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Subject: The Aroostook War - unique in history
Author: Sharyn McGlinchey Hay
Date: Sunday, December 12, 2004
Classification: Query
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The Aroostook War is unique because there was never a shot fired (though prisoners were taken)! By the treaty of 1783, at th close of the Revolutionary War, one half of the St. John's River belonged to Maine. After the War of 1812, the British claimed about one third of the land that was supposed to belong to Maine. In 1827 there was an agreement to let William, King of Netherlands, arbitrate the disagreement as to which boundary was valid according to the treaty with the British. His decision was that the boundary was not the one sought by Maine according to the 1783 treaty. Conflicts began between British lumbermen and American officers. Governor Harvey of New Brunswick proclaimed that British territory had been invaded and ordered out the militia. Within a week 10, 000 Maine militia were ready for action and the US congress authorized sending another 50,000 troops. Governor Harvey decided not to take military possession of the disputed territory and Governor Fairfiled agreed to not disturb any New Brunswick settlements. In 1842 the boundary dispute was settled by treaty and the "war" was over.
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