The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-02-20

Fon THE MADIsoNiAs.
NORTHEASTERN BOUNDARY.

to the highlands, near the ST. Lawrence, per-
iectly clear. To an American il may appear extraor-
binary and amazing, that any British statesman Of a
sound intellect and an honest heart should entertain
any doubt on the subject Yet this phenomenon has
occurred and the British pre.enson has been in a de-
gree strengthened by the suggestion Of President
Jackson that the boundary line might desiaie from
due north to the ines should such deviation be ne
cessary in order to strike the highlands described in
the treaty of 1888 This concession was an abandon
ment of the rights Of Maine II is, however idle
now to complain Of the strange mismanagement of the
negotiation by our own secretaries The mischief has
been done. And il our own Government has
been blameless the British claim is gravey set up,
and Is supported from time to time by new arguments
The judgment Of Messrs Nudge and Featherston-
haugh is well known At last Col Bouche,te, the
Surveyor General of Lower Canada, who formerly
expressed right views as to the highlands, has also
made out report with plans, in favor of the British
claim The great question is,-what shall now be
done in order to bring this long continued controversy
to close shall speak individual totally dis
connected with the new administration merely a
citizen of the United States, who, having meditated
much upon this subject thinks proper to communicate
his views to the public.
1. There is reason to believe, that in the
rangcment of our public affairs the question will be
discussed side with greater discernment and
skill and power than have heretofore been displayed;
and that all will be accomplished, which can be accom-
plished by clear sighted intellect and most convincing
argument. Let us hope that the negotiation will be
successful, and that the British will be compelled TO
admit that nothing is required to be done but TO
line due north TO the height Of land which separates
the waters flowing north into the ST. Lawrence, from
| the waters flowing south into the Atlantic. But mas
much the strongest argument sometimes fails to
convince il may fail in the present case Then comes
the inquiry, what is the next course TO be taken
2. If the British claim to part of what regard
as the territory of Maine is not abandoned, should
not be in favor of clustering, and Defiance and conse
quent war
1t is easy to assert, that is clear
is easy trace the progress Of the British pre-
tension from the time of the treaty Of Client, when
there was offer to purchase what is now claimed;-
it is easy to utter the language of honest indignation
at the obtuseness obquity of intellect, the dis
honesty and grasping injustice of the foreign nation,
which would now seize part Of our country. 1t is
easy to say with an able writer in the Madsonian of
December 81 =" This country will come with great
reluctance into a strife with Great Britain but much
as we deprecae it, there be choice between it and
| the abandonment of our territory, let it come
But if have wise and dispassionate statesmen,
before they resolve upon war, adopt course lead
ing to war; they will take many things into conside
ration.
They will consider, that the British do actually set
up grave claim to part of what we regard as the
territory Of Maine and that Government has
been in an error. Let it be, as Mr. Kendall, in his
Expositor says" Never, in opinion, more
baseless claim advanced Into whatever belief the
British Ministry may hare reasoned themselves, |
do not believe there the least sincerity in them,
when the claim was first set up. They wanted road
to Quebec they could not get it without passing
territory they raised the dispute for the pur
pose Of getting what they wanted ly compromise
The of our Government was in ever suffering a
question TO be made about it," Yet, if the British |
Ministry " have reasoned themselves" into be- |
lief IF tile justice or reiI claim, and il Govern
ment, that is the administration of President Jack
fell into great error, embarrassing to future
negotiation, all this is to be calmly considered
They will consider, moreover, that the British have, |
in their favor the decision of the arbiter the King of
the Netherlands: and, although, that award has
been laid aside, yet gave them what the7 wanted-a
passage across the valley Of the ST. John and after
such decision from mutually chosen arbiter, not
accused of being brbed ii sto be considered whether
we can properly denounce, with violence Of language,
the British claim wholly futile and unfounded
They will consider, that in a dispute Of this kind
concerning the boundary line between two countries
which has remained unsettled quarter Of century,
no point of national honor is necessarily involved and
g..
for point of honor, or dignity, or pride.
They will consider the cost and the probable result
Of war:-that in all probability war would end in
transfer terms of the desired territory to the
British, and that for land worth only or mil
lions Of dollars would be likely to create a national
debt of two three hundred millions Of dollars, and
to occasion the idle and cruel sacrifice Of the lives of
many thousands of citizens.
To their consideration would recommend the words
of Erasmus who honestly addressed Kings, by whom
he honored -" If gain is your object take your
pen and ink and make your calculation. give you
leave 10 adopt war; if it shall appear fair cal
cuation that you are in pursuit of an uncertain pro
fit, at certain loss, not to be estmaed pursuit Of
profit not only less in amount than The certain loss,
but also doubtful, whether it will be obtained al
all Let me tell you that States ruined in way
so expeditiously, and so much without remedy by
war. Before you have struck stroke, you have hurt
your country than you will do il good even
if your efforts ST oud be crowned with victory You
| exhaust the wealth Of your people; you multiply
houses Of mourning you fill all the country with rob
bers, thieves, and yolators Of innocence Such are
the fruits reaped in the harvest of such the bless
ed effects il leaves behind it, "To Christian ruler
It is more glorious TO preserve the peace the
nifty, over which he presides, with the loss Of
some part OF his territory, than bring home the rich
snoils and hn