, 1840-04-25

whose main object was to divest a question,
already sufficiently perplexed and complica.
ted, from such embarrassments as those with
which the proceedings Of the British au.
thorities cannot surround it.
II, as Mr.. Fox must admit. the objects
Of the late agreements were the removal! O.
all military force, and the preservation oil
the propriety from further spoliations,
leaving the possession and jurisdiction as
they stood before the state of Maine found
itself compelled to act against the trespass.
ers, the president cannot but consider that
the conduct Of the American local authori-
ties strongly and most favorably contrasts
with that of the colonial authorities 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
only by a we'll founded apprehension that
hostIlities must ensue.
With such feelings and convictions, the
President could not see, without painful sur
prise, the attempt of MIR. Fox, under ~instruc-
tons from his Government, to give to the
existing state Of things a character not war
ranted by the friendly disposition OF the
United States, or the conduct of the author
tiles and people Of Maine; much more is he
surprised TO find it alleged as a ground for
strengthening a military force, and for pre-
pairing a hostile collision with the unarmed
inhabitants Of a friendly state, pursuing, with
in their W borders, there peaceful occupa-
tons, or exerting themselves in compliance
with their agreement, to protect the proper
ty IN dispute, from unauthorized spoliation.
The President wishes that he could dis.
pei the fear that these dark forbodings can
be realized. Unless her Majesty's Govern
ment shall forthwith arrest all military inter-
in the duestion-unless it shall apply
to the subject more determined efforts than
have hitherto been made to bring the dis
pute TO a certain and pacific adjustment,
The mistortunes predicted by Mr.. Fox, in
the name of the Government, may, most I'm.
fortunately happen. But no apprehension
oil the consequences alluded to by Mr.. Fox,
can be permitted to divert the Government
and the people of the United States from
the performance Of their duty to the state
Maine. That duty is as simple as it is
imperative. The construction which is Civ
en- by hertz the treaty Of 1888, has been, again
and again, and in the most solemn manner,
asserted also by the Federal Government,
md must be maintained, unless Maine freely
consents TO 4 new boundary, or unless that
construction Of the treaty is found to be
by the decision of a disinterest-
ID and independent tribunal, selected BY the
PARTIES for its final adjustment. The Presi-
lent, on assuming the duties of his station,
vowed his determenation, all other means
If negotiation failing, to submit n PROPOSE
ion to the Government Of Great Britain, to
efer the decision Of the question once more
o a third party.
In all the subsequent steps which have been
upon the subject by his discretion, he
as been actuated by the same spirit. Neither
is disposition in the matter, nor his opinion
S to the propriety of that course, has under
one any change. Should the fulflment of
is wishes be defeated either by an unwil-
ngness or the part of her Maiesty's Gov
rnment to meet the offer of the United
tates, in the spirit in which It's made, or :
ON adverse circumstances OF any discrip- 4,
on, the President will, in any event, derive $
reat satisfaction from the conscientiousness !
lat no effort on his part has been spared to '
ring the question to an amicabIe conclu- q
on; and that there has been nothing in the
,nduct either of the Governments and peo-
g Of the United States or of the State Of r
[aine, 10 justify the employment of her Maj $
ity's forces, as indicated by Mr.. Fox's il
tier. The President cannot, under such =
rc~umstances, apprehend that the response n
lily for any consequence which may unhap- o
ly ensue, will, by the just judgment of an 2
world, be imputed to the United !.
.ates. The undersigned. avals himself SC.
C. JOHN FORSYTH.
To the Hon, II. S. Fox, &c. r.
Mr.. Foz to Mr.. Forsyth h