Vermont Phœnix

The Boundary Question.—The present excitement on this question, if it produce no other benefit, will be advantageous in causing a thorough examination to be made into our rights, and in making our people better acquainted with them.

The New York Journal of Commerce of Friday last, contains a copy of another map of the disputed territory, published in London in Aug. 1776, in which the western boundary and the northwest angle of Nova Scotia is laid down precisely where they are now claimed to be, by Maine and Massachusetts.

Messrs. Preble and Gallatin, in their statement submitted to the King of the Netherlands, give the titles of nineteen maps, eighteen of which were published in London and one in Dublin, between the years of 1763 and 1781; and "in every instance the course of the line from the source of the river St. Croix is Northward; in every instance, that line crosses the river St. John, and terminates at the highlands in which the rivers that fall into the St. Lawrence have their sources; in every instance, the North West angle of Nova Scotia is laid down on those highlands, and where the North line terminates; in every instance the highlands, from that point to the Connecticut river, divide the waters that fall into the St. Lawrence, from the tributary streams of the river St. John, and from the other rivers that fall into the Atlantic Ocean."

Another map published in London in 1794, of large size, and corrected by Gov. Pownal, gives the same boundaries. In fact we do not believe a map can be found published in England, prior to 1815, which does not delineate the boundaries precisely as they are claimed by the United States.

The question is too plain for argument, and was never put forth by Great Britain till since the war of 1812: which taught her of how much consequence it was to have communication between New Brunswick and Canada, through the country in dispute.

Maine.—The legislature of this state has passed resolutions authorising the Governor to forbear the exercise of jurisdiction over that part of their territory, the possession of which is now usurped by New Brunswick, so far as can be done consistently with the resolve of Jan. 24th. Also approving the measures of the Governor, in carrying into effect that resolve, and pledging the state to sustain him in his course. And further, that as the practicability of running the line in pursuance of the treaty of 1783 is indubitable, a submission to another arbitration would be a virtual abandonment of her rights and interest.

The last resolution states that a crisis has arrived, when it becomes the duty of the General Government to propose to Great Britain a joint commission to run the line in accordance with the treaty of 1783, and in case of her refusal, it is the duty of the United States to run the line upon her own authority, and to take possession of the whole disputed territory without delay.