AROOSTOOK
WAR
The nation's
only war declared by a state and the nation's only bloodless war. It began
in 1837 when New Brunswick officials arrested a Maine state land surveyor
who was conducting a census in the northeastern regions of the state which
were also claimed by New Brunswick.
Maine
citizens were outraged. Because the federal government took no action,
the Maine legislature authorized $10,000 for the defense of the disputed
territories. A military road was authorized to aid in the movement of
troops from Bangor to Houlton. Another, later to be known as the Airline,
was authorized to link Bangor with Calais, but was never completed.
An
expedition of 200 men led by state land agent Rufus McIntire arrested several
Canadians, including the New Brunswick warden of the disputed territories,
James McLaughlin. New Brunswick officials were now upset and arrested
several of the Maine volunteers including McIntire.
In 1839 the
Maine legislature, furious over the arrest of McIntire, then appropriated
$800,000 and raised a militia of 10,000 men to defend the northern territories.
Patriotism and flag waving swept the entire state, and other states were
promising support. No longer able to ignore the dispute, Congress authorized
$10 million and raised a 50,000-man militia to defend Maine's land claims.
The
only fighting of this war occurred in a Houlton barroom where both British
and American troops were drinking. When someone offered a toast to
Maine's success, a brawl broke out that resulted in several black eyes
and bloody noses.
Battle
was avoided when Daniel Webster negotiated a peaceful withdrawal and new
boundary with Alexander Baring, Lord Ashburton. The treaty became
known as the Webster-Ashburton Treaty and established Maine's current northeastern
boundary in 1842.
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