The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1842-09-12
Communications.
FOR THE MADISoNIAN.
TO THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED
STATES

STATES.
A DEFENCE OF THE ADMINISTRATION.
To enable US to estimate the conduct and measures
OF the Administration in relation the agement
of the important concerns Of this confederated Gov
eminent, II is necessary to recall to minds the Ell
tuaon of our foreign affair with the great Powers Of
the earth, under the preceding Administrations the
concerns and operations that produced and effected
change; the change itself; the actual state of opln-
ions, sentiments and afalrs relatively 10 the adjust
ment of our foreign controvers the financial con-
dton ofthe country; in word, every thing connect
cd with The administrative policy of the Federal Gov
! ernnent. From The consideration of these subjects
only, it can be demonstrated, whether the Presidents
proceedings were or were not contormabIe TO wisdom
and rectude Subordinate to this general subject of
discussion is the more special inquiry, whether they
were or were not consonant to his former principles
and actions The object Of the first inquiry is he
integrity of the exertons Of the President as regards
the promotion Of the great interests of the country
whether his plans his sells tended the melo-
ration of condition and the preserv alton its
stitulional liberty of the second whether he has
been consistent with himself The criterion of the
former is the and tendency of the system. of
policy by which he has heen governed in administer
ing theafairs of the Government of the latter his
antecedent principles declarations and conduct.
In adyerting to relations with foreign powers,
we have to remarL thai c e. 49, h,ghest Importance
been brought discussion me It'll tG9ti baXe
present Administration, some have terminated; 9TH
ers have been suspended, to be renewed hereafter
under circumstances more favorable to success an /
others are still in negotiation with the hope that they
may be adjusted, with mutual accommodation to the
interests and to the satisfaction Of the respective par
ties.
1t is well known that the burning of the Caroline
the arrest of Mcleod, and the unadjusted boundary
question: produced the highest state of excitement in
this country, well as Great Britain Indeed il
may be remarked that the country stood on the brink
OF dreadful war TO avoid this condition of things
IL required great prudence, enlarged experience and
consummate wisdom. How these difficulties termi-
mated are well known to the community, and the
means that were taken to produce an amicable re-
suit Yet, amidst the gloom and embarrassment
Ihat surrounded our foreign relations with Great
britain, PRESIDENT yler found some alienation i'm the
sgnited purpose of Her Britannia Majesty to charge
WIN the adjustment special mission to the United
States, which, restricted as it was indicated dispo
sltoli from which liberal and concatory arrange
meht Oh one great object, namely the settlement of
the Northeastei boundary controversy might be
expected. Accordingly, negotiation upon high and
delicate interests, with the Government of Great
Britain, has closed in the adjustment of the questions
OF the dispute in relation to the Northeastern boun-
Diary.
The Administration has succeeded in adjusting this
proiracted controversy This dispute is as old as
the French possession Of Nova Scotia France set
up one river as the divisional line Great Britain
announcer. The point was undecided when the surren-
der oil Nova Scotia by the former TO the latter took
place. II was afterwards renewed between the col
ONES OF Nova Scotia and Massachusetts Bay in the
year l'o2, they appointed commissioners TO ascer.
.an' IN conjunction with commissioners which might
be appointed by the Provinces to negotiate bu no
settlement OF the matter ensued.
The treaty of 1883 gave us for one boundary the
river ST Croix, but without designating it, Hence il
has happened, that not long after the peace was
concluded, which had been before agitated between
France and Great Britain and between the Province
OF Massachusetts and Nova Scotia the iestion was
renewed between the State of Massachusetts and the
Province OF Nova Scotia, and it has ever since con
tinued subject of debate
mode OF settling the controversy was under the
consideration OF Congress in the year 1855, and
powers were then given TO Minister at the Cour
oil 81 James TO adjust the affair." but nothing was con-
GUIDED Again II was revived, by Jaw in 1893 and |
IN 1914 by the commissioners at Client Thus we |
ma that this question has engaged the attention of |
our Government from the treaty of peace to the |
present time
IL is natural 10 suppose that controversy of such
antiquity not without colorado foundation on eth
er side at any rate IT was essential to the peace of
the country that it should be adjusted
In the arrangement of the boundary il is contend |
ed by the opposers of the treaty that the Admnistr
uon dd not maintain the same ground that had been
trodden by preceding Administrations we made
too large concessions to q ieat Britain
ltwili not be commended, because certain ground
had been taken by preceding Administrations ii ought
10 nave oeen Perunacousiy kept, If, upon fair exam
nauoh, IL appeared not TO be solid or if an adhe |
rance 70 ~ could have prevented reasonable dust
men of difficulties
Nations, no more than individuals, ought TO |
persist In error especially at the sacrifice of their
peace and prosperity. But in all controversies whe-
,ner ihvoi'hg compensation for damages or adjust
ment oil boundaries, and where there IS mutual dis
position 10 avoid error the national retreat of both
IS IN compromise concession. This is the sayo far ma
tohai PRIDE the escape for mutual error the bridge
10y when nations, arraycd against each other are en-
aoed 10 retire with honor. One side has an equal |
r,gh' WIN the other to have and ntain s opinion
What IS 70 DC done, when the pride Of neither will |
yield 10 the arguments Of the other; War or 4, VA |
yer OF The point is the alternative
rom the state of the controversy, and of the par
e'' 'here can be but one opinion that the eomproms