Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1838-06-29
NORTH EASTERN BOUNDARY.

WARRINGTON, JuHe w.
After some reports and resolutions were
presented, the bill authorizing Joint
Commission to explore and run the north.
eastern boundary of the United States, was
taken up.
Mr.. CLAY, of Kentucky, having ex
pressed the qualification which he felt, at
the unanimity that pervaded the Senate, in
desire to preserve the peace of the
country, added, that he had apprehensions,
that at some day, not very distant, con-
test might arise out of this question. This
consideration imposed upon the Govern.
ernments Of Great Britain and the United
States grave duty. and one that should
be discreetly performed.
After some general remarks. he said,
that at Client, the claims Of the State of
Maine. as now contended for, were lacitly
if not expressly admiltedto be we'll founded.
On the 10th of August, 1914, the British
Commissioners proposed. that "cession" OF
that portion Of Maine which interrupted
their communication with the other prov
inces, should be made to Great Britain.
The territory which they wished to have
seeded" to them is the identical territory
in dispute. TO this application the Amer
lean Commissioners replied that they pos
sessed no authority to cede any part of the
old thirteen States. The British Commits
soners indicated that they were willing to
r grant an equivalent.
Mr.. Clay said that at that time no pro-
test was urged, that it was impracticable
. to run this line. On the contrary, the 5th
! Article Of the treaty Of Client IS in the
language Of the treaty of 1888. No sug'
gestlon was made, that there was or would
be a difficulty in finding the high lands
f which divide the waters that run into thu
i St. Lawrence from those which run into
!, the Atlantic. The title, said Mr.. Clay, t.
!. the disputed territory is clear-the RICH
incontestible; and no English gentleman
f of honor, having a controversy with HI
;, neighbor about boundary, would assert il
Y Court of Justice, such pretensons, Of
e such foundation, as the British Govern
u ment sets up in this particular case.
y Whatever Congress may do, said he
should be so done as not to embarrass, bu
to aid the Executive in the pending nego
tiation, while at the same time the right
of the Country must be asserted and main
tanned. He then REQUIRED to the lon
patience of Maine, to her forbearance, an
u TO what must be considered a natural anS
}. ety on this question. Speaking Of tn
h recent legislative act of that State, on tn
subject, he said it was not for him to Ger
!. sure or approve. But lie could not conct
ID in the opinion that had been expressed
e the Chairman of the Committee on Fo
N eign Relations (Mr. Buchanan) tina: I'll
" passage of this bill would be considered |
~ an act of hostility. The bill does not pr
II. pose to take possession Of the dispute
70 territory, but to run and mark the line.
IN He next referred to an act Of March 3
~ 1887. authorizing the President to eau
hi' the North Eastern Boundary line TO
mt run. and appropriatlng twenty thousal
Ter dollars, to pay any expenses incurred in Il
~ discharge Of that duty. The proposed b
ne therefore was not wanting. The Pre-
yet dent had already full power. He mig
find notifies, however, for not acting, an
, those motives might justify the omlsso
me but in the opinion of Mr.. Clay, it was I
ate duty of the President to have commune
al, ted TO Congress his reasons for not carryi
49, into effect the intentions Of the law.
ck' As far back, said Mr.. Clay, as the A
to ministration of Mr.. Adams, there was
,til understanding between the two Cover
:, ments, that neither party should DO
w. act or thing to change or impair the relat
ion rights of the parties, and Great Brit
has seized and confined, and has now