J. HARVEY.

FEBRUARY 18, 1839.

We have no hesitation in giving, and hereby do give, the parole of honor above referred to.

Witness: 

W. EARL.

COUNCIL CHAMBER, February 21, 1839.

To the House of Representatives: 

Under the order of the House of Representatives of the 19th instant, I herewith, lay before you certain correspondence since had with the lieutenant-governor of New Brunswick, and the correspondence between Geo. Frederick Street, esq., solicitor-general for the Province of New Brunswick, and Charles Jarvis, esq., provisional land agent of this State.

The reply of Mr. Jarvis to the inadmissible and preposterous claims and pretensions of Her Majesty’s solicitor-general for the Province of New Brunswick must, I think, command the unqualified approbation of everyone having a just regard for the honor of his State.  It is in the true spirit, and I have every reason to believe that the same spirit animates the whole body of our citizens.  While it prevails, though success will be deserved, defeat can bring no disgrace.

You will see by the accompanying papers (and I take great pleasure in communicating the fact) that Mr. McIntire and his assistants have been released.  It was, however, upon their parole of honor to return when thereto required by the government of that Province.  Immediately upon the receipt of this information I advised the release of James Maclauchlan, esq., provincial land agent, and his assistant, upon the same terms.

Since my last communication the land agent’s forces at the Aroostook have been reenforced by about 600 good and effective men, making the whole force now about 750.

I have a letter from Mr. Jarvis dated the 19th, before the reenforcement had arrived, and when his company consisted of only 100 men.  He says he found the men in good spirits and that they had been active in making temporary but most effectual defenses of logs, etc.

After describing his defenses, he says:  “By to-morrow noon a force of 100 men would make good our position against 500. Retreating, therefore, is out of the question.  We shall make good our stand against any force that we can reasonably expect would be brought against us.”  He says further:  “I take pleasure in saying to you that a finer looking set of men I never saw than those now with me, and that the honor of our State, so far as they are concerned, is in safe-keeping.”

The draft of 1,000 men from the third division has been made with great dispatch.  The troops, I understand, arrived promptly at the place of rendezvous at the time appointed in good spirits and anxious for the order to march to the frontier.  The detachment from this second division will be ordered to march at the earliest convenient day—­probably on Monday next.  Other military movements will be made, which it is unnecessary to communicate to you at this time.