The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-12-21
THE MAINE BOUNDARY.

Al the Festival Of 81, Andrew. hsd at 81 Johns
IN. b on The Both ull sr which was pissem W.
fBArHeRsroSHAUGH. one Of me BRUSH pounJ a..
Commissioners we lind in the Weekly Oosefsrre ~ 70
eembsr 3D. the follo~ius .eeoan' o VIVA, pas.sa ads,
fusion the Boundary question. which eannoi uhaef
present Circumstances, be unniefestg 10 aay OF OUT
readers,
The President Of the Day rose and observed
The nsxt toast which have 10 propose Is ono init
mstely connected with the last. which received with
90 much enthusiasm. aud an which We all iee deeply
interested alude the settlement OF the boundary
question. You are all no doub aware that Commis-
sloa recently appointed by Her Msjesy's Govern
for the purpose Of obtaining satisfactory Biorna-
,ion upon this hitherto perpezing question Ia the IN
tegrIiy and ability OF gentlemen composing that Com
mission have the fullest confidence and feel much
pleasure in the opportunity afforded upon this occa-
sion Of numbering amongst the public guests who have
honored Us this evening with their conpsuy, two gentle
men connected with this Commission With these
preliminary remarks. beg 10 propose
{" The Boundary Question AN early, amiesbe, and
equitable settlement thereof according the In
tent and meaning Of the Treaty Of lisa. without any
compromise Of the honor integrity Of the Two great
nations Immense and continued cheering
Mr.. FRATHEasroSHAuoH then aud said
Mr.. President The alnson which you have made
to me In the toast which has just been warmly re-
ceved and the distinguished manner IN which you have
been pleased 10 receive your festival may appear
me for passing notice Of the official duties IN which
have for some time been engaged. Considering how
much you are interested in the results, cannot, IN
courtesy, dsappont so reasonable an expectation and
rise TO make some observations. intending neyerhe-
less TO limit them by that reserve imposed upon me,
respects essential particulars, by the duty
to Her MsJesy's Government. [Great applause feel
conscious. gentlemen that you but respond 10
that sentiment and that you would not e.seem the
less preserve inyolate which requires 10 be
sIrxl .kx 49,.
taon gentlemen, It gives me great pleasure to address
you.
You are all familiar with the history OF this
Boundary Question, and il must have excited in
you, as il has in many others, great surprise that
Notwithstanding the case has tor many years past
been under the consideration Of so many able men
on both sides, and that il has been referred with all
the evidence they had collected 10 one of the most
enlightened and honest Soyereisns In Europe Tor a
decision, by mutual consent, still the parties have
not been able TO agree nor the Sovereign Arbter TO
come 10 conclusion consistent with the rules laid
down in The second article Of the Treaty oil 1888.
OF the able men have alluded to- two belonged 10
this Province-one Of them the late Judge CuPMAs,
an acute man with high intellectual powers; the
other, the present worthy CHEF JUSTICE his son,
who Is Justly revered among US tor his clear Judge
ment and extensive requirements On the side Ut
The United States there have also been some emf
nent men employed. ! believe | do not transcend
my duty when state that after long and careful
study OF the history of the case and an examina-
lion, made with diligence and energy, Of the physi-
cal geography OF the Territory in dispute at all The
points essential 10 investigation is my conviction
that the failure TO bring this grave matter 10 final
issue Is to be attributed entirely defective norma
tion, and fatal embarrassment occasioned by the
requirements OF the second article Of the Treaty Of
lIoS. The cardinal rule, gentlemen, for the pur
suit OF truth In all matters Of science, and in all
matters connected with the progressive improvement
OF mankind. is 10 go from Tie kaopn TO the nnknotgn
But this rule in the second Article of the Treaty of
1883 is reversed; We are required TO go from the
unknown to the known. The second article directs
the boundary betwixt the two countries 10 begin at
the Northeastern Angle Of Nora Seotla, point
which never had any existence and which never
was established or sci apart BY any survey either Of
direct or indirect kind lis position depends upon
The previous ascertainment Of tvo lines, and the
point of coincidence between them would, when es-
taollshed, be the point where the Northwest Angle
would be- and that where the Treaty directs the
Boundary 10 begin. But since neither oil those TWO
lines has been ascertaned, and the poirt Of depart
ure OF only one of them agreed upon il is evident
that the Northwest Angle Of Nova Scotia, which is
10 DC an elect or Result proceeding from the
inherent power OF which We are vet ignorant of is
10 this moment nonenlity and must remain so I'M
III the precise direction OF the two lines before spnk-
en- OF Is mutually agreed upon and established. This
IS sufficient reason why all attempts to bring the
dispute to a happy termination hitherto ave failed
The words of The treaty directing TO begin at the
end Instead Of the beginning and to pursue the in
qulrles from the unknown 10 the known.
Gentemen do not wish TO conceal from YOU
who are so much Interested in the matter. that The
Investigations IN which have bee OF late engaged
have produced results which ought 10 influence
Governments that desire no territorial acquisitions
at the expense OF justice and the reverence due TO
treaties, as am persuaded is the case with the two
Governments now negotiating on this important
subject. The defective information il is hoped and
believed, can BE- supplied. say this much, because
runor Is being busy about the declared intentions of
the State OF Maine TO proceed in taking possession
OF the whole territory in dispute, without awaiting
the peaceful proceedings now in progress beiwixt
the federal Government and that Of Her Majesty. |
do moi believe in these rumors The Stale of Maine
sets too nigh value upon the peace now happily
subsistng betwixt the two countries and will have
no doubt, await the constitutional action of their
National Government
Let us, on our part, by our patience, show our
confidence in the justice of our cause, and in the
sincere endeavors Of the two Governments TO bring
the dispute TO an adjustment that neither side may
be ashamed to raify Let all take example from
the gallant and wise person at the head Of your Go
vernment, His Excellency Major General Sir John
Harvey, who. whilst he pays the strclest difference
to the rights OF others, is vigant 10 protect those
committed 10 his care, and whose solcitude for the
happiness Of all under his Government is most sim
gularly paternal, as have had many occasions Of
observing
MIR. +. made some observations on the fertility Of
the soil and great beauty Of the country he had ira
versed, and finished by giving a toast" LADY
Harvey, and the honored family of the Lieutenant
Governor"