The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-04-07
THE BOUNDARY QUESTION.

We have devoted large share of to-day S paper
to the Correspondence between Mr. Fox and Mr.
Forsyth, and to other matters bearing upon the
subject. The dispute now seems to be-not who
shall have the Territory-but about some minor
points. The main question is lost in tho present
controversy. The Boston Atlas reviews the late
doings relative TO this subject as follows:
alt will be remembered that the former admin
Istration, without so much consulting with the
State Government Of Maine, ceded the possession
of the territory claimed by the British Government
TO that power This was distinctly asserted by SIR
John Harvey in his letter o. the 10Th Feb. 1889
Gov. Fairfield, however, refused to acknowledge
the right Of the General Government to make such
a concession Of the territory, without the consent
of Maine, and a controversy this intermediate
point seemed inevitable at that time, which was a
little more than year since.
In this posture of affairs it was very evident that
there was great danger that the issue would be
changed TO point wholly intermediate TO the main
question of boundary, and unimpor,ant in itself,
and that the latter would be lost sight OF in an
angry discussion concerning the temporary
pancy of the territory. We called attention to the
fact that matters then stood, there was an OPEN
ing for controversy relative TO the valley of the
st. Johns River. This is precisely now the
question that has arisen and which might long since
have been prevented, had the present Admnstra-
ton fit to have given heed to the wishes of
Maine, to the best mode of speedy and final
adjustment of the question. 1.-THE settlement of
the Boundary Question had been entrusted to DAN
TEL WEBSTER, in compliance with the expressed
wishes of Maine, 1T WOULD, BY THIS TIME, HAVE
BEEN SATISFACTORILY LAID AT REST FOREVER. 1t
wi he q
to the Administration by the present Van Bnren
Gov. of Maine, by theMaino delegation in Congress
with single exception, and by large majority Of
the Maine Legislature that Mr. Webster should be
sent to England on special embassy to settle the
question of the North Eastern Boundary The
singular and gratifying spectacle exhibited Of
the whole State casting aside, by mutual CONSENT
the usual shackes of party, for the purpose OF Sc
lecting one, who, without regard his party opIn'
ions, was acknowledged, by universal consent, 10
be the best able to conduct the negotiation to adj
vantage. With the view of seconding the wishes
of Maine in this matter, Congress made an appro'
praton of eighteen thousand dollars to de'ray the
necessary expenses Of special embassy to England
Tho whole country, with an unexamped unanmr
ty, and one every way complimentary to MT "tO
ster, looked upon him as the only individual "u'
should be entrusted with the management oil 'D''
difficult and delicate negotiation.
The question at with many Ut INV
time when this request preferred to "as"'"s
| ton by Maine, how will this recommendation
received by the President And many wefv
opinion Mr. Van Buren, would find it impoSS"'
utterly to disregard so solemn iecommenua"
so distinctly and unequivocally given oO'