Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1838-04-12
North Eastern Boundary,
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
To the Seaote and House of Representa-

I herewith communicate for your con-
sileration, a communication addressed to
me by the Secretary of State OF the United
States, with the correspondence therein re-
ferred to, in reference to the North East
tern Boundary. This commune alton is
made by request Of tho President of the
United States. and in suggestion, | ask
your careful and deliberate attention to
the facts and propositions therein contain
ed. The duty devolvingsen me would per-
haps be performed by the Simple commune
cation of these documents, without any re-
marks or comments Of my own. But this
subject, always interesting to Maine, has
become more so by this direct application
on the part of the President of tie United
States, for the expression of the wishes and
will of this State in reference to the ad lst-
ment Of this long pending question; and
feeling deep interest personally and Off
cially in every thing that relates to it, and
anxious mainly that the rights and honor of
Maine should not be ieopardized or i'm
paired, feel it to be a duty which | own to
the people who have assigned me my part
of responsibility, to speak my honest opin-
ions and views, plainly and unreservedly,
you. | ask for my views no other weight
or influence then such as their intrinsic
value may enttle them to, and desire on
ly to be regarding as connected with you
in guarding with watchful care the great
interests entrusted to US, and doing my du-
ty in this important crisis according to my
best Judgment. Ifmy views are erroneous, or
if am in your opinion unnecessarily strict
or severe in my judgment of intentions,
or too limited in my suggestions ofpolicy-
trust to you to correct or override me. |
assume no right 10 dictate or control your
action.
In the communication of Mr. Forsyth,
in connection with Il very lucid and inter-
esling history of the negotiations between
the two Governments, we are informed
that the discussion between the Federal
Governments, and that of Great Britain, has
arrived at stage in which the President
thinks it due to the State of Maine and ne
cessary to the intelligent action of the
General Government, to take the sense Of
this State in regard to the expedienLy of
opening direct negotiation for the esiab-
lishment Of conventional Hne, and if
Maine should deem an attempt to ad just
the matter in controversy in that form adj
yisable, then to ask the assent of Maine to
the same.
:. The grave and important question there
Z fore presented for your consideration, as
you will more fully perceive, by the docu-
nen referred to, is whaiher you will clothe
The Executive Of the United States with
unlimited power Of fixing a new and con-
ventional line in view Of the treaty boun-
dairy.
1t is certainly gratifying to perceive that
the right of Maine to be heard and consul
ted, before the treaty line is abandoned is
fully recognized by the General Govern
ment; and have no doubt the Legislature
of Maine will approach the consideration
of the proposition in the same spirit IN
which it is offered, and with an anxious de-
sire to terminate this long pending and en-
barrassing question if il can be done with
out too great sacrifice of honor and right.
Although The documents arc somewhat
yoluminous, the proposition is single and
simple in its character, and easily under
stood.
have given to the subject all the rchec-
ton and examination | have been abe to
bestow, since the reception of the docu-
ments; and with most anxious desire to
acquiesce in any feasible scheme of adj
justment, or any reasonable proposition for
a settlement, feel constrained to say that
can see little to hope and much TO fear,
from the proposed departure from The trea-
ty line.
l think that the most cursory examina-
ton of the correspondence and movements
on the part Of Great Britain, must satisfy
any one that the leading objects which her
diplomatists have had in view, since the
result of the arbitration, has been to des-
troy OF lay aside the treaty line, to lead US
away from the clear unambiguous, definite,
terms of that treaty, and involve us in in
terminable discussions. propositions and re-
plies in relation to conventional lines, no
one of which will be accepted unless it
gives to them large part of our territory.
We find that in May 1898, very soon af-
ter the President in pursuance of the ad-
vice Of the Senate, had opened new ne
gociation to ascertain the line according
, to the treaty Of 'S3-to which treaty line
the negotiation was Of course confined, the
British Minister suggested Chat this per-
picked, and hitherto interminable question,
could only be set at rest by an abandonment
of the defecfire description of Boundary
contained in the treaty, and by the two
governments mutually agreeing upon con-
yentional line more ccnyenient to both