Litchfield Enquirer

From the Buffalo Whig. Extra.

Important from the West. A copy of the Detroit Free Press, of the 20th ult. has just reached us, by the hand of a friend from Detroit, in anticipation of the mail, by which it appears that the authorities of Ohio and Michigan have at length come to an open rupture. The work is one of genuine nullification, upon the most approved plan—that is to say, might makes right, in the matter, despite of law or civil institutions. We give the article from the Press entire, with the single remark, that shame for the act which has thus tarnished our country's honor is the prominent feeling the intelligence will everywhere excite.

The Border War.—We stop the press to announce the intelligence that the first blow has been struck in the Border War between Michigan and Ohio. In violation of his oath to support the Constitution of the United States, and of the sacred obligations of his state to the Union; trampling upon the laws of that Union, and upon both its rights and the rights of Michigan, the Governor of Ohio, in pursuance of an unconstitutional act of the Legislature of that State, and regardless of the admonitions he has received from the general government, perseveres in his efforts to extend the jurisdiction of Ohio over a part of the Territory of Michigan. For that purpose, early last week, he sent the commissioners of that State escorted by an armed force, to the west end of our Territory, adjoining Indiana, to retrace and run the boundary line through Michigan, illegally claimed by Ohio. A penal law of Michigan, which is a law of the United States until repealed by Congress, provides for the arrest and punishment of any person accepting or exercising within our Territory any office or authority, unless derived from the government of Michigan or of the United States. This law has been pronounced valid by the Attorney General of the United States.

In virtue of this act, information having been received on Saturday last, that the Ohio Commissioners, protected by an armed escort, were engaged in running the boundary line through Hillsdale and Lenawee counties, an affidavit of the acts having been made before Chas. Hewitt, Esq. of Tecumseh, that magistrate issued his warrant for the apprehension of Patterson, Taylor and Seely, the aforesaid Commissioners, and other persons engaged in violating the laws of the Territory. With this warrant, the sheriff of Lenawee, summoning a posse of thirty or forty persons, the most respectable citizens of that county, proceeded on Saturday evening to Adrian, and on Sunday morning directed his deputies to go on with the posse about fourteen miles due south of that place, where they understood the trespassers and violators of our laws were then probably stationed.

With the knowledge that those Ohio people were armed, it became an imperative duty to arm our posse. On arriving near the house of Phillips, 7 miles within the Michigan line, they found nine or ten armed men, ascertained to be a portion of the Ohio party. Two of the deputy sheriffs, leaving the posse thirty yards distant, immediately proceeded to the house, advised the party that they had a party for their arrest, and demanded their surrender.

The Ohio men refused to surrender, raised and levelled their arms at the Sheriffs, and threatened to shoot them. Not daunted, those officers urged forward, and came within a few steps of the enemy. It became, by this time, evident that they meant to run; and orders were given to fire over their heads, and bring them to, if they did run. As was expected, they took to their heels, but were chased and captured. They had been instructed and they had threatened not to be taken alive. Col. Hawkins, the Ohio Surveyor, and seven armed persons, nine in all, were made prisoners, and brought to Tecumseh for examination on Monday morning.

The commissioners happened to be at another house, about 200 yards from the house of Phillips, at the time the above persons were captured. They ran into the woods, were pursued, but could not be overtaken. Gen. Taylor, one of them, made a retreat to Maumee, about 50 miles, never stopping until he arrived there. The other commissioners subsequently followed him.

The Gov. of Ohio, who has a force of 500 troops collected at Maumee, has issued orders for the raising and marching of 10,000 men to that point, declaring that he will never recross the Maumee Swamp until he runs the boundary line, and extends the jurisdiction of Ohio over that part of our Territory claimed by her. All this he proclaims he will effect, in despite of Michigan and any assistance which the United States may afford her. If this threat should be attempted to be executed, if the Gov. of Ohio should invade Michigan with an army, he and they will commit treason against the United States, and be dealt with accordingly. One thing, at least, is certain; Michigan will never submit to be invaded, nor to have the jurisdiction of Ohio extended over any part of her Territory. We presume that an invasion will be promptly repelled, not by a posse, but by all the force that can be raised. Our militia law amply provides for the emergency. The general government will promptly interpose with effect against Ohio. The authorities of that state have inflicted a blow upon the Union of these states far more dangerous and destructive to it, than the Nullifiers of South Carolina aimed at it. Indeed, we are told that Gov. Lucas admits that his conduct amounts to nullification.