Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1826-02-11
u. s. BOUNDARY.

Negotiation IS now IN progress between the u
States and England, on the subject of the North
Eastern Boundary Line. This line was agreed
upon and defined in the Treaty of Peace between
the u. States and Great Britain more than forty
years ago" and although that line so described
as would seem 10 present but few difficulties in as
certaIning lis true course and location vet il has
been and still is subject of difference and disagree
ment between the two nations, where that line
shall be made and established" Wereceatly pub
lished the documents on this subject, presented to
the Legislature by Gov. Lincoln, among which
was the report of Mr. Coffin, the land agent of this
State. On the disputed territory there are about
1000 inhabitants. These are composed of Bril-
fish hall pay officers, refugees, and many Irish and
Scotch.
a report recently made TO the Maine Legisla-
ture by the Joint standing committee on lands
contains the following paragraphs: IU.
" When the government OF the United States
consented to adopt the source of the Schoodic. as
and for the source OF The St. Croix river mention
ed In the treaty OF 1888, it was to have been ex-
pec,ed that no further difficulties or embarrass-
ments would have been interposed by the British
agents, in running line from that point din ectl y
" north to the northwest angle of Nova Scotia -
thence "along the highlands which divide those
rivers that empty themselves into the river St
Lawrence, from those which fall into the Atlantic
ocean," and establishing it as the true BOUNDARY
between the province Of New Brunswick and the
United States But so far from this reasonable ex
pectaton being realized, it is believed that the
agent and surveyors of the British government af-
ter ascertanng that such line would include within
the U. States large portion ofthe ST. Johns river
and the setileme.s at Madawaska, refused to con-
tinue it further north than Mars Hill, which il
about forty miles north of the monument agreed
to be at the source of the ST. Croix This line has
been extended under the authority of the United
States, 10 and across the st. Johns---but is very
tar short OF the northwest angle of Nova Scotia az
commended for by the Unit ed States; and the part
thus run is not admitted 10y the British government
to be the true boundary line.
By the fifth article Of tile treaty OF Client.
provision was made for ascertaining and determine
ing this boundary; in pursuance of which, commits
sioners have been appointed by the respective 60
vernmenis, TO agree upon and establish the line
but they have wholly failed TO effect the object,
and their reports OF disagreement have been made
to their respective governments by which the ques-
ton would appear more difficult of decision and
settlement than was before apprehended.
These commissioners, after six years of meet
ings, examinations and surveys, have differed upon
the point where the northwest angle of Nova Scotia
is-upon the meaning of the words, along the
high lands, which divided those rivers that empty
themselves into the river st. Lawrence ON those
which fall into the Atlantic ocean, and upon the
Of the maps presented by each commits
soner ~ indicating the boundary and their reports
upon these differences are elaborate, contradictory
and voluminous-snd probably contain much in
formation upon the points in controversy highly
to this State The treaty of Client also
provides that in the event, which has happened
upon the commissioners differing upon all or any
Of the matters referred to them, they should make
ointy or separately report or reports 10 the two
governments, stating in detail the grounds ON
which they differ, and the grounds upon which
heir respective opinions have been founded:-upon
which the two gov ernments would refer the report
'r reports TO some friendly sovereign, who should
,e requested TO decide on the differences, which |
hould be stated in such reports. II must be seen 1
hat such an appeal under such statements, may be |
HAZARDOUS TO the just rights of this State, and
houid be avoided, if any other mods OF SETTLING
he boundary, more likely 10 develope tie truth OF
he case, can be adopted"