Lincoln telegraph. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1836-1846, 1840-04-23

such a character as will, should it be ac-
cepted, finally settle the question. This
proposition was officially communicated to
that government during the last summer
Mr.. Fox, the British minister, in his
note of the 24th of January last. doubtless
with perfect knowledge of the nature
OF the project which had been submitted
by the American government TO that of
Great Britain, assures Mr.. Forsyth 'ahat
he not only preserves the hope, but he en-
tertains the firm belief, that if the duty of
negotiating the boundary question be left
IN the hands of the two national govern
ments, 10 whom alone ofright it belongs,
the difficulty Of conducting a negotiation
to an amicable issue will not be found so
great as has been by many persons ap-
pretended" And in his subsequent note
of March 10, 1910, he states that he has
been instructed TO declare, "that her
Malesty's government are only waiting for
the detailed report of the British COM
mIssoners recently employed to survey the
disputed territory, which report, it was be-
lieved, would be completed and delivered
to her Majesty's government by the end of
the present month, (March) in order to
transmit to the government of the United
States reply to their last proposal upon
the subject ofthe boundary negotiation
Thus we may reasonably expect that this
reply will be received by the President
during the present month, (ApriD or early
in May.
Whilst such is the condition ofthe prin-
cipal negotiation the committee have deem
ed it inexpedent at this time, 10 report
upon the subordinate though important
question in relation to the Temporary oc-
cupatlon of the disputed territory. They
trust that the answer of the British Gov
ernment'may be OF such character as TO
render report upon this latter subject un-
necessary. In any event, they haze every
reason to believe that the state OF SUSPENSE
will be but of brief duration.
| The committee, ever since this embaras-
sing and exciting question has been first
| presented for their consideration. have been
anxious that The Government Of the United
States should constantly preserve itselfin
the right; and hitherto the desire has been
fuiiy accomplished. The territorial rights
OF Maine have been uniformly asserted.
and firm determination to maintain
them has beer. invariably eynced; though
this has been done in an amcable spirit.
so Tar as the committee can exercise anv
influence over the subject, they are re-
solved that if war should be the result.
which they coHfdently hope may not be
the case, this war shall be rendered IN
evltable, by the British Government
They have believed this to be the surest
mode Of uniting every American heart
and every American arm in defence of the
just rights ofthe country
1t Is but justice to remark, that the
Executive branch of the Government has,
from the beginning, been informally gu-
ded by the same spirit. and has thus far
pursued firm, consistent, and prudent
course, throughout the whole negotiation
with great Britain.
While the committee can perceive no
| adequate cause at the present moment,
or anticipating hostiities between the two
countries, they would not be understood
as expressing the opinion that the coun-
try should not be prepared to meet any
emergency. The question of peace or
war; may, IN great, degree depend upon
the answer Of the British Government
now specify expected.
After considerable discussion, in which Mr..
Clay, Buchanan, Ruggles and Wright, partici-
pated, it was voted that 10000 extra copies be
printed.
The speech ofMr Clay in which he ably defend
ed the rights OF Maine, was regarded by the men,
bers of both parties, in Congress, as one of his
very best and most patriotic efforts.