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56

I have been led to believe that all the trespassers[?] are elated[?] with the course persued [pursued] by the Land Agent of Massachusetts and are getting up there [their] provisions &c for another winter work. The utmost necessity requires that the course the State of Maine intends taking for the preservation of her honor should be decided upon immediately

I can have no doubt that all lumbering transactions upon the disputed territory will be prohibited and prevented. I have therefore taken the responsibility in the name of the state of stopping to day a tow[?] boat[?] loadded [loaded] for Webster & Pilsbury [?] and shall detain her until further orders from you, which you will see from the extreme urgency of the case, should be sent by return mail as I shall soon have more upon my shoulders than I can hold up until I have instructions from you what course to take Col Jarvis is absent upon the roads[?] so that I cannot have his council and advice at this time

The boat detained today has on board -6 bbl[?] pork valued at 50 [?] 300 -6 of flour [?] 96 396.

I have given receit[receipt?] for the same to the man who had in in charge and a letter to Capt Pilsbury that I had detained the boat here

If I am wrong in the course I am pursuing it will give the State some expence [expense] to notify me in season[?] But so confident am I that the only way for the State to pursue is to prevent all cutting of timber the ensuing winter that I feel it a duty I owe to myself in case[?] another[?] course should be taken to ask for the appointment of some person to take my place as I have not the ability to carry into effect a measure I cannot approve I may be in error and you have better means[?] of judging[?] of the expediency[?] of measures for the interest of the state but for myself my feelings have become so much enlisted[?] in the course that they may lead me astray and for this reason I could not remain and do my duty as it should be done

Your Obt Servt

Wm P Parrott

PS on Opposite Page

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57

Fort Fairfield Sept 9th 1839

Sir

Your not of this morning is received[?] An attack an attack was made in this post by a party[?] of armed men from the Province on the night of the 8th at 3 O Clock the assailants fled at the first fire of the sentinel leaving some muskets hats[?] &c

I have made report of all the facts to the authorities of this state for their Action thereon

the names of some of the persons I have

Respectfully

Your Obt Servt

Wm P Parrott

Col J[?] MacLaughlin[?]

T[?]

PS on

Since [?] my letter I have recd the following note from from MacLaughlin[?] [?] Sep 9th 1839

Having arrived here at a late hour last night from the Grand[?] [?] that I left yesterday afternoon in consequence of reports reaching here that an attack had been made upon Fort Fairfield on Saturday night last by a number of reckless persons who had broken open[?] and armed themselves from a Depot made here for the convenience of Drill & Inspection of Militia of this section of the Province

I have therefore availed myself of an early hour this morning of acquainting you with my arrival here for the purpose of investigating into the affair for the information[?] of his Excelency [Excellency] Maj[?] [?] John Harvey[?], but in order to prevent the possibility of any further annoyance to your[?] armed posse I have tken the responsibility upon myself of removing[?] the depot of arms from this until I shall receive further instructions from his excelency [excellency] the [?] Governor

I have the honor to be

Sir your Obt Humble servt

J[?] A MacLaughlin[?]

Warden of the disputed territory

I understand[?] this was a [?] up [?] [?] and that none of the settlers at T[?] knew of it. I doubt it [?] [?] [?] I believe the settlers on the river are no [?] implicated[?]