Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1841-02-08
NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY.
In .Senaie. Jnnnnrn sth. 1871.

Mr. NniHcr OF MISSISSIPPI, submitted a leS0lu-
ton of inquiry, as to the expedicncy of causing
to he procured and submitted TO the Senate, cop
les of the debates in the British Parliament, prior
TO the year 1920, in relation 10 the N. T.. Bounda-
ry of the United States, and copies OF aud titles
emanang from The British Government repug-
nant III the calls Of said titles to the boundary now
claimed l'y said Government
Mr. Walker said that he had read one of these
debates Of the British Parliament, and conceived
IT to he OF the utmost importance, aud that it ought
10 be published in an official form for the inform
alton of the people Of England, of the people Of
The British provinces, OF the people of the United
States, and of e civilized world. In that debate,
the boundary line rs now claimed 10y Great Brit
ain, was distinctly repudated 10y both branches of
the British Parliament, and by both parties, the
Opposition aud the Ministry in a debate, too, con-
tetnpornncous with the treaty of 1888. Mr.. w.
also believed that nnd titles had emanated from
the British Government directly contradictory in
the calls of those titles TO the boundary now claim
eel by England and he thought the whole subject
of sufficient Importance to claim the attention of
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. Webster said he agreed that these debates
IN the English Parliament were important,as she'd
ding light on the true intent and meaning of the
treaty of 1888 They prove that the boundary
was well understood to be just what the United
States have always insisted it was. The OPPOSE
ton complained of Lord Sherhurne for having
"SiNNN w ShSU u uOuuuui}Y anu lDlHtcu Out WIN
they thought its Objectionable nature MS inconven-
lent TO England. 1t was suggefted that Mr. Os-
wad, who had negotiated the treaty, had showed
himself deficient in local knowledge, and that
Lord Dorchester, OF some other person. better ac-
qualnted than Mr. Oswald with these American
affairs, should have been consulted.
| The general answer to this was, that when it
was resolved TO acknowledge the Independence
OF the Colonies, nothing was to be done but to
acknowledge them with their existing limits and
boundaries; and 10 declare those boundaries
cordlng to former grants, acknowledgements, and
acts OF Parament-This,( said Mr.. W. is The
general run Of the debate, so far os Mt present
recolect it.-Some years ago, referred to it, in
a speech upon this subject of the boundary. =
Mr. w. would not say what might be the use, ut
present, OF publishing these Debates but had no
objection the committee should consider Of it.
Mr. Buchanan opposed the resolution; nlledging
that such course was unprecedented.
Mr. Allen of Ohio, also opposed the resolution.
He remarked that, the great fault in this matter
was in permitting tito be n subject of controversy.
We should have placed ourselves on the line, as
called for by the treaty of 1888, and we should
have said to Great Britain, you cannot be serious
Or honest in attempting 10 make it a subject OF
discussion. Moot this question of little, and 90 in
quest of evidence TO support it, and you postpone
its settlement indefinitely. So long as you keep
the question open, Great Britain will use the argu-
inent that she is to this territory than we
are; at least her effective power, which she is
constantly increasing, is nearer Mr.. A.
said there were troubles ahead. 1t was evident,
from the conduct of her Minister on n receut oc-
casion, that Great Britain so far from n wish to
have this affair promptly and amicubly settled
was endeavoriug To get up other questions of en-
0ronent. He hoped the Senate wunld not again
open this subject OF the North Eastern boundary.
We had already decided, by unanimous vote,
that our claim was right, and we WILL if necess-
AIRY, support it.
Mr. Clay, of Kentucky said that he would be
glad 10 throw few words of peace into the dis
cussion, after the indignant and war-like tones
wbc, he had just heard. What is the
present condition of the boundary question:? 1t
is the subject Of negotiation. The diploma,ists
are now acting on it; and acting on it., as he was
informed, in a spirit worthy of the enlightened