North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-02-26
NORTH AMERIC AN.

tract srnm an article upon the Presidents
mrssase, wl.eh we tud ~ lsc Augusta
Sic. Aye. This paper, 40 doubt, speaks
The sentiments 0fihr government Of Maine,
and siihough there IS gan)d deal Of tslk
sboat "viniaie5 sovereignty, ""hosiiie IN
sasioa ~ onr territory, =" DECISIVE action"
&c, vet theEe are qUIte too many cnnliu-
geneirs introduced "a the shape Of ''us"
"a sui, our laucv. There should be un
"ff' about the matter prompt and drci-
sivr ncljuu IS what is called FOR an the part
at Maine. aud what must he had ere the
general government viii pnsh the matter
The extract referred TO
Under all the circumstances OF the
case. il would seem thai no diversity o!
opinion in respect "a this matter can exist
among us. If Great Britain has abandoned
her paSt policy o( procrasliDalion, and Is
sincerely disposed to bring about a speedy
decision 81 this question by amicahle ne.
colia.ion- il project" aiiordIng the
means Of snch decision has been submit
ted 10 her, an answer 10 which shall not
be DELAYED lnngeT than the nature Of The
NhNE may 4NhihitCt anu ~ III NhE lEBfoiNlIIf
no acts be done or persisted in by her indie
alive of hostile spirit, IL is msniieslly tie
| duty of Maine, IN Justice To the Federal
( Gnyerumrul, 10 her sister States, To het
own interests. and 10 the interests or hb-
mainly, Ia forbear for season such an ar
seriion Of her sovereignty as would plunge
The two countries into war. But IL, on
the other hand Great Britain exhibits a
return To her old policy, if she delays an
answer To the "project" of our Govern
mrnt longer than fair and honest diplo-
macy will Justify, or il, in the meantime,
acts Of hostility have been committed by
her, aud shall be deliberately persisted in,
the duty Of Maine is equally clear and
must be performed at all hazards. The
mere pendency Of unmeaning hypocritical
negotiations which might BE- indefinitely
protracted, would not justify her in delay
ing for a moment the vindicalion Of her
rights. Her patience has been long enough
tried, and her interests and honor long
enough trilled with, and nothing but ahun-
dant assurance that something will be- done,
and that speedily, ought to restrain her
from taking decisive action in reference
TO this question"
Now it would certainly seem that the
location of military force within our Inn
its by the British Government was indica-
tive Of any thing but an amcabIc spirit on
| their part II is, al all events, a papable
violation 81 The "ogreemenm made by Sir
John Harvey, and a hostile invasion OF
our territory That Government must le-
trace this step; and give abundant assn
RANGES that it will not be repeated, or a
collision must follow or which the conse-
quences are as momeniuous as they are in
ev,able. II not voluntarily retraced, the
duty oi the Federal Government 10 repel
! the invasion of our territory must be per-
! formed. The erection Of barracks and the
quar'ering Of troops within the limits Of
our State by foreign power, is an Insult
which ought moi TO be, and cannot be, sub
United 10. Cost what it may, or desert
her who may, Maine must avenge This
desecralion Of her soil, and resist with
whatever power she has, this assault upon
her sovereignty.