The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-03-16
THE EASTERN BOUNDARY QUESTION.


We are among those who consider that the
whole question at issue now, ought to be and
can be settled without hostilities of any sort.
Certainly, unless our own rulers are resolved
on war ultimately, as the only means OF Sc
curing themselves in power. They know, as
every one does, who has given the subject
moments consideration, that while an admins
traton may be defeated and overthrown before
and subsequent to war, yet that during the
actual existence Of war they are impregnable.
We cannot believe that the present admins
tration, as desperate as it has become, would
wickedly plunge the country into war merely
to prevent it's own downfall. If il should, let
it beware Of the consequences.
We cannot, however, but consider the ad-
ministration as having been guilty ofthe gross
est neglect. In his message at the opening Of
the last session, the President represented
every thing as going on harmoniously between
the two Governments towards speedy adj
iustlnent Of the boundary difficulties.
The following is what the President then
said to Congress in relation to the matter:
| With respect 10 the Northeastern boundary Of the
United States no official correspondence between this
Government and that of Great Britain has passed since
that communicated to Congress towards the close of
their last session. The offer to negotiate a convention
for the appointment of Joint commission of survey and
exploration am however assured will be met by her
Maesty's Government in a concllatory and friendly
spirit and instructions to enable the British minister
here to conclude such arrangement will be trans
mted to him without needless delay It is hoped and
expected that these instructions will be Of liberal
character and that this negotiation, if successful, will
prove to be an important step towards the satisfactory
and final adjustment Of the controversy.
At that time the most "conciiatory and
friendly spirit" it appears, was evinced by
the British Government Governor Fairfield
was in Congress at that time, and continued
here for nearly month thereafter He went
home, and assumed the Executive duties Of
Maine One Of his first acts was, to send
secret Message to the Legislature Of that
State, which was acted on in score, also. The
commencement of our present difficulties was
the consequence which followed these pro-
ceedings ut..
Where was the administration of the Ge-
neral Government, that it did not forthwith
institute an Inquiry into the nature of these
secret proceedings We hope Governor
Fairfield did not take the step with the pre-
vious sanction of the Executive, obtained be-
fore his departure from Washington.
We say, the Government oughtto have in
CURED into the proceedings and interposed to
prevent the steps that were taken by the au-
thorties Of Maine. 1t should at once say to
that State now, :" withdraw and disband your
troops, and leave the whole matter to US. 1t
is taken out of your hands altogether, and is
in ours, under the powers delegated by the
Constitution 1t is to be settled by us under
the provisions Of solemn treaty." Let our
Government act energetically, and manifest
sincere desire and spirit to preserve peace,
and the whole affair will be speedily adjusted
satisfactorily and honorably to all parties con-
cerned. That such will be the result in the
event of the British Government continuing to
exercise the " conciliatory and friendly spirit
referred 10 by the President, we cannot enter
tain doubt.