The Columbia Democrat. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1837-1850, 1840-12-19

for a commission of exploration
and survey promised by Great Britain had
been received, and that counterproiect, in
cludng also provision for the certain and
final adjustment Of limits in dispute, was
then before The British Government for its
consideration. The answer of that Gov
ment, accompanied by additional PROPOSE |
lions of its own, was received, through its
minister here, since your separation. These
were promptly considered; such as were
deemed correct in principle, and consistent
with due regard 10 the just rights of the
United States and Of the State of Maine,
concurred in; and the reasons for dissenting
from the residue, with an additional sugges-
ton on our part, communicated by the Sec
retary Of State to Mr.. Fox. That minister,
not feeling himself sufficiently instructed
upon some of the points raised in tho dis
cussion, felt it to be his duty to refer the
matter to his own Government for its fur
ther decision. Having now been for some
time under its advlsement, speedy answer
may be confidently expected. From the
character Of tho points still in difference,
and the undoubted disposition of both par
ties to bring the matter to an early conclu.
sion, look with entire confidence to a
prompt and satisfactory termination to the
negotiation. Three commissioners were
appointed shortly after the adjournment OF
Congress, under the act of the last session
providing for the exploration and survey Of
the line whicA separates the States of Maine
and New Hampshire from the British Prov
| gl,ax al IL Il
iuntil their PROGRESSES was interrupted by the
inclemency of the season, and viii resume
their labors as soon as practicable il the en-
suing year.
1t is understood that their respective ex-
amnations will throw new light upon the
subject IN controversy, and serve to remove
any erroneous impressions which may have
been made elsewhere prejudcial TO the
rights Of the United States. Ii was, among
other reasons, with view of preventing
the embarrassmenss which. in our peculiar
system Of government, impede and complI
cate negotiations involving the territorial
rights Of State. that though, it my duty
as you have been informed on previous
occasion, TO propose to the British Govern.
/
that early steps should be taken to adjust
the points of difference on the line of boun
Diary from the entrance OF Lake Superior &c
the most northwestern point of the
Lake of the Woods, by the arbitration
of friendly Power, in conformity with the
seventh article Of the treaty of Ghent. Nc
answer has yet been returned by the British
Government TO this proposition.
With Austria, France, Prussia, Russia,
and 'he remaining Powers of Europe, am
happy to inform you our relations continue
to be Of the most friendly character. With
Belgium, treaty Of commerce and naviga-
ton, based upon liberal principles of recip'
rocitv and equality,was concluded IN March
last, and, having been ratified by the Belgl-
an Government, will be duly laid before the
Senate. 1t is subject of congratulAiOu
that it provides for the satisfactory adjust
ment Of long-standing question Of contro
versy; thus renewing the only obstacle
which could obstruct the friendly and mutu
ally advantageous intercourse between the
two nations. A messenger has been des
patched with the HanOVerian treaty to Ber-
lin, where, acc Jrding 10 stipulation, the rat.
ifcatons are TO be exchanged. am happy
to announce to yeu that, after many delays
aud difficulties, treaty Of commerce and
navigation, between the United States and
Portugal, was concluded and signed at Lis
bon,on the Goth of August lastby the plsn-
ipotenliaries Of the two Governments. lis
stlpulations are founded upon those princi
Piles of mutual liberslity and advantage
which the United States have always
sought 10 make the basis of their intercourse
with foreign Powers, and it is hoped they
will tend 10 foster and strengthen the COM
mercial intercourse of the two countries.
Under the appreciation of the last session
Of Congress, au agent has been sent to Ger
many. for ,he purpose of promoting the in
terests of our tObacco-lrade.
The commissioners appointed under the
4 convention for The adjuslment of claims o.
citizens of the United States upon Mexico
having met and organized at Washington
in August last, the papers in the possession
of the Government, relating to those claims
were communicated to the Board. The
claims not embraced by that convention are
now the subject Of negotiation between the
two Governments, through the medium o.
our minister at Mexico.
Nothing has occurred to disturb the har