We are sometimes provoked to a smile at the inordinate
cupi- dity of individuals, but the cupidity of communities puts the cravings of the miser out of countenance—the ardent longing of States to add territory to territory gives to the covetousness of El:WES and of DANCER an air not only of credibility, but of moderation. America possesses in the south, the west, and the north, a larger extent of land than her sons will be able to oc- cupy, much less cultivate, for the next five hundred years. Yet America, with a wealth of possessions which she is incapable of using, or almost of counting, is as anxious about a miserable strip of soil on the borders of the English settlements, as if she were pent in by surrounding seas and without space for food or exer- cise. The disputes which the settlement of a boundary between two nations, the one of which has for its ten millions of inhabi- tants an extent of surface equal to three or four Europes, and the other for its million an extent equal to three or four Great Britains at least, has occasioned, it would require a volume to tell. They are as numerous as they are pertinacious ; nor should we be in the least surprised if they should lead ultimately to a war for their ad- justment—a war which would be infinitely more irrational in its object and causes than would a Chancery suit between the Bank of England and Mr. BARING in vindication of their rights to the possession of a farthing. The following is from an American. paper, the Disseminator, printed at New Harmony on the 31st of August last ; and it may serve as a specimen of the temper and wishes of the opposing parties. It is headed" HIGHLY IMPOR- TANT !"
" The Augusta (Maine) Patriot of Wednesday, says---` General Webber, who was appointed by the Marshal of this state to assist in taking the census, has been driven back and compelled to desist from the perform- ance of his duty, in that portion of our territory to which the British have set up their iniquitous claim. The authorities of New Brunswick have extended their jurisdiction over this territory ; and we are informed that a proclamation was published, forbidding the inhabitants to give in their census, and Gen. W. was threatened with an arrest, in case he pro- ceeded further in carrying into effect one of the laws of the United States. He has returned to lay the subject before the Marshal, who will, no doubt, with his usual promptitude, acquaint the Secretary of State with this high-handed measure of the Colonists, and act under his instructions.'"
Can human absurdity go beyond this ?
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