Newspaper of Burlington Free Press, March 8, 1839, Page 2

message from the president, . To the Senate of the United Stales I loy beforo Congress several despatches from hia excellency Ihu Guvorunr of Mnlnu with enclosures, cnintmniicnting certain proceedings ol 1 lie loirislaluro of that etnto and a copy of tlio reply of the secretory of elate, inn do by my utreclinn, tnirelhor with a nolo from II. S. Fox. hn. Envoy extra ordinary ami minister plenipotentiary of ureal isritnin. Willi t.ic answer of t lie tec rctary of state to Hie Fame. It will appear from those documents that a numerous band of lawless and desperate men, chiefly from the adjoining Uriliah province, but without the authority or sanction of tho Provincial government, lias trespassed upon lint port of Iho territory In dispute between the United States anil Great Urilnin which is watered by the liver Aroostook, and claimed to belong to the stale of Maine: and that Ihov had com tnitted cxtrnsivo depredations there by cuuwg nmi (Jcstrnyinrr n very largo ntian lily of timber. It will further appear tlinl the Governor of Maine, having been ofli- cially apprised of the circumstance, had communicated it to the legislature, with a recommendation of such provisions, in ad dition to Ihoso already existing hv law, as would enable him to arrest Iho course of said depredations, disperse tlio trespassers, and securo the limber which Ihcy were about carrying away : that in compliance with a resolve ot tho legislature, pa?cd in pursuance ot Ins recommendation, Ins Es celloncy had despatched the land ogent of the stale with a force deemed adcqnnto tn inai purpose, to me Fcono ot Hie alloilgcii depredations, who, after accomplishing n part of his duly, was t-eized by a band of tho tresspassers, at n homo claimed to be within tho jurisdiction of Maine, whither lie hod repaired for the purposo of meeting and consulting with tho land agent of the province of Now Urnnswick, and conveyed as a prisoner to Frcdnricton, togcthor with two other citizens of tho stale, who were assisting him in tho discharge of his duty. It will also appear that thn Governor and legislature of Maine, eati'ficd that the trespassers had acted in defiance of the laws of both countries, learning that they were in possession of arms, and anticipa ting correctly, as tlio result Ins proved that pcrsonsof their reckless ond desperate character would sot at nought the authority of the magistrate, without tlio aid of n strong force, had au'hnrized the sheriff and the officer appointed in tho place of the land agent, to employ ct the expsnse of the state, an armed posse, who had pro cccded to the scene of these depredations, with a view to the entire dispersion or ar rest of tho trespassers, and the protection of the public property. In the correspondent between tho Go vernor of Maine and Sir John Harvey. Lieut. Governor of thn province of New Brunswick, which ha grown out of these occurrences, nnd is likewise herewith com municated, the former is requested to re call Iho armd party advanced into the disputed territory for the arrest of trespas sers, and is informed that n strong body of British troops is to bo held in readiness to support and protect the authority and sub jects of Great Britain in said territory. In answer to that request the Provincial Gov ernor is informed of tho determination of tho State nf Maine to support tho land agent and his parly, in tho performance of their duty, and the ssme determination, for the execution of which provision is made by a resolution of tho State Legislature, is communicated by the Governor to the Gen eral Government. The Lieutenant Governor of New Brims wick, in calling upon the Governor of Maine for the rocall of the land ogont and his party from the disputed territory, and the British Minister in making n similar demand upon the Government of thn Uni ted States, proceed upon tho assumption that an agreement cxisin between the two nations, conceding to Rrent Britain, until the final settlement nf the boundary ques tion, exclusive pofsession of, and jurisdic tion over, the territory in dispute. The important bearing which such an agree ment, if it existed, would have upon the condition nnd inlere-is of the parties, and the influence it might have upon tlieadjnst mcnt of tho dispute, are loo obvious to allow tho error upon which (hi assump tion seems to rest, to nnss for a moment without correct inn. The nn-wer of the Secretary of State to Mr. Fox's nnte, will show the ground taken by the Government of the United Siales upon thi point. It is believed that all the correspondence which has passed between the two Governments upon t his subject ha already been cnmmu nicatcd to Congress, and is now on their files. An abstract of it. however, hastily prepared accompanies this communication. It is possible that in thus abridging a volu minnus correspondence, commencing in 1G25 and continuing until n very recent period, a portion may hnvo been accident ally overlooked, but it bclived Hint no. .thing lias taken place which would mate ially change thn appect of the question as therein presented. Instead of sustaining Ihc assumption of the British functionaries", that correspondence disproves .f,...,,.! , , ' ,. . . ' I ot any such ogrcement. It shows (hot the two governments have differed not or.lv in regard to the main question of title to the territory in dispute, but with reference also to the right of jurisdiction, and the fact of the actual exercise of it in different portions therenf. Always niming nl nn amicable adjustment of H,o ,iispTe, boll. ' .,io ,,. 1 i 1 . ,. i parties have enterlnined and reneatedlv urged upon each other n desire that each should exercise its rights, whatever it con. 8idnred them to be, so as to avoid colliiion, nnd allay, to the greatest practical extent, the excitement likely to grow oul nf Iho controversy. It was in pursuance nf such nn understanding that Maine nnd Mnssn chusnlts, upon the remonstrance of Great Britain, desisted from making sales of lands, and the general government from the construction of a projected military road in a portion of tiio territory eif which they claimed to havo rnjnyed Hip exclusive possession ; and that Great Iiri lain on her pa rt. in deference In a similar remonstrance from tho United Stales, sus pendod tho issuo of licences to cut timber in the territory in dipute. and also the survey and Incntinn of a railroad through n section of country over which she also claimed to have exercised exclusive jurisdiction. Tho slain of Maine had a right to arrest the depredations complained of ; it belong ed to her lo judgu of tho exigency nf tho occasion calling for hor interloreiico i nnd it is presumed, that hnd the Lictitutinut Governor of New Brunswick been correct ly advised of the nature nf tho proceedings of the slntc of Maine, he would not havo regarded tho transactions ns requiring on his part any resort to force. Each party claims a right to the territory, nnd hence to Hie exclusive jurisdiction over it, it is manifest that, to prevent, tho destruction of tlio limlicr by trespasser, noting against tho authority of both, and at tho sani" time avoid forcible collision between the contiguous governments during the pend ency nf uegocintions concerning tho title, resort must bo had to tho mutual cxercisa of jurisdiction in such extreme cases, or to an ntnicnblo and lotnpornry arangement ns to the limits within which it should ho exercised by each party. The understand log supposed to exist between the United Stales and Great Britain hn 3 been found heretofore sufficient for that purpose, and I believe will prove so hereafter, if tlio par tics on Iho frontier direct ly interested in tno question, arc respectively governed by a just spirit of conciliation ami foibcarnnce, If it shall be found, as (hero is now reason to apprehend, that there is in the modes of construing that understanding by tlio two governments, a difference not In be reconciled, 1 shall not hesitate to propose to her Britannic Majesty's government n distinct nrrniigcmeut for the temporary nnd mutual jnri'iliction, by menus of which similar difficulties may in future he pre vented. But bolwoon nn effort on the part of Maino to prcorve tho property in dispute from destruction by intruders nnd n military occupation by that Slnlo of iho territory, with a view lo until it liv force, while the M'tllcment i' n subject of ricgnciation bc iwnon the two Governments, (hero is an essential differcncn. as woll in respect to the position of Iho Stale, as lo the duties of the General Government. In a letter nil dressed by iho Secretary of Statu to the Governor of Maine, on tho first of March last, giving a detailed statement nfthn steps which hod been taken by the Federal Gov ernment to bring the controversy to a ter mination, and designed to apprise tho Gov errior of that, slate nf the views of tho fed eral executive, in respect to the future, it was stated that whilo the ohligolions of the federal government lo do nil in its power to cff'jct tho selllenicn! of tho boundary quest inn wore fully recognized, it had, in the event of bing unable to do so specifi cally, by mutual consent, no other means to accomplish that object amicably, than by another arbitration, or by n commission with an umpire, in iho nature of an arbitra tinn, and Ihot in Hie event of all other measures failing, the President would deem it his duty to submit another proposition to the govcrnmunt. of Great Britain, to refer the decision of tho question to u third power. Those ore still mv viows upon the subject, and until this step shall have been taken, I cannot think it proper to invoke the attention of Congross to other than amicable means for the settlement of the controversy, or to cause the military pow cr of the federal government lo bo brought in aid of the state of Maine, in any attempt to effect that object by a resort to force. Untho oilier hand, il the authorities of New Brunswick should attempt to enforce the claim of exclusive jurisdiction set up by them, by means ot a military occupation on their part of the disputed territory. I shall feel myself bound lo consider the contingency provided by tho Constitution as having occured, on thn happening of which n Slnto has thn right lo call for aid of the Fcderul Government to repel inva siou. I have expressed lo the British Minister neor thiH Government a confident oxpecta lion that the agents of i lie Statu of Maine. who have been arrested under mi obvious misapprehension nf tho object of their mis sion will be promptly released ; mid lo the (.inventor of Maine that a similar course will be pursued in regard lo I he agents of the Province of New Brunswick. I have also recommended that any militia that may have been brought together by the Sinto of Maine from an npiirehon.-iuti of n collision with I he Government or people of the British Province, willbc voluntarily and penceably disbanded. I cannot allow myself to doubt that the results anticipated from these representa tion, will bo seasonably realised. The parlies more immediately interested, can. not hut perceive, that an appeal to arms, under existing circumstances, will not only prove fatal to their present interests, but would postpone, if not defeat, iho attain ment of Hi" main objects which they have in view. Thn very incidents which have recent lv occurred, will necessarily awaken tho Governments to thn inipririanco of promptly adjusting n dispute by which it is now made manifest tii.it thn peace of tho two nations is daily and imminently ciidan gored. ThN expectation is further war ranted by the general forbearance which has hitherto characterised the conduct of 'f,''1""1 PP1" ?' of the line. In tho uniform pnirintum of Maine, of her attachment to the Union, her resp"ct for thn wishes of tho people of her Bitor States, of whose interest in her wel fare she cannot bo unconscious, and in thn solicitude felt by tho country at largo for tlio preservation of pence with our i)i;i"h ho'? 1 wf,!,nvo n V.T" Kl,ornn'00 that she will not disregard the request that has been mado of her. As, however, the session of Congress is about lo lorriiinnto, and tho agency of the Lxeculivn may become necessary dnrin the iecnss. it is important that the attention of the Legislature elimi li bo drawn lo the consideration of such measures ns mnv be calculated lo obviate Iho necessity of n call for nn extrn session. Willi that view, I have thought it my duty to lay Iho whole matter before you, and lo invito such action thereon as vou may think the occasion re quires. " M. VAN BUR EN. Washington, Feb. 20. 1039. MAINE BOUNDARY. A message from Ihu President was re ceived and read in Iho Senate, tho same nlludml lo in tho House. When Mr. Williams, the Senator from that State rose to offer a few observations. Although he would be one of Ihc lutt to throw dillicul- tics in the way of on amicable settlement of diffcrcices, yet ho thought from tho pre. tensions set up of exclusive jurisdiction, &c. that'll would bo altng. thor unavailing he juc'gcd from the spirit of the people, which, though 6low to bo moved, had, from repeated aggressions, (among winch lia moriioncd citizens taken lu New Bruns wick, aud tried, condemned, and pardoned by Btilish authorities) been roused to a sense of their wrongs to such a pitch that it would be difficult lo control, llo ro grclled that citizens of Maino had conde scended to take parolo of honor. If the people of this State were to bo subdued, lio would prefer that il should bo by arms, rather than by the civil authorities of N'.'W Brunswick. Maine had been so grossly and so frequently outraged that he did not think shs would withdraw her troops Mr. Preston camo to a different conclu sion, lie thought there was much anxiety felt by tho people of this country that the whole matter should be conducted with temperance nnd judgement, and Hint the two countries should not bn driven together in hostile attitude. Slight 1'orbcnrmica on both sides, was necessary, and if nothing further was dune, he thought nil might be happily settled, and ho hoped that every lovor of his country would use whatever moral influenco he possessed to bring about so desirnblc a result. Mr. Davis went into a full history of this subject from its incipinncy, and showed clearly that Great Britati lud refused to negotiate (although repeatedly pressed by tho U S.,J for any oilier than a Coriveu tional line. Maine hau been consulted by tho General Government and had refused lo recognise any other than that designa ted by tho Treaty of 'C3 and the govern ment had told the king's ministers that unless Maino would consent, tho govern ment had no right to treat for the boun dary of an inilependoni State. Mr. For. syth had said in his despatches thut to renew any further negotiation, was useless, and in this usucjit had remained ever since. The mcssago of the president purported to bo pacific it might bo so; but what did this protocol effect? Massachusetts and Maine, and tho government were pre cisely where they wore. It might relieve present cmbarruibinons ; but what pros peel did it j resent of bringing matters lo a close? The jurisdiction of thu boundn ries run into each other, and it had fre quently happened that citizens of Maine had been carried to Now Brunswick, Hied, condemned and scut back, uud this process had gone on tint 1 1 hii excitomeut hud been created which nothing short of a final set tlement of tho question could biibilne and those who fluttered themselves thut it could flatter themselves with a vain hope. If the business was not followed up with zeal and energy we should be just as well off without the protocul as with it. Mr. Webster made some allusion to a rumour which had jiibt then readied tho Scnaic, which ho hoped would turn oul lo be groundless. There aro two or three things in connection with this subject which he thought ought to be stated. One was '.hat no reason had been given to Con gress why tho negotiation had not been pressed, or not broken oti. The Ilcsolu tinn which passed both branches of the Legislature lust session, was almost unnni mous in its bearing. Why then had not the matter been pressed to a conclusion? Whilo nothing had been dino by Ihu Government, Maino had undertaken the thing herself! Wero tho people of Maine to be kept out of their territory fur an in definite periud, to which they had jusl as clear a right ns sho had to any county in Iho Statu and now what was the issue? Why that Maine must retrace her stops and the British government do thn same, nnd the whole fiibject be lol't ns it wns ante ictlum. This could not be satisfac tory to Maine, that hnd the char and tin doubted right ti; this valuable domain ; but ho would nut spend n thought about prop erty, il. was her high political right that he looked nt. I Hunk said Mr. W., the matter must be stllkd ' 1 wus going lo say, yes I will say it thut if there wns a strong admintbtrntion here, nod u strong administration Hiere, it could be settled in two hours. All Hint hud to be done was to run the line as designated by the treaty of '.'13. About that there was no difficulty. It was tlio duly of Government to have the lino run and if it wero left lo him. he would hnvo it done l hat very night' We had gone on negotiating, until n had bo. come prncroM inuiion. It would bu impos sible even for Indian tribes lo get on with such boundaries. Ii was time tho affair was settled. Although he deprecated col lision, he did not wish to 6ce Maine hum bled or mortified. If the language of iho gentleman had been bold the result would havo been different. Ho could not help thinking there had been want on tho part nf the administration. He most devoutly prayed (bore might bo no resort to arms j hul n the present position of nffurs lie would say if the matter wero not settled by the lth of July next, he would lake the territory and say to them "Driveus from il if you can!" Here there was loud clap, ping in the galleries owing to tho war snirit that pervades some of our people- The president of the Senate sent word that if tho indecorum was repeated the gnllorin should bo cleared. Mr. Walkor mado'some remarks full of fire and fury, when Mr. Calhoun rose and deprecated a war between this, country and England as the grentest evil that could befall bulb nations as well asj ho civilized world. Hn thought thn less Hint was said of an irritating char acter the better. Hero we had brought on Iho very eve of war, we could scarcely tell now. He thought the Executive li.nl exhibited great judgment and great energy in the matter. The thing was to get us nut nf the present difficulty, and then all might end woll. The message nnd papers wero referred to tho committee on Foreign Relation", and On motion of Mr. Foier, 5000 extra eopies wero ordered to be printed. About 10 o'clock the Senate adjourned. Washington. Fob. 27. To the Hiiuso of Representatives of the United Slates. I traiiFiuit to Congress copies of various other documents received from the Gover nor of Maine, relating to the dispute be tween that State and tho prnvinco nf New t Brunswick, which formed the Eubject of my Message on the 2Gtli inst. and also a copy of a memorandum signed by the Sec retary of Stale of tho United Stales and Hor Britannic Majesty's Envoy Extraordi nary and Minister Plenipotentiary near the United States, of the terms upon which it is believed all collision can bo avoided on the frontier, consistently with, and respect ing the claims on cither side. As the British Minister acts without specific au Ihority from his Government, it will bo ob served that (his memorandum has but the force of recommendation on tho Provincial niithoiitics and on the Government of the State M. VAN BUREN. MEMORANDUM. Hor Majesty's authorities consider it to havo bcon understood nnd agreed upon by tho two Governments that tho territory in dispute between Great Britain nnd the Unitnd States, on tho Northeastern frontier, should remain cxlusivcly under British jurisdiction until Ihc final settlement of tho boundary question. Tho United Stales Government have not understood the above agreement in (he same sense, but consider, on tho contrary, that thorc has been no agreement whatever for the exercise, by Great Britain, of exclu sive jurisdiction over tho disputed territory, or nuy portion thereof, but. n mutual under, standing (hat, pending tho negotiation, the jurisdiction then exercised by cither party, over small portions nf ihu territory in dis pute, should not bo enlarged, but be con tinued merely for the preservation of local tranquilly nnd the public pr'opcrty both forbearing as far ns procticahlo to exert any authority, nnd, when any should bu exercised by either, placing upon tho con duct of each other the must favorublo con struction, A completo understanding upon the question, thus placed at issue, of present jurisdiction, can only be arrived at by Inendly discussion between the uovern mcnls nf the United Stntes and Great Brit ain; and, ns it is confidently hoped that Ihcro will bo nn early settlement of thu question, this subordinate point of distinc tion can bo of but. little moment. In the mean timn the Governor of tho Province of New Brunswick nnd tho Gov ernment of the State of Maine will act or follows: Her Majesty's officers will not seek lo expel by military force the armed party which has been sent by Maine into the district bordering on tho Arooi-took river; but the Government of Maino will voluntarily, and without needless delay, withdraw beyond tho bounds of tho disput. oil territory any armed force now within them; and. if future necessity should arise for dispersing notorious trespassers, or pro tecting public proporly from depredation by armed force, the operation shall be con ducted by concert, jointly or separately, according to agreements between the Gov ernmctitfi of Maine nnd New Brunswick. Thn civil officers in tho bcrvice, respect ively, of New Brunswick nnd Maine, who have been taken into custody by tho oppo site parties, shall bo released. Nothing in this memorandum shall be construed to fortify or to weaken in nny respect whatever tho claim of either party to tho ultimate possession of tho disputed territory. The Minister Plenipotentiary of Her Brilanic Majesty having no specific author ily to make any arrangement on the sub ject, I In- undersigned can only recommend, ns. i iifv now earnestly do, to tho Govern ments nf New Brunswick nnd Maine, to regulate their future proceedings according lo tho terms herein before set forth, until the final settlement nf thn territorial dis pute, or until the Governments of the U. Slates ami Great Britain shall come to some definite concln.-iou on iho subordinate point upon which they nre now nt issue. JOHN FORSYTH. S.C. of S'otu of I lie U. Stales of N. America. II. S. FOX, II. B. M. Envoy Extra ordumry and Minister Plenipo Washington, Feb. 27, 1039. tcntiary. Washington, Feb. 07. After nn executive session of some two hour, Mr Buchanan from the Committee on Foreign Affairs, mado a report on the President's .Message nnd documents, and prnlnzol, which had been rofuried yesterday. As near as I could gather ils spirit Irom hearing it reail, il set forth that Iho com miltee, after a long and patient and cr it ica I inve.-tigiilion, could find no trace of any agreement between the two powers by which England was to exercise exclusive jurisdici ion ; but on the contrary, they had lonnd that the disputed territory wns riot to bo in possession of either except so far as each had held it respect ivoly. That if New Brunswick had determined to main lain possession, then tho crisis had arrived under tho Constitution, when the President could cnll out the Militia. That Maine has not violated the spirit of the compact in sending a land agent In drive off lawless intruders, it was the right of both k to do, but tho dutv of each lo retire after wards; that if New Brunswick forbears to execute her threats then .Maine is to with draw the troops, and if sho will not do so. i hen she is lo receive no military aid finm thu U. S. This is made the order of the day for to morrow, when wo shall have it thoroiii'hlv debated. IIOUSU OF REPRESENTATIVES. Al one o'clock to day, in the House, Mr Howard, Chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, obtained the unanimous consent of the Uousu to bring in n bill from tho Committee relating lo the Boun dary troubles. Tho Bill makes the following important provisions! Tlio raising of the following troops ; 1G Regiments of Infantry. 2 Regiments of Artillery. 2 Regiments of Riflemen. 1 Regiment of Cavalry. Tho troops to bo raised if ivcessary, and discharged if necessary, during tile recess of Congress to enlist for five years, and to servo for Hint time or during Iho war, if war there should be. The President is also authorized losend nut a special Minister to England to make pacific propositions, A loan of millions to bo raised on the credit of I he Government Tho troops are to be a provisionary nrmv, to bo employed by tho President of tho U. S. to repel invasion. The possession of the disputed territory by British soldiers, according lo tho claim and determination set up by Sir John Harvey, is to bo cousid. ercd an Invasion. After Uio reading of iho bill, tho report of the Committee was then read, giving tho reasons for thu bill, A little debate followed between Mr Adams, Mr Evans, Mr Legaro and Mr Howard. Mr Adams wished the Chairman of tho Committee to alter his report in otic or two remarks. The report stated that in two instances the British Government had claimed exclusive jurisdiction over the ills puted Territory. He did not consider the British Government had mado any such claim. Mr Evans repeated that Sir John Harvey had claimed this jurisdiction stating that ho was instructed und directed to exercise such jurisdiction. Thut, said Mr. Adams, is true. But this was a mere construction of Sir John Har vey's upon instructions. I wish, said Mr. Adams, nn opportunity to bo afforded to the British Government to withdraw any such instructions. Sir John Harvey has put. his country in the wrong. I wish to keep it there. I think wo weaken the ground of right, which tho country will go to death to maintain, by reporting that tho British Government, in. stead ol one of her officers, hns 6et up this claim. Wo aro told by a great observer, that "Twice is lie armed that has his quarrel just," I say sir, twico three limes is he armed who has his quarrel just. Lot ours bejust, as it will be if tho British Government sus tains her Minister here, and the Governor of Now Brunswick. Let tho British Gov. eminent if it can, deny the authority under which Hie Provincial Governor has acted. Mr. Legaro, of S. C, sBid he concurred witli Mr, Adams as to what had been eaid of the British Government. I do not be lieve that tlio British Government has au thorised or will authorise any of her officers lo claim exclusive jurisdiction. I consider the claim as unwarrantable and insolent as made by Sir John Harvey. Mr. Howard said his report did leave this matter in the bonds of tho Provincial Gov eminent. It eaid expressly that the matter was left in the hands of the British Govern mcnl witli the Provicial Governor and Minister. Mr. Howard said lie designed not to make Sir John Harvey unnecessarily responsible for the ground assumed. Mr. Adams remarked ogain that he wish ed not to place the British Government uiinecefsarily in the wrong in (his matter. He wished that the Government might deny Sir John Harvey's claim, and that nf the British Ministar, as to exclusive juris diction. On motion of Mr. Johnson, of Md., 10. 000 copies of the bill, report, message, and documents, were ordered to be printed. Tho bill is mado the special order of the day for to morrow, ot 1 1 A, M. FRIDAY MOtlSIN G, MARCH, S. We publish to day the President's com munication to Congress, and the doings of both houses touching the boundary ques tion. The message, liko its author, is of very little consequence, and seenu to have elicited little or no comment in any quarter. Tho two houses of Congress, however, appear to have taken hold of tho subject with n bettor spirit, and in the manly and patriotic bearing which characterizes their deliberations we find nn assurance that our rights will be protected and the natinuV honor vindicated. The whole que-Hon of pence or war. it will be seen, now turns on the single puint whether the British gov ernment persists in the clnim set up by Gov. Harvey to exclusive jurisdiction over the territory in question, and which he say: ho is instructed to maintain at all hazards. This we think the government will disavow. But if m t, then i3 the time come. We like Mr. Webster's view on this subject 'Give the British Government lo the Alh of July next, to say whether it will abandon its unfounded pretension to the disputed ter ritory; and if by that glorious day, the true boundary (f the United Stales, as we under, stand it, is not acknowledged, hikn let the United States run the line on its men re sponsibility, and support il by the whole physical power of the nation." The Committee on Foreign affairs, to whom the President's Message on the had been reforled, made a report in the House on Thursday, wh.ch shows the con struction they put upon the message nnd evinces their determination to stand by Maine in thu present crisis. The bill to provide for an emergency during the ad journment nulhoriscs the President to re. sist any attempt of Great Britain by nuns, to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over that part of the territory of Maino which is in dispute; nnd lo employ the naval and mil itary forces of the United States, and sucli portions of tlio militia as he may deem it expedient to bring into service. Tlio second section provides, incase of actual invasion, or imminent danger thereof, be foro Congress can be convened, to raise a provisional force of twenty regiments, consisting of riflemen, cavalry, artillery, and infantry, Third section, lo put all the naval (area in commission. Fourth sec. lion, to borrow 100 millions of dollars, upon certificates of stock redeemable for fivo years, at fivo per cent. Section five provides for an outfit for a special embassy to London to co.operato with the resident Minister there, and urge a prompt settle mem of the boundary question. Tho sub ject, after some discussion, nvs referred lo the Committee of tho Whole on tho stato of the Union, and made the special order of the for Friday to toko prccedcnco of all other business. Maine. Wo hove littlo or nothing from tho fron. tier worth repeating. Gov. Harvey has not as yet made any hostile demonstration, nor do wo believe that ho will daro to do it with ony thing liko the forco ho can at present command. He U however muster, ing tho militia of the Province, and has sont to Sir John Colbom for additional forces. One regiment left Montreal last week, and two more wero to follow immediately. These, however, cannot reach tho disputed territory in less than three weeks. Tho Maine forces are encamped on the Aroos-took-hove built a log fortification, and aro preparing to givo Sir John a warm recep tion. r Gen. Scott was at Boston on Saturday, on his way to the frontier. RAIL ROADS. Wo are rejoiced to observe indications highly favorable to the immediate con. struction of tho Champlain and Ogdens burgh Rail Road. There is a very strong iiifluoocc itilistcd in its favor,and the friends of (he project appear (o be active. Tho committee on rail road and catiaks, havo recent ly reported to tho New York Legis lature on this subject. After referring" to the numerous petitions which had been re ceived from tho northern part of the State and the various weighty considerations which demanded tho speedy conttruction of such an avenue for trade ond emigration, the comuiittco recommend the wholo matter to the favorable consideration of tho Legislature, without expressing an opinion whether the work should bo con structed by the Slate alone, or by a com pany with the aid of the State. It in un. derstood that a bill will shortly bo intro duced into the the Assembly providing for Hie construction of this roael. E. F. John, son, Ei-q. has recently completed the sur vey of the route, end reports rory favor ably upon it. Ho says "that there is not probably another route of iqual extent in the btalo where a rail road has been mado or contemplated, which presents features more favorable for the construction of a cheap and permanent rail. way." Tho distance from Pittsburgh to Ogdensburgh is 110 miles, and tho maximum grade only 45 feet which i3 considerably below that of numer ous other roads designed as thoroughfares lor travel and trade. The expense of tho road is estimated at 1 .541.005, including ten per cent, for contingencies. Within tho past few weeks the opinions of severol distinguished indivipuals have been drawn out on this subject ; and, among others, Goncrols Macomb and Scott have ex pressed themselves very decidedly. In a letter to Judge Fine.of the 2Gth of January, Gen. Macomb says Regarding Lake Champlain, with tho pro cnt means of reaching it from tho tea-board, as well as fron) tho eastern States, and tho country, by canals aud good roads, as a mot important featuro in the topography of our country, any good roud that will facilitate tho intiire.ourso with this St. Lawrence abovo tho rapids, say at Ogdcnsburgh, cannot fail to be very boiiefieial; hut ft r.iil road would bo tho moans of affording the greatest possible facility for military purposes, and coiieu.uont lyaddgruntly to tho del'uiico of tho St, Law renco frontier. Under date ofSIst Feb. Gen. Scott writes to Lt. Gov. Bradish I li.no no difficulty in pay ing llmt the military finiuifr, heiuecn file Si. I.iiuienre nnd Luke ChaiiiiUin, i lie must important one of l tie wholo union, with the exception of renain portions of our sh.i flune ; nnil iliai n rail loud nnt exceeding tweniv.fne mile. in il.- ie,w, unuld hiIiI iinmeasu entity to ils snengih ami ecuriiy, hy ilie rnpiil Rnd easy luiipui luiiun it uould gite in intelligences noon mid Mipplies, ll'rtirli a ork li.nl existed in 1S13, ilie f.iiiine of nur expr-iliiions inili.it jear and in ih.il qiuiler onulil luidly li.ne li.ippened : and if now in existence il would more limn irehls the efficiency of our me.ina of m.iiniiuin llie f.tilh nnd pence o f c lie rim ion signing i tie il.inger hv uhlrh both nre mrn.ired. As a citizen til llie Uniicd .Suites, nml p.n licul.irly ns u soldier, charg ed in pin witli lliosn airui olijecis, I sincerely liopo thut (lie piujccied roud m.iy tool uc constructed. When ouco this section of road is con structcd with the Lowell road extended, as il shortly will bo to Cuncord, it seems hardly possible but that tho intermediate space will soon bo filled up. Tho city of Boston will never rest until the wholo lino is completed. We obsorvo that tho commiltco havo ropor ted in favor ofa loan of$200,000 lo tho Sara, toga and Whitehall rail road company, and there is littlo douht that tho appropriation will bo mado . This will enturo tho immediate construction of tho work, and thus ,ici feci tho tho great lino of inland communication bo twocn Now York and Quebec. Wo look upon these works as of groat im portant to this northern country, and shall hail tho day that witnesses this completion as tho harbinger of increased prosperity to tho Chanijilain valley. The recent movements on llie frontier appear to have literally ohliiciuled all puny lines nt Wash ington Rennet wiiies under dale ofl'eh. 27th " Ilolli p:niic nil parlies unilo in one move ment mid uue piincipli'- to prtttrve ptace eon tislent with national honor and national righti but tear sooner iaii diigrace or defeat. Mr. .ll,, ,wll,, la I- .T I.... :. equally puiriolic nnd n, niun.it wiili iliai of Mr. -!..., VVnl,.l, A.l i.n. .... I .I,. .i.. ... ' win, ,..u.. miu uunri lir.ll I11CI1 nf lunh parlies. Ou the inornint! ih.it llie Muina diflicuhies weie known lieio, Mr. Cllioun had an inters ietv with Mr. Silas Wiiglu. "Mr. Wii.hi," s.i ill lie, "I wiili los.iy io jou lliat any meaiures u.u ..u.iiM.,..,iu.i in u j uu uiruicu IO oaoll, tun- sistent with llie preservation of peace anil main'