Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1840-04-21
TWENTY.sIxTH CoNGREss---lst SESSION.
Tuesday, .aprit Ia, ls40.
IN SENATE
NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY.

Relations, submitted the following report:
The Committee on Foreign Relations, TO which was
referred the several messages of the President OF the
United States communicating to Congress, at ITS pre-
sent session. certain official correspondence in relation
TO the question of the territory IN dispute with Great
Britain on our Northeastern frontier; and also certain
resolutions of the Legislature Of Maine on the same
subject
That they have had the same under consideration,
and now deem it expedent to communicate to the Sc
nate their views for not making, at the present mo-
ment, u general report upon the whole subject lhey
feel that they will best perform this duty, by placing
clearly and distinctly before the Senate the existing
state and condition Of the pending negotiation between
the two Governments.
The President of the United States in his annual
message of December last, informed Congress that,
ssfor the settlement of Northeastern boundary,
the proposition promised by Great Britain for COM
mission of exploration and survey has been received,
and counter project including also provision TOR
the certain and final dustment of the limits in dispute,
is now before the British Government for its considera-
ton" The President has not thought it advisable to
communicate this counter pro- TO Congress- yet we
have his assurance which the most confident re-
lance may be placed that it is of such character
will should il be accepted, 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 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 MIR. Forsyth 'sthat he not only preserves the
hope but he entertains the firm belief that if the duty
Of negotiating the boundary question be lett IN the
hands of the two National Governments, to whom
alone of right it belongs, the difficulty OF conducting
the negotiation to an amicable issue will not be found
so great as has been by many persons apprehended
And in his subsequent note of March l3, 1910, he
states that he has been instructed to declare hat her
Maiestys Government are only waiting tor the detailed
report Of the British commissioners recently employed
survey the disputed territory which report, It was
believed would be completed and delivered to her Ma
cslys 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 Of the boundary negotiation. Thus we may
reasonably expect that this reply will be received by
the President during the present month, (oi Apri) or
early in May.
Whilst such is the condition Of the principal nego
tiaton, the committee have deemed it nexped'ent,
at this time, to report upon the subordinate though IN
portant question in relation to the temporary occupa-
lion of the disputed territory. They trust that the
answer Of the British Government may be OF such a
character render report upon this latter subject
unnecessary. In any event. they have every reason to
believe that the state of suspense will be but OF brei
duration
The committee, ever since this embarrassing and cx-
citing question has been first presented for their cosl-
deration have been anxious that the Government OF the
United States should constantly preserve itself IN the
right and hitherto the desire has been fully accom-
pshcd. The territorial rights of Maine have been
uniformly asserted, and firm determination to nam
tain them has been invariably evinced; though this
has heen done in amcabe spirit So far as the COM
ttee exercise any influence over the subject, they
are resolved, that if should be the result which
they confidently hope may not he the case, this war
shall be rendered inevitable by the conduct Of the Brit
;sh Government. They have believed this to he the
surest mode of uniting every American heart and every
American arm in defence of the just rights of the
country.
IL is but Justice to remark that the Executive branch
of the Government has, from the beginning, been UNI
tormy guided by the spirit, aud has thus far pur
sued firm, consistent, and prudent course, through
out the whole negotiation with Great Britain
Whilst the committee can perceive no adequate cause
ct the present moment, for anticipating hostilities be-
tween the two countries, they would not be understood
expressing the opinion that the country should not
be prepared to meet any emergency The question
ofpeace or war may, in a great degree, depend upon
the answer Of the British Government now speedily
expected.
MIR. WRIGHT called for the reading of the report
and it read accordingly; after which
Mr.. w. observed that in calling for the reading OF
the report his only object TO hear the views of the
committee, and to give himself an opportunity TO move
for the printing OF IN extra number number of copies
IIe would make that motion for the reason that within
LIE last few weeks, he believed he might say within
tine las. tive weeks, his correspondents, great many
81 whom the frontiers seemed to entertain
alarming apprehensions of immediate hostllities be-
he knew not He had nothing himself to autho
rze such apprehensions, and he gratiied to find
ahat the committee on Foreign Relations entertained
the same opinion.
Mr. w. then moved for the printing OF ten thousand
extra copies of the report.
Mr. BUCHANAN observed that the committee had
no Intention of moving the printing OF an extra num-
her copies of this report, though certainly as mem
her oft, he should not oppose the motion. The report
very short, and from the interest generally taken
into all the country pacrs He did not believe that il
would occupy more tnan one column IN the ordinary
sized newspapers and therefore there was little doubt
but It would be extensively circulated. Still, II the
Senator from New York MI WRIGHT wished an en-
ira number printed, he should not oppose it. He had
only made these suggestions for The information of the
gentleman himself, and would be content with any de-
cison that might be made.
MIR. CLAY Of Kentucky concurrcd entirely in what
had been said by the chairman of the committee, and
thought the Senator from New York would hardly deem
it necessary to 60 to the expense Of printing thou
sand copies of document, which, the chairman said
was so short that could be copied into all the papers
The country. He thought that il would at once take ge
Seral circulation without being sent out pamphlet
form and he hoped that if the Senator insisted the
printing, that he would modify his motion 50 as to
print smaller number.
MIR. CLAY of Ala recollected that we had had the
correspondence between the Secretary OF State ana the
British Minister several occasions communicated C
the Senate during the present session. and on each
cason ten thousand copies printed AtaH events
this was subject of exciting interest from one end oil
the Union to the other If the document was so very
small as alleged by the chairman, it would cost the Co
vernnent very little print the extra number ofcopes
Mr. WRIGHT observed that his residence was on
the frontier where the people felt great anxiety on
the subject There doubt that the military pre-
variations on the British frontiers had been very brisky
carried on during the winter and spring. but his own
belief was that these preparations related entirely to
the internal condition of the provinces which furnished
sufficient grounds for them In addition to the late
disturbances there, il was known that the British Gov
eminent was about attempt most important change
in the government of their colonies our borders, and
this might reasonably be supposed to furnish another
VI, son lar the military preparations they have been ma