Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-12-08

renee and the Lakes, winch may prove
more than equivalent to the loss sustain
ed by the discrimination made to favor
the trade Of the northern colonies with the
West Indies.
After our transition from the state Of
colonies to that of an independent nation,
many points were found necessary to be
settled between us and Great Britain
Among them was the demarkation Of
boundaries, not described with sufficient
precision in the Treaty of Peace. Some
of the lines that divide the States and
Territories Of the United States from the
British Provinces, have been defnitive-
! ly fixed. That, however, which sepa-
rates us from the Provinces Of Canada
and New Brunswick to the North and
the East, was still in dispute when
came into Office. But found arrange
ments made for its settlement, over which
had no control. The commissioners
who had been appointed under the pro-
visions Of the Treaty of Ghent, having
been unable to agree, a convention was
made with Great Britain by my immedi'
ate predecessor in Office, with the advice
and consent of the Senate, by which il
was agreed "that the points of difference
which have arisen i'm the settlement OF
the boundary line between the American
and British dominions, as described in
the 9Th Article of the Treaty of Ghent,
shall be referred as therein provided, to
some friendly sovereign or State, who
shall be invited to investigate, and make
a decision upon such points of differ
cnce;" and the King Of the Netherlands
having, by the late President and his
Britannia Majesty, been designated as
such friendly sovereign, it became my
duty to carry, with good faith, the agree
ment so made into full effect. To this
end caused all the measures to be TAX
en- which were necessary to full eyposi-
tion of our case to the Sovereign AIbiter;
and nominated as Minister Plenipotenti-
AIRY to his court, distinguished citizen
of the State most interested in the ques-
ton, and who had been one of the agents
previously employed for settling the con-
troversy. On the 10th day Of January
last, His Majesty the King Of the Meth.
eilands delivered to the Plenipotentiaries
of the United States, and of Great Brit
ain, his written opinion on the case refer
red to him. The papers in relation to the
subject will be communicated, by spec
ial Message. to the proper branch of the
Government, with the perfect confidence
that its wisdom will adopt such measures
as will secure an amicablc settlement Of
the controversy, without infringing any
constitutional right Of the States immcdi-
atcly interested.
1t affords me satisfaction to inform you
that ggcstions, made by my direction,
to the Charge d'Afraires of his Britannia
Majesty, to this Government, have had
their desired effect in producing the re-
lease Of certain American citizens, who
were imprisoned for setting up the au-
thority of the state Of Maine, at place
in the disputed Territory under the actu-
al jurisdiction of his Britannia Majesty.
From this, and the assurances have re-
ceived, of the desire Of the local author
tiles to avoid any cause Of collision,
have the best hopes that a good under
standing will be kept up until it is con-
frmcd by the final disposition Of the sub
jcct.
The amicable relations which now sub
sist between the United States and Great
Britain, the increasing intercourse be-
tween their citizens, and the rapid oblit-
Grafton Of unfricndly prejudices to which
former events naturally gave rise-con-
Cured to present this as fit period for
renewing our endeavors to provide a
gainst the recurrence Of causes Of irrita-
w in fhn o( hot
Great Britain and any other power, r,would
inevitably endanger our peace. Ami
mated by the sincerest desire to avoid
such state of things, and peacefully to
secure, under all possible circumstances,
the rights and honor ofthc country have
given such instructions to the Minister
lately sent to the Court of London, as
will evince that desire; and if met by a
correspondent disposition, which we can
not doubt, will put an end to causes of
collision, which, without advantage to ei-
ther, tend to estrange from each other
two nations who have every motive to
preserve, not only peace, but an inter-
course of the most annie able nature.
In my Message at the opening of the
last session of Congress, l expressed
confident hope that the justice of our
claims upon France, urged as they were
with perseverance and signal ability by
our minister there, would finally be ac-
knowlcdged. This hope has been rcali-
zcd. A treaty has been signed which
will Immediately be laid before the Sem
ate for its appreciation: and which, con-
tanning stIpulations that require Legisla-
tive acts, must have the concurrence off