The enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1804-1815, 1808-04-15

lcontraband, and the enlargement of our neu-
trail trade with hostile colonies. Whilst you
keep in view therefore, those objects, the
two last as highly important, and the two
Hrst as absolutely Indispensable, your discre-
ton in which the president places great con-
hdence, must guide you in all that relates
to the inferior ones.
With sentiments of great respect & es-
TEEN,
i remain, sir,
Your NEST obedient servant,
(Signed) JAMES MADISON.
Mr.. Madison TO Mr.. Monroe.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
|SIR,
You will herewith receive the ratification by
the PRESIDENT and senate, of the convention with
the British government signed on the 10Th OF
May, 1903, with an exception of the 5th article.
Should the British government acccde to this
change IN the instrument, you viii proceed to an
exchange of notifications and transmit the one
received without delay, in order that the proper
steps may be taken for carrying the convention
into effect. AS the same considerations which
led TO the arrangements settled by it, urge a
prompt execution of them, it may be expected
that the steps depending on that government will
De fastened. AS far as sour exhortations may be
The objection t. the With. article appears TO
have arisen from the Posteriorty of the signature
and ratification of this convention to those of the
last convention with France, ceding Louisiana TO
| the United States, and from presumption that
the line to be run in pursuance of the Win arti-
| Gle might thence be found or alleged to abridge
| The northern extent of that acquisition.
l 1t may reasonably be expected that the British
government will make difficulty in concurrins.
| IN TINS alteration, because -.
| First. 1t would be unreasonable that any ad-
vantage against the United States should be CON
stuctively authorised by the posteriority of the
dates IN question the instructions given TO enter
INTO the convention, and the understanding of the
parties at the Tune of signing it, having no refer
cnce whatever to any territorial rights of the u
nited States acquired by the previous convention
with France, but referring merely TO the terrific
rial rights IS understood at the date of the in.
structions for, and signature of the British con
Nention. the copy OF letter frsm Mr.. King,
| hereto annexed, is precise and conclusive on tins
| ubIeCt.
Secondly. If the WITH article be expunged,
| the north boundary of Louisiana will, as is rea-
sonabe, remain the same in the hands of the u
nted States as it was in the hands of France, and
may be adjusted and established according to the
principles and authorities which would in that
case have been applicable.
| lhirdiy. There IS reason to believe that the
boundary between Louisiana and the British ter.
ljtol1es north OF 1t, were actually fixed by com
| mssIoners appointed under the treaty OF Utrecht,
| and that tins boundary was TO run from the Lake
OF the Woods, westwardly in lat 40, in which
case the Vth. article would be migratory, as the
/ line from the Lake of the Woods to the neares.
| source of the Mississippi; would run through
| territory which on both sides of the line would
belong to the United States. Annexed is paper
stating the authority oil which the decision of the
commissioners under the treaty of Utrecht rests
rr1 81. -.
| making the 49th deg of Latitude the northern
boundary of Louisiana, with marginal notes in
support of that construction. This paper viii
| put you more readily into possession OF tse sub.
ject as IT may enter into your discussions with the
i'rltsh government. Butyou will perceive the
necessity OF recurring to the proceedings oi the
| c 'mmissioners, as the source of authentic infor
| fhatlon These are not within our reach here
| ana IL must consequently be left TO your own re.
searches and judgment to Diet, rhine the propel
| use to be made OF them.
Fourthly. Laying aside, however, ali the O.,
Jections to the With article, the proper extension 81
| "a dividing line in that quarter will be equality
pen tor friendly negotiation after, as without, a
greelng TO the other parts OF the convention anc
Considering the remoteness of the tune at which
such a line will become actually necessary, the
postponement of it is of little or no consequence
The truth is, that the British government seem
ed at one time to favor this delay, and the nstIuc
tons given by the United States readily acquies
ced IN 1t The annexed extracts from Mr. King
| and Mr. Cores letters, will, with that from tie
! DEPARTMENT of state, explain this observation
| The fourth article of the convention provides
| that the commissioners shall be respectively paid
IN such manner as shall be agreed between the
| two parties, such agreement to be settled ut the
| time OF the exchange of notifications. Ii has beer
| supposed that the compensation allowed to the
| commissioners under the treaty of amity, com
! merce and navigation, who settled the ST Croi1
| boundary, would be satisfactory to the British
| government and upon this idea the estimate
| OF which copy is inclosed, was framed as the
oasis OF an appropriation to be asked from con.
gress. The president authorizes you, therefore
to agree to the sum mentioned therein, viz
5 4,444 Al cts to be paid by each government
TO the commissioner appointed by itself, the same
| sum being allowed the third commissioner to be
Paidto MN i'll equal portions by the two govern.
nents. Should, however, the British government
insist upon variation of the compensation from
the sum above mentioned, you may consent to it,
provided it does not exceed s {, 666 66 cts each
party contributing equally to the payment, and
each commissioner receiving the same sum as his
colleagues.
have the honor to be, &c
| (Signed) JAMES MADISON.
! (EXTRACT)
Mr.. Madison, Secretary Of STATE, to Mr.. Monroe
] DATED, DEPARTMENT OF STATE,