The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-05-05
From the NJ II. Statesman.
THE BOUNDARY WAR PROSPECTS.

There many circumstances connected with
this question, which warrant the conclusion that
the present Administration is completely under the
thumb Of the British Ministry;-and Tins being the
case, there will not only be war; but there will
be no progress towards favorable just settle
ment Of this question, SO long the present Ad-
mnistration continues in power.
Twelve years ago the government Of the United
States administered on the policy which expe-
rience had proved safe and consistent with the
charac of the nation, and the prosperity of the
people. Our rights were asserted, and acknowl-
edged by foreign powers, and Great Britain among
the rest had eason to know that those at the head
of the government, ADAMS and CRAY, commission
at Client 10 negotiate The treaty OF peace, un-
derstood the rights of the United States, and were
above the reach Of fatlery or intimidation. Then
the territory now in dispute a part of Maine
undisputed. The Legislature of that State incor-
porated townships sold its land, and from
the extreme border Madawaska, received repre-
sentative elected in pursuance OF the law of that
State. There was no question then OF the rights
of Maine
But 5000 there change in the Adminstra.
ton. Van Buren, d co. became the head of the
Government-an event which caused greater exul
taon among the British politicians and dpomisls,
than among their own partzans in the Uniled
States.
Such indications were too much for the vanity of
Van Buren,--an il was answered with the memora
BILE and degrading declaration, that the change IN
the Federal Administrations ious to be regarded as
public oppression IN faror Of a ehange an The policy
| of Tie Government fnCOrG6le TO Great Britain.
! This was the beginning of British influence al
Washington, and is strength tried on the long
con csted question for the carrying of trade with
! the West Indies, in which the administration ne
gotiated away all the ghts did possess, and OBJ
! tanned nothing in RETURN sacrificing the best inter-
ess of Maine, great interest OF Massachusetts,
and the only interest the nation had in the subject
This 1oGS az earnest ot change Of policy IN juror
of Great Britain.
AS further proof of the sincerity of Van Buren's
declaration, the British Government were allowed
informally to establish mail route through Maine,
between Canada and New Brunswick. The i'm
portance of this territory furnishing land com
mum ication between tho British provinces being
| thus made apparent they next made trial of The
temper of the administration by asserting jurlsdic-
ton over the Madawaska settlement. The i'm
prsonment of John Baker, the first act Of agrees
sion, was treated with an indifference equally as
tonishing to the American people and the British
nation.
! Next Van Buren's mission to England with the
avowed object of obtaining REIMBURSEMENT OF the
right of search and imp essment, so dsgraceful IN
itself to the character of the American Government
and its minister, still further encouraging the Brit
ish Government to hope for further advantages I'M
der the change and policy proclaimed And this
mission was followed closely by the proposition
to cede the territory now in dispute to Great Brit
ain, leaves strong ground to infer that this terri
tory lhequid pro quo for the surrender OF right
| which England never possessed, and which she
had laid no claim to since the war which grew
out OF its assertion and exercise.
| Atany rate, things have thus far progressed open
lyunder the administration land now when the
British Government is erecting Notifications along
the whole line, and sending troops and warlike
stores into the territory where four years ago they
obtained permission to with troops as mat
ter of favor the Administration scarcely lifts its
voice to oppose
| We say that under such circumstances, the idea
| of war is ridiculous. The Administration is com
mitted from tho beginning the British interest.
They have opposed the rights of Maine from the
beginning. They now look to the aid of British
influence and British gold to sustain Mr. Van Blu
rem in his present office, and his party in the as
tendency; and can there be danger of war while
! the two Governments are both side?
y Mr. Van Buren, is to all inents and purposes,
what Mr. Jefferson called an "Anglo-man.' He
is British in his feelings and prejudices, and British
in every thng-.even 10 his 'fcoach and horses"
| The Globe pretends to have letters from Ohio,
| Illinois, and Indiana, stating that tho locos are