15

9)

1839
14th 3 mo Received a letter for Daniel dated New Orleans. He informs his health is no better but is hoped as the weather becomes warmer and drier, he will be better.

3m/o
There has been no alarm of Fire during the last winter, But in the early part of this month William Hart's blacksmith shop took fire near the forge which was soon extinguiesded without much damage.

20th This morning as 2 o'clock a fire broke out on the back side of the block on Orange Street in Benjamin Worth's barn, which was occasioned by ashes which burnt six barns viz. Barker Burnalls [BURNELL'S], Gramwell Barnard's, Thomas Runell's, Benjamin Worth's, James Easton's & Joshua Bunker's. A strong wind prevailed at NE and the weather dry, yet nothwithstanding, by the great exertion of the people the fire was checked without much other damage. It was in the middle of the town and surrounded by a thicket of houses. For some time it appeared that the fire would spread to an alarming extent, the cinders and large flakes of fire spread to a great distance, which sat some other buildings on fire, but were immediately extinguished.

There has been a difficulty of long standing between our government and New Brunswick, Alias, the British Government to determine the boundary between the State of Maine and the British lines. This difference has led the two governments to a great expence [EXPENSE] & a considerable degree of censure and hard thinking. The territory is of a large extent and covered with a valuable growth of timber trees. It is said that the tract is large as the State of Massachusetts. Of late the British have sent a company who have taken possession of the land, and a cutting down the trees, this intrusion has caused great excitement throughout our Governt. [GOVERNMENT]. The Govr. [GOVERNOR] of Maine has remonstrated against it, and applied to the Genl. [GENERAL] Government for advice. Congress (then in session) has taken up the business very spiritedly, and authorised the President