Western Enquirer

BORDER DIFFICULTIES.

New Brunswick and the State of MAINE.

The subjoined facts from the proceedings of the Senate on the 25th ultimo will give the reader an insight into the merits of this Controversy, which at the present time, is a subject of much speculation and excitement throughout the northern portions of the Union. H. Senate to-day, Mr. Williams of Maine obtained the unanimous consent of the body to correct the misrepresentations put forth in this morning's National Intelligencer, to forestall public opinion and excite prejudice against the Governor and Legislature of Maine, for the effort made to arrest the trespasses committed in the disputed territory claimed as part of New Brunswick, and heretofore in the possession of the State of Maine. Mr. Williams showed the statement, that Maine was the aggressor, and had made war on the neighboring province, to be altogether unfounded. He made the following simple recapitulation of the acts that the true attitude of the parties might be understood they, were set down hastily at the moment:--Globe. The territory south of the St. Johns was never considered debatable ground until after the treaty of Ghent, and when the Commissioners under that treaty disagreed as to the line of boundary as described in the treaty of 1783. A portion of it, contiguous to the line actually run from the monument, including the Aroostook river, was granted by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, more than 30 years ago, and has been held by the grantees and those claiming under them to this time. Other parts have been surveyed into townships, under the joint authority of Massachusetts and Maine, and have been divided between those States. The first settlements upon the Aroostook were commenced within the last fifteen years, and were made by the citizens of the States, and some persons from the Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, who went upon it as American territory, and to avoid their provincial creditors. Soon after Maine was separated from Massachusetts, and made an independent State, her land agents, from year to year, went upon this territory, and to prevent collision between the authorities of the contending parties, providing that neither party should do acts to increase their claims or prejudice the rights of the other. Under this arrangement, Maine has not pressed her jurisdiction beyond the St. Johns, but has constantly exercised a supervision of the territory south of the St. John, granted permits to cut timber, and to obtain satisfaction for timber cut by trespassers, opened and made roads, put on settlers &c. The recent claim by the authorities of New Brunswick to maintain exclusive jurisdiction, has been constantly resisted, as well by the United States as of Maine and Massachusetts. The Governor of Maine, being informed that very extensive depredations were being committed upon their timber in that territory, and by some persons avowing their determination to resist by force any attempts which the authorities of Maine might make to remove them; and thereupon the Land Agent of Maine with the Sheriff of Penobscot county, with a posse of about 200 armed men, were sent to the Aroostook to arrest the trespassers, and to prevent further depredations. While in the discharge of this duty, the land agent, was arrested upon our territory by armed men, taken to Woodstock, there examined by magistrates, ordered to Fredericton, and sent thither upon a large sled, under military guard and the huzzas of the multitude, and what his present situation is, is not known. Upon this the Lieutenant Governor of New Brunswick issues his proclamation. Governor Fairfield communicates it to the Legislature, and their action upon it. Lieutenant Governor Harvey writes to the Governor of Maine that he claims exclusive jurisdiction; asks that the force be withdrawn, and says if not done he shall expel them. Governor Fairfield replies, denies exclusive jurisdiction, and says he shall not withdraw the force so long as he can maintain it.