North American. [volume] (Swanton, Vt.) 1839-1841, 1840-07-15
Mr.. For 10 Dir. Forsyth.
Washington, June -, 1910.


TVS Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipoienliary, has the honor TO transmit
10 the Secretary of State Tor the United
States, by order of his government, the ac-
complaining printed copies Of report and
map which have been presented 10 her
Msjesiy's government by Col. Nudge
and Mr.. Featherstonehangh, the commits
stone rs employed during The last season 10
survey the disputed territory.
The undersigned is Instructed to say,
that it will OF course have become the duty
o! her Mnesty's government Ia lay The
said n port and map before parliament ;
but her Msjrsty's government have been
DESTROYS, as mark Of courtesy and con-
Sideraiion towards the government OF the
United-S States, that documants hearing 0p-
on q question of so much interest and inn
poriance 10 the TWO counties, should, in
the first instance, be communicated 10 The
President. The documents had been Off
ciaily placed in the hands Of her majesty's
government only few days previously 10
the date OF the instruction addressed 10 The
undersigned.
Her Majesty's Government feel an una
bated desire TO bring the long pending
questions connected with the boundary be-
tween the Uniled-Staies and The British
possessions in North America, 10 a final
and satisfactory settlement; being well
aware that questions of this nature, as
long as they remain open between the two
countries, must be the source Of frequent
irritation on both sides, and are liable at
any moment 10 lead 10 events that may
enGanger the existence OF friendly nations.
1t is obvious that the questions at issue
between Great Britain and the United
States, must be beset with various and re-
ally existing difficulties; or else those
questions would not have remained open
ever since the year 1888, notwithstanding
the frequent and earnest endeavours made
by each government TO bring them to an
adjustment. Blu, her majesty's govern
mcnt do not relinquish the hope that the
sincere desire which is felt by both parties
to arrive at an auicable settlement will at
length be attended with success.
The best clue to guide the governments
in their future proceedings, may perhaps
be obtained by an examination Of the
causes of past failure; and the most pro-
minent amongst these causes has certainly
been want OF correct information as 10
the Typographical features and physical
character OF the district in dispute.
This want OF adequate Information may
be traced as one Of the difficulties which
the Netherlands government,
n lis endeavours 10 decide the points sub
nitted TO its arbitration, in 1880. The
same has been felt and admitted bv the
government in England it has been felt
and admitted by the government of the
United States, and even by the local gov
OF the contiguous State OF
Maine.
The British government and the gov
.rnment of the United States agreed.
therefore, two years ago, that survey
Of the disputed territory, by joint com
mission would be the measure best cal
,uated TO elucidate and solve the ques.
lions at issue. The president proposed
such a commission, and her majesty's
government consented to it: and it was
believed by her majesty's government that
he general principles upon which the COM
mission was TO be guided, in its local
operations, had been settled by mutual
agreement, arrived at by the means of
mutual correspondence which took place
between the two governments in 1887
and 1888.
Her majesty's government accordingly
transmitted, in April Of last year, for tie
OF the President, the draft
81 convention 10 regulate the proceed
ngs OF the proposed commission. The
preamble Of that dralt recited textuallv the
agreement that had been come 10 by means
81 notes which had been exchanged be-
tween the two governments and The arli-
cles Of the draft were framed, as her maes-
ISIS government considered, in strict con-
ormiiy with that agreement.
But the government OF The United States
lid not think proper 10 assent 10 the con.
7enlion so proposed.
The United States government did moi
indeed aege that the proposed convention
was at variance with the result OF the pre-
Sious correspondence between the two
governments; but it thought that the con-
vention would establish a commission oil
e mere exploration and survey" and the
President was of opinion that the stem
next TO be taken by the two governments.
should be to contract stipulaiions bearing
upon the face Of them The promise of f.
nal settlement, under some form or other.
and within a reasonable time.
The II States Government accord;nrI,