Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-02-04
Executive Department Jan q, 1862

information concerning the fact which lie
might think proper 10 communicate.
ISRAEL WAsHBURN, JR.
Executive Department, Jan u, 1862.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, Jan. Nth, 1862 {
To His ErceAency, Israel IVashbun, Jr., GoV.
ernor Of the State Of Maine:
SIR:-1Our eXcellency's letter of the 18th
inst, has been received. Ii submits to me an
order OF the state of Maine This order re-
cites statement that a despatch has been re-
ceived from the secretary OF state OF the United
States, addressed to the marshal of the United
States, and all federal officers in Portland, di-
reCting that the agents OF the British govern
menl shall have all proper facilities for land
ing and conveying to Canada, or elsewhere,
troops and munitions of war of every kind,
without exception. The order then requests
you to communicate to the senate of Name it
compatible with the public interests, all Infor-
nation you may have, ii any in relation to
the passage OF British troops as so recited,
and whether any steps have been taken to
prevent such use OF American soil within the
limits of the state of Maine. After referring
me to the senate's order, your eXcellency asks
me to advise you whether such permission
has been given and, if such is the fact, then
for any information concerning it which may
think proper to communicate. l cheertully
answer these inquiries.
On the 4th day of January inst this depart
ment was advised, by Geographic dispatch
from Portland, in the state Of Maine, that the
steamship Bohemian, due there the 18th
inst, was teegraphed off Cape Race, with
troops tor Canada and inquirIng whether, in
case they came to Portland, any different
course was TO be taken than what has been
here otore pursued, and asking instructions in
that contingency, by telegraph Upon this
Information, l replied by telegraph, giving
such directions as the order OF the senate of
Maine recites The immediate grounds for
this proceeding were, that it was supposed a
passage Of the troops and munitions named,
across the territory of the United States, by
the Grand Trunk Railroad, would save the
persons concerned from risk and suffering,
which might be feared if they were LETT to
make their way, in an nciement season,
through the ice and snow OF northery ca
madam voyage. The principle upon which
this concession was made to Great Britain is
that, when humanity or even convenience rem.
ders it desirable for one nation to have pas
sage for its troops and munitions through the
territory of another, it is a customary act OF
comfy to grant it, if it can be done consistent,
ly with its own safety and welfare. 1t is on
this principle that the United States continual
ly enjoy the right OF the passage OF troops on
lltC lidtIOdut dClOSS TIE OF
the republic OF New Granada
The United States claim and enjoy, by the
concession of all friendly nations, the kindred
comfy OF 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, all other friendly
nations. In Withholding this customary conf
ty from Great Britain in the present case, this
government must necessarily act upon either
a conviction that the passage of the troops
and munitions through our territory would be
injurious or hazardous 10 the public safety or
welfare, or else it must capriciousIy refuse to
that power what would be granted chez fully
to any other, or refuse TO grant Great Britain
now what would have been cheeIfully accord
ed at another time, and under some different
circumstances. No foreign nation inimical
to Great Britain is likely to complain of the
United States for extending such a comfy
to that power. II, therefore, there be any
danger to be apprehended from it, it must
come in the form OF direct hostility on the
part of the British government, against the
United States. The United States have not
only studiously pracliced the most perfect
justice i'll their intercourse with Great Britain,
but they have also cultivated on their part a
spirit OF friendship towards her as a kindred
nation, bound by the peculiar ties of commerce.
The Grand Trunk Railroad, a British high
way, extended through the territories OF the
United States to perhaps the finest seaport of
our country, is a monument of their friendly
disposition The reciprocity treaty, fayorng
the productions of British North America, in
the markets of the United States, is similar
monument OF the same wise and benevolent
policy. | shall not affect ignorance of the fact
that popular asperites have recently appeared
in that portion OF the British empire, as well
as in the British islands, which have seemed
to Indicate a growing alienation of sentiment
among portions of the British people. But
the government of Great Britain las never
theess, during all this time, held towards us
its customary language of respect and friend,
| ship. This government, practicing entire
irankness, yields its full faith to these assur-
| ances OF the government OF Great Britain.
| The popular asperities to which have alluded,
| are believed to have had their origin in acci.
| dents and misrepresentation OF temporary
character. While the policy of this government
has been to tortify its territories so as to be able
to resist all foreign, as well as domestic enemies
| II such enemies must come, it has been equally
| careiulat the same time to secure even greater
strength by showing itself consistent in all
things, scrupulousy just, and, if possible,
magnanlmous towards all other nations 1t
was not supposed when the directions in
question were given that the state of Maine
would feel herself aggrieved by them. AT
| me same Tune the federal government is
fully sensible that in all its proceedings it
owes to each of the states the most exact re
spect for her rights and interests. The state
OF Maine has been so eminently loyal and
| patriotic IN the present emergency that the
president would not feel himself at liberty to
wound any sensibility that she might lee upon
the subject
If, therefore, you shall advise me that the
directions in question are likely to have that
effect, they will he cheeriully modified
l have the honor to be,
With the highest consideration,
Your Excellency's ob't servant