead of stating it TO consist Of
company But a detachmant Of her Malesty's troops
has been stationed at the lake Tenlscouta from time TO
tme ever since the winter Of 1887 and 1888, when the
necessity from marching reiuorcements by that
| frnsn Naxn Rruna vt~E a,,I h..
remembered that temporary right of using that route
Tor the same purpose expressly reserved to Great
Britain in the provisional agreement entered
beginning Of last year.
II is therefore that the sta.oning military
| force at the lake Temscoua is measure the
part Of her Msjesty's authorities Neither is it true
that that has been adopted for other purposes
than TO maintain the security Of the customary line Of
communication, and protect the buildings Stores and
accommodations provided for the use Of her Maesy's
troops when march by that route and it with
a view to correct misapprehensions which appeared
exist upon these points, and thus to do away with
needless occasion Of dispute that the undersigned con-
veyed to the United States Government the information
contained in his note of the Goth OF January.
With regard again the construction Of barracks and
other buildings, and the preserving them in efficient
state Of repair and defence, similar degree Of
and Misrepresentation appears still to prevail IN the minds
| OF the American authorities.
The erection OF those buildings within the portion OF
the disputed territory referred for the shelter Of
her Msesy's troops while their march, and for the
safe Judgment Of the stores, Is new act the part
Of her Majesty's authorities The buildings in ques-
ton have been in the Of construction from pc
Rod antecedent to the provisional agreements Of last
year. and they now maintained and occupied along
| the line of march, with view to the objects
above specified, for which the small attachments OF
troops also referred to are In like there
toned.
The undersigned will not refrain from here remarking
upon point OF comparison exhibited in the present
controversy II admitted by the United States
thores that the armed bands stationed by the Govern
ment Of Maine in the neghborhood of the Arostook
river have fortified those stations with artillery; aud
is objected matter of complaint against the
British authorities, with reference to the buildings
Lake Temscouts tina. those buildings furnished
with artillery, but only that they defended by pail
sades capable of resisting artillery II would be DIFF.
hcult to adduce stronger evidence OF the acts the
one side being those ofaggresson and on the other OF
defence.
the argument that her Majestys authorities have
yet altered their state of preparation, or strengthened
their military means within the disputed territory, with
view settling the question Of the boundary, al
though the attitude assumed by the State Of Maine,
with reference that question: would be clear jusf-
cation of such measures; and 1t is much TO be sppre
hendcd that the adoption Of such measures will
Or later become indispensable, If the People Of Maine
be not compelled TO desst from the system Of
armed aggression which they continuing carry on
IN other parts Of the same disputed territory.
The undersigned avsils himself Of this occasion TO
renew to the Secretary Of State Of the United States
the assurance Of his distinguished consideration.
H. S. FOX.