North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-06-10
From the New Yorker.
THE BOU N ID A r Y

OF the name, the North Eastern Boundary
must be one Of deep interest not, how
ever, from The value OF the territory in dis
pute, but from the Importance Of the prin-
ciples involved 10 the settlement OF the
/ right Of property therein. IL was not the
tax alone that nerved our fathers 10 the
Revolution, for that was trivial but the
principles connected with the taxation, Tor
they were eternal. They felt il duty
which they owed 10 themselves, TO poster
lily and to justice, 10 resist manfully the
very first aggression of Power. They
were determined, cost what il might oil
blood or treasure, not TO yield one, the
least Of those rights with which God had
INFUSED them, while there was possibility
that il could be maintained they believed
that they were right, and the God oil bat
Ties sustained them in that belief by CROWN
ing them with victory. Time and the
judgments oil men have sanctioned il and
how proudly now do we look back upon
lie characters OF those men, who when
right, would not turn upon their heel 10
save their lives
Applying the same doctrine to the ques-
lion before US, will i, not be readily assem-
| ted 10 that il is the imperious duty of Gov
eminent to secure from encroachment every
righ, which belongs to the Republic. Shall
lear OF war induce US TO submit tamely
to the exaction of foreign power, when
we feel within ourselves a consciousness
that such submission would be servie
Let us FIRST, with GOODNESS and elaboration
settle the facts which regard our rights;
and when these be fully ascertained, let
us not yield hair's-bfeadth of VIVA, 10 just
! ly ours.
Some have recommended compromise.
How! Do il TO settle mingled ques-
ton, doubtful as 10 its facts and uhdefin-
ed as to its outlines; by making mutual con-
cessions! No. How then! Ii is TO com
promise by giving up a part Of our rights,
that we may enjoy the remainder in peace
rights, too, which are clearly defnetf, and
which were long undisputed even by
Great Britain herself. A strange way
of making n compromise, where all the
concession is to be made in weakness and
humility by one partyl 1t matters MOTH
ing that England claims more than the
portion proposed to be given up. If che
claimed our whole territory, she would be
il she claimed but that half.-The magni.
tude Of the claim only renders her pre-.
sumption more startling, and the necessity
Of resisting her encrocahments at the out
set more certain. But il we do comprom-
Use by giving Up part OF our territory this
year, what security have we that Great
Britain may not have need of another part
the next! Thus we might go on buying
our peace by similar compromises until
we have nothing left to yield, having Civ
en- up even the peace which we were so
desiroos 10 preserve.
Recommend compromise, and at the |
same time, acknowledge thai every foot OF
territory claimed by US is clearly included
by the boundaries as settled ny the treaty
oi 'S3? And we are told, In support OF this !
recommendation, that the portion oil the
disputed territory which ID important, as
connection between New Brunswick and
The Canadas is comparatively Of little val |
ue. 1t is not OF much consequences to US,
but Of vast importance to England, from
its situation therefore, in a becoming
spirit of kindness, we will yield up that
portion to her, and thus settle the vexed
question amicsbly? Besides, John Boil is 1
clustering little upon our Northern FROM
Tier, and threatening little at Washing
ton, and we very much fear that If we do
not make the compromise we shall be in
volved in n war with him. Is such the
language to be used by men concious OF
their rights and proud Of their liberty,
boasting as they do that they are governed
by principle, and that 10 defence thereof
they are resdy TO sacrifice life and fortune.
We heard no talk Of compromise with
the poor Cherokees. Orr Government
was ready TO act towards them upon prin- |
cples she wond have her pound of flesh.
Whyi The Chseokees were weak here
was no danger Of war; there was no
thought, therefore, Of referring the dispute
to the arbitrament of third party. And
although The Seminoles occupy that por-
ton Of the Territory Of Florida which il
uninhshiable by the whites. principle and
the honor of the nation demands that they |
should be driven DOT. Nothing 10 said Of
compromise with them until our gallant
army is 10 danger Of defeat or has in effect
been defeated, and then q solemn treaty is |
entered into, which turns out trek, aud
ne are anxious again TO follow the dictates
of principie- Presently we ere sstuslIy |