The “Bloodless” Aroostook War

(The Border War)

1839–1842

The State of Maine declares war on Britain.

The Revolutionary War Treaty of 1783 between Britain and the United States established the New Brunswick and Maine border, but they described the actual border in extremely vague terms. After the War of 1812 the tall pines and other valuable trees growing along the Aroostook River were coveted by timbermen from New Brunswick and the United States. This led to growing agitation over which country owned these valuable natural resources. Feelings ran high on both sides and escalated to the point where the Maine Legislature passed a resolve for a protection of the public lands, appropriated $800,000, and ordered a draft of 10,340 men. Thousands of volunteers poured in from communities of Maine. President Van Buren did not appreciate that the State of Maine declared war on a foreign country. Cooler heads prevailed and the whole dispute was finally resolved in the Webster-Ashburton Treaty in 1842. Finally, it was settled, Crouseville was in United States territory.[13]