The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1839-03-16
THE VOICE OFFRE DOM.

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a line to be drawn along the middle of the river
St Croix, from its mouth in the Bay of Funday to
it's source and from its source directly north to
the aforesaid highlands which divide the rivers
that fall into the Atlantic Ocean from those which
fall into the River St Lawrence"
The attempt to ascertain the line indicated by
these words, has given rise to the whole dispute.
British authorities place the northwestern angle
of Nova Scotia" at Mars Hill, about forty miles
north of the source of the St CroiX, and then run
the line in south westerly direction, through the
region enclosed by the valleys ofthe St Johns, and
Penobscot rivers. The United States claim that
the line beginning at the source of the ST CroiX runs
about one hundred miles north, across the St Johns
to the sources of the small streams emptying into
the St Lawrence. The land in dispute contains
about 100000 acres nearly one third Of the state
Of Maine, for the most part uncultivaed but a.
bounding in forests thought to be of great value.
1t is remarkable that the boundary claimed by
the United States, has been recognized on several
successive occasions by the acts of Great Britain,
first in the proclamation ofl765 establishing the
province of Quebec, and afterwards in the various
commissions Issued to the Governors of that PROV
ince. There can be no doubt that the lines desg-
mated had definite and certain existence.
This is confirmed by official admissions made
by Great Britain before her present claims were
asserted in 1914 at the treaty of Client. When a
joint commissioner under jays treaty in 1895 pro-
ceeded to fix the source of the 81 Crox the British
commissioner in several instances acknowledged as
well known and unquestonable the very limits
which the Americans now assign. British PAM
phlets published before the treaty of Client admit
the Justice of our title and insist upon "the mpor-
lance of changing the line and Obtaining accession
of this territory" and accordingly the British a.
gents at Client suggest " such variation of the
line ofthe frontieras may secure direct communl-
cation between Quebec and Halifax" Up to this
period the case was clear. But Great Britain
subsequently finding it to be her interest to run an
other line; made the whole matter a subject OF
a long negotiation, which was referred in 1927 to
the arbitration of the King of the Netherlands.
That monarch, confused by the multiplicity OF
conflicting statements or for some other cause, "a
warded kind of compromise which the Senate
of the United States in 1892 decided was no de-
cison of the case submitted TO him. & of course not
binding upon the States. The negotiations which
have since taken place are replcte with all the
subtley and special pleading of diplomacy. The
British Government re-asserted its claim to the
whole territory, in the communication of December,
Secretary of State, was new and thorough sur
vey of the whole face of the country. After many
propositions and demands on both sides, new
Joint survey was agreed on in 1885, with the under
standing that both governments adhere if they
please, to the respective interpretations which have
been given to the various treaties. So far, then,
as the negotiations OF the general government and
Great Britain are concerned the business is no
nearer its termination than 1t was many years ago.
But the ground which Maine last year assumed,
presents it as one of immediate practical impor-
lance, likely TO involve the Union in war; unless
brot to more desirable issue by the Justice of the
adverse power. In March, of 1883 that State
determined, should the Federal Government not
appoint commission of survey by September Of
the same year, to make such an appointment OF
her own authority and carry it into effect at all
risks. Whilst the decision is pending, there has
hitherto existed tact agreement of the two gov
ernments that both shall abstain from acts of ex-
elusive jurisdiction over the disputed territory.
That such is the fact is evident from the follow.
ing extracts:
Mr. Livingston, in his communication dated Ju-
lily 81, 1882 remarks" Until the matter shall be
brought to a final conclusion, the necessity of re-
framing on both sides from any exercise of iuris-
Idiction beyond the boundaries now actually poss-
essed must be apparent, and will no doubt be ac-
quiesed in on the part of His Brttanc Majesty's
Province as it will be by the United States
In reply Sir Charles R. Vaughan, says, He is
further to assure Mr. Livingston that his Males
tvs Government entirely concur with that of the
United States in the principle of continuing to
abstain during the progress of the negotiation,
from extending the exercise ofjurisdiction within
the disputed territory, beyond the limits, within
which it has been hitherto usual exercised by the
authority of either party."-N Y. Eoe. Post.
MOTTO