North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1841-05-26


iernment did not even pretend 10 have any
claim TO this territory. but through lis com
| missioners, Lord Gambler, Messrs. Goul-
burn and w. Adams, requested oil the A
merican Government, through IT'S commits
siopers, Messrs. Adams, Clan Gallatin,
| Bayard and Russell, +" cession TO Great
| Britain of that portion OF the District oil
Maine. Tin the State Of Massachusetts
which intervenes between New Bruins
| wick and Quebec" And 1t was not until
after the American Commissioners declar-
ed to Lord Gambler, that they had no
authority TO cede any part OF the territory
of the United States, and TO no stipulation
TO that effect, would they subscribe" that
Great Britain even ventnfed TO hint any
claim, whish, on the 9Th OF October ioi-
lowing, was put forth in note OF expla-
nation stating that England only "reqnred
that small portion OF unsettled country,
which interrupts the communication be-
tween Halifax and Quebec, there being
much doubt phethsy ii does mot already
belong 10 Great Britain" This modest
pretension to the disputed territory has at
length grown into bona-fde right and
title, and they have now taken forclble
possession and are resolved 10 MAINTAIN II
at whatever hazard.
The British have not only taken posses
sion of a part Of Maine, but they have
also seized on American territory in the
North West, and are now buslly engaged
in colonizing the Northern section oil the,
Oregon. This unbridled and grasping IN
science of Great Britain should be speedily
checked, or serious consequences will iol-
low. The British, once in peaceabe pos
session of that fertile and extensive region
and they will have within their power am
pie means 10 circumscribe the limits OF the
American Republic and check its growth
and prosperity.
But there is still another subject OF con-
tention between the United States and CT
Britain, which of itself alone, is OF sutfici-
ent importance TO eopardse the pretended
friendly relations existing between the two
Governments. That is the DESTRUCTION
of the CAROLINE and the MURDER
OF DURFEE We confess however,
that we are surprised at the course taken
by the American Government in relation to
this affair. Had the same offence been
perpetrated by the Americans on British
soil and British subjects, immediate redress
would have been demanded, and II not
speedily granted, the thunderings OF Brit
ish cannon would, ere this, have vlbrated
throughout the Republic. England her
self laughs at the ease with which she
evades redress and ridieules the for6ear-
ance Of the American Government. Near
ly four years have elapsed since the perpe,,
tration Of that foul and wanton deed, ye'
no reparation is made or satisfaction given.
True. redress has been demanded and re-
fnsed-one OF the actors in that bloody
drama has been indicted-but where is he
now ? Has he been, or is he to be tried
in the vicinity Of his crimes And indeed
will he be tried at all ? He is now at New
York on habsas corpus, and we venture
to predict that he will either be discharged
without further investigation, or to appease
an outraged people, he carried through a
sham trial and acquitted. But we warn
the American Government against any un-
due interference in this matter I've warn
the judges and jurors who possibly may]
try Mcleod against any sham proceedings
or illeg alties-we caution the American
people to be on the aert--as their lives,
their property, their liberty and their all
are involved in the controversy.