The Maine Connection 3: Border Issues

The Maine Connection: Border Issues

Where does Maine end & Canada begin?

• Treaty of Paris - "from the northwest angle of Nova Scotia (New Brunswick), formed by the line drawn due north from the source of the St. Croix River to the highlands

• Treaty of Ghent - Another country would be asked if the two couldn't agree. King William of the Netherlands proposed one, but the Senate rejected it

The Aroostook War

• John Baker - leader of settlers in Madawaska - put up a flagpole on July 4th, 1838 with U.S. flag

• George Moorhouse - Canadian official - sent men there to take down flag and arrest John

• The Governor found out and told the legislature that the British wanted to steal our lumber

• Legislature send Rufus McIntire, a land agent, to break up lumber camps

The War...

• McIntire arrests a Canadian official

• Canadian officials arrest McIntire and his men

• Governor Fairfield calls for 10,000 volunteers to fight British

• President Martin Van Buren sent General Winfield Scott to Maine to restore the peace.

• Everyone agreed to negotiate a new border

The Webster-Ashburton Treaty

• Daniel Webster - U.S. Secretary of State and Lord Ashburton - British Diplomat met

• Set the border up the middle of the St. John River and then down the middle of the St. Francis River, and then along the "height of the land" - meaning the watershed between the two river systems

• Citizens of both would be allowed free use of both rivers

The Maine State Seal

• White pine

• Moose

• Farmer

• Fisherman

• Dirigo - "I lead"

Open Ended

In your own words, what was this war about and what was the result?

Don't forget whose land we are really fighting over...