M. VAN BUREN.

EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,

Augusta, February 15, 1840.

His Excellency M. VAN BUREN,

President United States.

SIR:  A communication from Mr. Fox, the British minister, to Mr. Forsyth, Secretary of State, under date of January 26, contains the following statement: 

“It appears from accurate information now in possession of the undersigned that the governor of Maine and through him the President and General Government of the United States have been misinformed as to the facts.  In the first place, no reenforcement has been marched to the British post at the Lake Temiscouata; the only change occurring there has been the relief of a detachment of Her Majesty’s Twenty-fourth Regiment by a detachment of equal force of the Eleventh Regiment, this force of one company being now stationed at the Temiscouata post, as it always has been, for the necessary purpose of protecting the stores and accommodations provided for the use of Her Majesty’s troops who may be required, as heretofore, to march by that route to and from the Provinces of Canada and New Brunswick.  In the second place, it is not true that the British authorities either have built or are building barracks on both sides of the St. John River or at the mouth of the Madawaska River; no new barracks have in fact been built anywhere”

This statement has been read by the citizens of this State with the most profound astonishment, and however high may be the source from which it emanates I must be permitted to say, in the language of that high functionary, that “it is not true,” though in justice to him I should add that he has undoubtedly been misinformed.  Though this State, in the vindication of her rights and maintenance of her interests relative to her territorial boundary, from past experience had no reason to expect any material admissions of the truth on the part of the British authorities, she was not prepared to meet such a positive and unqualified denial of facts as the foregoing exhibits, especially of facts so easily susceptible of proof.  The “accuracy” of the information alleged to be in the possession of the minister is only equaled by the justice of the pretensions heretofore set up in regard to title.

But not to be bandying assertions where proof is abundant, I deem it my duty to transmit to Your Excellency the depositions[64] of a number of gentlemen, citizens of this State, of great respectability, and whose statements are entitled to the most implicit confidence.