The New York herald., 1862-02-03
The Passage OF British Troops
Over the Soil of Maine.

Over the Soil Of Maine.
~>~~~-~~~~~~>~-~~~~~~~~~~
The President Of the State Maine laid before
that body On the 2sth ul the following communication
from the Governor, covering letter from the Secretary
q State Of the United States, relative 70 the transmits
sion OF British troops across the territory Of the State Of
Name
copy Of letter received by me from the Hon. William
Seward Secretary Of State Of the United ssatss
tanning his answers 70 the referring 70
the order Of the senate Of January i3 had made him
whether psrmisson had been given for the passage Of
British troops across the State Of Name and there had
bsen any information concerning the fact which he
might think proper 70 communicate.
ISRAEL. wAsHBURN, in.
ExEcvuu DBARz1Dn, Jan n 1862.
Nh. mwARDs LRrrHR.
DEPARTMENT o. STATE,
WAsusGr0N, Jan. II, 1602
10 Rs Rzeslsacy IsRAn WAssuSx, Ja Governor Of tho
SR-Your Excsllsneys letter Of the 1ath instant has
basn receivsd. submits 70 order Of the State OF
Maine. This order resstss that despatch
has been received from the Secretary Of State Of the
United Stass addressed 70 the Narshal Of the United
statss and all federal ocsrs in Portland directing that
the agents Of the British government shall have all proper
facilities for landing and conveying 70 Canada else
out exception. The order thsn requests you
ncate with the Senate Of Aaine if compatible with the
public interests all information you may have any.
In relation 10 the passage Of British troops recitsd
and whether any steps have been taken prevent snch
Of American soil within the limits Of tho State Of
Maine
After referring 70 the scnates order, your Excel
ency asks me 70 advise you whether such permission
has been gven and such is the fact then for any
formation concerning IL which may think proper 70
communicate.
| chesrfully answer these inquiries
Aths 4th Of January instant this department ad
vsed, by slseraphio despatch from Portland, In the
state Maine that the steamship Bohemian, there
the 7th inst, tclegraphed or Cape Race, with
troops for Canada; and inquring whether In case they
came 10 Portland, any d5ereut 70 be taken
than what has been heretofore pursued and asking in
strucsioDs, In that contingency, by telegraph.
Upon this Information replied by the telegraph. Civ
ing such directions the order Of tho Senate Of Maine
reees The immediate grounds for this proceeding
That supposed that passage Of tho troops and
munitions named across the ssrrtovy o. The Unitsd
saatss by the Grand Trunk Railroad, would ssvs the
persons concerned from risk and suffering which might
be feared Is they left 70 make their way, In
clement season. through the Ice and Of norherly
l Canadian voyage
Tho principle upon which this conoession made TO
Great Britain 10 that, when humanity, even convent
ence, renders desirable for nation have pas
sagc for s troops and munitions through the territory
cf another II 10 customary act Of comfy to grant st. if
be done consstentsy with It's safety and well
fare 10 this principle that the United states con-
nuay enjoy the right Of the passage troops upon the
Panama Railroad, tho territories Of tho republic
Of New Granada vt- . s
Tho United States claim and enjoy, by the concession
of all friendly nations, the kindred comfy or entering
their ports with ships and munitions Of war, and
they have conceded reciprocal comfy 10 the naval
marine Of Great Britain, France, and indeed an other
4 friendly nations.
In Withholding this customary comfy from Great Bri
tain In the present case, this gov erpment must
| necessarily act upon either conviction that the
| passage Of the troops and munitions through our
territory would be injurious hazardous 10 the
public safety welfare, it must capriciously re
fuse TO that Power what would be granted cheeruy
any other refuse grant to Great Britain what
would have beon checriuly accorded at another time
| and under some different circumstances.
No foreign nation nmical 10 Great Britain is likely To
complain OF the United states for extending comfy
TO that Power. IT, therefore, there be any danger
apprehended from II, must in the form OF direct
hostility the part OF the Britsh government against
the United States The United States have not only
sudiously practiced the most perfect justice their
ercourse with Great Britain, but they have also culii
their part spirit OF friendship towards her as
q kindred nation, bound by tho peculiar ties Of
merce. The Grand Trunk Railroad, British highway
extended through the territories Of the United States
perhaps the finest seaport OF country,
Of their friendly disposition. Tho reciprocity treaty.
favorng the productions Of British North America in
markets Of the United states, 10 similar monument Of
| the same wise and benevolent policy.
shall not affect ignorance Of tho fact that popular
asperties recently appeared in portion Of the
British empire as well in the British Islands, which
have seemed 10 indicate growing alienation OF senti-
ment among portions Of tho British people, But the
government Of Great Britain has, nevertheless during
all this time held towards It's customary language
respect and friendship This government praeticng
tire fankness yields its full faith 70 these
tho government Of Great Britain. The popular aspcr
ties 10 which have alluded believed to have had
their origin ia accidents and msapprebensions Of
porary character While the policy Of this government
has been TO orty it's territories be able
all foreign we domestic cnomies, sueh enemies
must come, It has been equally careful the
TO greater strength, by showing itself
sstent in all things, scrupulousy just, and possible
magnanimous towards all other nations.
II not supposed when the directions in question
given that the State OF Maine would feel herself az
grievsd By them At the time the federal govern
10 fully sensible that in all its proceedings owes
each Of the States the most exact respect for her
rights and interests The State Of Maine has been no
emnenty loyal and patriotic in the present emergency
that the President ved not feel himself at liberty
wound any sensbty that she might feel upon the sub
ject
IT, therefore, you shal advise that the directions In
question likely tohsve that effect they will be cheer
fully modified.
Ihavs the honor 10 be, with the highest consideration
your Excellcncy's obedient servant,
WILLIAM n. SEWARD
News from Boston.
RRLBAsE OF REBEL PRISONERs-HFFORTe FOR THE
RBLEksEoF coLoNEL coxcoBAT-sHTP KNGrrsHER
AsHoRE, ETC.
BosroE, Feb q, 1902
The bark Trinity has been chartered convey three
hundred and eishtysx rank and as and eleven oocrs
(ssbe prsonsrs from Fort Warren 10 Fortress Monroe,