Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1841-01-22

fully established is at the true point, or whether L
moi possible that anteduvian mountains existed S~f'
by some geological process have Deco'i,e-"abrade1
and worn down, and have now becoIdie The beds
large rivers The face ofthe "ear.n," as it existed
the year Of our Lord Thousand hundred and
eighty three is to determine the location Of The High
lands ofhe treaty and the mere speculaons of self
styled Biologists concerning naglnaryo or theoretical
highlands, which probay never had existence except
in the fancios of speculative theorists, cannot fairly
and legitlmately have the slightest influence upon the
pending question: more especially when II II could be
demonstrated that the assumed line noto exists II
would not any requirements ofthe treaty
To mystfy what is plain, and draw attention from tho
main subject to collateral issues is SOMETIMES d.
plomatic mode ofprocrastinatng final declslon ana
of making up plausible case from the mere duration
of the controversy
The statement of the progress and present state OF
the negotiations between the two governments
communicated by the President of the United STATES
III his late annual message, would lead us to indulge
the hope of "a prompt and satisfactory termination OF
the negotiation" and certain and final adjustment
Of the limits in dispute" The delays and obstacles
which have heretofore been lnterposed and which
have appeared to US unreasonable and unnecessary
cannot but still influence feelings and lead US 10
moderate our hopes by our experience If however
the President has to say that there is an ur-
doubted disposition of both parties to bring the matter
to an early conclusion, we may. without the charge
OF beng too sangmne IN our antcipaons, confidently
trust that far, and honorable proposition for com.
MISSION with final powers to end the dispute, will be
readily and fully asslnted TO by the English Goven-
ment, unless there is fixed determination its part
10 bring the matter TO the last resort Of natonsThe
time cannot be far distant, when the question mus;
assume more definite shape, either peaceablo
like, and much as we may dcprecate the awful evils
and mseres OF war, we ought to be prepared 10 meet
tie issue, II such after all, is the determination Of our
por MS witt the frmness Of men, who feel that
.uy have t5 rgn and who viii not yield to threats or
force tie Inheritance of fathers and the rghtful
territory Of our State. The unanimty which cha.
raccrlscd our State on this question: in the midst Of
| n
the people are ready to sustain their rulers in all judi
cous, temperate yet firm and decided measures; and
that il is regarded by them too sacred and too So
lemn subject TO be made the instrument Of any mere
party schemes or movements Let us, in the spirit of
lofty patriotism, continue 10 regard this controversy
emncntiy national in its charactcr-involving
both our immediate interests a State and duty
to the whole Unlon placed in the front limo
Of the disputed ground. Cherishing such sentiments,
Name in this her great question, will stand on high
and honorable ground and command the respect and
attention to which she is entitled and secure the aid
and protection guaranteed by the constitution.
The survey and scientific examination of the line,
| claimed by US which was commenced BY the State
in 1888 but which has since been suspended, has, at
| last, been undertaken by the General Government,
and from the h"h character of the gentlemen engaged
are fully justified in INDUCING the confident belief
| that we shall soon have the evidence of competent
witnesses, based upon actual examination, and en-
bodied in formal report, to the existence of those
facts, which knowledge of the laws of nature and
the ph steal necessities of the case have long since sa-
tshed every reasoning man, exist upon the iaca
OF the earth II Is, IN my apprehension, source Of
regret tlat this examination has been SO long delayed
peclally since the singular positions and remarkable
| assertions and assumptions in the report of Messrs
| Featherstonhaugh and Nudge to the British Govern
| ment That report ought not TO have had two years
priority OF public attention over counter examination
| and report on our part.
| The correspondence which has recently been com.
muncated to you, by my predecesso" dscloses anoth
| or movement on the part of the fish authorizes,
well calculated to arrest attention and coll forth lrllg
| IN poT ff ND Ia
| Union. II am correctly informed in very short
time after the conclusion of the agreement by which
it was in effect stipulated that the British authorities
should not attempt to take military possession of what
is termed by them sine disputed territory" during the
existence of that arrangement, detachment of Her
| Malestys troops was stationed at Tamscouaa Lake,
within that territory and has been continued there
| ever snce-and we now informed that another
detachment has been moved 10 and stationed at the
N1adawasia settlement for the purpose of sustaining
the jurisdiction and supporting the exercise Of auh0-
rltv the part of the British Magistrates This mo-
| vemont has been made by the Governor General Of
the British Provinces without any prior notification or
| correspondence seeking Information explanation
from the authorizes of this State or the United States
and assuming as the ground of action, the reports
of acls and roats of individuals, without snquriny
whether those assumed facts If IN part true wero
IN pursuance of orders or justified by the government
of Maine. cannot hut view this proceeding, as my
predecessor does in his reply Sir John Harvey rs
, "A direct and papnbe infringement Of the subsstng
arrangement and ms taxing military possession Of
that portion Of the contested territory And if the
| suggestion of It. Governor Harvey who seems not
10 have been consulted in relation 4 this new oct vi
jurisdiction and who evidently regards It with regret
II not rs Infringement of Suhsisiinr arfl-Dgen1ent.
is dsrogarded and the British troops are per oanen y
located Al Naiava-ka shall feel it my duty 10 reii.
rate the request already made 10 the General Govern
men', and to urge upon that Government the justice
| and exped.ency Of taking military possession on the
part of the United States of the territory in DISPUTE
| The General Government owes il to Name 10 move
forward IN this matter with promptness and energy,