New Brunswick Historical Tidbits

The Pork and Beans War

By Mitch Biggar

In 1837 there was a dispute over a tract of timberland located in the Upper Saint John Valley. The dispute between Maine and New Brunswick escalated to the point where both the State and the Province prepared for war. The opposing armies gathered on opposite sides of a narrow, shallow stream. The army on the Maine side was commanded by the Governor of Maine while the New Brunswick army was commanded by the New Brunswick Governor, one Sir John Harvey.

Before the fighting began however, an American General named Winfield Scott arrived and calmed down the Governor of Maine. After which the Governor conferred with Sir John Harvey. As a result both parties agreed to withdraw and disperse their respective armies. Both Governors then made reports to their governments. The result of their reports led to the appointment of a commission to resolve the boundary dispute. The commission consisted of Lord Ashburton for Great Britain and Daniel Webster for the United States. The commission rendered their decision in 1842. The results were accepted by both governments and the Ashburton Treaty was signed at Washington in 1842.

This page was designed by Irene Doyle September 1999