Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1840-07-10
IMPORTANT CORRESPONDENCE.
THE NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY.


The general impression which has been prevalent
since the arrival of the Great Western that the dis
putc about the Maine boundary would be shortly pla-
ced in tram of amicable adjustment proves correct.
The President under date Of June 9th sent mes
sage 10 Congress continuing recent communica-
ton from Mr. Fox announcing the acceptance on the
part of the British government Of the proposition last
made by ours. The late survey made by Col. Nudge
and Mr. Feathcrstonaugh on the part of the British
governments expresses an opinion the President says,
that the line of 1888 is very different from that hith
erto conondcd for by Grca Britain, but that report
has not yet been adopted by that government but
probably will be made the basis othoir arrangements
The President, therefore suggests an exploration by
commissioners on the part of our government, and
suggests that Congress empower him TO do so. The
principal object of Mr. FoXs communication bearing
date June 30 in fact is to lay the chart of the above
mentioned commissioners before the President, in
GoesH before the s1R Bs so} nnH by Minis
received by the British government, only few days
before they were transmitted to ours. Mr.. Fox ex-
pres scs the unabatcd desire of her Maiestvs govern
men, 10 terminate amicably and satisfactorily the
pending dispute that may not be left open to create
sources Of irritation, ondangcrlng the existence of
friendly relations. The sincere desire of both parties
to bring about such a result must be attended with
success. Mr.. Fox truly SAYS that the cause of the
difficulty for so long period since l7S3 lies in the
want of correct knowledge of the typographical and
physical character of the district in dispute Neither
| land and and the British government, and
Maine herself have all felt these embarrassmcnts.
| Accordingly two years AGO, the two governments
of Great Britain and the United States agreed upon a
survey, by Joint commission, The President made
the proposition and the British government acceded
! to it. The letter transmitted draft of Convention
TO regulate SAID commission, and founded the cores
pOndoncc in 1887 and '33 between the two govern
mcnts. But ii appears by Mr. FoX's statement, that
cur government molnt only a mere exploration and
survey" and the President proposed for the next
step, spuaons to be contracted between the parties
for II final settlement within reasonable time In
July the United States transmitted the counter draft
of Convention, varying from that of Great Britain
Mr. i. SAYS objections might have been taken to this
modification of an agreement between the two gov
crnmcnts, founded on proposition ours-cspocal-
" as Mr.. Forsyth referred 10 the draft ITSELF and de-
cl.ned any further explanations o! it.
| Her MuUsty's government now believe the ar
ranqemcnts should be such as necessarily lead TO
final settlement.
Mr. Fox's government thinks the Convention they
proposed last year 10 the President was mere com.
mission of exploration, but contained certain stpua-
tons which would have led 70 the final arrangements
of the boundary between the two countries. There
was one essential difference, the British draft con-
tanned no provision for an arbtratOn-thc American
did. To this latter the British government now ac-
| cede. Mr. Fox then continues
The undersigned is accordingly instructed to state
officially to Mr. Forsyth, that her Majcsty's govern
menl consent to the two principles which form the
main foundation of the American counter draft
namely, first that the commission to be appointed
shall be constituted as necessarily 10 lead to fna
settlement of the questions of boundary at issue be-
tween the two counrIcs and secondly, that in order
to secure such result the convention by which the
commission is TO be created shall contain provision
for arbitration upon points to which the British anC
American commissioners may not he able to agree
There are, however, matters of detail in the Amori
can countcr-draft, which the British Government
cannot adopt. Mr. Forsyth will shortly furnish from
his government an amended draft, in conformity witt
the above principles, which he will submit TO tn,
President, Mr. Fox adds, that
Gle expects to be At the same time furnished witt
instructions 10 propose to the Government of TIT
United States a fresh local and temporary convcn
ton, for the better prevention of incidental bordc
collisions within the disputed territory, during thu
, time that may he occupied in carrying through tn,
/, operations Of survey or arbitration"
) Mr. forsyth, under date of June 26, acknowledge
the receipt Of the report and draft and says the Pres
dcn duly appreciates the act Of courtesy on the par
of the British Government and feels great satisfaction
from the sincere desire Of both governments, that tn
question will soon be amcahy adjusted.
, Mr. Forsyth, IN reply to the remark of Mr. Fox
touching the letter of Mr. Forsyth, July 39h, of las
year, communicating the American counter draft with
f ont explaining the notifications, says the eXsiln
border collisions made it evident mere exploration
would not be sufficient nor satisfactory 10 the peopl
. of either country, and that some stpula,lons mus
I exist the face of the convention, which must re
snlt in final settlement under some form or other il
, a sPasonabc time. Hence the modification ntroduC
. ed by the President and the inutty ofnudng there
in to previous arrangements y. Star.