The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-11-19

the river ST Crox to the monument on the river ST
Lawrence near the village Of st. Regis.
The commissioners under the sixth article Of the
treaty of Client, succeeded in continuing this boun-
daIy from St. Regis. through the 81. Lawrence and
the great northern lakes, up 10 point IN the channel
between Lake Huron and Lake Superior
A further continuation Of this boundary, from this
point through Lake Superior to the Lake Of the
Woods, was1nn6ded 70 the same commissioners I'M
sy ~srs unable 20 o aSd ba Sr
consequently left this portion OF the boundary undee
mined Its final settlement has been much desired
by both Governments, and urgently pressed by com
munica,ons from MIR. Secretary Forsyth TO Mr.. Fox
IN 1889 and 1910
What have TO propose cannot, feel as
sured DC otherwise than satisfactory for this pur
pose.
The commissioners who failed 10 their endeayors
to make this settlement differed on two points:
First, as to the appropriation Of island called
ST. Georges island, lying IN the water communi-
cation between Lake Huron aid Lake Superior ;
and,
Secondly, as to the boundary through the water
communications from Lake Superior 10 the Lake OF
the Woods
The first point am ready to give up to you, and
you doubt that il is the only object of
any real value in this controversy. The island Of ST.
Georges is reported TO contain % 800 of very
fertile land, but the other things connected with
these boundaries being satisfactorily arranged, line
shall be drawn 10 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 be
determined through the wild country between Lake
Superior and the Lake Of the Woods, but il is i'm
portant that some line should be fixed and known.
The American commissioner asked for the line
from Lake Superior up the river kamanasiguia to
the lake called Dog lake, which he supposed to be
the same that called Long lake in the treaties,
thence through Sturgeon Lake TO the Lac la Pluie to
that point where the two lines assumed by the com
missoners again meet.
The British commissioner, on the other hand con-
tended for line from the southwestern extremity at
point called lie Fond du Lac to the middle OF the
mouth OF the estuary lake Of ST. Louis river,
thence up that river through Vermilion river to Lac
la Pluie
Attempts made to compromise these dihe-
rences bnt they failed apparently more from neither
party being willing to give up the island of St.
Georges, than from much importance being attach
ed to any other part of The case.
Upon the line from Lake Superior to the Lake of
the Woods both commissioners agreed to abandon
their respective claims and 10 adopt middle course
for which the American commissioner admitted that
there was some ground of preference. This was
from Pigeon river point between kamanastigua
and the Fond du Lac and although there were diff
ierences as TO the precise point near the mouth Of
Pigeon river, where the line should begin, neither
party seemed TO have attached much importance 10
this part of the subject.
about six miles south Of Pigeon river, where the
Grand Portage commences the lake, and contn-
ued along the line of said Portage, alternately by
land and water, TO Lac La Pluie-the existing route
by land and by water remaining common TO both par
ties. This line has the advantage of being known,
and attended with no doubt or uncertainty in run
ming it,
In making the important concession on this bound
AIRY, of the Isle ST. George, must attach condition
to it of accommodation, which experience has
proved to be necessary in the navga ion of the great
waters which bound the two countries-an accom-
mediation which can, aPprehend, be no possible IN
convenience TO either. This asked by the Brit
lsh commissioner, in the course of the attempts Of
above alluded to- but nothing done
because he was not t;en prepared, as | am now, 10
VI Id the property and sovereignty Of st. Georges
island.
The first Of these two is at the head Of Lake
St Clair, where the river of that name emptics into
it from Lake Huron. 1t is represented that the
channel bordering the United States coast in this
part is not only the bes. for navigation, but with
some winds, rs the only serviceable passage. 1 Go
not know that under such circumstances the passage
Of British vessel would be refused but on a final
settlement of boundaries, it is desirable TO spulate
Tor what the commissioners would probably have
settled had the facts been known to them
The other case, of nearly the same de ,cription,
occurs on the st Lawrence some mics above the
boundary at St. Regis. In distributing the islands
Of the river by the commissioners Barnhart's island
and the Long Sault islands assigned to Amer-
ca. This part Of the river has very formicabe ra-
pids, and the only safe passage is the southern
or American side, between those islands and the
main land. We want clause in our present treaty
to say tuat for short distance viz from the upper
end of upper Long Sault island to the lower eud Of
Barnharts island thc several channels Of the river
shall be used in common by the boatmen Of the TWO
countries.
am not aware that these very reasonable demands
are likely TO meet with any objection, csoer.yl.v
where the United States will have surrcuueitd ,o
them all that is is essential in the boundary have
now to propose to you
beg you will be assured, sir, Of my unlcg and
distinguished consideration.
ASHBURTON.
Hon. DANIEL WEBSTER
&C., g., &c.