Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-09-23
DOMESTIC.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH BRITISH SPECIAL MISSION
NORrHEAsTERs AND NoRTHwEsrERN BOUNDARY.
Lord .4shJurton to Mr.. Webster.

Continued
, Lord 4shJurton to M Webster.
WAsmIsdroS, July l6, 1912.
Sir: There is farther question of disputed bounda
between Great Britain and the u s., called the Mort
west boundary, about which we have had some comic
ences; and now proceed to state the terms which
am ready to agree to for the settlement of this d.e
ence.
As the principal object in dispute is to be given
by Greut Britain trust, Sir, that you will here aga
recognise the spirit of friendly Cancellation which hi
guided my Government in disposing ofthese question
i hive already sufficiently discussed with you Il
boundaries between her Mujesty's provinces and Il
U. 5 from the monument at the head Of the river
ST. CroX, TO the monument on the river ST. Lawrenc
nenr the village Of ST. Regis
The commissioners under the sixth Article of III
Treaty of Client, succeeded in continuing this boui
dairy from ST Regis, through the ST. Lawrence an
the great Northern Lake, up TO point in the channs
between Lake Huron and Lake Superior.
a farther continuation of this boundary, from thi
point through Lake Superior to the Lake Of the Wood
was conlided TO the same commission, under tn
Seventh Article of the Treaty of Client, but the
unfortunately unable 10 agree, and have conse
quen,ly left this portion Of the boundary undetermined
Its final settlement has been much desired by both Go
vernments, and urgently pressed BY communication
from Mr. Secretary Forsyth 10 MIR. Fox, in 1889 AM
| 1910.
| What have to propose cannot, feel assured
be otherwise than satisfactory for this purpose
The commissioners who failed in their endeavors Il
make this settlement, differed on two points:
FIRST, as TO the appropriation of an island called 81
Georges island, lying in the water communication be
tween Lake Huron and Lake Superior. And
Secondly, as to the boundary through the water com
munca,ions from Lake Superior 10 the Luke of the
Woods.
The first point am ready to give up 10 you and 20,
are no doubt that is the only object of any
value in this controversy. The island Of ST. George
repuied 10 contain 20 800 acres of very fertile land
but the other things connected with these boundaries
being satisfactorily arranged, line shall be drawn SO
to throw this island within the limits Of the United
States.
In considering the second point, it really appears OF
little importance to either party how the line he deter
mined through the wild country between Lake Supe
rior and the Lake of the Woods, but it is important
that some line should be fixed and known.
The American Commissioner asked for the line from
Luke Superior up The River Kamarastaquid TO the lake
called Dog Lake, which he supposed to be the same
that called Long Lake in the treaties, thence through
Sturgeon Lake 10 the Lac la Pue, TO that point where
he two lines assumed by The commissioners again
met.
The British Commissioner, on the other hand, con-
tended for line from the Southwestern extremity, at
a point called LIE Fond du Lac 10 the middle of the
mouth Of the estuary lake of ST. Louis river, thence
up that river, through Vermillion river, 10 Lac la
Pluie.
Attempts were made to compromise these differen.
party being willing to give the island OF ST. George,
than from much importance being attached TO any other
part of the Upon the line from Lake Superior to
The Lake oil the Woods, both commissioners agree to
abandon their respective claims, and TO adopt middle
course, for which the American Commissioner admitted
that there was some ground of preference.
This was from Pigeon river, point between Kama
and the Fond Lac; and although there were
differences to the precise point near the mouth OF
Pigeon river, where the line should begin, neither party
seemed to have attached much importance TO this part
Vi the subject.
portape commences on the lake, and conlInued ai"ns
The line of the sold Portage alternately by and ana wu
Ter to Lac ia Puie-the existing route oy ian" a"o We
ter remaining to both parties ms I'ne nus W.,
advantage oil being known ana aliehueu WV" ~
or uncertainty in running IT, .do
In making the important concession on this oounoa
70 of the Isle of ST. George, must attach cono"on
10 il of accommodation, which experience nus P'oseu
10 be necessary in the navigation oi the great
which bound the two countries accommooa''on,
which can, upprrhend, be no Poss'oie Inconvenience
10 either. :: ,ho
This was asked by the British commissioner, ~ me
coursc of the attempts at compromise above aiuoeu
IN. Int nothing was done because ne was not 'heh pc
pared, as am now, TO yield the properly anu 'o'e
reigniy Of ST Georges Island Ia
The first of these two is at the head OF LAKE
ST. Clair, where the river OF That "a''e s"'r''N
from Lake Huron. II
|, 10 represented that the channel bordering Inc u
6 coast in this part is no, only the best for nav'ga-
linn. but with some winds, is the only setsiceuoie
passage. :,.,,,ces the
.,ss,o ora British vessel would be refused; but on
n final settlement of boundaries it is desiraoe 70 SUI
nnlae for what the commissioners would psooaoy ha'e
settled, had the facts been known 10 'hem'
The other case, of nearly the same desctpt'"u' ~
ours on the ST. Lawrence some mics aoo'c '"e D0N
Diary at 81. Kegs. ;ro- by the com.
Barnhars island and the Long Sauits were
ao;oned to America. This part OF the river mas very
formidable rapids, and the only sale passage y" .Ai
Southern or American side between those 'sia"us a"u
the main land We want clause IN our present 81,
:, =, nav that for SO short distance, VIZ: from tue
inner end of upper Long Sau island to the lower emu
r R,rnharts island the several channels OF 'ie '''e'
sholl be used in common by the boatmen OF tue wv
countries 18TH, l,,,ds
nm not aware that these very reasonable demands
are likely TO meet with any Objection especioly VI"
ire United States will have surrendered 70 'Ie"' 90
H., = essentia in the boundary have now to propose
to you c;r.d and
distinguished consideration Aoh
Hon. Daniel Webster, &c, &C.
Mr.. weSs.er to Lord ashburton.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, July q, lS42
Nv Lord II have now TO propose to your Lo'os'''t
line of division embracing lhe o'sPu'eu n,.l
,ha bonndarv between the u States and the bfts'
nrovnces Of New Brunswick and the Canadas, win ~
ra,ions and equivalents, such as CONFORM De
eve in substance to the result Of the many sume
ences and discussions which have taken place
The acknowledged territories Of the U. S. and Eng
land Join upon each other from the Atlantic ocean .,.
the Eastern foot of the Rocky Mountains distance
rs ,nore Than three thousand miles. From ine ocea'
" H. s,nrce Of The ST. Croix the line Of division he
bsen ascer,aired end fixed by agreement; from IN
source of the ST. Croix to point near st. Regis o.
inc river ST. Lawrence, it mag De considered US nss,
led or controver,ed from this last mentioned POI"
80 tho 81, Lawrence and through the Lakes, u !
settled unit, ii reaches the water be
tween Lake Huron and Lake Superior Al .h's pom
the commissioners under the 9Th article o. .ht ,be
oau,d M, overcome. in deciding upon which branch
or channel The line should proceed till It should .eae
point the middle of ST. Mays .,, r,s''' a''1' %
mile above ST. Georges or Sugar Isiana. ,,;o, he
/ ~ H. r,;ddIa of the water conmunicauoH oe