Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1842-05-17
DOMESTIC.
Letter rom the Secretary of State TO the Gorernors o
Massachusetts and Maine.
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
Washington, 1lth April, 1912.
ITO MS L1tetsHty JUN FAKlFIELD,
Gorernor 0f Maine:

| Your Excelency is aware that previous TO March
lS4l negotiation had been going for some time
between the Secretary of State of the u 81, under I'M
direction of,he President and the British Minister &C
credited to this Government having for its object the
creation Of joint commission for settling the controver
| sy respecting the Northeastern boundary OF the u )
with provision for an ultimate reference to arbilra
tors, TO be appointed by OF the soveregns OF Eu
rope, in arbitration should become necessary
On the leading features of Convention for this pur
pose, the two Governments were agreed, but on seve
raj matters Of detail the parties differed and appear
have been interchung ing their respective views and
opinions, pro ecs and counter projects without coming
to final gene nj down 10 August, 1870 Various
causes, not necessary to be explained arrested
the progress of the negotiation at that time, and nc
considerable advance has been since made in IT,
1t TO have been understood, on both sides, that
one arbitration having failed 1t was the duty Of the
two parties to proceed to institute another, according
To the spirit of the Treaty OF Client, and other trea
ties and the President has felt it TO be his duty,
less some new course should be proposed to the
negotiation be- resumed, and pressed to its concln
SION. But have to inform your Excellency that
Lord Ashburton, Minister Plenipotentary and Spe-
cial has arrived at the Seat of Government of the
United Sta,es charged with full powers from his
reign to negotiate and settle the different matters in
DISCUSSION between the two Governments. | have
further TO state to you, that he has officially announced
10 this Department, that, in regard to the Boundary
question, he has authority TO treat for conventional
line, or line by agreement, on such terms and cond
tons and will such mutual considerations and equIva-
ents as may be thought Just and equitable and that
he is ready to enter upon negotiation for such
venlional line so this Government shall say
that it is authorized aud ready, its part, TO com
mence such negotiation
Under these circumstances, the President has felt it
10 be his duty io call the serious attention of the Go
vernments Of Maine and Massachusetts, to the subject,
and TO submit those Governments the proprleiy of
their operation TO certain extent and in certain
form, in endeavor To terminate controversy already
of SO long duration, and which very likely 10 be
still considerably further protacted before the desired
end OF final adjustment shall be attained, unless
shorter of arriving at that end be adopted than
such as has heretofore been pursued, and as the two
Governments are still pursuing.
Yet without the concurrence OF the two States whose
rights are more Immediately concerned, both having
interest in the soil; and Of them in the jurisdiction
and government, the duty of this Government will be
to adop, course; but in compliance with treaty
spulatons, and in iurtherance of what has already
been DONE hasten the pending negotiations fast
possible
Bot the President links it highly desirable object
to prevent the delays necessarily incident 10 any set
Element of The question by these means. Such delays
are great and unavoidable. 1t has been found that
exploration and examination Of the several lines con-
slne work Of three years. The existing commits
for making such exploration under the authority OF
the u. s, has been occupied two Summers, and very
considerable portion of the work still remains be done
f Joint commission should be appointed, and should 90
through the same work and the commissioners should
disagree very possible, and arbitration that &c
become Indispensable, the arbtratoa nigh, find
il necessary TO make exploration and survey them.
selves, the 10 be done by others OF their
own appointment. If to these causes, operating TO
postpone the final decision be added the time necessa
nv to appoint abtrators and for their preparation to
leave Europe for the service and the various retardng
incidents always attending snch operations, seven or
eight years constitute, perhaps the shortest period
within which can look for final result. In the
time great expenses have been incurred, and FUR
Their expenses cannot be avoided 1t is we'll known that
the controversy has brought heavy charges upon Maine
herself, to the remuneration or proper settlement OF
which, she cannot be expected to be Indifferent
The exploration by the Government Of the United
States has already cost hundred thousand dollars, aud
the charge of another summers work is in prospect
These facts may be sufficient TO form probable estl
mate oil the whole expense likely to be incurred before
the controversy can be settled by arbitration; and our
experience adnonishcs tina. even another arbitration
might possibly fail.
The opinion ofthis Government upon the justice and
validity of the American claim has been expressed at
so many times, and in many forms, that repetition
of that opinion is not necessary But the subject is
subject in dispute The Government has agreed to
make matter Of reference and arbitration; and must
fulfil that agreement, unless another mode for settling
the controversy should be resored TO with the hope OF
producing speeder decision The President proposes,
then that the Governments of Maine and Nlassachu-
setts should severay appoint commissioner or com
mssioners empowered 10 confer with the authorities
of this Government upon conventional line, or line
by agreement, with lis terms, conditions, considerations
and equivalents, with all understanding that no such
line will he agreed upon, without the assent of such
commissioners This mode Of proceeding, some
other W ch shall express assent beforehand seems IN
dspensabe if any negotiation for conventional line
be had since If happily treaty should be the re-
suit of the negotiation, it can only be submitted to the
Senate of the U. S for ratification
1t is subject of deep and sincere regret to the Pre-
s,dent that the British ptnpoentlary did not arrive in
the country and make known his powers, IN time TO
have made this communication before the annual ses-
sion of the Legislatures Of the two States had been
brought to close. He perceves and lnments the IN
convenience which may he experienced from reassem-
bling those Legislatures; but The British mission is
specla one it does superscde the resident mission
Of the British Government at Washington, and It's stay
in the u. S. is not expected 10 be long. In addition
to these considerations, 1t is TO be suggested that more
Than four months of the session Of Congress have al
ready passed. and it is Ihly desirable, if any treaty
for conventional line should be agreed on, It should
be concluded before the session shall termnate not
only because of the necessity of the ratification OF the
Senate but also because it is not impossible that mea.
sures may be thought advisable, become important
which can only be accomplished by the authority OF
both Houses.
These considerations, in addition 10 the importance
of the subject, and firm conviction IN the mind oil
the President that the interest of both countries, as
we'll as The interests Of the two States immediate
" concerned, required prompt effort TO bring this
dispute 10 an end, cons;rain him express an earnest
hope that your Excellency will convene the Legisla:
ture Of Maine and subm, the subject to its grave and
candid elaboration.
| am, with great respect,
Your Excellency's obedt servt,
fSipned) DANIEL WEBSTER.
To this letter the Governor of Massachusetts an
swered that the Executive OF that Commonwealth was
already, by resolutions of the Legislature authorized
10 dn whatever might be necessary in the premises ana
The Governor of Maine issued Proclamation conyen
ing the Legislature of that State on the lath INST.
r.Nddisonidn.
TIE AFFAIR OF SATURDAY.
The Washington correspondent Of the n'en 1ta'es 5
Gazette, under the signature of Oliver oidschoo ana
date of the Sth Instant gives distorted an account OF