The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1839-01-15
THE NORTH EASTERN BOUNDARY

Morning Chronicle, the official organ of the Brit
ish ministry, would seem to indicate that some
progress has been made towards settlement OF
the North Eastern boundary question:
awe have heard to day. in quarters where in
formation on such matters especially may he
fully relied upon, that the question OF houdhry
between the possessions of Great Britain IN
North America and the United States is on me
eve of being formally adjusted, and in n manner,
it is said, which will give satisfaction 10 ths
public on both sides, and he in accordance WIN
the views of the two governments. 1t is III Incl
stated, that communications Tor some uhle Fnst
have been going on between Mr. Stevenson, me
American minister, and our government upon
this point, and that it has been determined to
appoint a commission 20 decide upon the ques-
| lion the governments at the same time recon-
Imending mutually for their adoption that the
river St. John should form the separating line
between the two countries, whereby that portion
of the province of Maine which the English
have always claimed will be coded TO us, and
as an equivalent the coast a territory lying be-
tween the river St. Croix and St John, equal in
size to what is given up on the other side,
will be made over to America.
BY this means Maine will possess almost an
entire water boundary, and the country between
Nova Scotia aud Canada will he laid open 10 us,
point in itself of the very utmost importance;
more especially at the present moment, and there
can be but little doubt that the railway which
has often been proposed, from Halifax TO Que
bee, but often put of in consequence of the
state of the boundary question, will soon he car
ried into effect, by which means it is needless to
say most important and favorable change will
he effected in our Canadian trade. That the
question Of Boundary between our possessions
and the United States should at length be adjus-
ted is of itself of the greatest consequence; not
that any serious disagreement was ever conem
ltemplnted from the unsettled state Of the ques-
49, A.
borders, and often led to local disturbances, and
the adjustment will remove all fear from the
minds of a|armsts and il-informed persons as
to their being any chance of IA collision between
the two countries. We understand that the Ex-
eculive at Washington approves ofthe arrange
ment; and, indeed, that it was Mr. Forsyth who
proposed to Mr. Fox the propriety of appoint
ing commission, but that the latter referred the
matter to the government at home.
On copying the above from the. London paper
the Atlas Illus remarks:-
"Ths project ofexchanging the portion ofthe
State of Maine north of the St. Johns for that
portion of New Brunswick west of that river,-
in other words, of making The 81. Johns through
out its whole extent, the boundary between the
United States and the British possessions, was
suggested some years ago, by the British gov
ernment, and at that time promptly reject
ed. The absolute necessity of securing road
from ST. Johns to Quebec, if the Canadian prov
inces are to he retained, has probably induced
the British government to receive the proposal
they had once rejected. 1t remains to he seen
whether the state of Maine will consent to this
exchange. Massachusetts, too, has an interest
in this matter. She Is owner in common with
Maine, of the lands north ofthe ST.. Johns, but
the lands to lac received in exchange west of the
ing but MISREPRESENTATION can he..ccdc6. WHAT ii:
dennity are Massachusetts and Maine to receive
for the loss of property which they will suffer
by the cession, who will pay that indemnify?
The two tracts proposed 10 be exchanged.
appear to he of nearly equal extent, and the eA-
change; in certain respects, would he advantage
gous TO both parties. II is serious question,
however, whether it is good policy in the United
States, to consent TO cesson which will
strengthen the Britrh hold upon Canada, fac-
tate the defence Of those provinces in case Of
war with The United States, and furnish The means
Of hrowng British army INFO the.midst of our
ter ritory,'
The Paris correspondent of the New York
Courier 81 Enquirer states the following cir.