It moreover appears that little or no exploration has been made of the lands east of the due north line.  It seems strange to us, although it may be satisfactorily explained, why we should have been drawn away from this very important region.  It is, indeed, the true source of inquiry.  In this direction the evidence is to be found, and Maine can never be satisfied until it is looked for here.

An extraordinary method of adjusting this question, though in perfect accordance with other pretensions, has been proposed by Great Britain—­that the disputed territory should be divided in equal portions, each party being satisfied of the justice of its claims.  To this proposition we can not subscribe.  It is equally unjust between nations and individuals.  Whether a party in controversy is satisfied or not with the justice of his claims is what is only known to himself, and consequently the one whose claims are most exorbitant, however unjust, will always get the best end of the bargain.  But such a rule would in this case apply most unfortunately to Maine.  We are limited at farthest to the St. Lawrence, and to a very narrow point there, while the British may extend their claims to the south and west indefinitely.  Establish this principle and we shall soon find their claims, already so progressive, stretched over to the Piscataqua, and then if we are to divide equally both as to quantity and quality the divisional line then would fall south of the Kennebec.  If the want of the consent of Maine is the obstacle to such an adjustment, we trust it will always remain an insuperable one.  Indeed, we protest against the application to us of such a rule as manifestly unequal and unjust.

We come now to the recent transactions of the British colonial authorities, sanctioned, as it appears, by the Government at home, and we regret to perceive in them also those strong indications of continual and rapid encroachment which have characterized that Government in the whole of this controversy.  Mr. Livingston, in his letter of 21st July, 1832, proposes that “until the matter be brought to a final conclusion both parties should refrain from the exercise of jurisdiction,” and Mr. Vaughan, in reply of 14th April, 1833, in behalf of his Government, “entirely concurs.”  Here, then, the faith of the two Governments is pledged to abstain from acts of jurisdiction until all is settled.  Now, how are the facts?  We understand, and indeed it appears by documents herewith exhibited, that an act has passed the legislature of New Brunswick “incorporating the St. Andrews and Quebec Railroad Company,” that the King has granted, L10,000 to aid the enterprise, and that the legislature of Lower Canada, by its resolutions of both houses, has approved the scheme and promised its cooperation.  It may be that the Government at home was not aware that this railroad must inevitably cross the disputed territory.