The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1841-01-30
rtrp NoRTu EAsTERN BOUNDARY.

THE NORTH EASTERN BOUNDARY
The following Message from Governor DAVIS, was
sent TO the Senate OF Massachusetts on Friday last
TO The President AZ the Senate
fund among the files placed in my hands by my
PREDECESSOR resolutions from the States oil Maine anu
Indiana and, in conformity with the object OF 'hoss
States transmit them for the information anu USE -
The two Houses These resolutions were adopted IN
regard TO the North Eastern Boundary; and may pe
permted in this connection, 10 add, that see h''ie
prospect OF early adjustment OF tins disturbing na
Ter Indeed fear there is disposition, ON inc pai'
Of Great Britain, TO bring 1t to an issue upo" 10
merits. aa a;,,a
Tbe terms Of the treaty of 1888 are plain ana in'e
,;ble and not easily perverted. They make the eie-
vetion of land which divides the rivers tnat no" o
~ 81, Lawrence from those which flow into the AZ,
,an,ic ocean, the dividing line between the uniten
states and Canada the north. On the east tne
,rsa,v provides that the line shall be run from the
onree Of the ST. Croix directly north To TINS hghiano
,ersec,ion shall be the northwest angle OF Nova SEQ
,io When we consider the provisions OF inns treaty,
and the known facts 1t seems Impossible ihat any
question raising doubt can exist Inc question ~
where does the treaty place the northwest angle OF
We know there Is a river called the ST. Lawrence,
many streams rising in the highlands south OF
h and flowing into it.. We know, also, that several
rivers rise the other side OF these high grounas,
and flowing in souherly direction, fall into the AT
Ian,c ocean The existence of these streams is un-
questioned, and that necessarily places beyond all
oobt the fact that their must be separated by
land high enough divide them, for such Is the law
of nature. - =
We know, also that the source of the ~. Croix
has been asccrained and monument erected by
agreement. We know further, that from this inonu-
ment line has been traced directly north some iorty
| miles TO place near Mars Hill.
| All that remains, therefore, to be done, according
TO the treaty is TO continue this line TO the lands that
divide the waters flowing into the ST. Lawrence from
those which fall into the Atlantic ocean, and at the
end Of is the northwest angle of Nova Scotia IL
is impossible to comprehend how any serious obstacle
| to the accom- pishment of this can exist. Another
half century may pass away, and additional ioics
may be written--the country may be explored, ana
new things discovered but these facts will never be
changed or the decisive character OF the evidence IN
support of the treaty. ,
Under the circumstances, it is painful TO see the
measures pursued in support OF a groundless preten
sion to take from territory larger than our State
as their tendency disturb pacific relations, and
| bring the two countries into conflict.
The late report of the British Commissioners, II !
is charac terstic of the policy to be pursued may wei
| fill the public mind with indignation the false
| reasoning and unwarrantable conclusions contained
in it, ought to be fully exposed 1t is not however
within province to adjust the controversy; yet
having great interest at stake in that territory, al
well as in the peace and honor of the United States
it would seem to be than just to respond t
this call upon by sister stateto extend her ou
sympathy for the manifold wrongs inflicted upon her
and to Congress of our hearty disposition L
maintain the integrity of the country.