Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1835-09-08
lfroM he -Glo6e.)


|, APPOINTMENT BY THE PRESIDENT
Charles Shaler, of P.nnsy ivanio be Secretary of
the Territory of Michigan vice Stephen T. Mason gu.
The above change Icing attended with peculiar cir
cunstances and involving considerations we have
made inquiry tire subject in the proper quarter and
communicate the result tor the information of our read
1t is well known that a controversy has been son,e
time going ON between Ohio and Michigan respecting
their boundary The Government and the PubI, ba We
looked at its progress and possible consequences with
much schctnde. No case, demanding the direct inter
position OF the President under the of Congress-
authorizing IN certain contingencies the employ OF
the Army and Militia has yet arisen, because such in
terposon can only take place when the civil author
~ is found unable TO suppress combinations formed TO
obstrnct the laws This event has not yet happen
cd, or TIE ciVii power has SO far been successfully
exerted. But il is not To be disguised, that from
the feelings displayed, the purposes avowed and the
preparations made there has been much reason 10
fear that blood might be shed by countrymen i'm
torcibe attempt to obtain possession of small
tract of comparatively uninporant country few months
or later The President has been anxious since
the origin OF this dispute that all focibe action should
be stayed, and that the matter should the decision
OF Congress- the only ghtiul arbiter between the
..cs. ne mas therefore, recommended spirit of
Iteration and forbcaance the proper authorities on
both SIDES; and with the view he authorized two
distinguished citizens Messrs Rush and Howard to pro-
coed 10 the ofthe difficulties, and TO endeayor bv
aSgumeat and icmonsrance To put close to- or at any
rate To suspend them The advice of the President on
the representations of these gentlemen proved nnaya
ing, anu circumstances induced the Governor of Ohio TO
convene tie Legislature, and 10 submit the subject IN
their consideration. That body passed an act Offering
certain terms OF compromise and if these were not ac
cePted, providing for the forcble occupation of
the disputed tract The terms of this COMPROMISE we
IA coniornty TO proposition submitted The parties bv
Messrs. Rush and Howard sincere desire 10 teru
nate most unhappy and dangerous controversy but
without the sanction or knowledge of the President
Nor was II reported by them the Department OF Saie
with the view OF the law aud of its duty entertained by
the President he could give his dissent to one of The
propositions made by Messrs. Rush and Howard being
that which authorizes concurrent jurisdiction between
OHIO and Michigan over the Territory in dispute Be
! 80
established by act of Congress- the President lt Thai
it utterly beyond his mower To- add 10 or ,oi,c e.,
the legal jurisdiction il. Ohio being sovereign
State, had full power agree any modification of iu
risdction. But the Presidents duty is to execute not
beyond his reach
After the session ofthe Ohio Legislature three highly
respectable citizens of that State visited the Sent ~
government IN the hope OF making some arrangement
under the authority of the President which would have
the effect of postponing this difficulty until the next
session oil congress. Ii then understood that if
Ohio were permitted 10 mark The line called Harrs
line, and If he.Pcna act of Michigan February last
were not enforced and The commenced nm
der it discontinued the matter would be suffered 10 lie
over until Congress could act upon it, To the first pro
position no Objection was anticipated, because both the
Executive and the Convention of Michigan had dcclar
cd IN certain contingency, their willingness To permit
the line To be run; ana II not how the e-ar-
ing OF an old line in the woods could injure n commin
y or individuals The actof February last rendered pc
nal the acceptance under Ohio nd made
the eaeace posIshabe by long Imprisonment in the
Penitenary. Michigan had existed thirty years and
maintained her jurisdiction without such law IL was
not necessary for tic protection of her Just authority
Dor this supported by the COMPRESS and vouId
have been by the Pesidtn The mode pointed ont bv
law, had the contingency, rendered necessary by The
laws, happened The act of February, 1895 unneces-
sdry was certainly unwsc. Ii excited feelings in Ohio
which doubt have had their effect during the whole
controversy The President therefore, in this view Of
the matter, recommended the acting Governor of Mi
chigan that his %thc GoweInors) power should be pxer
ed conformity with these suggestions expecting that
the influence OF the Executive would produce some eff
i'et ana tat H. Notwithstanding should be-
instituted, these should be discontinued if that sep we're
within the scope of Executive authority; and if il wore
noI that The pardonng power conferred upon the Exc.
cutlve by acts Of Congress- should be freely used This
course was wise; E by it, the whole matter would lie
over until Congress could act II Just to Michigan
Tor her jurisdiction would remain untouched and would
be eIered, as II had been for thirty years under tho
safeguard Of the acts of Congress and of the General
Government II was CONSTITUTIONAL for it required the
executive OF Michigan TO do no act not within the scope
OF his legal authority
1t was hoped that This would have been pursued
by the acting Governor Of Michigan But such has moi
been the result. The Legislative Council of Micbigan
was conFebed, and the message Of the acting Governor
announced his dctefn:Raon not 10 act in couforo,;tv
with the suggestions OF the President and strongly G
commencing ether and further on the part of
hehean rms ioeesage hns been met in a correspond.
ing spirit ny The Legislative Council, appears by the
report OF ther committee and the three months noy
Intervening before The session of Congress may no
marked by blood unless more temperate Cornciis nro
vail -
Under these circumstances the President has super
se6ed Mr. Mason, the Secretary and acting Governor
ana mas appointed Mr. Sbsier succeed him with in
siiueuons, which, while they the jurisdiction of
AchgaD the territory in dispute until ebangod h
act oi Congress, and reconme ndIne him 10 de,n9d ~
TIC Governor OF my State where he may have aed tb
person accssed OF wouBding deputy sheriff vyhiIe ia
Tue execution OF his duty adv MIN to take the coursc
suggested TO Mr. Mason we'll with respect t inc run
hng OF the line 10 the dIscontnuanee of
under The act Of Febfusry last.
~ Is bat an act Of Justice 10 Mr. Mason TO state that
ms views and course haze doubt been the result oC
coVcuon mat the rights and interests Of the Tcrrtorv
over winch b. presided we're assailed and demanded
tbcse proceedings We eedcrstand that 80 far az his oc
hcIa course ~ knows 10 the President in al other re
poets not connected with this matter IL has moi he
TIRE oPprobaton and that his personal (eelngs toVard
him are unchanged
we understand that ibis changc aa been made kro,
1"oYefnor Lucas, and also that spirit Of frbcnr,uo
mas been recomue AIDED to the acting Governor c Nc
gan winch there ~ believe. will have 10, ;,
as iar as Is consistent wk the oct If CONGRESS
ing The Territory. We learn nfrtirr Thai Co..
bucas Gas been Informed that the President believes lie
Douoty OF mat Territory IL established by act Of Con
' ana can only De changed by that body and that he
' "Seh y his auly When the proper case is made ont
u"ufI VIC Avs, TO inefPose, w0I oil the power confer
,sd upon hn, to support The territorial Jurisdiction Of
ne President sentiments this point and his vies
OF ms doy have undergone change 'rbc opp;oa ~
he Attorney General placed the subject Of he oontro
nefsy W clear point Of view: and the course vb; lie
h9eht Hinfs Tue Consultation and laws ipposo n,or
or 81 Ohio '0 cV'e'h- |
We trust that the patriotic State Of Ohio yili ooo
'"'' "e accession Of Congress The arrangement pro.