Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1840-04-06

OF the Oath December last, aud in connection with
the foregoing remarks they will no longer be view
ed as calculated TO excite the apprehensons OF her
Mojesty's Government, that the faith Of existing
arrangements is to be broken on the part of the
United States.
With regard to the second position assumed by
Mr.. Fox, that the advance of the Maine posse
along the Restook to the mouth of Fish River, and
into the valley ofthe Upper st. John, is at variance
with the terms and spirit of the agreements the
undersigned must observe that II ut variance with
any of their positions, it could only be with those
which secure her majesty's province OF New
Brunswick against any attempt to disturb the pos
session Of the Madawaska settlement, and to in
terrupt the usual communications between New
Brunswick and the Upper Provinces. The agree
ment could only have referred to the Madawaska
settlements as confined within their actual limits
at the time it subscribed.
The undersigned, in his note Of the 24h of De-
cember last, stated the reasons why the mouth OF
Fish River and the portion Ct the valley of the St.
John through which it passes, could in no proper
sense be considered as embraced in the Mudawas
ka settlement. Were the United States 10 admit
the prctensions set up the part OF Great Britain,
to give to the Mad0waska settlements degree of
constructive extension that might at this time suit
the purpose of Her Najesty's colonial authorities,
those settlements might soon be made, with like
justice, to embrace any portions of tho disputed
territory aud the rights given TO the province of
New Brunswick to occupy them temporarily aud
Tor special purpose might, by inference quite as
Plausible, give the jurisdiction exercised by her
Nlajesty's authorities extent which would rem.
der the present state OF the question, so long ii
could be maintained, equivalent 10 decision OH
The merits of the whole controversy in favor Of
Great Britain.
II the small settlement at MadaWaska, on the
north side Of the 81. Johns, means the whole val
ley of that river If a boom across the Fish river
and station of small posse on tllesQe>a-sl 1e of,
fI.,S I'll, a. LN.-i IL.
turbance of that settlement, which is twenty FIVE
miles below, within the meaning otihe agreement,
1t is difficult to conceive that there are any lma
tons to the prccn>ons of her Maeslys govern
ment under it, or how The state OF Maine could eX
rcise the preventive power with regard to tres
passers, which was Oh her part, the great object
of the temporary arrangement The movements
OF British troops lately witnessed in the disputed
territory, and the erection of military works for
their protection and accommodation, of which au
lhentic information recently received at the DE
partment OF STATE las been communicated to Mr.
Fox 1part still graver aspect to the matter i'm
nedlatoly under consideration The fact Uithose
military operations establish @ beyond doubt left
Unexplained, or unsatisfactory accounted for, by
Mr.. FoX's note o. the 9TH inst continues abb
ding cause of complaint on the part of the United
States against her Malestys colonial agents. as i'll
consistent with arrangements whose main object
was TO divest question, already sufficiently per
picked and complicated from such embarrass-
ments us these with which the proceedings of the
British authorities cannot fail TO surround it,
If, ms Mr. Fox must 0dmit, the objects of the
late agreements were the removal of all military
force and the preservation of the property from
further spoliaons leaving The possession and lu-
risdction MS 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 authorities strongly
and most favorahy contrasts with that of the col
t,tal 81
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 con-
venlionol Objects every measure taken or indica-
ted by the other party, is essentially military in its
character, and can be justified only by well foun
ded apprehension that hostilities must ensue.
With such feelings and convictions, the President
could not see, without painful surprise, the attempt
Of Mr. Fox, under instructions from his govern =
ment, to give the existing state of things charac-
ter not warranted by the friendly disposition of
the United States or the conduct authorilieS of
the people of Maine much more is he surprised
10 find it alleged as ground for strengthening a
military force and preparing for hostile collision
with the unarmed inhabitants OF n friendly NState,
pursuing within their own borders, their peaceful
occupations or exerting themselves in comTli
with their agreements to protect The property
IN dispute from unauthorized spoliaiion.
The President wishes that he could dispel the
fear that these dark furebodngs can be realized.
Unless her Majesty Government shall forthwith
arrest all military interference in the question -
unless it shall apply TO the subject more deermn-
ed efforts than have hitherto been made to bring
the dispute TO n certain and pacific adl ustmen The
misforllInes predicted by Mr.. Fox in the name OF
his Government may most unfortunately happen.
But no apprehension of the consequences allu"
,led TO by Mr.. Fox can be permitted TO divert the
Government and people Of the United States from
the performance of their duty to the State of Maine.
The duty as simple rs II is imperative. The
construc ion which is given by her to the trenty
Of 1888 has been, again and again, and in the most
solemn manner, asserted also by the Federal Gov
eminent, 81 must he maintained, unless Maine free
~ consents Ia new boundary, or unless that cons
truction OF the treaty is loundwrong 10y the decision
of Il disintereste and Independent tribunal, select
ed by the parties for its final adjustment. The
President, assuming the duties of his station
nvowed his determination, nll other means of ne
gociation failing, 10 submit proposition TO the
Government oil Great Britain to refer the decision
of the question once more to third party.
All the subsequent steps which have been taken
| upon the subject by his direction, have been
tnated by the same spirit Neither his disposition
| IN the matter, nor his opinion to the propriely
of xat course, has undergone any change. Should
the fuIflment of his wishes be defeated, either
! by an unwingness on the part OF her Majesty
Government 10 meet the offer of the United State;
! in the spirit in which it is made, or from adverse
circumstances OF any description, the President
will, in any event, derive great satisfaction from
the consciousness that no effort on his part has
| been spared to bring the question to an ainicahle
| conclusion and that there has been nothing in tie
conduct either in the Government aud people o
the United Sates Of the State Of Maine, Il
Justify the employment of her Maiesys forces as
indicated by Mr.. Fox's letter. The President can
not, under such circumstances, appretend that The
responsibility for any consequences which may
unhappily ensne, will, 10y the just judgn5ntNr-f al
impartial world, be imputed 10 the United States
The undersigned nvails himself &c. &c.
JOHN FORSYTH.
To the Hon. II. S. Fox, &c.