Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1838-06-12
D0FE ES'Ese,.

The following letter of the Secretary Of State the
Governor of Maine omitted BY our Reporters in civ
ing the Congressional proceedings connected with ihe
Presidents message the subject of the North eastern
Boundary. 1t is an important paper, as presenting The
true position of the question: GloGe.
Mr. Forsyth 10 Gortrnor Kent.
DEPARTMENT or STATE,
Washington, May S, 1888.
Sir: have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on
the 22d u,mo Of the communication addressed 10 this
DEPARTMENT BY your Excelcncy on the 2Sth Of March
last transmitting printed copy OF your me ssage OF Inc
Nth Of the month 10 the Legislature Of Maine toge
ther with certain resolves passed BY that body relation
to the North boundary of the State Although
the thus given TO the application made TO you
BY direction OF the President under date OF the LIST OF
March last ascertain the sense of the State of Maine,
in regard to conventional line Of boundary, may be
regarded as conclusive still deem it proper, with re-
gard TO your Excelency's message, 10 mark a mscon
cepton which appears 10 have existed on your part when
communicating to the Legislature the letter and dncu
mens received from this department. This is done with
the greater freedom since The frank and liberal manner
in which your Exceency invited the attention Of that
body the subject highly appreciated by The Presi
dent. The question therein presented tor consideration
was not your ExceiEncy supposed whe hpI The Stale
of Maine should take The lead in abandoning The treaty,
and volunteer propositions Tor conventional line, but
simply, whether the Government OF Maine would con
sent that the General Government should entertain
direct negotiation with the British Government for
conventional line of boundary on the Northeastern
frontier OF the United States. Had tina, consent been
position of line from Great Britain. as it that
power which particularly desired the resort 10 that mode
Of settling the controversy Il was, also. the intention
Of the President TO arrange the negotiation that the
appreciation Of Maine the boundary line agreed upon
should have been secured. Il with this view that,
in the application Of the State Of Name for lis assent to
negotiation for conventional line, express reference
was made TO such conditions she nis ut think pro.
per to prescribe. To al! such were, in the OPT
MON Of the President, required by proper regard for
the security of Maine, and consistent with the Const
tuition, he would have yielded ready assent OF that
character was he disposed 10 regard condition that in
negotiation for the final establishment of II line,
with power the par, Of the negnatOrs To supnlne
for the ceson exchange of territory as the interests
and convenience of the parties might be found 10 re.
oure the State of Maine should be represented by
mssioners Of her selection and that their previous
assent should be requisite 10 naSe any treaty containing
such stipulation, binding upon her
These suggestions are not now made as matter q!
complaint at the decision which the State Of Maine has
come TO- on matter in which she at perfect liberty
to pursue The she has adapted but in justice to
the views OF tho President in making the application
am instructed to announce 10 your EyceIlency, that,
BY direction of the President, upon due consideration
OF the result, Of the late application Of the General Co.
vernment The Stale o! Name the subject nI the
North eastern boundary and in accordance with the ex-
pressed FISHES nf her legislature have informed MIR.
Fox of the willingness Of this Government TO enter into
an arrangement with that of Great Britain for the
Enlistment Of ioint commission Of survey and expo
ration upon the basis Of the original American prnposi.
ton and the notifications offered by her Majesty Go
vernment: and 10 upprize you that Mr. Fox, being at
present unprovdsd with full powers for negotiating the
proposed convention has transmitted my commnnica-
ton to his Government, in order tina, snch fresh nsuc
tions may be furnished him, such other steps taken,
az may be deemed exPedien on It's part.
have the honor to be,
With great respect,
Your Excellencys obi saIv't.
JOHN FORSYTH