The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-20
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
SPEECH OF MR.. sALTONsTALL,
or MASSACHUSETTS.
SATURDAY, March 2, 1899.

On the subject ~ the Northeastern Boundor,
Mr.. sALToNsTALL said he rose under uni,
vorabe circumstances, on account OF the time !,
which The important subject was brought forward
and The symptoms Of impotence which had bss1
shown He should not have attempted 10 addrss.
the commiltee, bui that no one from MassachuS,,,,
had taken part in The debate | shall (Said Mr. 81
present my own views, from the best consideration
have been able give the subject, my own respon
sibilty There has been no consultation among The
representatives ofiha State.
Ii Is not necessary for me 10 remark the deep stake
Massachusetts has in this subject, not only as mem
Der Of this Union bur her separate interest," uinl
owner Of the whole disputed territory-a terrrory
which embraces 10000 square miles, and 5000 600
acres OF land shall differ from my friend who has
just sal down, MIR. Menefee) There is no honorable
member who would not 90 with that gentleman 10
the utmost extent IL il was clear that national
honor required resort 10 national arms Who would
dare TO False his voice, In such case against i'm.
mediate recourse 10 arms7 Who would not risk his
person, his all, In such cause But is this such
easel Has the crisis arrired? That Is the ques
ton. Whether Congress ought nop TO take course
which Is all, or may be considered TO be all but an
actual declaration ot wara
The importance Of this question can hardly be
overstaled. When has one so important arisen Ii
comes forward ut the last moment Of the session. Il
requires days and nights OF anxious thought yet We
are called upon to act at once.
The main question between the two nations all
here understand, il was placed in such clear light
by The report In The Senate last year. The conlro-
versy Is OF long standing For long time II excited
but lille attention. When the treaty Of peace was
made, the whole territory was wilderness; the
population Of the Districtof Maine was only few
thousands; there were opiy few scattered settle
mens along the shore east Of The Kenuebec. But il
has gradually become question of magnitude and
importance 10 both parties to Great Britain, Sc
curing a connection between her provinces; and to
us, as embracing large extent OF territory eligible
for settlement Our claim under the treaty of 1883,
hacS he afa other deferred claims III had
become obscured, but il is now understood. 1t is
easily understood. believe il TO be perfectly well
founded Il is not more complicated than many land
causes, and, in my Judgment, from what examlna-
ton have been able TO make, no jury OF Intelligent
disinterested men could hesitate upon it. mean
our claim under the treaty of 1888 go heartily,
therefore, for that part of the bill which provides for
sending Special Minister 10 England. Its success,
however, will depend much upon the character OF
the Minister This question should not be affected
BY any considerations Of party il should be elevated
far above them Such man as might and ought 10
be selected might present our rights In manner
which would be irresistible. believe the Govern
ment of Great Britain could not meet and answer
the argument such Minister might prepare in The
quickest passage ever made across the Atlantic.
STILL il is 10 be considered and treated as serious
question between two nations.
The great, the main question is, what Is thefrue
boundary line under the treaty Of peace The CUES
ton was originally one of construction merely, de-
pending the terms OF the treaty. II has beep de-
layed, until question, exceedingly simple al hrSt,
has become a long standing national controversy
Al the last session of Congress, application was
made for an immediate survey OF the boundary line.
A distinguished citizen of Maine was here for the
purpose OF pressing the Importance Of an immediate
settlement OF this question, which was becoming one
Of exciting interest in that State. A bill was intro
duced to provide for surveying the Northeastern
boundary line Of the United States according 10 The
provisions OF the treaty Of peace OF l763. That bill
committed in the Senate, and the able report was
made to which have referred, with resolutions e1.
pressing opinion, without doubt, in favor Of The
justice and validity Of the title uf the United States
TO the full extent OF all the territory in dispute; that
1t was practicable to run the line according 10 Inc
treaty, and an earnest desire that the pending ne.
gotiaiion should be brought 10 close, and the final
decision of the dispute made as soon practicable,
The report stated that the important prelminareS OF
a convention between the two Governments, for the
purpose ofexploIing and surveying the disputed lines
of the treaty. had been adjusted and expressed CON
fdent hope that the pending negotiation might be
productive of the most happy results, and that the
BILL therefore, fought not TO pass"
The Government of Maine was determined 10
show that she was in earnest. The attention Of Con
gress was brought to the subject; 1t was fully ex
amined, and made the subject OF Legislative report
for the first lime.
This controversy was therefore left as it was be-
fore-lhe subject of negotiation. And il appears,
from the executive report the subject of ouI ter
ritoral relations with Great Britain, that as ma.
tional question: (and il is one il remains unchans
ed. Nothing has been done by the General Govern
ment, but Maine has appointed commissioner 10
resolve, providing that, il The bill then pending be-
fore Congress should fail, and no decisive move
ment was made by the General Government, either
alone in conjunction with Great Britain, the time
would then have arrived for Maine 10 assume an in.
dependent altitude, and to commence the work oil
ascertaining, running, and locating the Northeas
ern boundary line. And, in that event, II was made
the imperative duty ofihe Governor to appoint forh.
with commissioners for that purpose, and cause The
same 10 be carried into operation" Three commls-
sioners were accordingly appointed, with ins.ruc.
tons to explore particular part OF the disputed Ter
ritory. A communication was made by the Governor
of Maine TO the Lieutenant Governor OF New Bruins
wick, containing the substance OF the instructions
The answer of Sir John Harvey, [Gov. Kent states
in a message in January last although couchtd
in courteous language, according with the well
known high and honorable character OF that ottcer
will yet doubtless command your attention and de
iberate consideration, as expressing, in frank ana
decided language, the character and extent OF ms
instructions relative to maintaining The jurisdiction
of The disputed territory"
The commissioners went on and explored me
country, and made their report. This was the hrs
act on the part Of Maine after the proceedings IL
Congress.
What was next done Z An armed body Of men
was sent into part of the disputed territory 10 seize
trespassers, and this has been followed by The pIo
ceedngs between the Governments Of Maine ana
New Brunswick which have produced The present
crisis.
The Governor of New Brunswick sets up me
claim to exclusive possession and jurisdiction oil lne
disputed territory, according TO his instructions anu
as he states, under an agreement between the Uhleu
States and Great Britain. On the part OF our 20
vernment il is denied that there ever was sucn an
agreement. The President has stated ~ ms mes
sage. believe there has never been any suSh hn
agreement explicitly made. But Is il clear ,na, a,
may not be supposed BY the Government y o,'"I
| ID - .l.s -
will not saw thai Great Britain had right TO sup
pose so but have not the course this sunlec' mas
taken and the conduct of our Go ,:a Oee'
such as might lead TO such suggestion a., ,o
This claim is not now SCI W 10 II has been made
, r,a' y, =, ", So Goyerpmen officially, from time 10
time ~" and how has il been trea,eda Has it at all
h.en denied~been instantly repelled.