Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1832-03-30
Fror, the RnIt;mo,. Cbro,;cJ.

nc lOliowlnS are the proceedings IN the beglS-
lature of Maine, on the boundary question. They
are of deep interest to all sections of the Union
not only on account of the pccuniary amount in
volved in the projected arrangement but for the un
authorized assumption of power by the Executive.
1t will be SEEM that the President has given Maine
the assurance, that If she will relinquish her claim
to the territory i'll dispute, to enable Government
TO make ''an arrangement with Great Britain, she
shall have an indemnity" The amount of this
indemnity, whatever it may be, will have to be
contributed from the public pursc-and must be
granted by act of Congress. sBut the President
usurps the power of the National Legislature, and
pledges the public lands or public funds to reim-
purse the loss of Maine regardless alike of the
stralnts OF the Constitution and the principles of
justice. lfthc territory in dispute belong to Maine,
why should she re!nqush it? to CRAFTY the British
Ministers, and to enable Mr.. Van Buren, to make a
parade, in his begging negotiation, of the friend
ship OF the President for that Government? If tho
jackson Legislature of Maine think proper to aid
such views by scvcring their territory, they should
submit to the loss without asking from the other
States compensation. If the territory belong to
the British it should be given up in good faith In
either case, the other States should not be made
parties to corrupt bargain between the Executive
of the Union and the Legislature of Maine. But
this Republican Administration can commit acts
which would have disgraced Jack Cade or hurled
Oliver Cromwell from power.
If the President succeed in his arrangement, he
will convert hundreds, probably thousands of Anne.
rican citizens into British subjects, the people
will be transferred with the soil.
RESOLVE
Respecting the territory lying North and East OF
the Rivers st. Johns and st. Francis.
Whereas information has been commune ated by
the Agent ofthis State at Washington, that it is
proposed that Maine should cede to the United
States her claim and jurisdiction over that portion
of territory which lies northery and eastery of the
line recommended by the Arbiter for an ample in
demnity, in order that the United States may be
enabled to make such an arrangement with Great
Britain as may best comport with the interests and
honor of the United States:
And whereas the Government of Maine has re
peatedly declared, and Declares that the right
of soil and jurisdiction in said territory, accord.
ing to the provisions OF the Treaty of 1888 is in
| the State Of Maine Sovereign and indepen.
dent State, and has denied, and continues to deny
the right of the General Government TO cede the
same to any foreign power without the consent oil
| Maine, and has communicated Resolutions to tina
effect to the General Government, and has claim
ed of that Government the protection guaranteed
to every State by the Constitution of the United
States:
| And whereas theLegisature of Maine is dispos
ed to regard the proposition aforesaid as emana.
ting from disposition on the part of the Genera
Government, to promote the interests, and to pre-
serve the peace of the Nation, without violating
the rights of Maine, regarding the obligation.
resting upon the whole Union to protect eacf
State in the full enjoyment of all its territory anc
rights of jurisdiction and willing to meet the
have been made, therefore
Resolved, That upon the appointment BY
the President of the United States, of a person
or persons to enter into negotiation with this State
for the REIMBURSEMENT, by this State, to the u
States of her claim to said territory and for the
cession of the jurisdiction thereof on the one part
and for an ample indemnity therefor, on the other
part, and notice thereof being communicated to
the Governor, the Governor, with advice of Conn
Gil, be, and he is hereby authorized and requested
| to appoint three Commissioners on the part and
In behalf of this State to treat with such person
or persons, so appointed by the President on the
subject aforesaid; and any agreement or treaty tc
be made in pursuance of this Resolve, is TO be
submitted to the Legislature of Maine, for appro
val or reflections; and until such agreement O,
treaty be so submitted to and approved by the Le
gislature of Maine, nothing herein contained
shall be construed in any way, as implying the as
sent of this State to the line boundary recommended
by the Arbter, or to the right of the General Go
vernment to adopt sanction that line instead
OF the line described in the treaty of 1888
Resolved, That the Governor BIO requested forth
with to communicate the foregoing preamble and
resolution, confdentally, to the Agent ofthis State
at Washington, d also to the Executive Of the Com
monwealth of Massachusetts to afford to that Com
monwealth the opportunity of adopting such mea.
sures as she may consider expedent in relation to
her interest in said territory.