The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-16
NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY.

The following proceedings took place in the Senate
on Friday last;
The doors being opened after short executive
session,
Mr.. WALKER submitted the following resolution
for consideration.
RESOLVED That the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tons be instructed to inquire into the expediency OF
causing to be procured and submitted to the Senate
copies of the Debates in the British Parliament prior
to the year 1920 relation to the Northeastern boun-
Diary of the United States and copies of land titles
emanating from the British Government repugnant
in the calls Of said titles to the boundary claimed
by said Government
Mr. PRESTON objected to the adoption Of the
resolution presenting us in the aspect of regulating
our proceedings by British legislation.
Mr.. CRITTENDEN would suggest whether it
might not be possible that these debates made against
claim to tx territory in dispute, and, if so, would
it not instead Of strengthening weaken the position
we at present occupied in relation to the matter
Mr.. WALKER said, the resolution was one of in
qury only, the propriety Of which would be decided
on by the appropriate committee If that committee
upon mature deliberations conceived the inquiry to be
important it would be made; and In submitting this
resolution he desired only TO call their attention e
the subject. Mr.. w said, he had read one OF these
debates of the British Parliament and conceived it tc
be of the utmost Importance, and that it ought to be
published in official form for the information Of the
people OF England, OF tne people OF the Driush po
vnces of the people Of the ned States and of the
civilized world In that debate, the boundary line
as now claimed by Great Britain, distinctly repn
dated by both branches of the British Parliament
and by both parties the Opposition and the Ministry
in debate too contemporaneous with the treaty Of
1888 Wr w also believed that land titles had ema-
mated from the British Government directly and con-
Trajectory in the calls of those titles to the boundary
now claimed by England and he thought the whole
subject Of sufficient importance to claim the attention
Of the Committee on Foreign Relations.
i Mr.. WEBSTER said he agreed with the Senator
from mississippi Mr.. Walker1 as to the importance
Of these documents in shedding light the true in
tent and meaning of the treaty Of 7S3 in relation to
the boundary between the United States and the Bri
tish Provinces It clearly established, in his mind,
that the treaty pursued the old boundary establish
ed by the charter of the colony of and
that the northwest corner Of Nova Scotia was the
] starting point There was also an important admis-
sion made by the then Lord Chancellor to the attacks
Of some of the Opposition members of Parliament.
They denounced the treaty as granting large terrific
nv to this country the possession of which was ne
cessary to the convenience and safety of their Cana
4 dian provinces. To this it was replied by the Lord
Chancellor that there nothing of grant on either
side but they had taken the boundaries as they had
been previously established, and that treaty could
j have been made upon any other terms Throughout
the whole of these debates indeed there is broad
admission by all parties Of what this country has all
WAYS claimed as the boundary between this country
i and the British Provinces.
j Mr. BUCHANAN said that as this resolution
was one of mere inquiry, it might appear discourte
Gus towards his friend from Mississippi Mr.. Walker
to oppose its adoption and he should do withgrea
reluctance fit were pressed he would therefore pro
badly vote for it, although 1t appeared TO him to be
singular duty to impose on the Committee OF Foreign
Relations. Unquesonably the debate in the British
Parliament to which it referred, one of great Inn
portance. It proved that shortly after the orgina
treaty was concluded British statesmen OF all parties
agreed that the line designated by it included within
the limits Of the United States the territory now II
i dispute between the two Governments. But why
should the Senate be made the instrument of commu
nicatina this debate to the pubic2 Such wa
unprecented, so far as his knowledge extended. This
was information proper fer the public and II might b
communicated, like all such information, through thu
agency Of the public press. He thought this woult
be the best and most appropriate course; and unless
his impressions should change he would act upon THU
opinion, as member of the Committee on Foreign
Relations should the resolution be adopted.
i He was glad Of the present opportunity OF saying
few words on another branch of the subject IL hat
been expected by some persons that the report 0
Messrs Nudge and Featherstonhaugh would De no
i ticed by the Committee on Foreign Relations. Tha
report was tissue of sophisy from first to last which
might be easily exposed; but far as his information
extended il had never been officially recognised D,
the British Government In this state OF the case n
did not believe it ought to be made the subject OF an,
report from the Committee Foreign Relations, am
therefore he had called the attention of the com
mittee to it, Besides twas well understood that ne
gotiatons were now pending and were nearly brough
to happy concluse n, for referring the na decision
of this question TO commissioners mutually chosen b,
the two Governments, with such an ultimate provi
sion in case Of their disagreement must settle tn
question Under these circumstances, he thought
) would be improper for the Senate to interfere
. Mr.. ALLEN said he was opposed to the adoption
, of this resolution. What was its objectl Topro
testimony in support Of claim to the territory
embraced BY the limits of Maine. He was opposed L
this So long debated, so long as we gave OPP
portunity for cavil this subject, so long woult
+ foot and say this admits of further discussion
The British government have Just as much right !,