The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1839-02-26

cations between Halifax and Quebec. The claim,
however, has not the shadow Of foundation In
justice. Nobody with hall an eye, can examine the
map, the treaty and the recognition Of the bounda
ries by the English for 30 years, from 80 TO 1910
without seeing as clearly as the sun al MONDAY,
that Great Britain has right TO the territory
thus placed In dispute" than she has to the heart
Of Pennsylvania or Kentucky. The Two govern
ments, however, have thought proper to enter into
friendly negotiations 10 determine the justice Of the
respective claims In 1877, il was referred by both
powers TO The arbitration Of the King OF the Neither
lands. Maine would not assent 10 his decision,
which made st. Johns river the boundary line, and
the Senate refused to ralify The treaty. Commits
sioners Of survey appointed, but terminated in
making each party more pesinacious. The Presi-
dent IN his last annual message 10 Congress speaks
OF another offer on the part Of Government to
negotiate convention for the appointment of joint
commission OF survey or exploration" which he
was assured would be "met by her majesty's go-
vernment In conciliatory and friendly spirit; and
that instructions to enable the British Minister
here to conclude such an arrangement would be
transmitted to him without needless delay.n Ofthis
nothing since has been heard that we are aware of.
II is said that the Executive Of New Brunswick,
under the instructions Of the home government, has
uniformly since the question has been under nego-
tiaon, insisted on the exercise Of jurisdiction over
the Territory watered by the Aroostook as well as
that north ofhe st. Johns, the ground of having
had actual possession and jurisdiction from the be-
ginning. This claim has been denied by the Anne
rican negotators and Mr.. Clay in 1928 in letter
TO Mr.. Vaughan, protested against any exercise Of
jurisdiction by the British any part ofthe dis
puled Territory, before the final settlement Of the
question. There seems also to have been some sort
of an understanding admitted by our Secretaries Of
State that both parties should abstain from all acts
of exclusive jurisdiction. Mr.. Forsyth, in letter
to Mr.. Stevenson IN july 1887, speaks Of athe un-
derstanding which exists between the parties, that
until the settlement of the question of right, there
shall be no extension Of Jurisdiction either side
within the disputed links"
We cannot believe that England has directed her
New Brunswick governor to occupy this territory,
and exercise exclusive jurisdiction over IL as he
states. But iflhat Governor has clustered up on his
own responsibility we shall expect to see him re-
buked, and we shall esteem the treatment the Maine
agent receives al his hands as matter Of considera-
BILE consequence.
A war with England would be the dires calamity
that could befal the human race. With an exhaust
ed Treasury, broken down Navy, scattered and
small army, undscplined militia dismantled forti-
fcations, and imbecile administration, we should
be sadly worsted in such event, before the first
notes of preparation could be heard England has
troops in Canada Than she had during the last
war, and is constantly recruitng-she has formi-
dable fleet al the mouth of the Missssippi-she has
steam vessels Of war which might surprise half OF
Atlantic cities before could be aware OF their
approach, and drown half our Navy, perhaps, be-
fore our notable experiments in steam war vessels
could begin TO reclaim the character they have al
ready lost us.